History of Green Screen Hollywood
Green screen Hollywood technology, AKA chroma key is a technique used by filmmakers to mix two separate photographs together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is generally green or blue ) transparent in order to show another image which is the actual background that’ll be shown on film. This technique of filming is also known as color keying, blue screen, and color separation overlay ( CSO ). It was essentially used for weather reports. Forecasters were shot in front of chroma key screens and the background got replaced by tangible maps that indicate weather estimates. The chroma key technique is also utilised by filmmakers and photographers alike.
The green screen first made its appearance in the 1930’s at RKO Radio footage. The backdrop used back then was blue. This method of film making was developed to create special effects for the film “The burglar of Bagdad.” aside from the chroma key technique, filmmakers depended on a tedious and time intensive process called “travelling matte.” This made transition such as “wipes” possible .
Larry butler is understood to be responsible for pioneering the blue screen technique. Actually, he even took home an Academy Award for visual effects for his work in “The burglar of Bagdad.” After his accomplishment in the 30’s, servant was the first to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, paving the way for modern green screen Hollywood technology.
The first films to benefit from Chroma Key technology was the movie modification of Ernest Hemingway famous novella, “The Old Man and the Sea,” starring Spencer Tracy. After the “Old Man and the Sea,” more and more films used the chroma key system. Some famous film that make use of chroma key technology are The Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Star Trek, and even 300. Films that employ CGI or PC generated photographs are also made with the help of green screen technology. This is how having out of this world settings and wonderful creatures are able to be shown on film.
Today, green screen Hollywood technology isn’t just confined to massive budget studios. It’s also used in photography. From the opening blue screen, green was used later on because filmmakers found out that a green background doesn’t need tedious lighting. Cameras are most sensitive to this color, so the result of films shot on green screens are less difficult to work with and manipulate. With that said, chroma key technology is now known to photographers and filmmakers’ best friend.
There are a lot of other websites giving various forms of advice on how to use green screen but most of them are not very specific or precise. Before following these, make sure to check my own articles and reviews on Green Screen Rentals and Green Screen Hollywood, additionally, you can reach me at phillipguy@hotmail.com or 1-323-851-3825
