How to Make a Green Screen at Home

Chroma-key is an application in which two images are blended together. The subject stands in front of a single-color screen that is usually green, and then another image is inserted in its place. For example, you can insert a baseball stadium into the background, and it will look like you are there. These green screens can be made at home to assist you in creating images and videos.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric, sheeting or paint
• Tape measure
• Tacks or nails

Instructions

1. 

   Measure an area that is large enough for your project. Estimate the total area that you will need so that you will not see anything other than the green screen. There should also be enough room for the person or object to stand a few feet away from the screen; this will allow for the best lighting.

2. 

   Choose the materials that you will use for your screen. This will depend on your budget. You can use a bright green paint or a sheet. Green cloth can also work well. You can search the Internet for chroma-key paint (see Resources). Whatever you decide to use, it must be wrinkle free. Install this in the area that you had measured.

3. 

   Install consistent lighting behind your screen. There should be no shadows. You will need to use at least a couple of 300- to 500-watt lights and have a few 100- to 250-watt lights. Light diffusers also help because they cut down on the shadows from your subject.

4. 

   Record the footage in front of the green screen.

5. 

   Then create a chroma-key. You can do this with a video switcher, such as a Phillips manual switch, or by using video editing or compositing software such as the free t@b ZS4.

References

• Create a green screen

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Film Tools
• Video Maker
• Editing software