Filming for Difference Matte

Filming for Difference Matte
by Rocky Murray

Camera Setup

1. You can not move your camera AT ALL during filming. Be sure it is on a tripod and that the tripod is setup to where it can't be bumped. If your camera is moved even ONE millimeter it will mess up this shot entirely!

2. If your camera has an exposure setting, change it to MANUAL. If the brightness of your shot changes, a difference matte will not work.

Choosing your background

1. Choose a background that has the least amount of reflectiveness, if your butt reflects into a doorknob, the doorknob will remain in the shot, along with you!

2. Choose a background that has NO similar colors to what you're wearing or what your skin tones are like. If you notice in the tutorial, it got ruined because the wall was about the same color as part of my face, so my face got partially keyed out.

3. Pick a background that is far away enough from you that your shadow does not hit the background. If you don't, it will cause the shadow to be picked up in the difference matte as well.