Whether a green screen is used for a Zoom call, Twitch stream or Hollywood movie, the way it works is fundamentally the same: Place a person in front of a solid, evenly-lit background and use software to replace that background. This is called chroma key compositing, or chroma keying.
Why Green Screens Are Green
Just like the human eye, digital cameras see green more brightly and vividly than other colors.
Digital cameras use something called a Bayer filter to understand color. "Bayer sensors use a simple strategy: capture alternating red, green and blue colors at each photosite, and do so in a way so that twice as many green photosites are recorded as either of the other two colors," according to Red Digital Cinema. "This also explains why noise in the green channel is much less than for the other two primary colors," explains Cambridge in Colour. Therefore, green is the background color that is easiest to light, capture and remove.
When to Use a Blue Screen
Blue screens were the standard chroma-key color in the film era because "all forms of silver halide are sensitive to blue light," according to Kodak. In the digital era, chroma green is the standard chroma color and blue screens are mostly used to troubleshoot wardrobe issues.
For example, a person with green hair, clothing or accessories will disappear or glitch against a green background. (This is why the “Green Goblin” was filmed against a blue screen in the Spiderman movies.)
Similarly, "blonde hair is the most difficult to deal with when shooting on a green screen," according to Rosco, a maker of chroma paints. To avoid color spill, "positioning the host further away from the green screen helps," advises Alive Entertainment, however "chroma key blue can be a clutch card to play when your green screen isn't working like it should."
Options for At-Home Green Screen Setups
The best green screen backdrops are made from wrinkle-free fabric or cloth. This helps to prevent reflections and shadows: two enemies of compositing software. Nevertheless, a green screen is only as good as its lighting setup, which is why many chroma backdrops are packaged with softbox lighting kits. For a simple video conferencing or streaming setup, a ring light, HD webcam and chroma backdrop can provide excellent results. Even a neon green poster board taped behind an office chair might suffice.
How Much Does a Green Screen Cost?
A good chroma backdrop kit (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $112, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same green screens cost around $84 while on sale: an average discount of 25%. Here are the best inexpensive green screens for the money:
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1. Webaround Green Screen For Office Chair (Gen2 56" Big Shot)
Good Value: $62 | Great Deal: $50
Check Current Price on: Amazon | B&H
Webaround's affordable chair-mounted green screen is easy to set up and provides a convenient chroma-key solution for Zoom meetings and live streams, according to several online customers. Reviewers have three common criticisms: The nylon material is wrinkled out-of-the-box; wide-angle webcams (like those found in a Macbook or iPad) see beyond the edges of the screen; and the green screen is difficult to collapse.
2. Westcott 579K Wrinkle Resistant X-Drop Backdrop Kit
Good Value: $120 | Great Deal: $73
Check Current Price on: Amazon | B&H | Adorama
Westcott's portable green screen kit is lightweight, wrinkle-free and travel-friendly, according to several online customers. Some reviewers complain that the sides of the screen curl inward (which further narrows an already-tight five foot width); others warn that the stand isn't sturdy, despite having a large footprint.
3. Fotodiox 5'x7' Collapsible Chromakey Green + Blue 2-in-1 Background
Good Value: $56 | Great Deal: $46
Check Current Price on: Amazon
Fotodiox's chromakey background is made of durable fabric that resists wrinkles and glare, according to several customers. Many reviewers say this disc is tricky to fold (and advise looking for help on YouTube).
4. Elgato Collapsible Green Screen by Corsair
Good Value: $156 | Great Deal: $130
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Adorama
Corsair's affordable green screen is easy to store, sturdy enough to transport and it has a reliable unwinding mechanism, according to several customers. Many reviewers warn that this screen is narrow (especially for those who gesticulate with their arms); others say the fabric is semi-reflective, resulting in "green spill."
5. ShowMaven 66.5" Wide Green Screen Collapsible Chromakey Panel
Good Value: $146 | Great Deal: $129
Check Current Price on: Amazon
ShowMaven's collapsible chroma-key background is easy to open, close and store, according to several online customers. Some reviewers caution that the screen is prone to tipping when it is fully extended; others warn that the locking mechanism is made from cheap plastic that must be treated gently and used sparingly.
6. Linco AM243 Lighting Kit With Color Backdrops and Stands
Good Value: $133 | Great Deal: $100
Check Current Price on: Amazon
Linco's portable green screen studio is a great all-in-one solution for filmmaking and streaming, according to several customers. Some reviewers say the backdrop creases easily; others say the LED bulbs are harsh.
7. Impact Super Collapsible Background - 8 x 16' (Chroma Green)
Good Value: $135 | Great Deal: $70
Check Current Price on: Amazon | B&H
This extra-large collapsible green screen has a convenient, durable carrying case, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say this screen is difficult to collapse; others say the fabric wrinkles easily.
8. SH Background Support System and Softbox Lighting Kit
Good Value: $133 | Great Deal: $120
Check Current Price on: Amazon
SH's all-in-one green screen setup is sturdy and easy to assemble, according to several online customers. Many reviewers wish the chroma backdrops were longer; others complained of receiving broken light bulbs.
9. Emart Green Screen, Collapsible Chromakey Panel
Good Value: $150 | Great Deal: $125
Check Current Price on: Amazon
This collapsible green-screen is well-packaged, easy to open (and close) and it works well with chromakey software, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say this unit tips over easily and must be weighted down; others warn that the screen detaches from the support bar if it isn't handled with care.
10. Linco Studio Light Kit AM169 With Backdrops and Stands
Good Value: $125 | Great Deal: $90
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Adorama | Walmart
Linco's all-in-one backdrop kit is easy to assemble, according to several online customers. Many reviewers say the included clamps are small and weak; others say that the lightbulbs are dim and packaged poorly.
11. Prism Backdrop by Ravelli 6x10' Chromakey Green Muslin Background
Good Value: $21 | Great Deal: $13
Check Current Price on: Amazon
Prism's lightweight chromakey backdrop works well when placed against a wall, according to several online customers. Many reviewers caution that this backdrop is thin, easy to wrinkle and difficult to iron.
12. Emart Chromakey Backdrop and Continuous Studio Lighting Kit
Good Value: $86 | Great Deal: $68
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Walmart
Emart's green screen bundle is a great starter kit for budding YouTube and Twitch streamers, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say the kit feels flimsy; others say they received a broken bulb.
13. VIVO Collapsible 100-Inch Diagonal Green Screen
Good Value: $154 | Great Deal: $130
Check Current Price on: Amazon | Walmart | Wayfair
Vivo's collapsible green screen is sturdy, portable and opens easily, according to several online customers. Some reviewers say this screen must be closed with care to avoid pinching or creasing the corners.