How to Build a Portable Green Screen

from wikiHow –

For film makers, the green screen is a key component in being able to install special effects for a movie. For those of you looking to create your own film, the below instructions will tell you just what you need to do in order to build a portable green screen.

Steps

1. Cut down two PVC pipes to whatever height you want the green screen to be.
2. Cut each of these in half and put a pipe connector (coupler) in the middle of each. This will make the screen easier to transport.
3. Cut another pipe into two equal lengths. These lengths should be about four to six-inches shorter than the width of the green cloth. For instance, if the width of the fabric is 60 inches, cut the pipe to 54 or 56.
4. Cut the remaining pipe into four equal lengths. These will serve as the legs of the stand. Connect two of the four pieces with another pipe tee. Do the same with the other two. Put end caps on the ends of each of the pipes.
5. Cut two six-inch sections from the scrap PVC pipe to act as spacers at the bottom of the frame. Attach the pieces to the pipe tees.
6. Now you’re ready to assemble. You can glue the couplers to one section of the PVC pipe so that you don’t lose pieces during transportation.
   • Use the clamps to attach the green screen at the top and the sides of the frame.

 

Video

 

Tips

• This project will cost about $40.
• When using the green screen, lighting is essential. If filming outside, overcast should be good. In a building or studio, the light must be even. It’s a good idea to use at least five lights: Two main lights, two fill lights, and one back light. A bunch of clamp lights or shop lights might suffice.
• Make sure the screen is pulled tight. If there are any creases, the camera will pick them up. If you can see creases on the screen when looking through the camera, it has picked them up and blemishes will be seen.
• Assuming you paid attention to the lighting, making the green disappear using editing software is not too difficult. The program’s filters will sometimes automatically detect a green screen. Crop the area until only the green screen is in view. Sometimes, using a background screen (such as a desert area) will help.

 

Things You’ll Need

• Four 10 foot lengths of PVC pipe
• Two 90 degree elbows
• Four pipe tees
• Four end caps
• Six spring clamps
• Two pipe section connectors (couplers)
• Five yards of green fabric
• Hand saw

Sources and Citations

• http://www.indymogul.com/backyardfx/episode/BFX_20081215, original source, used with permission.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Build a Portable Green Screen. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Tags: build a green screen, build a portable green screen, green screen

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