5 Potential Pitfalls of Green Screen Background for Video Calls (Episode 136)

Green screen backgrounds can work wonders if you have the right tools or the right resources and technology and know-how, but then ask yourself this, right? What advantage does a green screen offer over a well-organized background? I'm your host, Chris Schwager. If you are deliberating on a video call background, here's my two cents.

[00:00:21] Green screens have been typically difficult for many professionals, but now with the iPhone and Zoom calls, this has made it effortless to put virtual backgrounds into your shot, but you are at the mercy of the environment that you're in. And it may not come out the way that you expect. So you can go highly technical on it and make it look awesome, or you can get what you get.

[00:00:47] So why do people use green screens for video calls? Well, with the increase of remote work, video meetings require presentable backgrounds. Zoom video. Virtual backgrounds were popular, but they had their limitations and that's why green screens, uh, the back. Trended as an alternative, but the benefits. It allows you to customize your background.

[00:01:11] You can hide distractions and you can improve the professionalism. Green screen backgrounds can be used, uh, as a useful tool in certain situations, but they can also come with challenges and may not always be the best choice.

[00:01:25] But here's how it works. Green screen backgrounds work by using Chroma Key technology, which allows you to remove a specific color in this case, green from the background of a video or an image. This allows you to superimpose the subject of the video or image into a different background, creating the illusion that the subject is in a different location like Hawaii. For this, you will need a solid green backdrop and special software that is able to detect the green color and remove it from the image, and the subject should be lit and positioned in a way that avoids casting shadows on the green screen, as this can make it more difficult for the software to accurately remove.

[00:02:06] The green color. So why green? Well, this became the de facto standard in the film industry because the shade is distant from human skin tone and a less common color in the wardrobe. This is important as nothing in the shot can be the same color as the background. Otherwise it'll be keyed out as well.

[00:02:27] Once the green color has been removed, you can add any background you like in its place, a still image, a video, or even a live feed from another location. So how hard it could it be? Right? As it turned out, setting up a green screen for video background can be com a complicated process.

[00:02:46] Here are five reasons why you should steer clear from it entirely.

[00:02:53] One, requires special equipment and setup. Using a green screen requires a special equipment, such as a backdrop and lighting. It also requires technological expertise to set up and use correctly, which may not be practical and feasible for everyone.

[00:03:10] Two, it can be distracting if not used properly. This background can be distracting or disorienting for participants. It's gonna also be especially true, uh, if it's over a busy transition between the green screen and the new background may not seem seamless.

[00:03:28] Number three, increases the likelihood of technical issues such as latency or synchronization problems. This can be frustrating for participants and disrupt the flow of the call.

[00:03:40] And four, can appear inauthentic in some cases. Using this may be perceived as inauthentic or fake, and this can undermine the credibility and authenticity of the call and create a sense of disorientation and disconnection between the participants.

[00:03:58] And five, it may not be suitable for all types of calls depending on the purpose and tone of the background. A green screen background may not be appropriate. For example, the casual or a personal call may be better served by using a natural, authentic background.

[00:04:16] A natural background can be authentic and genuine to help build trust and connection, less distracting, to help you focus on the call and the overall experience, and requires less setup and technical expertise to make it easier, and in some cases more practical to use.

[00:04:35] If you can't bear this any longer and would rather have a professional compose or set up your background for you, then check out the DIY Video Program that comes with your background colors you can choose from. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe to this channel where you'll get weekly video ideas to present.

[00:04:52] Like a pro. That's all for this episode. Thanks for listening and see you next week.