FILMMAKER TOOLS
Every Chameleon needs a Tool Kit. It’s as easy as ordering a $30 Green Screen online and working with your existing phone, lighting and editing program. Or it can be as advanced as you like with the latest Green Screen tech. Either way, our tools and tutorials will point you in the right direction.
GREEN SCREEN
Green Screens come in many shapes and sizes. Buy one online or buy a piece of bright green fabric at your local store. Be sure to select the right kind of green. It’s important that the Green Screen is stretched out and smooth for best results. We suggest a frame and good quality clips to help you achieve this. Try to iron/steam out any creases.
PHONE/TABLET/CAMERA
Use any device that can record digital video including iPhone, Android, DSLR to RED and ARRI.
LIGHTING
Even lighting across your Green Screen is the single most important thing you will do when making a Green Screen film. For best results use separate lights to light your subjects. We suggest one key light, one fill light and one back light. Go to our tutorials for more information.
TRIPOD/CAMERA MOUNT/PHONE MOUNT
Think about the visual style of your film - hand held or on a tripod. This will inform your choice of camera and the appropriate mount. Head online for a wide range of options and prices.
EDITING SOFTWARE
Most editing apps have an overlay option built in to achieve Green Screen effects. Choose from the following:
iMovie
Movavi
Do Ink
Filmora Video Editor
Wevideo
Premiere
Final Cut Express
Final Cut Pro
LOCATION LIBRARY
Consider both still pictures and videos for your backgrounds. Think about positioning of your actors, foreground sets and props so they are proportionate to the image on your Green Screen. Look through your own photos or use a stock library such as:
Google (search ‘labelled for reuse’)
Pixabay
Freepik
Pexels
Canva
Our Gallery
FINDING AN ACTOR
If you don’t want to star in your own film, ask a friend or cast an actor from anywhere around the world. Use a professional casting resource to find your leading actor:
FILE TRANSFER/SHARE PLATFORMS
Films by their very nature are large files. File sharing platforms send large files, collect feedback and streamline collaboration.
We recommend:
SCREENWRITING SOFTWARE
Screenwriting software helps you compose, edit, format and print scripts to industry standard. There is nothing wrong with a pen and paper, but it’s a worthwhile skill to learn one of the apps below:
Final Draft
Celtx
Writerduet
Trelby
Scrivener
Fade In
Kit Scenarist
Movie Magic Screenwriter
Highland 2
Studiobinder
MUSIC AND SOUNDTRACKS
It is vital you seek permission to use other people’s work or you may be in breach of copyright. We recommend you create your own soundtrack or use a music library such
as APM Music.
FILM/VIDEO TECHNICIANS
There are thousands of highly skilled technicians all over the world who can help, crew and advise you, either remotely or in person. Find them via Top Techs.