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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

History of Green Screen Hollywood

By Phillip Guye

Green screen Hollywood technology, AKA chroma key is a technique used by filmmakers to mix two separate pictures together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is mostly green or blue ) transparent in order to show another image which is the actual background that'll 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 forecasts . The chroma key strategy is also used by filmmakers and photographers alike.

The green screen first made its appearance in the 1930's at RKO Radio footage. The backdrop used back then was blue. This method of film making was developed to create special effects for the film "The burglar of Bagdad." aside from the chroma key technique, filmmakers depended on a tedious and time intensive process called "travelling matte." This made transition such as "wipes" possible .

Larry servant is understood to be answerable for pioneering the blue screen method. In fact, he even took home an Academy Award for visible effects for his work in "The burglar of Bagdad." After his fulfillment in the 30's, butler was the first person to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, leading the way for modern green screen Hollywood technology.

The 1st films to benefit from Chroma Key technology was the flick adaptation of Ernest Hemingway famous novella, "The Old Man and the Sea," starring Spencer Tracy. After the "Old Man and the Sea," more and more films used the chroma key system. Some famous film which make use of chroma key technology are The Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Star Trek, and even three hundred. Films that utilize CGI or PC generated photographs are also made with the assistance of green screen technology. This is how having out of this world settings and amazing creatures are able to be shown on film.

Today, green screen Hollywood technology isn't just limited to big budget studios. It is also used in photography. From the original blue screen, green was employed later on because filmmakers discovered that a green background doesn't need boring lighting. Cameras are most attuned to this color, so the result of films shot on green screens are more easy to work with and manipulate. While acknowledging that, chroma key technology is now known to photographers and filmmakers' best buddy.

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