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Green Screen Hollywood - Brief History

Posted on December 30, 2009
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Green screen Hollywood technology, also known as chroma key is a technique utilized by filmmakers to mix 2 separate photographs together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is generally green or blue ) clear to exhibit another image which is the actual background that will be shown on film. This strategy of filming is also known as color keying, blue screen, and color separation overlay ( CSO ). It was primarily used for weather reports. Forecasters were shot in front of chroma key screens and the background got replaced by actual maps that indicate weather estimates. The chroma key system 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 technique of film making was developed in order to create special effects for the film “The burglar of Bagdad.” aside from the chroma key method, filmmakers relied on an awfully boring and time consuming process called “travelling matte.” This made transition such as “wipes” possible.

Larry butler is thought to be in charge of pioneering the blue screen system. In fact, he even took home an Academy Award for visible effects for his work in “The burglar of Bagdad.” After his fulfillment in the 30′s, butler was the first individual to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, paving the way for modern green screen Hollywood technology.

The first films to benefit from Chroma Key technology was the flick adaptation of Ernest Hemingway famous short story, “The Old Man and the Sea,” starring Spencer Tracy. After the “Old Man and the Sea,” more and more films employed the chroma key methodology. Some famous film that employ chroma key technology are The Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Star Trek, and even three hundred. Films that make use of CGI or PC generated images 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 limited to big budget flats. It is also used in photography. From the first blue screen, green was used later on because filmmakers discovered that a green background doesn’t need tedious lighting. Cameras are most delicate to this color, so the result of films shot on green screens are more easy to work with and manipulate. With that said, chroma key technology is now known to photographers and filmmakers’ best friend.

 

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