Green screen Hollywood technology, AKA chroma key is a technique used by filmmakers to mix two separate photographs together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is usually green or blue ) transparent in order to show another image which is the particular 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 basically used for weather reports. Forecasters were shot in front of chroma key screens and the background got replaced by tangible maps that indicate weather forecasts . The chroma key technique is also employed by filmmakers and photographers alike.

The green screen first made its appearance in the 1930’s at RKO Radio pictures. The backdrop used back then was blue. This strategy of film making was developed in order to create CGI effects for the film “The burglar of Bagdad.” apart from the chroma key methodology, filmmakers relied on an especially boring and time consuming process called “travelling matte.” This made transition like “wipes” possible .

Larry servant is thought 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 thief of Bagdad.” After his success in the 30’s, servant was the first one to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, paving 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 confined to massive budget studios. It’s also used in photography. From the opening blue screen, green was used later on because filmmakers found out that a green background doesn’t need tedious lighting. Cameras are most sensitive to this color, so the result of films shot on green screens are less difficult to work with and manipulate. With that said, chroma key technology is now known to photographers and filmmakers’ best friend.

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