Setting up a Green or Blue Screen

- Consistent color is "key". First step is to make sure the fabric or surface is not wrinkled, creased or cracked

- Stretch fabric onto a frame, such that it's tight and allows for easy repositioning, and won't breathe/ flap due to airflow

- Make sure the screen is far enough away from your FG action to avoid heavy spill (reflected light from the screen onto actors/ environment)

- If you don't have a frame, you can hang from a top rail, and then drop something weighted onto the fabric on the floor such that the screen is stabilized as best as possible

- We generally aim to have the screen 1 stop brighter than the FG

- If you are joining multiple screens, keep an eye on those seams - and ideally move action or the screen so long-running action isn't occuring over the seam

- If an actor is walking off the screen, be sure to consider the edge of the screen: is it dressed, or do you see the frame? If you see the frame, that'll be problematic and you'll want to dress it

- If the camera (or screen) is moving, you'll need to add tracking marks to the screen. You'll want to have at least a few in frame at all times. But, if it's right behind an actor or partially obscured by their hair, move that tracking mark so it's not occluded by long-running action. Otherwise you'll need to paint it out in post and with hair detail, that can get annoying

- If you need to shoot plates to fill the green screen, be sure to record your lensing, camera height, distance to screen and inclination - this will be how you match angles

‍