5 Green Screen Mistakes Beginners Make

I made a lot of mistakes when I first starting using a green screen. Here are some common ones, and how you can avoid them.

Please help keep me caffeinated and making more videos.

The music I use for my videos!

The Green Screen Kit I use. It's pretty basic, but gets the job done.

If you're interested in the gear or computer I use to make my videos and effects, check out:

[SkylerThomas]

*Light Spill* Not falloff. My brain made an oopsie while making this video. Thanks for understanding. 🤷‍♂️

[CortexExists]

It's 4 AM, I don't even own a green screen, and I have a science presentation due tomorrow. Why am I watching this?

[luiscaminero]

The last tip is the best one. Matching the background is usually what I lack the most and what mostly gives it away. Thanks for the tips!

[shehonbrother]

This is actually one of the best green screen videos I've seen. Nobody actually explains the whole shutter speed things

[VineetKumarX]

Doing god's work here! What I liked the most about this tutorial was the information per minute, the pacing and the demo of everything you were telling. Very easy to keep up with the tips! :D Thanks fam!

[trojanette]

Yours is the first green screen 'How To' that I have seen where the creator gave concrete info on what NOT to do.
It's about time someone did that. Great job at putting together this type of video. I have watched all kinds of green screen videos that talk about all the pros of using green screen. However, no on talks about what kinds of problems you could run into while using a screen. Thanks for sharing.

[MisterValaravaus]

For those of you doing the keying on AE, a good filter is "Advanced Spill Suppressor" which will take out the green spill.

[Beautywithty]

So I definitely wish I watched this video before posting my 4 green screen YouTube videos! But this video was super helpful and I will use all your tips!! Even the snow.. now that’s a must!

[SVTran]

The last tip is so crucial. I think another thing to add along with the last tip is to look at source lighting in your background. For instance, the beach background with the sun directed behind you would act as a backlight and create glowing edges around the subject (light wrapping). A useful method in getting the right light direction and quality on your keyed-in subject is reference lighting where you find an object within your background and reference its lighting shape and distance from the source light, such as how hard are the shadows. (ie. Do the shadows roll off or do they have a distinct line/cut-off between the exposed side and underexposed side?)

[PowerBIGuy]

This was really helpful. I solved my issue my reducing my light from the front, as you mentioned, then also increasing a soft light behind. This gave my green screen a flatter and more balanced colour. Thanks for your help!

[StarWarsJay]

I’m just getting into green screen filming (for miniatures) and this video has the best tips I have found so far, and I’ve watched a lot of videos on it. Well done.

[sci_pain]

I don't own a greenscreen or any editing softwares, why am i here...

[JRinneFilms]

Tip 5 is what makes the effect work in the end. You can have the most clean separation from the green screen but it will look fake if the lighting doesn’t match your background. Great video!

[jwpmotionpicturestudios]

Awesome video explaining these basics that too often get lost in the storm of creating. Thanks for making it fun and informative.

[jaysmith]

I just bought a green screen off Amazon for only $17.99 shipped to the house and I love the fact that you're suggesting getting stuff from thrift stores like how I've always done my whole life. That's awesome dude and thanks for the ideas so I don't make all those mistakes.

[ghfgert]

The shutterspeed one was news to me, I never thought of it! Thank you!

[Jahnnalee]

Wow, great tips Skyler I will for sure use these! Also, I’m excited to see your skits! Can’t wait 😍

[RAYTHEONGAMING]

Use blue it is easier to key and it far more forgiving with less light spill.
It really helps with close up shots where the luminosity of green will be hard to key in parts like hair and other hard to key areas however using blue your lighting has to be much more perfect

[MONEEBAnArtist]

Thanks man! I learned a thing or two. I'll be setting up a green screen for myself soon to shoot my songs' videos. 👍

[antonioszymon]

I tried many times to do but couldn't achieve this so professionally. Thank you for helping me out.