The Ultimate Small Room Greenscreen Guide

Nobody thinks they have enough room to do greenscreen well, let alone perfectly.
This video is going to show you how to get a nearly pristine result lighting a 6 x 6' area, which is more than enough for almost anyone standing by themselves.
You're even getting a floor plan and a complete resource guide for everything you'll see going on in the video.
It doesn't just demonstrate all the stuff set up and working, though it does do that. It gives you all the measurements, wattages, types of instruments, how to expose for it all, and even exactly where you need to stand.
There isn't much left out.
But you tell me. :)
To make the most out of this revolution in green screen, you may want to get your free copy of The Ultimate Small Room Green Screen Guide, freshly updated and revised for 2024.
Pick that up inside this free course on all things green screen: visibleauthority.com/greenscr...
*Note: Apologies to the sharp-eared listeners who pointed out my audio coming out of only one channel. It kind of got away from me. I hope that won't put you off from trying the strategies described. And just as an FYI, there are about 200 more videos here on the channel with no audio problems. :)
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[@AfroArtistaFilms]

My left ear liked this.

[@louis6331]

That is hilarious dude. Trying to record me with a bunch of heads set type of wigs and beards and no beards and stuff like that to represent a band that I’m the only one who’s playing in but nobody would really know it. But I like that your left ear like this. Good point

[@louis6331]

I just want to make some decent videos for music to put on KZbin. I’m not looking for something extra special, I’m just looking for something that’s sort of special. I’m not gonna spend thousands of dollars on something that I’m already spending thousands of dollars on my musical equipment.I’m not about to spend more than what I’m spending or even a 2/3 I’m looking for maybe a quarter of what I’m spending or less to make a decent For A decent music video plain and simple. Maybe in time to come if I have that many more years left I’m already 55 and I don’t have the time left in my life to go through all of this kind of crap.! I just want something that simple easy to control and get it to where it looks kind of funny but serious at the same time.

[@alllogosmemes5724]

@@louis6331gcn. ZvsxXzx, a

[@oliviervuille519]

Mine 2

[@shurikn1337]

My left ear really enjoyed this video.

[@Skyverb]

Was tempted to Type this. 😂

[@KadrianThomas]

This is an amazing video. I’m definitely going to try these tips. I’m in a very tiny room, however, you’ve pointed out some very key points that I’ll be paying more attention to as I move forward. Thanks for sharing.

[@LukeBeardmore]

This guy is so well spoken and professionally that I'm jealous. Captivating stuff and very helpful

[@markaroni5612]

Thank you so much. While there are several green screen how-to videos, you are the only one that addresses the issues of distances and relative strength of lights between the GS lights and the key and fill lights. I followed your plan to a t, even buying LEDs to even out the GS lighting. And no one else mentioned the light sensors of various cameras. Bravo.

[@CathyPaine]

So nice to see you out there! Great stuff, as usual!

[@EdwinvandenAkker]

*Can I add an 8th tip?* For using a backlight to light up the subject from behind I often use a magenta-ish colored filter. When a rim is created using a backlight, it can blend with the green spill. But when it does, magenta + green = white, since green is opposite of magenta in the colorwheel, or video color spectrum. This makes for much cleaner keys. Especially when the subject has fuzzy or spiky hair 🤓 -EDIT- This magenta trick I use is to avoid the green spill. So, use it ever so slightly. Or the subject will look like a fairy tale character. Try to see where green-spill might show up. When the subject has lots of fuzzy hair, my best experience is to have the light right behind the subject, if possible. So that the subject is right between the magenta light and the camera.

[@BLiu1]

That’s clever!

[@studywithmike3005]

Ohhhh that's good

[@EdwinvandenAkker]

​@@guerrerosdigitales Yes, I think the intensity is too high. Use it ever so slightly. Also, I noticed it works best when the magenta light is right behind the subject when the subject has a lot of _(fuzzy)_ hair.

[@venomdraco_yt6371]

device content and mobile screen sharing quality -Co-annotate over shared content -Real-time whiteboard collaboration on Android tablets UNLIMITED MESSAGING (WITH PHOTOS, FILES, AND MORE) -Reach people instantly to easily send messages, files, images, links, and gifs -Quickly respond or react to threaded conversationalist conversationalist conversationalist conversationalist with emojis -Create or join public and private chat channels9 MAKE, RECEIVE00

[@vladimirstanisic7550]

You, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman.

[@alantuttphotography]

You inspired me to convert a small guest room into a studio. You're right -- get enough even lighting on the background, and it keys out nicely. I've done it with 4 LED light panels, 1 at each corner. The 2 top ones bounced from the ceiling to soften them up, and the 2 bottom ones are diffused lights (110 degree spread), so it works.

[@The12thSeahorse]

This guy is a production wiz! There’s more to this then meets the eye.

[@lorenz-wiedemann]

You are the Bob Ross of Green Screen Tutorials. Thank you!

[@StevenWasher]

Lorenz Wiedemann Hm. That’s the best comparison I’ve ever received. Thank you!!

[@skeeterburke]

I'd love to see him sporting a 'fro

[@favabean75]

Haha yes! I was thinking the same. Love it.

[@dougfoss1372]

Just stretch the devil out of your green screen.

[@DigbyPixels]

Great voice and well delivered. Good clear video on the problems of green screen setup and lighting. Frankly I'm amazed that some people manage to pull a matte off many of the setups I've seen.

[@H.pylori]

Glad to see that you are still making videos. Just finished looking at your 2016 video on the same topic. Then youtube recommended this one. Adds many more helpful details. Thank you.

[@TonyInTownNZ]

At last! Someone who doesn't spend half the time waffling. Gets on with what matters. Tells it well and clearly. Plus a very pleasant fellow. Thanks heaps.

[@shehanmi3874]

Brilliant video. The maturity of the presenter really shone. Thanks. Unfortunately this is beyond my budget so I will have to find a cheaper way of executing these valuable tips.

[@Nick71Boyd]

Thank you so much for explaining these principles. I've watched so many YT videos on this subject were the presenter markets themselves and the product. It's great to see a classic tutorial. Kudos to you. I go away educated, THANK YOU!

[@diegotufano7486]

This is a very well thought out and exposed video! The point-by-point exposition and explanations made with demonstrating what you get, is really (almost) doing it live with the speaker.

[@RitchieRosson]

You are an incredible teacher! Brilliant video. Thank you Steven.

[@imtiaz0311]

Sir! A bumbling amateur like me will be eternally grateful to an accomplished virtuoso like you for explaining it in the most simplistic manner. This virtual excursion into the Do's and Don'ts is all one would need to upscale the Keying game like a pro, regardless of the space and equipment at his disposal.. Thanks a bunch..

[@ZevMeth_originaljewishmusic]

This was very exquisitely written, I like it!

[@venezuelainvestigators141]

Great video! This helped me set things up in a very straightforward way.

[@sanduosadcenco]

Outstanding communication talent...So simple and so great. Thank you Sir...

[@appleb0btime]

I would need a pretty big budget to light this way, but I appreciate the lighting tips. I might have to go DIY for now, lol. I only have a ring light.

[@michaelcarpenter6242]

Thank you for taking the time to explain that! I appreciate your time.

[@peterstone7085]

Thanks so much Steven. Really insightful and presented brilliantly.

[@Ipaschools]

Very useful info, thank you. Sensors, btw, do not let in more or less light because of their size. Lenses let in more or less light depending on their aperture range.

[@EnglishStrippedBare]

Steven, just wanted to say thanks for the great video. I was getting some very poor results with my greenscreen because of my camera settings. I was exposing for the background. I watched your video, made some adjustments, did some tests, and the results were much better.

[@penguinYT1]

FANTASTIC tutorial! Thank you so much.

[@DansVlog]

You deserve way more subs and views. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@markusberglund6821]

This hands-on tutorial was very helpful, thanks!

[@TheSwitchBit]

The irony of saying be a better communicator while stumbling over words is awesome. Great vid btw !

[@angeleye294]

hi there Steve....just enjoyed your slow n calm tutorial on the setting up of a green screen. gonna work on that someday soon within my home ha. thanks n wish you all the best

[@judyhendricksart]

Wow! Great job and guidance! Best video green screen tutorial I’ve seen yet! Well spoken and explained. Loved it! Thank you!

[@MiguelVM360]

Great video. I'm new to my channel and working on getting in front of the camera more to explain my videos and backdrops were driving me crazy until I saw this video. Thank you so much

[@raphaeldxb]

this is amazing tutorial mr. Steven, thanks for sharing

[@yudisoeharyadi9242]

Great, very informative behind the "mechanics" of green screen. Thank you

[@AlenPesec]

I honestly feel smarter after this video. So well explained, I was captivated through the whole video! 😍 👍🔥🔥🔥

[@britishcrimewriter-LeeWood]

What an absolutely incredible video with everything explained perfectly.

[@skeeterburke]

Subbed!

[@GardeningForProfit]

@@iainbozfelt Subbed? Not sure what the problem is? This is a brilliant video. Steven offers great content in all of his videos

[@anthonyo7528]

“Subbed” is short for “subscribed”.

[@integrityvending3432]

Half way through this video. You are so detailed... Thank you!!!!

[@StevenWasher]

You're welcome!

[@DeanReynoldsMusic]

This was well thought out! I’m having issues with my BLUE.. screen yes, blue. But now I Truliant understand! Thank youuuu

[@dentongoodford2294]

One of the best, if not _the_ best, videos on green screens. Thank you Sir.

[@NasserTone]

Amazing man just amazing! Keep it up! 😍😍 May I ask from which website you get the stock images for the background please?

[@StevenWasher]

123rf.com and storyblocks.com mostly. Thanks!

[@KnightofChristJesus]

Thanks! Good Job. Do You have a plan for the Playlist, for your videos?

[@beatdiabetes3]

There is one more factor that can make a huge difference. For years I could not create a solid greenscreen video, despite my best efforts. I was using Pinnacle software and Powerdirector. I even sent an example of my efforts to Powerdirector and they told me my lighting was too uneven. But finally I bit the bullet and got Premiere Pro software. Within a few seconds I had a great greenscreen video that well satisfied me. I hadn't done anything differently in terms of setup. The Premiere Pro greenscreen controls were simply far more powerful than the other programs and I have been creating good keys ever since. I agree with all you said, but one thing that makes it far easier is to have an outstanding video editor. I believe Final Cut Pro and Sony Vegas would also do the job well. And of course After Effects.

[@StevenWasher]

Solid! And there will be a video about this very topic in the near future. Thanks for the insight. Of course, proper production precludes post-production problems. :)

[@samsote]

The after effects keylight is great, been using it for years, and I think it might have been ported to premiere now, not quite sure. Also the primatte keyer from red giant is amazing!

[@cac2244]

I too cannot get a decent greenscreen with PowerDirector and get it perfect with Premiere Pro, but since Premiere Pro requires you to take a 15 minute tutorial for the simplest thing you need to do, I do my green screen in Premiere Pro, render it, then import and finish in Power Director... best of both worlds.

[@samsote]

@@cac2244 honestly I wouldn't use pinnacle power director at all. One of the world's best editing software now is DaVinci resolve, and it's completely free, it's also pretty easy to learn by just watching a couple KZbin videos. I haven't used pinnacle since 2009 when I switched to premiere, and I made the switch to DaVinci this year after 11 years with premiere. It's fantastic, super efficient and user friendly. And I'm sure the greenscreen methods in DaVinci is way more powerful then power director.

[@beatdiabetes3]

@@cac2244 Premiere Pro does not normally require you to watch tutorials. I have never had that problem. I think there must be some kind of tutorial setting that is turned on, that needs to be turned off.

[@bahubaliyanikimai9032]

I appreciate how there’s no ads, thanks.

[@StevenWasher]

You're welcome!

[@AdrianTschubarov]

You are amazingly clear. Your pronunciation is easy to understand for a non english spoken like me. And great help as I am preparing a small room for my videos.

[@andrewbrownphotovidcamerar4622]

Very helpful Steven. I will have to garner a few more lights but I am on track!

[@RicardoGarfalo]

Excellent work! Great tutorial. Liked and subscribed as a result of this very professional video thank you thank you!!

[@RedNovaStarlight]

Awesome video Steven. You explain everything so clearly. Thanks a bunch :)

[@reysah6678]

Thank you for the tips and the very video is clean and cool as a result of good green screen work

[@studiovulcano675]

thank you so much for your kind sharing of precious advices!

[@jerryalicea8897]

LOVED your presentation. It was informative and very soothing. I like your calm voice presentation. Makes for an easier reception of the information being shared. I bought a foldable greenscreen unit which helps tremendously in eliminating wrinkles which cause shadows. I need to buy another set of lights in order to better light the subject. I've subscribed to your tutorials and look forward to learning more from you. Thank You.

[@sglivetv]

Thanks for the very useful tips. Great advise all round except the room is not that small. A retroreflective screen may be the only way out for extremely tight spaces.

[@bestofseinfeldclips]

Loved this! Thanks, Steve.

[@lienpisters7646]

Thanks for the info! Question: how much Watts do I need for using a webcam (Logitech Brio)?

[@rrawlins3382]

Good, sharp presentation by the subject. I think of how awkward I feel when I must follow a formula by the experts, how corny the rules are, yet in the end this presentation is superior because he learned the rules of the experts, and now naturally and automatically produces excellence; not distracting away from what is meant to convey via the video.

[@StevenWasher]

A very thoughtful comment. Thank you!

[@lewisstratton]

Excellent video. Explains why a beginner like me doesn't get a clean result, as the green screen lighting is in front of the subject! Also interested in the back and fore lighting for the subject!! Thank you.

[@ztube39]

What helpful advice! And what a character!

[@peggytilson3613]

Thanks for this and your great presentation. I only have a green screen and one ring light so have a long way to go. Problem is, my only space is just a small area in a bedroom. I do appreciate the great tips here, though, and appreciate your clean language and illustration pictures.

[@brianestrasburg7644]

Omg thank you so much! Do you have any tips for free software for video, pics, and audio?

[@BassPlayerAvailable]

Many thanks. There were a few audio issues/niggles with this video but thanks for taking the time to create and edit this green screen tutorial video.

[@rmarasa628]

Hello. Great video. You mentioned only needing half the light for a DSLR. If I understand correctly, then I would basically use 95w Flourescent (4X25), and 45w LED (4X10)?

[@stephenhavilland]

Really good pointers, especially not staying too close to green screen.

[@carlswan7935]

Excellent presentation. Specific. Clear. Concise. Thank you.

[@StevenWasher]

de nada!

[@rayflores8411]

This is the very best video I have seen on green screens, thank you!

[@StevenWasher]

:)

[@mpugliano]

My god there are good videos for information and then there are yours. WoW the you take it to a new place and dimension! Thank you!!!

[@AlenPesec]

So much value!! Thank you!! 🙏

[@antoonmeerman]

Thank you. Very helpful and clearly explained.

[@inGerman1]

Thanks for your help. Your channel deserves much more views

[@VladSpatariu]

I absolutely love your soft voice and your sheer talent and actually helpful videos BUT (and take this as a compliment), I've literally felt the urge to pay you protection money at least 6 times while watching this video man. :)

[@IPASAustralia]

Great info. Well edited. I like your style of presenting... very soothing and professional.

[@briansrandomthoughts4u]

Excellent information!

[@diggiseg]

Nice, clean, and simple! Thanks a lot, sir..

[@freedomwatchdog2495]

So I'm looking at the 16 page book. I have to say, your green screening looks to be the best I've seen in 2 weeks of trying to learn this online. Hopefully we can buy this stuff and get it going. I've been trying to get other people to tell me what to buy and how to set it up. Finally, someone whi gets it. Good detail here. As long as the proces are close to the same, we have no issue with getting equipment through you.

[@StevenWasher]

Alas, I don't sell equipment. The links take you to my favorite safe places to get certain items. Thank you for your kind words!

[@citylightministries3441]

Thank you for helping solve my problem! Great information

[@GeertDelmulle]

Close to the end my right ear came to full agreement with my left ear reaching full circle of consensus. ;-) Now add a little magenta to the hairline mix and all will be perfect. Now onto the realization of those fine rules and principles. Thank you very much for sharing your wisdom. Much appreciated.

[@drumndirty]

Another great video, You are also an incredible teacher. Thank you for the great tutorial

[@primetymepro]

By far one of the cleanest keys I've seen. Thanks for the 7-Step program I will definitely give this a go on my next setup. I've been doing some pretty good greenscreen projects but this I believe will take me to that next (near perfect) level. I appreciate you posting this video. My hat is off to you Steven [that's also my brother's name].

[@StevenWasher]

Thank you, Charles!

[@BunnyLang]

Thank you so much, I signed up to get your floor plan!

[@zephyr20122012]

Great job! Thanks for sharing!

[@andyjay9346]

Back lighting on to subject matter is extremely important. It creates depth and feel rather than a flat subject.

[@nicolaihansen4607]

amazing. thank you very much, sir!

[@dirkoberjasper7207]

So many hints and best practise examples: thank you so much for this great tutorial! Just bought a better lens for my Lumix GH81 and hope to get along with less light overspill soon. :-)

[@safetyhomeloans950]

if your READING the Comments, this is By FAR THE BEST video talking about green screen set up I’ve come to find anywhere (I’ve watched over 28 vids so far) none come close in the attention to detail. Sir you’ve earned a SUB and a Thumbs UP!!!!!!

[@StevenWasher]

Glad you found it helpful and many thanks!

[@safetyhomeloans950]

@@StevenWasher Please help, I have followed all your points and YES I believe my video has increase at least 70% on the quality, yet I'm still seeing jittery movement on my shoulders and down the bottom sections. Here is my equipment and settings> . Canon M50 Auto Mode. 2 Godox SL60W at 25% brightness (4400 Kelvin) and about 1 foot away from our faces (yes its a 2 person video) . we are about 7.5 feet from the green screen. I'm using 6 LiFX LB30 Smart bulbs all under the same settings of 5500k at 25% I got a total of 6 bulbs stationed as followed. 2 on each pole covering the top and mid bottom, and then 2 more exactly at the same distance from each other in the middle top bar. NOTE: My green screen is perfect as there are NO wrinkles as I ended up painting my wall. measurements of my rooms are 10 feet wide and 8 Lenght. I'm using small sofa chairs each for each talent. Is there any way I can send you screenshots of my set up and maybe you can pinpoint where the issues might be. thank you again for your prompt response....Lastly, the one thing I"m not using is a kicker light I"m not sure how much that would be of a difference. thanks using Final Cut Pro 10.4

[@safetyhomeloans950]

well it's now 1:42 AM and my brain is shutting down LOL...I"ve been moving lights / dimming back and forth and still get that reflected green lighting around my face. I'm now 82% closer to my target yet after spending all day trying my best I've come to the conclusion after seeing your video 18 times now that as much as you can try to get your edges keyed there still the issue of looking like a cut out and been placed on top of another Pic/Video. here is what my current video look like without any green screen, again I like it yet I was hoping green screen would allow me to place additional backgrounds, yet my final conclusion is that even if I do go out and buy more lights I'm still gonna end up looking like a cut out been placed on top of another image/vid...All in all, it was fun and I really really enjoy the attention of detailed you show on your videos!!!! I'll continue to be a subscriber. Thank you, sir and well here is my real-life studio video...enjoy guys... kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeToYtjZaeWacU

[@StevenWasher]

@@safetyhomeloans950 It appears you have done some amazing work under the circumstances. But there's also a lot of improvising going on. To start, 240 Watts total isn't nearly enough for a 2-person setup. It's not enough for a 1-person setup for that matter. I spec'd out 170W JUST for the greenscreen. Then I recommended twice that amount for lighting the subjects. So maybe you're a little light on light. Your exposure differential between the greenscreen and your subjects could also be off if you have X amount of intensity on the wall and not 50% more on the subject. This is made even more difficult by using the camera in auto mode. You have to expose for the subject, not the total scene including the background. One 60W light on each person is not nearly enough. If you aren't using a kicker (back) light that could very well be a problem, as you have nothing to cut down the reflection. The problem could also be in the editor. You may need to pull in the matte somewhat. It could also be in your output settings. It's hard to say without seeing those settings and both your raw footage and the final footage. Also, if you are in an 8 x 10 room, how are you 7.5 feet from the back wall? I feel like something is missing here. Also, I've never heard of those lights before. I see they aren't video lights, they are household lights, and so likely have variable color temps even though they say they are 5500k. So as you can see, there are a ton of variables when you improvise outside the parameters I demonstrated. Did you go to the website to download the diagram and plan that explains this setup? So if you like, send your photo to [e-mail]. Perhaps I'll see something and if I do I'll let you know.

[@safetyhomeloans950]

@@StevenWasher thank you Steve,I'm now sending over the pics of the studio, please excuse the mess I've been prepping for 3 days now on getting this to work..

[@Arqui3D]

Thank you for this video!

[@tomotello]

Excellent! Thanks a lot for this video tutorial!

[@wes_333]

very helpful, thank you!

[@elvisco7333]

I love you teaching system. God bless you Sir

[@bodiedominguez]

Thank you Steven.

[@CapeholidaysInfo]

Hi excellent. Like your videos. On a fancy android cell phone Samsung s20 how do I set 40 to 50% of white. I see my hair looks digital. I am more than a meter from the screen.

[@jeffreyjohnson1721]

Thank You! Loved your video!

[@jimhill4725]

Thank you very much for this very useful video guide to these greenscreen techniques. Also, for the .pdf guide that I have just downloaded.

[@inwchannel9756]

absolutely great and perfect green screen.. no weird edges..

[@StevenWasher]

Thank you! I try to keep weird edges only in the personality part. :)

[@pablogomez-vu6xj]

Wow!!! Hands down one of the best videos / channels I've stumbled upon. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@StevenWasher]

Cheers! (from one stumbler to another ):)

[@pedroarruda7878]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@mercurious6699]

thank you, very helpful

[@farhoodhoseinpur6681]

Thanks Steven for the great tutorial. I wonder if the equipment that you used in this tutorial would work for long shooting sessions? for example 7-8 hours a day? I appreciate your advice..

[@scott_pinzon]

Absolutely. The trick is to find enough power outlets. If you power them by battery, there's always one light that poops out before the others. Florescent lights and LEDs have no problem burning for many consecutive hours.

[@titoytvph]

Thank you for this. 😊🙏🏼

[@VenkatBiology]

wonderful video sir

[@StickOnHair]

How do I set up permanent lighting for a painted green wall in a bedroom so its out of the way? Can I mount bar lights from the ceiling or something? If so which ones please? Thanks.

[@dontecson]

Great content as always. I like using Green screen and I certainly learned a lot in this video