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Green screen studio hire has become more popular this past decade with the rise of VFX in films and the affordability of digital software. A green screen lets you replace the background of a shot with another image. It is also an easy and inexpensive visual effect.

However, if you don’t set up your screen correctly, your chroma-key image will struggle to blend into the frame. So, setting up and lighting your screen is essential for green screen success. To help, we have put together this guide on working in a green screen studio.

Scouty has hundreds of locations available to book online. Including green screen studios, white screen studios and blackouts. Search our database and book a studio online today.

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Scouty has a broad selection of green screen studios in London, Manchester and the rest of the UK. You can easily find and book green screen studios, daylight studios, blackout studios and more.

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What is a Green Screen Studio?

The green screen studio comes with a curtain backdrop or green screen wall. You can hire a studio with a screen already in place or bring your own to the location. There are many reasons to use a green screen to replace a background in a film or youtube video.

You can find this effect throughout genres, but it is more common in fantasy. Green screens allow you to replace backgrounds to create entire new worlds. These days you will also find actors happily wearing green suits and interacting with green screen props.

We use the colour green because it is the furthest colour from skin tones. So, when using the chroma-key, you don’t cut out any subject with the overlaid image. This is also why actors can’t wear green while working in a green screen studio.

Who uses a green screen –

Filmmakers
Photographers
YouTuber stars
News Presenters
Zoom Chats

Book Green Screen Studios

Scouty has a broad selection of green screen studios in London, Manchester and the rest of the UK. You can easily find and book green screen studios, daylight studios, blackout studios and more.

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What is Chroma Keying?

The process of layering two images on top of one another is called Chroma-Keying. To do this, use editing software to select the chroma (colour) image and cut it away from the background. When you ‘key’ something, you use editing software to select a chosen colour.

You can then replace your background with another video or image. It’s actually a very simple process that anyone can achieve, even with a home set-up. However, for paid projects it helps to have a green screen studio that allows you to have flawless effects.

Hiring a Green Screen Studio

Scouty has hundreds of locations for hire, including green and white screen studios. The type of studio you choose depends on the scale and purpose of your project. You can find studios for creative projects with curtain screens, solid backgrounds and U-shaped studios.

When you hire a studio, check the screen’s dimensions are compatible with your subject. For fantasy scenes and action shots, you will need more space. Many studios also have facilities and even lighting, but you should check this before you book.

You will find that filming in a studio is more accessible than shooting on location because you can control the lighting. Locations will require you to bring portable screens and flags on site. Occasionally you will need to replace your green screen with a blue screen.

When to use a blue screen –

The actor is wearing green
Use of green props and décor
The environment or location is green
The green colour causes overspill

Book Green Screen Studios

Scouty has a broad selection of green screen studios in London, Manchester and the rest of the UK. You can easily find and book green screen studios, daylight studios, blackout studios and more.

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Hanging a Green Screen

Unless you are filming on a solid colour screen, you will have a fabric curtain. A fabric curtain screen is more likely to wrinkle and cast shadows on your background, making it harder to use Chroma-Key. Because of this, it is wise to bring an iron or steamer to smooth any wrinkles before steaming. The goal is always to have a smooth green surface.

Remember to avoid green costumes, locations and props when working with a green screen. Even a darker shade of green can ruin the Chroma-Key process. Your goal is to have a soild one colour background that will make your actors, props and models stand out.

Lighting a Green Screen

Lighting a green screen studio is the most important part of achieving a successful Chroma-Key. Your lighting must evenly light your screen, avoiding shadows or bright spots. The best way to do this is to use a light meter to check that your screen has even exposure.

Photography studio equipment such as diffuser lights and softboxes are great for creating even lighting. You can also buy lighting kits that specifically cater to green screens. However, many studios will provide their own lighting set-up and even help you light your screen.

Another tip is to place your subject far away from the screen. If your subject is too close, you risk green overspill or more shadows on your screen. In addition, to avoid actor’s shadows, you can place your lights to the side of your subject instead of head on.

Lighting tip for green screen –

Avoid all shadows on the screen
Bring a steamer for fabric screens
Don’t use green costumes or props
Light the screen with even exposure
Place subject away from the screen

Book Green Screen Studios

Scouty has a broad selection of green screen studios in London, Manchester and the rest of the UK. You can easily find and book green screen studios, daylight studios, blackout studios and more.

Explore studios

Editing with Green Screen

The good news about using green screen studios is that you have the space and power to have test shots. In essence, chroma-keying is simple, but a lot can go wrong for beginners. So, double check your footage and photography in the studio on your laptop.

You will find that most professional editing software will come with Chroma-Key options. Popular software includes After Effects, Premier Pro and Final Cut. On your program, you will have the VFX option to remove your green background and replace it with a new one.

By using a green screen studio, you can achieve a more professional visual effect. Using Chroma-Key software to replace backgrounds is a fairly easy process. Just make sure that your screen has no shadows, avoid green costumes and light your background evenly.

Header image: Photo by Dane Kelly on Unsplash