Video:   "How To Set Up A Cheap Green Screen Studio"

Do you want to try recording green screen videos, but think it would cost too much, or you don't have enough room for a studio?

 These 2 videos will show you how to create a small, inexpensive video studio, then record and process greens screen videos. 

This video shows how to set up the studio, with green screen, lights, and camera. Then it shows how to record yourself while sitting in front of the screen.

The second video shows how to edit the green screen recording to replace the green screen background behind you with another photo or video background.

Video:   "How To Set Up A Cheap Green Screen Studio"

Playlist: "How To Make Green Screen Videos"

URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgHiYdbb2tMJEIwR84dCbYUBx68ZOokIv

#1 (this video)

How to put together an inexpensive, small studio

How to light the green screen,

How to record yourself in front of the screen"

#2 "How To Edit Green Screen Videos"

How to edit the green screen recording to remove the screen
and superimpose your image on a background photo or video.

We'll show how to set up a small and inexpensive studio for recording with a green screen. The studio can be quickly set up for recording, then stored when you're finished.

To produce green screen videos, record yourself in front of the screen. Then use a video editor to remove the screen behind you, and superimpose your image on a photo or video background.

With green screens, you can produce videos of yourself speaking in front of an eye-catching photo or video background like the one behind me. You can even interact with the background by looking or pointing. Here are several examples. We'll show you later how to create them.

SHOW EXAMPLES

My studio fits in a (very cluttered) garage, and cost about $250 to set up, but I'll describe how to reduce the cost to $100 or so.

Use a "real" green screen for your studioj. Or a blue screen if your subject contains some green. Don't try to use a light colored blank wall. It's difficult or impossible to remove the wall from your image.

For less than $100, you can attach green fabric to a frame or wall. https://www.amazon.com/LYLYCTY-Background-Photography-Backdrops-Customized/dp/B07HSYD4HK/ref=asc_df_B07HSYD4HK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312106635483&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9072254122802624748&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=200501&hvtargid=pla-645599828100&psc=1

Or you can use an inexpensive folding green screen.  See URL: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541119-REG/Impact_BGC_CG_57_Collapsible_Background_5.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNf6BRAwEiwAkt6UQvsuwCoSumTCX0GOPJj7fBdmqbjeLjvuEWd_LUrdk9DNnzvgmW1YsRoCATYQAvD_BwE

Those may get dirty or develop wrinkles over time, and you will then need to carefully clean or iron them.

It's much better to spend a little more and get a retractable green screen that rolls up into a case when not in use. I use an Emart portable green screen (5' x 6' $195). URL: https://www.emartus.com/products/emart-green-screen-chromakey-panel 

Elegato makes a similar screen. https://www.adorama.com/eg10gaf9901.html?utm_source=adl-gbase

It only takes a few seconds to set up the Emart screen. Just turn the feet to right angles, open the case, and pull it up 6'.  I highly recommend the Emart screen, but I advise you to spend a little more money and get the 6' x 7' model. URL: https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-Chromakey-Aluminium-Wrinkle-Resistant-Auto-Locking/dp/B08B5VDZCB/ref=asc_df_B08B5VDZCB/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459655373910&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4429058407430961764&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031726&hvtargid=pla-944947275965&psc=1

Choosing lights for your studio

Professional green screen studios use a large green screen, 2 lights on the screen, 2 lights in front of you and 1 light behind you. 

I use 2 $25 umbrella lights on stands, to light both me and the screen. URL: https://www.amazon.com/Photography-Portrait-Umbrella-Continuous-LimoStudio/dp/B005FHZ2SI/ref=sr_1_3?crid=11KZ4BLN1WPC9&dchild=1&keywords=umbrella+lighting+kit&qid=1599529777&s=electronics&sprefix=umbrella%2Celectronics%2C327&sr=1-3 

You could use work lights with clamps from the local hardware store. Clamp them to chair backs or make supports with PVC pipes or boards.

Light from outside will make it difficult to properly adjust green screen lighting. My studio area has a window, and it's on the right side of this photo. You should block windows in your studio area with a blackout curtain or shade, or just hang a tarp over the window. I block the window with a light shield I made for astronomy. Looks strange, but works fine. See URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riRiGEAjq7I&list=PLgHiYdbb2tMIYugRZiso2UdLAdQWIipZV&index=1

To purchase a blackout window shade:  See blinds.com URL: 

Blinds.com Blackout Roller Shade

Here's what I ordered ($136):

• I recommend width at least 6 in. greater than the inside width of your window, and length at least 4 inches longer than the window
• Width: 60 0/0
• Height: 60 0/0
• Mount: Outside Mount
• Color:  Splendor Black SPB08
• Lift: Beaded Chain
• Control Side: Right
• Chain Type: White Metal
• Fabric Roll Direction: Standard (from back of roll)
• Valance: No Valance
• Bottom Rail: Heat Sealed Aluminum
• 3/8" Spacer Blocks: 3/8" Spacer Blocks ??

You should adjust the lighting so both you and the screen are evenly lit, and your shadow is not on the screen. Keep the lights mostly outside the camera view to avoid poor exposure in your videos. You can compensate for some lighting variation when processing the recording.

The pros recommend you sit 5' in front of the screen. I only sit 2' from the screen. Sitting closer lets you move around a little more without disappearing off the edge of the screen.

Before you start recording, choose a background photo or video. You can use your own photos or videos as background, or download them. Many websites provide several free background photos or videos, then you pay for additional images. URL: https://unsplash.com/backgrounds, https://pixabay.com/images/search/background/

Videos: https://pixabay.com/videos/stars-glitter-glittering-blue-5208/

If you'll be interacting with the background, decide where on the background you'll place your image, then plan which way to look or point as you record. In the next video, we'll show you how to change the position or size of your image on the background. 

Place the camera on a tripod in front of you, with the green screen centered. Adjust your seated position so your head and body are in front of the green screen. Adjust your camera position or zoom so you capture the entire green screen. If you'll be pointing with your hands in the video, adjust your position so your arms and hands are always in front of the green screen. If you wear glasses, adjust the camera position to eliminate reflections from them.

If you have a "one-person" video studio, you can adjust the lighting, and your position in front of the screen with a remote viewing program on a smartphone, iPad, or laptop computer. I use both the Canon Camera connect app on an iPhone, and EOS Utility on a Windows laptop. Camera connect connects to the camera with WiFi to let you change camera settings and take snapshots, but not videos. The EOS Utiliity connects with a USB cable to let you change settings and take both snapshots and videos. See playlist "DSLR Photography": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgHiYdbb2tMLcpzn1fC9bdng4SKmNPz5k.

If you don't use a remote viewing program, you can check everything out by taking a series of test recordings, then review them on the camera. Be sure to combine your final tests with a background before shooting your actual videos. That will show errors in position and lighting errors that make it difficult to remove the green screen from the recording.

Here's a several tips for better recordings:

It's difficult to record good audio with a DSLR's built-in mic, unless the DSLR is very close to your mouth. For most recordings, I use the Shure SM35 head worn mic, record separate sound with Voice Recorder on a Windows 10 PC or laptop, then replace the DSLR audio with the Voice Recorder audio. See video "Best Way To Narrate Home Videos", in playlist "How To Use The Shure SM35 Mic With A Computer", URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgHiYdbb2tMJFaHQexPXI-2_MOSkvYahQ

If you have trouble remembering what to say while recording, use a teleprompter. They are available for both Smartphones and iPads. See playlists

"Ipad" url: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgHiYdbb2tMJOXQbHZOOSmi7h08_22waR

and "Smartphone" url: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgHiYdbb2tMIe0o_wmeym_2suq6U2IAWv

Connect the camera to an AC adapter, so you won't run out of battery while setting everything up.

For sharp focus, set up a test object where your face will be, then focus the camera manually. Don't rely on auto focus while recording -- the video may go in and out of focus.

If you use a wired mic, keep the mic cable out of the camera view, if possible. For example, see how my mic cable connects to the laptop on the table.

The next video in playlist "How To Make Green Screen Videos"

(show title and playlist at the bottom)

This video shows how to process a green screen recording, using a video editor. We'll show you how to remove the green background , then superimpose your image on a replacement background photo or video. We'll also show you how to change the position and size of your image on the background. Lastly, we'll show you how to add a text box to your video.

Clickable links for all videos mentioned in this video are included with the script for this video at the url shown below. There's a link to the script in the video description.

Video: How To Edit Green Screen Videos

Playlist: How To Make Green Screen Videos

(list both videos at the bottom, and the playlist)

This is the second video in playlist "How To Make Green Screen Videos". The first video "How To Set Up A Cheap Green Screen Studio" showed how to set up an inexpensive studio, gave choices for equipment, and showed how to place yourself, the lights, and the camera.

Video: How To Set Up A Cheap Green Screen Studio

Playlist: How To Make Green Screen Videos

There are many video editors that will process green screen recordings, aka chroma key recordings. Some are free, some have a free trial version. We're using Cyberlink PowerDirector Video Editor Version 18 to process the videos. I've used this editor for many years, and have recently been using it's chroma key functions. 

To produce the final video, use a video editor to remove the green background, then put your image on the selected background photo or video. Many editors can process green screen videos. Some are free, and some have free trial versions. See URL: https://filmora.wondershare.com/video-editing-tips/free-green-screen-software.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwqML6BRAHEiwAdquMnR2mujv5dkV5mhB5ZCCA_1NBDZtiGe9EM7bKujjVoRk5ymv7XWD0JBoCV98QAvD_BwE 

I use Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 ($100/year). URL: https://www.cyberlink.com/products/index_en_US.html 

For help using PowerDirector, see the videos in playlist: "Basic Editing With PowerDirector 18", URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgHiYdbb2tMIE_MDgdLgST3qx-XEtPW8R

Video: "How To Edit Green Screen Videos"

This video will show you how to edit green screen recordings to replace the green screen background with another photo or video background, like the one behind me. 

This is the second video of the 2-video series "How To Make Green Screen Videos". The first video showed how to set up a cheap green screen studio and how to make green screen recordings.

Many video editors can process green screen recordings, also known as chroma key recordings. We'll use Cyberlink PowerDirector Video Editor Version 18.  We'll show you how to mask the orginal video to remove everthing outside the green screen, subsitute another background, then change the size and position of your image in front of the background. We'll also show how to add a text box to the video image.

First, open powerdirector, import the green screen recording and the new background photo or video. As mentioned in the first video, I always replace the DSLR audio with audio recorded on a windows laptop, so we'll import that audio file also. Drag the background image to the first timeline track, then the recording and audio file to the 2nd and 3rd tracks.

Free background images: https://www.iskysoft.com/video-editing/green-screen-video-backgrounds.html#:~:text=%20Best%205%20Places%20to%20Download%20Free%20Green,781%20free%20green%20background%20video%20footages...%20More%20

(show steps to replace audio)

Select the video, and open the mask designer.

deselect maintain aspect ratio

Eliminate everything in the recording that is not in front of the green screen. If you aren't going to move much in the video, you can eliminate more of the green screen to make it easier to eliminate it if there are lighting variations.

Open the pip designer

steps to eliminate the green background.

Then adjust the size, position, or brightness of the GS recording in front of the background.

To add a text box, create with any text editor, use the snipping tool to take a picture of the text.

Drag the text pic to where you want it to be shown. It should be the track below the video.

select the text pic to drag it around and change it's size.

Add any additional narration needed. But, if you are speaking and facing the camera, you'll need to re-record with the green screen so your lips will match your words.

Produce the video..

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