How to Use Blue Screen for Effects

Technology in movies has drastically improved over the past few decades.

Blue screening allows filmmakers to create the appearance that people or objects are in locations where they really aren't. For example, a scene in a movie that features Superman flying through the air is actually the scenery and the actor filmed separately. The actor is either positioned on a blue support beam, or hanging from a wire rope to give the impression that he is flying. This film technique has become so perfected over the years that the blue screen scenes look seamless.

Things You'll Need

• Film editing equipment
• A bright blue screen
• Filming equipment

Instructions

1. Shoot the scenery that you want to be included in the shot. In the film and television business, this is call a background plate.

2. Position the actors or objects in front of a bright-blue screen. Have them act out the scene while they are aware of the scenery that was previously shot.

3. Use two mattes in the editing process. One matte should be of the actor in a black silhouette against a white background. The second matte should be the actor's silhouette in white and the background in black.

4. Combine the mattes and run them through a red filter.

5. Combine the two original shots with the two mattes and this will complete the illusion.

References

• Discovery Channel: How Does a Blue Screen Work?
• You Tube: Project Blue; How to Bluescreen With Win Moviemaker