So I have a dvx100a and I am currently in the writing stage of a shortfilm. We have decided that some of it will be shot infront of a green screen. I started reading stuff about chroma keying after we decided this and didn't see much postive regarding using a minidv camera to do it because apperntly dv doesn't have very much color information right? Anyways we will be usining a proffesional studio to do the shots so I figure we should still be able to get good results if done properly so basically here are the questions.

Basically is there any software I should be looking into for chroma keying aside from just using premiere? what is the beth method for chroma keying I know theres go to be more to it then a simple filter in premiere because from what I have read it can be a very involved process.


thank you very much for any infromation on this topic at all.


-Jake

In terms of shooting, if you have full control of the situation, use dark-haired talent wearing dark clothing in front of a greenscreen to making keying easiest and most accurate, even with DV.

If your talent is selected and has blond hair, a bluescreen will work better. Try to stick to light (whites & yellows) clothing in this situation.

There is a whole genre of products for keying.
Ranging from very inexpensive: (Chromanator (http://www.fxhome.com)) to rather expensive (Fusion (http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Products/fusion5/fusion5.aspx)).

One of the best options I've heard of though (especially if you're already using Premiere) is to pick up the Standard version of AfterEffects and add the dvGarage DVMatte Pro (http://www.dvgarage.com/prod/prod.php?prod=dvmatteae) plugin.

Hope this helps.
Good luck.

Yea I have AE already so Ill get ahold of that plugin thanks.

If you have AE Pro then you will have "Keylight" , this is excellent. I also use the Matrox Chroma Key for quick cut outs, it is also very good but lacks many of the controls of Keylight.

You might try experimenting with a luma key instead. DV has the same amount of luminance information as Digibeta and you don't have to worry about weird colors spilling onto your actors. By definition it's four times more accurate than trying to pull a chroma key.