If you’re not technologically savvy, you may not know what a green screen is or how it works. Basically, a green screen is exactly what it sounds like: a green screen. The key to what a green screen does, however, is in the actual tone of the green used. When processed through a camera and editing software, a specific type of green can be “keyed”, or replaced. This is the same technology that is used when your local weatherman presents his predictions, seemingly standing in front of a map or other image. In reality, he is standing in front of a green wall or screen that has been painted with a specific tone so that the camera and processing software can broadcast other images on your television screen.

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How a Green Screen Can Help Your Professional Association or Organization

With the rise of YouTube and similar social media video-sharing sites, a green screen and associated technologies can help you to produce more entertaining and informative video presentations. Instead of having one of your executives sit in front of a camera talking, imagine being able to illustrate, through videos and photos, the concepts you’re discussing behind you. In fact, if you’re really industrious, you could even coordinate things so that your presenter is interacting with photos and videos through the use of a green screen. This is also true at live events where you could set up a photo or video booth for attendees to take shots of themselves in front of various backgrounds that pertain to your organization.

Does a Green Screen Have to be Green?

Although the specific tone of green used in a green screen is one of the most often and time-tested colors, green screens don’t have to be green. Blue and red are also good choices. It all comes down to several factors, including lighting, your processing software, and your clothing. When it comes to lighting, too much or too little light can cause reflections of the color to spill over onto clothing or other nearby objects or not. If you’re processing software is unable to “chroma key” the specific color or tone or color, the illusion may not work. Lastly, if you’re using a red screen and the presenter is wearing a red tie that is too close in tone to the screen or wall paint, then the presenter’s tie will appear invisible.

Don’t Overdo It

While the use of a green screen certainly has advantages in creating videos and pictures for social media and the Internet, it’s important not to overdo things. Perhaps you’ve seen a movie lately and thought to yourself that it was good, but is went way overboard on the CGI, or computer-generated images. While it’s certainly amazing that movie studios today can render such amazing effects, monsters, atmospheres, and even human-look-alikes, there can come a point where things simply go too far. The same can happen when you use a green screen. If you really want to do things right, while recruiting and retaining members for your organization or association, it would be a good idea to consult with or partner with a professional production house instead of trying to use a green screen on your own for media purposes.