Videomaker has released a free guide to setting up your own green screen, How to Make a DIY Green Screen: Backgrounds and Software for Green Screen. This useful report is a one-stop guide to materials, software, backgrounds, and everything else that you need to create a do-it-yourself green screen in your own home.
Green screens offer a wide range of flexibility and creativity when it comes to making videos. From news reports to epic battle scenes, having the option of producing a chroma key green screen has made special effects and camera tricks much more accessible to the aspiring filmmaker. In fact, with the innovation of chroma key technology comes the possibility to have any subject in front of any type of background, whether it be free stock footage, a 3D animation graphic or even something else entirely that has been filmed by the movie-maker. Learning how to make a chroma key is a vital step for any aspiring director who wants to add special effects to their videos.

While green screen effects are certainly something that every person interested in video should come to master, the truth of the matter is that most professional green screen kits available on the market today are quite expensive, especially for someone who is just beginning to play around with the technology. For this reason, one great alternative to purchasing professional green screen equipment is to actually make a DIY green screen at home (or wherever one is filming). While this might sound daunting at first, the truth of the matter is that hundreds of dollars can be saved by making video equipment instead of buying it, and in the case of chroma key, almost anyone is capable of doing it.

Download your free copy of How to Make a DIY Green Screen: Backgrounds and Software for Green Screen.

Panasonic may have crushed your dreams of ever purchasing a 3D camcorder (the list price for their AG-3DA1 camcorder: $21,000), but that shouldn’t stop you from fulfilling your quest to make a 3D movie of your own. All you need is a little inspiration, perspiration, and about $250.

Recently, Ron Proctor and Amy Jo Proctor, from the Scientific Analysis and Visualization Initiative (SAVI) at Weber State University, revealed their Do-It-Yourself 3D camcorder. Mounting two HD pocket cams side-by-side, they were able to create a stereoscopic video, which was then converted to an anaglyph video.

Others have offered their own DIY 3D camcorder creations, like Daniel Phelps who uses a different approach to mount two HD pocket cams side-by-side. An added bonus to his contraption is a remote control for synced recording. His video, The Alley, was shot using his dual camera mount.

As independent videographers, it’s easy to get discouraged when you lack the funds to buy the equipment you need (or want). However, with some creativity, and a tip or two from your peers, you too can DIY for a fraction of the cost.

If you’re looking for DIY projects or would like to share some ideas of your own, check out our newest Videomaker Forum category for DIY projects, personal tutorials, and much more.

Being an independent videographer usually means all expenses are coming out of your own pocket. Whether you’re just starting out as a videographer or have been making videos for some time, there probably are occasions when your greatest obstacle is working around a tight budget. The secret to making your budget stretch as far as it can is getting a handle on Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects.

DIY projects can save you handfuls of money while allowing you to achieve the look you want. One example of a fairly easy project is making your own green screen. The folks at Indy Mogul explain how you can build a portable green screen with PVC pipe, material and a budget of only $40.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwZQq156MDM

Once you have your green screen constructed, you’ll be able to recreate the same effects as the big-budget Hollywood movies. But don’t stop at the green screen. There are many more DIY projects that can increase your production value while keeping your costs down and your wallet happy.

Don’t know what to do with your green screen once you’ve got it built? Check out our green screen articles, tutorials, and Tips and Tricks videos which will help you get the most out of your newly constructed green screen.