Feature: Page (1) of 2 - 05/15/09
Email this story to a friend. email article Print this page (Article printing at MyDmn.com). print page facebook

Keying virtual backgrounds for "Hellevator"

Three FX artists/video producers detail their FX techniques

By Heath McKnight

In the past two to three years, I've been relying more and more on using green screen and chroma keying for my film and video work. After working with visual effects (FX) artists, I began to realize there is nothing complicated when using software to key virtual backgrounds and sets in.

In this article, three different FX artists/video producers detail what software and hardware they use, and their technique. Also, I will discuss and review virtual sets that you can purchase and begin working with immediately.

Hellevator
Hellevator
is a short film written by David Michelinie, a prolific and legendary comic book writer who worked with Bob Layton on the famous Iron Man stories "Demon in a Bottle " and "Armor Wars," among many others. He also created the Spider-Man villain Venom. I asked David to write a short film that would be confined to only one or two locations, and he came up with the script for my new film Hellevator  (www.hellevatormovie.com).


Behind the Scenes of Hellevator

"Star Greg Nappo gets a gets a helping hand from Key Grip Chris Alonso.

We scouted many locations with elevators and decided the best thing to do would be to shoot the film 100% in front of a green screen and create realistic elevator and office interiors. Since the film is about a fired worker who rides on what may or may not be a haunted elevator, I spent more time with star Greg Nappo (www.gregnappo.com) in rehearsal so he'd be fine working without a set.

Director Heath McKnight and Cinematographer Matt Miller with the Panasonic HPX500.
Matt Miller (http://mattmiller.net/) was the cinematographer and one of the visual effects artists, and we decided to shoot the film with the Panasonic HPX-500 in 720p24 (native 24p, no pulldown), which features three-2/3" CCD imager chips. The film was shot at the Green Apple Group in Jupiter, FL, with Patrick Speicher (www.kirtapproductions.com/) supervising the set. The crew evenly lit the green screen and used Chinese lantern balls (made with glass) to help produce an even, diffused light to mimic elevator lighting.

Getting background plates of a real elevator.

 
Page: 1 2 Next Page
Related Sites: BN - Acquistion ,   BN - Panasonic ,   BN - Sony

Related Newsletters:
Source:Digital Media Online. All Rights Reserved

DMO TEXT LINKS
(Click here to place a textlink on this site)

AV-HS450 16+ Input HD/SD Switcher w/ dual screen MultiViewer
This 16+ input switcher is the best value in its class.
Its exclusive dual screen MultiViewer lets you view up to 20 windows on just two displays.
CLICK HERE!!!

Get The Ultimatte!
Hardware for processing bluescreen and greenscreen composing!
Ultimatte.com

Vegas Pro 8 + Free Vegas Seminar Series
Master classes for cutting-edge video production
A $100 value free with purchase
CLICK HERE!!!


panasonic projectors
PT-AE4000U LCD Projector (1920x1080, 1600 Lumens, 100,000:1, HDTV Compatible)
By Panasonic, start from $ 1999.00
PT-AE3000U LCD Projector (1920x1080, 1600 Lumens, 60,000:1)
By Panasonic, start from $ 1799.00
PT-AX200U LCD Projector (1280x720, 2000 Lumens, 6,000:1, HDTV Compatible)
By Panasonic, start from $ 995.00
With 6 Reviews.
PT-AE2000U LCD Projector (1920x1080, 1,500 Lumens, 16,000:1, HDTV)
By Panasonic, start from $ 2485.99
With 5 Reviews.
PT-AE900U LCD Projector (1280x720, 1100 Lumens, 5500:1, HDTV Compatible)
By Panasonic, start from $ 595.00
With 15 Reviews.
PT-LB80U LCD PROJ XGA 500:1 3200 LUMENS VGA/SVID/RCA PANASONIC
By Panasonic, start from $ 877.29
iTech SolarVoice 908
Bluetooth headsets have become more and more popular throughout the years and now more and more cell phones have been able to take advantage of this technology. In this review we'll be looking at a brand new Bluetooth headset from iTech, the SolarVoice 908, one of the first solar charging headsets on the market. Read More
Content Insider 134 - Flash
Thank goodness you're a pack rat! You know, have to grab, keep everything that flies by...ok everything except that report or news item or YouTube yuck you saw last week and now desperately need. Can't find it it save your behind. And still you don't have enough storage...there are new worlds to conquer, new worlds to destroy or take home with you. Don't worry Flash will always be there for you Dale!!!! Read More
War Dogs of the Pacific
On this Veteran's Day 2009, as we honor those who served and gave their lives for America, there are stories about man's best friend being told by those who fought alongside their "War Dogs of the Pacific." Most Americans have no idea that dogs were trained to sniff out the enemy during World War II, 549 to be exact fought with the U.S. Marines on Guam, Saipan, and other battlegrounds of the Pacific Theater. Read More
Microsoft ships Windows 7- should you buy it?
Did you hear? Microsoft is releasing a new version of Windows - should you buy it? Windows 7 is here. In this article you will find out if Windows 7 is worth the wait and whether or not you should upgrade. Or is Windows 7 just another Vista? Read More

@ Copyright, 2008 Digital Media Online, All Rights Reserved

Webmaster
Digital Media Online, Inc.