Chroma Key in Windows Movie Maker

Chroma keying is a technique for Windows Movie Maker that imports a background image into user videos.

Steps

  1. Record your subject. With any method of using the green screen, you will need a video to superimpose over your background. Also, keep in mind that your subject must be shot in front of a dark blue or green background.

Using XML Code

  1. Highlight the following XML code: (Source-windowsmoviemakers.net/forums)

    <!-- windowsmoviemakers.net/forums -->
    <TransitionsAndEffects Version="1.0">
    <Transitions>
    <TransitionDLL guid="{C5B19592-145E-11D3-9F04-006008039E37}" >
    <Transition name="Greenscreen" iconid="12" comment="Makes first clip show through blue areas of second clip">
    <Param name="KeyType" value="1"/>
    <Param name="Similarity" value="100"/>
    <Param name="Progress" value="0.0"/>
    </Transition>
    </TransitionDLL>
    </Transitions>
    </TransitionsAndEffects>
  2. Copy the code, and paste it into Notepad.
  3. Click File>Save As, and navigate to C:\Program Files\Movie Maker\Shared\AddOnTFX.
    • If you don't already have an AddOnTFX folder, right click then New>Folder.
  4. Save the file as "greenscreen.xml".
  5. Run Windows Movie Maker.
  6. Click Import on the left sidebar.
  7. Find the picture or video you want to show behind your subject.
  8. Import it into WMM. Drag it down to the time line to the left of the video with your subject in front of the blue screen.
  9. Now that you have your two videos, click "Green screen".
  10. Drag it down to the timeline. Click the video of the green screen and drag it over onto the other clip. Don't drag it too far because that will just make the clips switch places.
  11. Keep going until the blue triangle disappears.
  12. Click File>Save Movie File to save your movie.

Using Software

  1. Download additional software from a reputable source. There are several websites that have created applications that streamline this process.
  2. Open the Windows Movie Maker video you would like to superimpose over the backdrop.
  3. Drop the video and the downloaded chroma key into the timeline.
  4. Adjust in the timeline so the images sync up.

Tips

  • Make sure your green screen is evenly lit.
  • The subjects in the video should wear contrasting colors to the green or blue screen. If they wear similar colors they will disappear into the video.
  • Shadows on the green screen can cause discoloration and patchiness.
  • You can also drag the transition to (almost) the full length of the clip, making sure that both foreground and background are the same size.
  • Make sure the camera is not on "Auto White Balance". Set it to manual and hold a piece of paper up to the lens so it can analyze the white balance with the light conditions in the room.
  • Putting the keyed foreground after the plate (i.e. the background) works better in most of the cases.

Warnings

  • This may not always work if you share the computer with others.
  • This only works with the XP version. To achieve green screen with the Vista version you'll instead need to download software.

Things You'll Need

  • Green screen (you can purchase them on eBay for around $20 USD, or you can use an old sheet.)
  • Multiple light sources to illuminate your background
  • Video camera (a good camera will work better)
  • Windows Movie Maker (WMM) (This in included with Windows XP and up, excluding Windows 7, but you can download it)

Related Articles

  • Make Movies on Your Windows XP Computer
  • Make a Simple Claymation With a Webcam and Windows Movie Maker
  • Change the Default Pics in Windows Movie Maker
  • Make a Green Screen Using Wrapping Paper
  • Use Webcam on Windows Movie Maker
  • Buy a Green Screen Software for Chroma Key Photography
  • Maintain Your Green Screen Backdrops

Sources and Citations

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