"Green Screen" / "Chroma Key" Editing

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Many people would like to include special effects within their videos.  These may include visual effects such as gunshot flash, explosions, ghostly images, clones, or maybe something simple like your Grandma riding that new roller coaster. 

Such type of video editing implements what is called "Chroma Key" effects.   Software is utilized to remove a particular color, to make it invisible such that a background video or picture can be seen through it.  Any solid background color can be used.  But green or blue are most often used for various reasons.

Green is often used as background for people, as the color green is less popular for clothing, thus less likely to show green invisible spots on the subject's clothing.  It is also the easiest color for software to identify and eliminate.  Blue is also a popular background color as it is easily distinguishable from skin color, and reflects a natural looking light onto foreground objects.  But really overall any color can be used.  Just make sure that your foreground object does not contain that color.  And here's a quick tutorial showing how to do chroma key editing using the freeware program VSDC. 

Chroma Key Editing with VSDC Free Video Editor
This video is in HD.  Click "Full Screen" in lower right corner.

Note that VSDC downloader will suggest installing additional bundled software along with VSDC.  This is why VSDC is free. Carefully read those installation screens and make sure to uncheck or decline any software that doesn't interest you (probably all). 
(VSDC download link here). 


YouTube is a great place to find green screen effects to include in your videos.  Search in YouTube for "Green Screen Effects".  Two particular channels that are very prolific in producing free special effects for YouTube viewers are Best Green Screen, and kanadaka.  Just try not to go overboard with the special effects now that you know how to do chroma keying (it will be hard not to).  ;-)

Action Meadow (all effects from YouTube)
This video is in HD.  Click "Full Screen" in lower right corner.

And here's a great greenscreen tutorial.  The making of "Greenscreen Grandmas".  Thanks Brian, this is a classic!

And here's the finished result.   Here we go, WOOOOOOO!: