Chroma key and Green screen
what is chroma key? and how to use it in music videos
Chroma key is a video technique that is used with green screen and blue screen technology. It works by placing the subject of a video onto another background. This is done by placing a subject in front of a green screen and recording them. In the editing process, a Chroma "Keying" or "Keyer" effect is then placed on the video. A Chroma Keying is the process of removing a specific colour component (chroma) from the video footage and replacing it (key) with a different element/component. This is the way, in which video producers and editors remove one background and replace it with another. In a way, Chroma key and green screen technology works in the same way in which colour graphic editors work.
Unlike other bright colours, neither Blue or Green are found within any skin tone colour, this is very important. To create a effective Chroma Keying effect, The colour and tone of the subject has to be separated from the background that is going to be replaced and keyed. This means that the two colours cannot mix. Both blue and green do not blend with any skin tone,Therefore, there is no chance of the background mixing with the skin tone of the subject. However, If the two colours did mix, the subject's skin would be partly covered by the keyed background, as the video editing software would not be able to distinguish clearly between what to keep and what to remove.
Another way of creating a effective chroma key effect is lighting. Powerful lights are needed to increase the intensity of the backdrop (green screen) to give a strong consistent colour to work with. Those lights however can make the subject look very dark in comparison to the background, so soft lighting that is aimed towards the subject is needed to deal with this. More lights are then needed to soften the hard edges or hotspots created by the other lighting. Hotspots are shadows that are created by lights that intersect each other. If the subject of the video and the green screen is lit correctly, it will result in a successful chroma key effect. It is more effective to use Green screen,rather than Blue screen to create a Chroma key effect. This is because green screen is less likely to blend in with the foreground.
When shooting footage for chroma keying for music video production, it is important that the artist is in the center and at a equal distance from the camera and the green screen. This allows for less hotspots to show on the green screen. As mentioned before, it is also important to light both the artist and the green screen correctly. This is done by using external lights with soft filters. The filters help lessen the power and intensity of the lights.
Too much light can create hotspots, which could become problematic when applying the chroma key. 3 lights should be used to light both the artist and the green screen. One light should be placed in front of the artist, the other two should be placed on the left and the right of the artist and green screen. Proper lighting is crucial when it comes to applying chroma key filters. It is important to make sure that the artist does not move away from the green screen.This could ruin the entire shoot. Once the lighting and the positioning of the artist is done, the performance can be filmed. It is useful for the artist to memorize the lyrics of the songs, so that it is easier to lip sync. Once the performance has been recorded, it can be imported into video editing software (Final cut pro, premiere pro)
Before the footage is imported, a new event and project should.be created. Once this is done, the footage can be edited. Chroma key and effects can be added onto the video by clicking on the "effects" icon in the bottom right corner. To add the chroma key, click on "keying" and select "keyer". This is the default, chroma key. Drag the "keyer" effect onto the recorded footage. The keyer effect should have automatically gotten rid of the green screen in the background and replaced it with a black background. Now that the green colour has been removed from the video, you can now add pictures and videos into the background of the recorded footage of the artist. The background images or videos need to be placed at the bottom of the main video (green screen footage) on the project timeline. This will trigger the chroma key/keyer effect. Effects such as blurs and RBG splits can be added to both the background video and the main footage. This can make the music video look realistic and professional.
Chroma keying and effects in music videos
Chroma key is used in a lot of music videos. There are various reasons why music videos continue to use the chroma key effect. One reason the effect is used in music videos is to create hyperealism. Music Artists often use the effect to create a hypereal in-concert experience. This is done to get fans to go to the actual live concert. As mentioned before, a lot of music videos utilize chroma key effects. Music videos also tend to use visual effects as well. Using Effects is a effective way of creating a visual representation of a song for a music video. Using Visual effects is a impactful way of letting the artist express their song's meaning. It allows the artist to express their creativity. Generally, effects make music videos look creative and aesthetically pleasing. In some music videos, Both Chroma key and visual effects are combined and used to create hyperreality and to reinforce or create a star image for the artist. For example, a music video may use chroma key to transport the artist to a different location. An effect might also be added to create a weather change or make the artist look superior by making he/she stand out more. Chroma key can also be used to represent emotions,mood and put focus on the artist, particularly in performance music videos. For example, the song of the music video might portray the artist as being isolated or lonely, which would suggest that the chroma key background would be a location that displays this.
The music videos below are examples of videos that use chroma key and effects.
Labrinth- Last time
Comparing Positives and Negatives
This music video effectively uses chroma key and effects to create a visual representation of the lyrics. One example of this is during the performance parts of the video, where the artist is lip syncing. Chroma key is used here to create the illusion that the artist is in a surreal world. This is one of the main reason why chroma key and effects were used to create this music video. Another reason chroma key was used in this music video was to strengthen the hyper realism. The use of chroma key makes the audience believe that the artist is really in another world. In terms of Goodwin's theory on relationship between lyrics and visuals, this video illustrates and amplifies the lyrics of the song. For example, in the video when the artist says "We're on a journey around the world", the video cuts to to giant 3D holographic globe. The video also shows lots of worldwide landmarks such as the Eiffel tower. Effects such as 3D rendering (CGI), lens flares and motion tracking are used in this video.
Overall, this music video successfully uses chroma key and effects. However, there are parts of the video that use chroma key and effects poorly. For example, towards the end of the video, chroma key is used to isolate and create a dark background around the artist. When this is done, the quality of the shot is poor and it makes the video look fake. Chroma keying is also overused in this video. Even though the principal of hyper realism is to create a fake simulation and illusion, it is important to make the video look as real and genuine as possible. The aim of the video is to make the audience believe that the artist is truly in another world. Overusing chroma key and effects can suddenly make the audience aware that the concept of the video is fake.
Kanye West- Bound 2
Comparing Positives and negatives
This music video uses chroma key in a similar way to the first music video. It is used to change the location in which the artist is in. It is also used to put focus on the artist himself. It can be argued that this was the main purpose of using chroma key in this particular music video. The fact that the whole video is heavily based on chroma key and effects proves this. In the music video, Kanye is riding a motorcycle with his wife across a Western American landscape. It is quite obvious to audience that green screen technology and chroma key was used to create this video. It is for this reason that this video's use of chroma key turned out to be unsuccessful. The backdrops used in the video do not blend in with the original footage of the artist lip syncing. In fact, it only further highlights the fact that chroma key has been overused in the video.
However, If we take into consideration Goodwin's theory about the relationship between music/lyrics to visuals, It can be argued that the excess use of chroma key in this video was used for a intertextuality purpose,rather than for an aesthetic effect. This means that the use of chroma key in this video creates meaning and subtext. The relationship between the music and visuals is also emphasized. One example of this is at the beginning of the video. At the beginning of the video (0:12) images of horses can be seen. In Western America, Horses often symbolise freedom. The fact that the horses are in the grand canyon also reinforces this. Another symbol of freedom is also used at the very beginning of the video. At 0:08, a black eagle can be seen flying into the sunset. In America, White eagles represent freedom and patriotism. The fact that the video uses a black eagle, connotes the fact that Kanye, the artist, is a black man who is free in America. The black eagle has been purposely used to create this idea. In this sense, this music video uses chroma key and effects successfully.
Katy Perry- E.T (Featuring Kanye West)
This music video is an example of how chroma key has been used effectively. This is because it looks appealing and it captivates the audience. It is also linked appropriately to the theme and genre of the song. For example, chroma key is used to show the audience that the events in the video, are taking place in a different world. A world which includes aliens and other creatures that are not human. The lyrics of the song and the name, also suggests this. Chroma key can be used to manipulate the concept of space and time. For example in this video, the two artists are floating in space. The concept of this music video can also be linked with Goodwin's theory about the relationship between lyrics and visuals. In this video,the lyrics of the song are visually represented. One example of this is when the artist says "You're so hypnotising" (1:05). Chroma key and effects are used to show the artist as being "hypnotising" and captivating. The song used in the actual music video, creates a "sci-fi" feel, which reinforces the theme,concept and meaning of the music video. This is another way, in which this video can be linked to Goodwin's theory. Effects such as CGI animation and lens flares are used to further reinforce the idea that the video is taking the audience to a different world.
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