Filmmaking / Directing : Green screen by James Bennett

I've worked with both but I don't quite understand your question. The first was a roll down, motorized, ceiling mounted, flat greenscreen that was about 14 ft high by 20 ft wide. The 2nd was a ridged couple of walls with radiused corner and floor joints. I've also had to work in a lower quality studio with chroma green painted and blue painted concrete block walls. None of these could be moved to a client's location. The little portable greenscreens are much to flimsily to qualify for serious commercial use.

The critical issues are the uniform smoothness of the screen and lighting uniformity - the two go hand-in-hand. One trick I've learned over time is that the camera's sensor is way superior to my eye so that I get the absolute correct exposure for one position on the screen. Then pan across and up & down the screen while watching the monitor - hot and cool spots really stand out.

I don't understand your math, If each panel is 7x5 meters and you have two of them, wouldn't that total to 70 sq meters? Any way, still too big for exterior use - hard to set up & light and any slight breeze... and it's a wasted shoot.

I'm prone to suggesting Cyclorama just for the range of framing and motion for the camera, HOWEVER, keeping the floor clean is a thing. Are you considering a projection Cyc by chance?

140 square meter space in front doesn't seem like a lot, so not for wide shots? Or if you need to see their feet, can you use a green platform?

I think adaptability is the key, regardless. If you have a space that is normally set up with a flat greenscreen, but it allows you to change for more situations, then it's a better way to go, in my opinion. I hope that helps!

Hi Doug. Oh its indoor warehouse (sound and light locked) and the green screen itself will be built with some of the set flats wellington paranormal gave me, ply and plastered, the corner will be steam formed ply.

I guess in a nutshell, I'm wanting to know if it's worth the investment.

The city we are in has a massive shortage of studio space and testing the waters to see what's most desirable.

Hey Karen! Long time no speak!

Yep we will probably go with a Grey floor so there is green no light bounce. It means another step in compositing but I'm also happy to do repaints if the client needs it.

It's a fairly big space. I figure being a corner section it gives alot of pan options.

Barring just a simple medium shot, I always look for a hard cove cyclorama, the "infinite" setup you asked about. No seams, preferably 3 sided, or 2 sided or 1 sided in decreasing order of desirability. While green screen will be the most requested, invariably someone will immediately want something else for some reason. Choosing which of the 3 main green colours (Chromakey, Ultimatte, or Digital) is often a choice based upon what is commonly used in your specific market. A floor the same colour as the walls is very important as a time and cost saver for the productions. The painted floor allow for wide shots, even if junk mattes are used to extend the edges of the set. Do a basic lighting setup that will allow clients to essentially turn on the existing lights and be illuminated. Attractive option for many small shoots.

If the actors are doing much walking or running about on the floor, I usually specify Gamfloor be used. As it is very strong and washable, there is only a quick wet mop to clean up marks or spills. So much nicer than the typical repainting of the floor every 3-4 takes in action sequences. Sitting and waiting for the paint to dry is never fun. I did a 3 camera film shoot of a fight sequence with about 20 actors in medieval armor. The 3 minute sequence was scheduled for 3 days with a minimum of 3 floor repaints each day due to scuffs. We used Gamfloor, finished in one day. Compositing went without a hitch. Saved bunch of money. No sitting around with the smell of drying paint. I thought everyone was really happy but apparently not. The cost savings raised questions about the original budget. The producer never hired me again.

Your question 'if it's worth the investment' is totally dependent on the finished project's market worthiness which is only a guess/dream/fantasy at this time - pick a number & place your bet.