Virtual Sets for FCP

	Re: Virtual Sets for FCP by John Fishback on Oct 29, 2009 at 9:01:39 pm What works with FCP - probably all of them. They are simply backgrounds on top of which you key the talent. Just make sure the aspect ratio of the set fits the format you're using. A 4x3 background won't work the way you want in a 16x9 sequence. However, a 16x9 background might work for 4x3 (you'd use an appropriate 4x3 area of the larger 16x9 background). As for which to use? Pick the ones that look the way you want. I'm sure some of the virtual set companies have free or trial backgrounds you can experiment with. I'm assume you intend to use a green screen to put your talent "on the set." In that case, consider using Motion's keyer rather than FCP's, or purchase a third-party keyer. You'll find many recommendations by searching the Cow. John MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.5 QT7.5.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870, 24" TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5 FCS 2 (FCP 6.0.5, Comp 3.0.5, DVDSP 4.2.1, Color 1.0.3) Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Virtual Sets for FCP by Dave LaRonde on Oct 29, 2009 at 9:03:10 pm First thing: I most earnestly hope that your company has shelled out sufficient money to get a decent camera to use for chroma keying; at the very LEAST a P2 camera that records in DVCProHD. HDV cameras will not do. They won't. If you're the person who will be responsible for the keying, you can count on many painful hours of work if your company won't budge on using HDV cameras. The reason: lousy color resolution, probably even worse than DV cameras, which are just about the worst camera choice in the SD world for chroma keying. Check out this MacBreak podcast about the differences in color resolution and how it affects chroma keys. Incidentally, the folks at MacBreak also work work on virtual sets: http://macbreak.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=70596 Second thing: NO chroma key is successful without good lighting. Again, I hope your company has taken that into consideration. Third thing: don't rely on the keyers that come with FCP. They stink. If you intend to do the keying in FCP, get a really good chroma keying plugin. Dave LaRonde Sr. Promotion Producer KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Virtual Sets for FCP by Mark Petereit on Oct 30, 2009 at 1:47:41 pm If I had a dollar for everyone who says you can't key with a HDV camera...I could BUY a P2! Sheesh! I key footage shot on my JVC GY-HD110U all the time and get spectacular results: 1) I know my camera and how to use it to capture spectacular color, 2) I spent the TIME and MONEY on the right lighting for my green screen and my talent, 3) I use a large HD field monitor on the shoot to make sure I get an absolute razor-sharp focus, 4) I ingest through my Kona to ProRes422 (What? Not 444? EVERYBODY PANIC!!) 5) and (HORROR OF HORRORS!) I don't use third-party plugins, just FCP, Color and Motion, right out of the box. Spend your time learning your camera and getting your lighting right. Spend your money for what counts -- food for your crew! Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Virtual Sets for FCP by walter biscardi on Oct 30, 2009 at 1:52:29 pm [Mark Petereit] "Spend your time learning your camera and getting your lighting right." That's the part nobody gets, even some of the big professionals who shoot green screen and seem to forget to throw enough light on the actual green screen itself. I've worked on some national shows and the green screen lighting that's presented to me for keying is just terrible. Generally I'll send any green screen shot into Color first to really enhance the color of the screen to make the keying process easier. Though I would never use HDV for keying here even with correct lighting. Glad you've been able to get good results with that format, but even converted to ProRes I would not use that format for acquisition. Walter Biscardi, Jr. Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author. HD Post and Production Biscardi Creative Media "Foul Water, Fiery Serpent" now in Post. Creative Cow Forum Host: Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital. Blog! Twitter! Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Virtual Sets for FCP by John Fishback on Oct 30, 2009 at 7:55:47 pm There really aren't any technical parameters to measure. It's what you and your team think look the best. A minor point of comparison would be the number of different angle views you get of each set. Those would allow you to simulate different camera positions. As I said, some companies have free or trial versions of their sets. Try them out. Ask them why they are better than their competitor and see if they come up with useful information. If they do, please post back. John MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.5 QT7.5.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870, 24" TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5 FCS 2 (FCP 6.0.5, Comp 3.0.5, DVDSP 4.2.1, Color 1.0.3) Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index