How to key out the white bg in this footage?

I've got a bunch of footage of dogs shot on this white screen, unfortunately most of the dogs are white themselves, any ideas on going about pulling a key from this?

i.imgur.com/IIeJx.png

Sorry, but the link doesn't work: can't see the still.

White dogs on a white background? Yow. Personally, I'd figure out a way to use the background rather than get rid of it.

The reason: even if Rotobrush would work on a shot like this, it would still take long, painful hours to get the images looking right.

And I bet the dogs were all over the place, too. You know what they say about working with animals and kids.

Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA

I appreciate the effort, but all I see is a web site for all things RED: no doggies. My computer isn't the best, either.

I realize the dogs and the background are probably different variations on white. But if you ask me, this gent's dilemma is like trying to pull a key of Kermit the Frog shot on green screen.

Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA

The fact that they draped white over the green seems to indicate to me that the end result is expected on a white background. If that's the case then the question becomes: why do you need to key at all?

If they want the dogs on any background but white then I'm afraid that you're in for a lot of roto work.

Darby Edelen

I'd try a luma matte or a difference matte first, but either way I'd be making a pot of coffee to go with my evening. I feel your pain. It doesn't matter how many people suggest better pre-production--we're usually lucky if we know the thought process before it gets to post. :)

Antifreeze Design
http://www.antifreezedesign.com

If they had done it correctly in the past and the results you provided were good, then why did they make this huge change? I would tell them that it is going to take 3-4 times longer because they chose to do it over white. Then negotiate with them from there. If this is a repeating job, you have to play your cards right to ensure future work, but you definitely want to impress upon them that this was a huge mistake. Often the only way to do that is by asking for more money.

I bet you wish you could reach through the screen and rip that white sheet off the wall. Unfortunately there still is no plugin for that.

Good luck. Find some good roto music. Jimi Hendrix always works well for me.

Reiner

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