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Making Videos in the Studio – Using Virtual Sets

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to make an incredible-looking environment for your video production is to use a virtual set.

A virtual set relies on chroma-key, or green screen effect.  You actually videotape your host in front of a green background and then replace the green background with anything you wish... a still picture of Mt. Everest or a digital image specially designed to look like a large television studio.

You can buy fantastic-looking digital sets that will give viewers the impression that your studio is huge, expensive, and high-tech when in reality you are videotaping yourself  in a tiny spare bedroom.

Lots of virtual sets can even make it look like your host is sitting behind the digital desk if you position everything correctly.  This helps makes it look very real.   A well-lit green screen composited properly with a virtual set can indeed look real.  (Lighting should be very diffused and even.  You combine the two video elements either with a video switcher or with video editing software.)

If you don't use a virtual set, you need a real one.

This means real furniture, real backgrounds and real props.  All well and good, but real objects take up space and are heavy to move. 

Using virtual sets can greatly increase the variety of your programs and the ease with which you switch from one look to another.  No lugging heavy furniture.  Just switch the source video for your chroma-key effect and instantly transport your video production anywhere you want. 

If you want to read more about how green screen technique works, you can check out the free video tutorials on my blog. 

Have fun with green screen and virtual sets!

Thanks for reading Video Production Tips.

Lorraine Grula

Internet Video Gal