Make a Greenscreen on a Mac using iMovie

Have you ever wanted to create stunning special effects and make a professional-looking film? Use iMovie '08 (and before) and the steps below to do just that.

Steps

  1. You first need to make sure you have iMovie. If you don't, go to the Apple store and buy the iLife package; which consists of iPhoto, iWeb, GarageBand, and iMovie. Remember! iMovie '09 comes with tools to do this!
  2. Download the software. Go to the Download Page. The download should start automatically.
  3. Unzip the file. You should have a file called "Masks & Compositing Demo 1.1". The demo comes with two free plug-ins for iMovie, "Blend" and "Blue Screen." The blue screen plug-in is all we need in this case. i
  4. Open the folder. Inside that folder, there should be two folders called OS9 and called OSX. If your mac is an OS9, then open the OS9 folder. Otherwise, open the OSX folder. If you are not sure whether you are on a OSX computer or OS9, go to "Finder." Then on the top left of your computer screen, you should see an Apple. Click it, and then click "About this mac". It should say at the top if it is an OSX or an OS9.
  5. In that folder, there should be a document called "SS Masks & Compositing." Put that file on your desktop.
  6. If you're an OS9 user, then do the following steps. Otherwise, skip below.
    • Quit iMovie, if it's still open.
    • Find The iMovie Folder.
    • Open the Resources folder.
    • Open the Plugins folder.
    • Create a new folder inside the Plugins folder. Name the new folder something like "Stupendous" (without the quotes).
    • Drag the "SS Masks & Compositing folder" into the "Stupendous" folder.
    • Restart your computer.
  7. If you're an OSX Mac user, then follow these steps.
    • Quit iMovie, if it's open.
    • On your Mac OSX hard disc, open the library folder inside your home folder.
    • If no iMovie folder exists already, then create a new folder inside the library folder. Name the new folder something like "iMovie".
    • Open the iMovie Folder.
    • If no Plug-ins folder (note spelling) already exists inside the iMovie folder create one. Be sure to name it Plug-ins.
    • Drag the SS Masks & Compositing Document which should be on your desktop into the Plug-ins folder.
    • Restart your computer.
  8. Now its time to actually make the green/blue screen. Since we only have the blue screen plug-In, we are making a Blue Screen. You can either build one yourself, or find one for cheap online. Blue screens can range from a DIY model at $20 to professional sets that cost thousands of dollars. However, with the right equipment, you can make your own blue screen that works fine. First, you either have to find a pure blue cloth or some blue paint to use. You can nail, tape, or stand up your cloth.
  9. Set up the blue screen. Make sure the camera can only see the blue screen. Remember! Light your screen and subject evenly, so that iMovie can easily remove the blue. Shadows are never your friend.
  10. Set up your video camera and start recording!
  11. Import your video to iMovie.
  12. Place the part of your movie you would like to have the blue screen in on the left side of the timeline.
  13. Then place the video that you want the blue to be on the right side of the timeline.
  14. Go to the editing menu and then select Video FX.
  15. Then you will see a list of effects, all of them will say "(demo)" on them except "Blend", "Blue screen", and "Blue Screen, Smooth" . Select "Blue Screen, Smooth".
  16. Now Select the clip you want the green screen added to. Now Adjust the Outside Fill, Inside Fill, and Choke until you are satisfied with the look of the video. And finally, click Accept!
  17. Wait until it's done loading the effect.
  18. Edit your Masterpiece! Add titles, sound effects, video transitions, or even more video effects!
  19. Export your video. on the top of the screen there should be a drop-down menu called, "Share". Click it. then click QuickTime. Then another window should come up, choose full quality.
  20. You're finally done! Show it to the world and keep practicing to create that perfect effect.



Warnings

  • If you are serious about this, try Apple's Final Cut Express software for only $200. The tools in that program are much more extensive and complete.
  • Always light your green/blue screen evenly and make sure that there are no shadows on the material, as they will key badly.

Things You'll Need

  • Video Camera
  • iMovie '08 or later
  • Blue material
  • Common Sense

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

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