Whether you are helping around the studio or making the next big purchase for the boss, knowing television chroma key and character generators key terms and phrases will help you keep your composure in the event that you are put on the spot in a conversation on the topic. Chroma key is a video effect that makes a single color, traditionally blue or green, transparent so that one image can be superimposed onto another. This is often used in the field of weather forecasting. Character generation is when a device is used to put letters, numbers, symbols or other characters onto the video screen. Familiarizing yourself with the terms and components of the process will improve your ability to interact in the industry, as well as participate in the field. Learn about what makes up each effect and begin to understand how to use the technology.

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Muslin

Muslin is a fabric that makes an excellent chroma key background because of its non-glare properties under harsh studio lighting.

I recommend: See how muslin can be used in chroma key backgrounds at Back Drop Source.

Pixel

Pixels on a television screen or monitor determine its native resolution and also determine how much detail you will see. The higher the resolution (the more pixels), the greater the detail you will see.

I recommend: Compare different television pixels at Waynes This and That. FOUR CC also discusses video pixels.

Blue screen and green screen

The blue or green screen is used in chroma key techniques as the background. When an individual is filmed on those colors and the image is made transparent, another image can be replaced behind it.

I recommend: Learn how to make a green screen from Media College. You can vary the process to create a blue screen as well. Desk Share also discusses blue screen and green screen techniques.

Post production

Post-production, chroma-key or character generation means putting the visual effects in after the taping has taken place instead of during live television.

I recommend: Look at JG Studio Media Services for post-production chroma key work.

Vision mixer

Vision mixers select between video sources and sometimes composite video sources together and add special effects. Vision mixers are to video what mixing consoles are to audio.

I recommend: Media Looks discusses video mixing.

Alpha channel

The alpha channel mattes or masks to determine what part of a foreground becomes fully or partially transparent and what part is revealed as part of the background for a viewer to see.

I recommend: Read about alpha channels at Video Maker.

Whether you are doing the news, the weather or you have on screen messages to share, television chroma key and character generators are just what you need to bring your message home. Chroma key manufacturers offer chroma key backgrounds in blue and green, and television character generators come in many varieties. The idea behind television chroma key is that blue and green are least like skin tone in terms of color. You would choose between using blue and green based on the clothing that the person in front of your camera is wearing.

TV character generators can come in handy anywhere there are public television sets. Scroll event times. Make announcements. Whatever you are doing, keep your primary audience in the know by using T.V. character generators.

To find the right television chroma key and character generators and products for you:

1. Determine which type of television special effects you require to suit your purpose. Do you need image replacement or audience messaging?

2. Set a budget for yourself to purchase materials to accomplish chroma key or character generation.

3. Make sure that you know how to operate and take advantage of television chroma key and character generators.

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Start with a television chroma key backdrop

You can purchase a variety of television chroma key backdrop options, many of which are portable. There are also 5x7 ultra portable models made of flexible materials, so they fold right up for easy travel and convenience.

I recommend: imageWest offers 10x15 Foot In-Studio Background System, 9x12 Featherlites and 5x7 Flextwist backgrounds. Eos Lighting offers 100% Cotton Chromakey Green Muslin Kit for portable chromakey production. Backdrop Source has a wide variety of chroma key background choices. ALZO Digital offers portable and flexible options.

Look for a chroma key generator software and tips to bring it all together

The next step for producing chroma key effects is to have the chroma key generator software to pull your image and your ideal background together. Chroma key products and how to guides can easily be found to suit your needs.

I recommend: Try Software Archive to find Primatte Chromakey. They offer free downloads of full working retail software. Check out Steven Bradford's site on tying everything together. Look to Green Genie/Chroma Genie software as another chroma key software option.

Find TV character generators with ease

Look to TV character generators for message play on screen. Great for hotel, hospital, nursing home, media center schools and more, use TV character generators to get your message across easily.

I recommend: If your looking for a character generator or looking to run a digital sign, Messenger Channel, LLC can help you with your character generator, your digital sign and your multimedia presentation needs. Find a variety of T.V. character generators and accessories from TVCharacterGenerator.com. Find Compix Media Character Generator products from Videotex Systems Inc. Look for UltraRed CG & PlayOut that can shown in broadcast quality, 32 pixel from MagicSoft.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When using television chroma key, keep the lighting flat on your subject by using two lights at 45 degree angles. Next you want to make sure there's enough separation or space between the subject and your chroma key background to avoid shadows, which can ruin your chroma replacement effects.

When you get television chroma key and character generators education and training, it gives you an edge over competitors, because you have hands-on experience creating characters with computer programs and other products. You'll also have insight into using the chroma key.

Learn about TV character generators and chroma key generators as you take classes and work as an intern for professionals. Glean information from experts and let your creativity soar. Some ways you might want to obtain your television chroma key and character generators education and training include the following options:

1. Learn about the television chroma key and other television filming aspects by taking courses online.

2. Receive television chroma key and character generators education and training through hands-on work in a classroom or through an internship.

3. Attend local workshops to broaden your knowledge on television character generators.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the many uses of the chroma key in television by using online resources

Online resources can help you to get education on the chroma key generator and other filming techniques. You can use these sources to get basic background information or to find classes or seminars. Taking classes online gives you the freedom to learn in your own time frame and around your work schedule.

I recommend: Cambridge Community Television provides training for individuals wanting to persue the televison production industry. It offers editing courses on topics like chroma keying, and you can get course descriptions on its website. Steven Bradford offers a background introduction to chroma key and shows its use in television.

Get experience with T.V. character generators in the classroom and on the job site

Learn how to manipulate programs and tools in a chroma key equipment television course. Experiment with equipment as you learn the ins and outs of television production through classroom experience. Another great way to learn is to get an internship.

I recommend: Los Angeles City College offers courses for students interested in television production. Its classes include hands-on opportunities while working with lighting and sound and cover topics like chroma key and character generators. Savannah College of Art and Design offers television producing degrees for students interested in hands-on education. Its students learn in the classroom and also through internships in digital media, film production, video and television.

Keep updated on chroma key software changes and other industry changes by attending local workshops

Head to your local television station or chroma key products supplier to learn about industry changes. Discover the best ways to use the programs and get tips from other experts in the industry.

I recommend: The Manhattan Neighborhood Network offers a number of workshops to students learning about the many aspects of television production. It teaches on subjects like chroma key shooting. Community Television of Santa Cruz County offers classes to students interested in learning how to work with television visuals. It holds basic and advanced classes in areas such as Studio CG (Character Generator).