Have you never done green screen keying before and it seems technical? Here is a simple, jargon-free, step-by-step guide to achieve a convincing first result on your very first try.
Step 1: Set up your green screen
Stretch the green screen smoothly, without creases or wrinkles, ideally at least 1.5 meters behind you to avoid casting shadows on the fabric.
Step 2: Light correctly
Two diffuse light sources placed on each side of the screen are sufficient to achieve uniform lighting, without darker areas that would complicate the keying.
Step 3: Film your subject
Avoid wearing green clothing or colors too close to the background, which might disappear during the keying process.
Step 4: Import into your editing software
Add your clip to the top track, above the background image or video you wish to use.
Step 5: Apply the chroma key effect
Most consumer editing software offers an effect called "chroma key" or "color key". Select the green of your background with the eyedropper, then adjust the tolerance until you get a clean cutout.
Step 6: Clean up the edges
A slight blur on the edges and a reduction of the green "spill" (colored halo on hair or shoulders) provide a more natural rendering.
Step 7: Add your final background
Once the keying is clean, you can replace the background with an image, a video, or even a ready-to-use animated effect.
The shortcut to start without complex equipment
If you don't want to film your own background effects, ready-made green screen asset packs exist: smoke, explosions, particles. Our Green Screen & Motion Graphics 30 GB Pack gathers a selection ready to be integrated directly into your edits.
Want to skip the effect filming step and save time on your first project? Discover our ready-to-use asset packs.