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A Brief History of Green Screen Hollywood
Written by Phillip Guye   
Friday, 25 December 2009 08:38
Green screen Hollywood technology, also known as chroma key is a system employed by filmmakers to mix 2 separate pictures together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is mostly green or blue ) transparent to reveal another image which is the actual background that will be shown on film. This strategy of filming is also known as color keying, blue screen, and color separation overlay ( CSO ). It was basically used for weather reports. Forecasters were shot in front of chroma key screens and the background got replaced by actual maps that indicate weather estimates. The chroma key system is also used by filmmakers and photographers alike.
by PhillipGuye


Green screen Hollywood technology, also known as chroma key is a system employed by filmmakers to mix 2 separate pictures together. This works by making the background ( a solid color which is mostly green or blue ) transparent to reveal another image which is the actual background that will be shown on film. This strategy of filming is also known as color keying, blue screen, and color separation overlay ( CSO ). It was basically used for weather reports. Forecasters were shot in front of chroma key screens and the background got replaced by actual maps that indicate weather estimates. The chroma key system is also used by filmmakers and photographers alike.

The green screen first made its appearance in the 1930's at RKO Radio Pictures. The background used back then was blue. This technique of film making was developed in order to create special effects for the film "The thief of Bagdad." aside from the chroma key strategy, filmmakers trusted a really tedious and laborious process called "travelling matte." This made transition such as "wipes" possible.

Larry butler is understood to be responsible for pioneering the blue screen method. In reality, he even took home an Academy Award for visual effects for his work in "The thief of Bagdad." After his pre-eminence in the 30's, servant was the first person to use chroma key technology in Technicolor, clearing the path for modern green screen Hollywood technology.

The first films to take advantage of Chroma Key technology was the flick adaptation of Ernest Hemingway famous short story, "The Old Man and the Sea," starring Spencer Tracy. After the "Old Man and the Sea," more films made use of the chroma key technique. Some famous film that employ chroma key technology are The Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Star Trek, and even three hundred. Films that employ CGI or computer generated photographs are also made with the help of green screen technology. This is how having out of this world settings and fantastic creatures are able to be shown on film.

Today, green screen Hollywood technology isn't just confined to big budget studios. It is also used in photography. From the initial blue screen, green was employed later on because filmmakers discovered that a green background doesn't need boring lighting. Cameras are most delicate to this color, so the outcome of films shot on green screens are more easy to work with and manipulate. With that said, chroma key technology is now known to photographers and filmmakers' best friend.

About the Author:

There are so many other sites offering various forms of advice on how to use green screen but a lot of them are not very detailed or concise. Before following these, make sure to check my own articles and reviews on Green Screen Studio and Green Screen Hollywood, You can also reach me at 1-323-851-3825 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it