How to Green Screen (Before Digital Compositing!)
Discover how pre-computer chroma keying worked in this informative video.
If you do a lot of chroma key work than you are probably very familiar with how difficult the entire process can be. From lighting the background to minimizing spill, there are a million different things to think about (and mess up) along the way.
However, the difficulties associated with modern chroma keying fail to compare to that of keying in the pre-computer world. Using techniques like contrast mattes and sodium vapor lights, filmmakers of years past had even more difficulties pulling good chroma keys.
In the following video Tom Scott explains how filmmakers and TV professionals achieved chroma keys in the pre-computer age:
This video was first shared on Tom Scott’s YouTube channel. Thanks for sharing Tom!
Want to learn more about the pre-computer chroma keying process? Check out a few of the following resources:
- No CGI Please: Special Effects before Computers – Mental Floss
- Chroma Key – Wikipedia
