Green screen Hollywood technology, also known as chroma key is a technique used by filmmakers to mix 2 separate photographs together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is usually green or blue ) clear to reveal another image which is the particular background that will be shown on film. This method of filming is often referred to 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 was replaced by actual maps that indicate weather predictions. The chroma key technique is also used by filmmakers and photographers alike.

 

 

The green screen first made its appearance in the 1930’s at RKO Radio Pictures. The background used back then was blue. This method of film making was developed to create special effects for the film “The thief of Bagdad.” aside from the chroma key technique, filmmakers relied on a very tedious and time intensive process called “travelling matte.” This made transition like “wipes” attainable.

 

Larry butler is thought to be accountable for pioneering the blue screen methodology. Actually, he even took home an Academy Award for visible effects for his work in “The burglar of Bagdad.” After his success in the 30’s, butler was the first to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, leading the way for modern green screen Hollywood technology.

 

The first films to profit from Chroma Key technology was the film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway famous short story, “The Old Man and the Sea,” starring Spencer Tracy. After the “Old Man and the Sea,” more and more films used the chroma key technique. Some famous film which 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 computer generated images are also made with the help of green screen technology. This is how having out of this world settings and fantastic creatures can be shown on film.

 

Today, green screen Hollywood technology is not just limited to massive budget studios. It is also used in photography. From the original blue screen, green was used later on because filmmakers discovered that a green background doesn’t need tedious lighting. Cameras are most attuned to this color, so the outcome of films shot on green screens are more easy to work with and manipulate. With that said, chroma key technology is now known to photographers and filmmakers’ best friend.

 

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