Green Screen/Chroma Key Recourses

Justin SwainJustin Swain ✭
in General
I'm just curious to see if there are any recommended suppliers of resources for shooting on green. My responsibilities for the shoot are only the puppets and puppeteers. I will not be involved in sets, or any lighting/camera work, but I want to make sure that things on my end are not creating complications on the days of shooting or with post production. Specifically, I'm going to be needing full body puppeteer suits, spike tape, and maybe paint?. Obviously, I can find green morph suits on Amazon, but as I'm new to the world of chroma keying, I don't know the downsides of the cheap and easy route, though I'm sure there are some. I do like the idea of separate articles of clothing. 

I welcome and appreciate any recourses or input on this topic. Thanks!

Comments

  • Chris EllerbyChris Ellerby Admin
    Since your focus is on the puppets and actors, I would think about the following:
    • Make sure none of the puppets have any wardrobe or props that are green
    • Have chroma-green paint/tape handy to cover rods or any other puppet-related hardware you wish to vanish.
    • Have some extra greenscreen fabric to drape over a performer, apple box, stand, etc.  (Talk with production, they should be able to provide some if you don't wish to purchase it yourself)
    • Avoid hard-to-key elements like feathers, translucent materials like lace, frizzy hair, etc. where possible.
    That's just what comes to mind, I'm sure others may have more suggestions!

    /Chris
  • Justin SwainJustin Swain ✭
    Thanks for the tips Chris.

    Here are a few sites that I have found.

    https://www.hollywoodexpendables.com/shop/
    https://www.chromakeysuit.com/
  • Darrell GreenDarrell Green ✭✭✭
    edited April 12
    Newb eyes here. I have only ever done still pics and already ran into what Chris was referring to with transparent or sparse coverage objects. Mine was my own hair but I can see how feathers or fuzz on the puppets would cause the same, areas that cannot be redacted and now show an obvious green tint.

    But from the complete newb perspective on the suiting of the puppeteers, I would expect them to balk at full suits and head covers due to visibility issues (possible) and wanting to just use arm covers but then that leading to issues during performance. I guess what I am saying is the puppeteers need to be practicing in full gear prior to shooting or at minimum, with a headcover on. Probably stating the obvious but I could see someone whining if they had never looked through green before. Most puppeteering is black suits, yes? Or none at all.

    Last what if. Are the puppeteers fully capable of having a mask over their current hair, hat (some folks can't seem to get through life without their hat), glasses, and microphone/sound equipment. In the instance that they are geared for sound with either headsets or microphones. Are the puppeteers doing voice work needing gear that could now be picking up the cloth rubbing sounds but if placed on the outside now need to be green themselves? Would speaking through the green to an external mic negatively change their vocal quality?

    Sorry, its 530 AM and I am speaking from the view that I have had no coffee yet.
  • Alexander HAlexander H ✭✭✭
    One minor aspect to keep in mind is reflective surfaces. If you have reflective surfaces, these can pick up the green light and make them harder to properly crop. Probably not a huge deal for puppets since they are usually fluffy, matte, etc. - but moreso for any potential puppet clothing or props.
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