Green Screen Video Sucks! (Friday Night Smackdown)

Always good info Jim.

Not quite ready for the talking head videos just yet I’ll stick to my camtasia and power point videos just a bit longer LOL.

You definitely simplify the whole video process… Will be going through Talking Head Video Profits training this weekend for SURE!

Hi Jim. Good info, as usual. You make good points about popular Youtube videos. They are simply done, but it’s the content that makes them popular. Thanks.

Great Video Jim…. and yes… greenscreen is a pain in the … Well you said it. BUT… If you have the time and the lights… It’s a blast and if done correctly, adds a lot of oomph to your video. It all boils down to what you are trying to convey. PS –
Love the blank monitor in the background. Perfect for title drops as you well know. Now that’s a video worth creating. How to set up your video so you can drop titles and product shots in the background. Carry On…. Mick

Dear Jim,

What if my goal is to look like I’m taping from the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben? Oh, that’s right, I’ll just book a trip or two.

Just kidding!

Gotta say that I enjoyed the green screen interviews on The Daily Show (took me a while to figure out that Steve Corell and Steven Corbert weren’t in France, then immediately in Pakistan) BUT . . .

I appreciate you sharing that green screen is unnecessary. That’s one less thing to worry about and one less block to getting my videos up.

BTW, any suggestions for looking slimmer, younger, and more attractive?

Your fan,
Brennan

Great video Jim, just picked up your Talking Head Video Profits course. Just watched lesson #1, great stuff. Thank you for keeping the price down.

Jim

Hey Jimbo,

AaaaaaMen,

Keep It Simple and of coarse, Cut The Crap. Thanks to your and Mike for setting the record straight. How the hell could you use green screen in the outdoors anyway. I like trees and grass and blue sky myself. It works for me. The REAL Reality backdrops.

Spot On Again Jim!

Good content mixed in with a bit of humor is key .. that and good audio.

Having a good quality mic is critical and will allow you to go almost anywhere and shot engaging video.

Cheers,
michael

You’re absolutely right. Trying to use equipment, or technology that you can’t afford/know how to use is foolish. It’s like driving a Formula 1 car, with no training. You might succeed, you might survive, or you might crash and destroy everything. It isn’t worth it. People can tell when you’re faking things, and you lose credibility.
People buy, because they trust you. Lose that, and you might as well close the doors. Maybe not right away, but quick is than a slow death.

Hi Jim,

I agree 100%!!! Fabric is good for a nice background, but the supa fancy green screen in totally NOT necessary. Just get it done, get out there and DO it. Practice WILL make you better and better the more you do talking head video.

I always act as if I am speaking to a friend I am having a conversation with sitting across from me at the table. Helps me tons.

Thanks, again for ANOTHER great video Jim

~Kimberly

I don’t even know what green screen is, can you give me an example to see so I know what to avoid?

Thanks Jim!

Hey Jim,
Love the friday night smack down. I have my first video up on my website and I am looking forward to doing more. Keep up the good work and I will not use a green screen in any of my videos.

Thanks Jim

So. Totally. Correct. Thank you for saying this- folks get all crazy about the tech and don’t focus on content. You are the master.

Love it Jim,

Great video Jim,I have to agree with Lynn Salter ” what is green screen?” If I have seen it/one I didn’t know it.

I want the little muppet dog with his sunglasses!

I used ‘green screen’ in making the video on my website, http://www.videographics.net. But, I also agree, it’s a pain in the rear end to set up the lighting to get the ‘key’ right and the editing that goes with it. So, my green screen is rolled up in the garage… never more.

Gail

I will say, however, that by using a green screen you can do some really cool location shots (like being at the beach or at the Eiffel Tower without leaving your own home.) That’s the only plus I know of. Not worth the hassle for Internet.

Right on the money as usual, Jim! As you pointed out, the key is good content. Most of the green screen videos I’ve seen focus more on the special effects and hype to punch up their weak content.

Thanks for all your good information.

Vinny

Hey Jim, great “rant” and post…

Now if you really want to play with green/blue screen (and you have the $$$), check out this video: http://www.vimeo.com/393748

Like you said, you don’t need green screen…but when you get it right, you can have some fun!

Robert

Love the smack down!

My definition of Green Screen: You video yourself in front of a green background and then through the magic of ‘whatever’ you insert the background of your choice and it looks like you were actually in front of the background of your choice when you shot the video…sort of! Can you say “your results may vary”??? Yep Jim is so right. Humongo PITA (pain in the a$$). Just another video geek gadget IMHO.

Thanks once again Jim for rock solid content and your refreshing humor. I am so glad I “re-stumbled” upon your blog about the time of the FYC interview. Keep it coming!

Karen

Hey Jim,

Your Bonsai tree behind you looks very cool
What kind of Bonsai is it?
How Old is it?

Just wondering

Sandy

P.S. is using green screen harder to do than growing a Bonsai

Hi Jim,

I totally agree Jim. The only time I use green screen is if I want to completely eliminate the background and blend myself into the web page media. … and thats pretty hard to do even with special CromaKey paint and fixed dedicated lighting.

..SMACKDOWN. LOL

-Jamie Dunne

Hey, Jim. If you want to look like your ‘somewhere else’… just by a large poster or two…. then sit it front of it!!! Simple, cheap, and MUCHO easier. hahah As always, great post!

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, Jim!!!

I went through the whole green screen thing & my biggest problem was where the heck to put up my 10 x 12 screen. I don’t got enough room in my house! If I had a special room, I’d paint the damn wall to make it nice & smooth. As it is now, my wife don’t appreciate a bright green bedroom!

Secondly, getting the friggin’ lighting right takes HOURS, if not DAYS, to learn how to set up properly. And that’s AFTER you’ve purchased hundreds of $$$ of lighting equipment!

Yeah, I know the basics of lighting now & how to use chroma-key but the time invested was way overdone. So keep tellin’ us when to “Cut The Crap!”

Rainer

I got a lovely tall curved hedge in my garden…
That’s me green screen!