| Green screen Hollywood technology, also known | | | | After his success in the 30's, Butler was the first |
| as chroma key is a technique used by filmmakers | | | | person to use chroma key technology in |
| to mix two separate images together. This works | | | | Technicolor, paving the way for modern green |
| by making the background (a solid color which is | | | | screen Hollywood technology. |
| usually green or blue) transparent in order to | | | | The first films to benefit from Chroma Key |
| reveal another image which is the actual | | | | technology was the movie adaptation of Ernest |
| background that will be shown on film. This | | | | Hemingway famous novella, "The Old Man and the |
| method of filming is also known as color keying, | | | | Sea," starring Spencer Tracy. After the "Old Man |
| blue screen, and color separation overlay (CSO). It | | | | and the Sea," more and more films made use of |
| was primarily used for weather reports. | | | | the chroma key technique. Some famous film |
| Forecasters were shot in front of chroma key | | | | that make use of chroma key technology are |
| screens and the background was replaced by | | | | The Empire Strikes Back, Lord of the Rings, |
| actual maps that indicate weather forecasts. The | | | | Titanic, Star Trek, and even 300. Films that make |
| chroma key technique is also used by filmmakers | | | | use of CGI or computer generated images are |
| and photographers alike. | | | | also made with the help of green screen |
| The green screen first made its appearance in the | | | | technology. This is how having out of this world |
| 1930's at RKO Radio Pictures. The backdrop used | | | | settings and amazing creatures are able to be |
| back then was blue. This method of film making | | | | shown on film. |
| was developed in order to create special effects | | | | Today, green screen Hollywood technology isn't |
| for the film "The Thief of Bagdad." Aside from | | | | just confined to big budget studios. It is also used |
| the chroma key technique, filmmakers relied on a | | | | in photography. From the initial blue screen, green |
| very tedious and time consuming process called | | | | was used later on because filmmakers found out |
| "travelling matte." This made transition such as | | | | that a green background doesn't need tedious |
| "wipes" possible. | | | | lighting. Cameras are most sensitive to this color, |
| Larry Butler is known to be responsible for | | | | so the outcome of films shot on green screens |
| pioneering the blue screen technique. In fact, he | | | | are easier to work with and manipulate. With that |
| even took home an Academy Award for visual | | | | said, chroma key technology is now known to |
| effects for his work in "The Thief of Bagdad." | | | | photographers and filmmakers' best friend. |