<p>Professional film productions use neither only green nor only blue for chroma keying, but switch between both depending on the scene. Each can only be used when there are no objects of the same colour in view, otherwise it takes extra work to un-remove these objects. Blue and green are the usual colours because the human skin, which is what will almost always need to remain visible, is very different from both, but this is not the only thing shown in chroma key scenes!</p>

<p>In most situations, you have neither blue nor green objects in the foreground so both colours will, in principle, work. But they may not work equally well. The main reason why green is predominant in digital productions: digital cameras can resolve green light best, so it's possible to do proper green chroma-keying even with a cheap camera that might have problems to resolve a blue screen accurately enough. But that's not a concern in professional film productions. Analog cameras actually resolve blue better, but the difference is not really significant.<br>
Especially blond hair will sometimes reflect much of the light coming from a greenscreen behind, which can lead to weird and somewhat ill-looking green shades. Blue is less problematic in that aspect. On the other hand, clothing will more often feature blueish colours than greenish ones.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-15T00:10:44.780Z
2011-08-15T00:10:44.780Z
leftaroundabout
<p>From <a href="http://generalspecialist.com/2006/10/greenscreen-and-bluescreen-checklist.asp" rel="noreferrer">this green/blue screen guide:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;Green chroma screens have become more and more popular in recent years, largely because green provides a brighter color channel that tends to have less noise than the blue channel. The relative brightness of green makes it a bad choice for shooting blonde hair though, which is a lot easier to key against blue backgrounds.&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;The bluescreen has some distinct advantages. When you can’t avoid a lot of spill (for example when you have to put the foreground very close to the chroma material) you can take advantage of the fact that we tend to find blue casts less disturbing than people walking around looking sea-sick with green faces. Also, when shooting for something that will be composited on to outdoor backgrounds and water, a slight blueish cast won’t be a problem.&quot;</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-07T17:03:34.807Z
2011-09-07T17:03:34.807Z
2020-06-17T09:53:03.607Z
daviesgeek
<p>The Lord of the Rings used green screen.  That's the last behind the scenes I've seen, however I can't imagine it being 'most' if that's the case. Looking at the wiki article there are a couple that use blue but if you think about it I imagine it all comes down to what the actor is wearing and if there are any sets pieces involved.</p>

<p>Green may be best for some situations and blue others.</p>

<p>As for weather forcasters specifically, which color do you see being a problem because of their attire; neon green or blue? =)</p>

<p>[edit] turns out I was wrong, BLUE is older.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-14T23:39:46.623Z
Blue is much older than green!
leftaroundabout
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-13T19:30:05.947Z
2011-08-15T02:48:47.463Z
2011-08-15T02:48:47.463Z
bobsbarricades
<p>Looking at "behind the scenes" videos from Game of Thrones, it uses <em>both</em> colors in turns. So  yes, both work, you just pick the one that works in the situation you are filming in at that point.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-13T20:40:07.277Z
2011-08-13T20:40:07.277Z
Zds
<p>I've seen a lot of "low budget" green screen setups. However, when I watch things about professional filmmaking, it seems everyone is using blue screens instead. (e.g. I've seen Industrial Light and Magic called "the blue screen boys", and the recent TF2 "Sentry Sabotage" video was filmed using a blue screen)</p>

<p>Is there some technical reason for this distinction or is it merely personal preference/inertia?</p>

<video><greenscreen><bluescreen>
Why do weathermen and amateurs use green screens when professional movie makers use blue screens?
Billy ONeal
# Why do weathermen and amateurs use green screens when professional movie makers use blue screens?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-08-13)

I've seen a lot of "low budget" green screen setups. However, when I watch things about professional filmmaking, it seems everyone is using blue screens instead. (e.g. I've seen Industrial Light and Magic called "the blue screen boys", and the recent TF2 "Sentry Sabotage" video was filmed using a blue screen)

Is there some technical reason for this distinction or is it merely personal preference/inertia?

**Tags:** video, greenscreen, bluescreen


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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2011-08-15. Score: 28

Professional film productions use neither only green nor only blue for chroma keying, but switch between both depending on the scene. Each can only be used when there are no objects of the same colour in view, otherwise it takes extra work to un-remove these objects. Blue and green are the usual colours because the human skin, which is what will almost always need to remain visible, is very different from both, but this is not the only thing shown in chroma key scenes!

In most situations, you have neither blue nor green objects in the foreground so both colours will, in principle, work. But they may not work equally well. The main reason why green is predominant in digital productions: digital cameras can resolve green light best, so it's possible to do proper green chroma-keying even with a cheap camera that might have problems to resolve a blue screen accurately enough. But that's not a concern in professional film productions. Analog cameras actually resolve blue better, but the difference is not really significant.  
Especially blond hair will sometimes reflect much of the light coming from a greenscreen behind, which can lead to weird and somewhat ill-looking green shades. Blue is less problematic in that aspect. On the other hand, clothing will more often feature blueish colours than greenish ones.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2011-09-07. Score: 8

From [this green/blue screen guide:](http://generalspecialist.com/2006/10/greenscreen-and-bluescreen-checklist.asp)

> "Green chroma screens have become more and more popular in recent years, largely because green provides a brighter color channel that tends to have less noise than the blue channel. The relative brightness of green makes it a bad choice for shooting blonde hair though, which is a lot easier to key against blue backgrounds."
>
> "The bluescreen has some distinct advantages. When you can’t avoid a lot of spill (for example when you have to put the foreground very close to the chroma material) you can take advantage of the fact that we tend to find blue casts less disturbing than people walking around looking sea-sick with green faces. Also, when shooting for something that will be composited on to outdoor backgrounds and water, a slight blueish cast won’t be a problem."


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### Answer by username_3 on 2011-08-13. Score: 3

The Lord of the Rings used green screen. That's the last behind the scenes I've seen, however I can't imagine it being 'most' if that's the case. Looking at the wiki article there are a couple that use blue but if you think about it I imagine it all comes down to what the actor is wearing and if there are any sets pieces involved.

Green may be best for some situations and blue others.

As for weather forcasters specifically, which color do you see being a problem because of their attire; neon green or blue? =)

[edit] turns out I was wrong, BLUE is older.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Blue is much older than green!  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2011-08-13. Score: 1

Looking at "behind the scenes" videos from Game of Thrones, it uses *both* colors in turns. So yes, both work, you just pick the one that works in the situation you are filming in at that point.


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