Thread: Editing Out Background

I lack detailed knowledge of Vegas, and i have version 5 (i think).

I am doing a project and i want to edit out the background and just have the person/people. Is there any specific tool that can do it? I would like to put a new background (flash one). The video will be news so i want to add in a desk in front of them.

I tried one tool but every time the person's head moved, you would see a little bit of background and less of the person.

Can someone suggest how to easily and quickly edit out the background and insert a new background and table/object infront of the people?

I hope you guys can understand this. Thanks.

Originally Posted by sixers33

.....
Can someone suggest how to easily and quickly edit out the background and insert a new background......

To put it bluntly.... this task won't be easy unless you have shot the original footage against a solid colour background like a greenscreen.

There are tools in Vegas to do it.... but quick and easy? Not unless the above applies I'm afraid.

I could shoot it with a completely white background. Would it work with other colours too?

Is a proper expensive Greenscreen needed or could we just use a white wall or have paper in the background?

What do i need to do next?

Originally Posted by sixers33

I could shoot it with a completely white background. Would it work with other colours too?

Is a proper expensive Greenscreen needed or could we just use a white wall or have paper in the background?

What do i need to do next?

White would be a very poor choice as a background colour. Try something blue or green. Perhaps a blue bedsheet? Pull it taunt and light it well so there are no shadows or wrinkles in it. You'll then be able to use Chroma-Key to remove it.

Do some experimental shots to see what can be achieved first.

thanks!

What is Chroma Key?

Is it seperating the person from background? How can i do 'keying'???

thanks.

Chroma-Key is the removal of a single colour. Think of stuff like Superman, Spiderman et-all. The action is filmed against greenscreen, the colour is 'keyed' out and the background replaced with the new backdrop. Weather reports are done the same way.

i get it.

How do i do the keying?

What about the floor? is it possible to remove that too?

Is it easy to insert a new, better table infront of a real one?

The only way is to shoot everything... thats floor, walls, cover the table.... all in green.

Chroma Key can be found in track FX. Check your Vegas help file..... it tells you all about it there.

Check this link or some newsroom bck grounds

Virtualsetworks - Virtual Set Backgrounds, FX, and Design

Nice tutorial on greenscreening: Chroma Keying DV in Sony's Vegas