Chroma key is a cotton fabric that is known for its unique green color. This color does more than just brighten the room–it also serves as what is known as a “green screen.”
A green screen is a type of backdrop that is often used in the entertainment industry. Actors frequently film scenes in front of green screens, but the chroma key fabric won’t end up in the final cut of the movie. Instead, the media technicians remove the green screen from the shot and replace it with whatever background they’d like. This allows movie directors to shoot scenes in fantastical settings without ever leaving the studio.
People outside of Hollywood use green screens, too. In fact, there are plenty of uses for this fascinating fabric. Here are five creative ways to use green screens:
Film A Music Video
Showcase your musical talents by filming a music video in front of a green screen. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars so you can film the video in a unique location as long as you are standing in front of a green screen. Sing or play your heart out, then edit the video so you can remove the green screen and replace it with an eye-catching background. You can even use multiple backgrounds so it seems as if you are traveling to different locations during the music video. This is a great way to put your creativity to the test and promote your musical act.
Unleash Your Super Powers
You can also use a green screen to unleash your secret super powers. Have you ever dreamed of being invisible? If so, make this dream a reality with the help of a green screen. Instead of posing in front of the green screen, wrap the chroma key fabric around your body. The parts of your body that are covered by fabric will appear to be invisible after the film has been edited.
It’s also possible to create the illusion that you are a superhero capable of flying or leaping across tall buildings. To do this, place the chroma key fabric on the floor. You should be standing in front of another chroma key green screen as well. Now, you can edit out your surroundings and make it look as if you are jumping from building-to-building or mountain-to-mountain without breaking a sweat! Make it even more believable by setting up a fan to blow your hair and superhero cape in the wind.
You can unleash the power of time travel with a green screen as well. Insert yourself into historical scenes so it appears that you have traveled back in time. Be sure that every inch of your surroundings is covered by chroma key fabric so everything can be removed in the editing room. If an inch of your surroundings is visible, your audience may question your super powers!
Step Into Your Favorite Story
Many people wonder what it would be like to interact with their favorite fictional characters. This may seem impossible, but a green screen can make it happen. Pick out a scene from your favorite movie or TV show and memorize the physical location of the characters on the screen and the way they interact with one another. Then, film yourself in front of a green screen and pretend that you are a part of the scene you just watched. In the editing room, the green screen can be removed and replaced with the scene from your favorite TV show or movie. So, if you’ve done it right, it should seem as if you are interacting directly with your favorite fictional characters.
Feel free to choose any movie or TV show you desire. Don’t be afraid to choose a cartoon, either. It’s exciting to see yourself step into an animated world and interact with cartoon characters.
Take Beautiful Photographs
Filmmakers are not the only ones who use green screens on a regular basis–photographers do, too. A green screen gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photographs in front of practically any backdrop. You can take a picture of yourself laying on the sandy beaches in Hawaii, enjoying the crisp mountain air in Colorado, or standing in front of national landmarks such as the Washington Monument or Statue of Liberty. Use your imagination to come up with the perfect backdrop for your photographs. Then, strike a pose in front of the green screen so you can remove the background in the editing room.
Teach Students
Green screens are used in classrooms across the country, too. Students that are studying filmmaking or editing are expected to use green screens on a regular basis, but they’re not the only ones. Many students outside of this field also learn how to use green screens inside the classroom. For example, students in a broadcasting class can stand in front of a green screen to record interviews, read the headline news, or even forecast the weather. This is an invaluable opportunity that can help students see what it would be like to work in the newsroom.
Teachers also encourage their students to use green screens when they are involved in mock court cases or completing history projects. Students love using green screens to make their presentations and projects more interesting and enjoyable to watch for everyone in the classroom.
As you can see, there are countless ways to use green screens. If you’re interested in purchasing chroma key fabric, contact Chicago Canvas & Supply. We are your leading source for green screens, textiles, theatre fabrics, tarps, drop cloths, and more. We are happy to send free material samples to our clients. To place a request for samples, contact us today by calling 1-866-389-2218 or emailing email@chicagocanvas.com.
I like that you talk about the various ways you can use chroma key green screen, such as placing the fabric on the floor to be able to create the illusion that you’re flying. When using it, it would probably be a good idea to consider what you want to do with it before purchasing any. This could help you determine the size it needs to cover and where so you can choose the right options, such as if you want chroma key flooring or for the wall, in order to be able to then go online to purchase the necessary products.
I like that you pointed out that this will be able to create beautiful photos. As you said, we can replace the backdrop with any design that we can imagine. I will have this kind of screen for our photo shoot next month. It’s for our wedding, and this will let my guests create what they want and print them on the same day as well.