Typical Chroma Key Setups or Moods

There are basically two chroma key setups or moods:

1) Weather Style—High Key lighting (flat and bright on face). The talent usually stands right next to the key and touches it. Although having talent stand 10 or more feet away from a key is ideal, it’s not always practical because of space and needs. Having the weather person touch the key surface makes it seem like he or she is touching the maps; doing so adds a “touch” of “reality.” Many directors and lighting directors may tell the talent to stay away from the key by at least a few feet, but this is not necessary if the following conditions are met: a) the key is positioned in the correct manner, and b) the lighting is set up correctly. Virtual sets are usually lighted in the manner described above.
2) Movie Style—Low Key lighting (heaving shadows on face where one side of the face is lighted and the other is not; backlight is often omitted). This type of setup and mood is nearly impossible if your talent needs to touch the key. Here a good deal of space is needed between the key and the talent. Fifteen feet is the minimum distance, but twenty or more is going to be needed. Such setups are usually found in a large stage area such as Hollywood has or studios that are in large warehouses. It’s possible to create a good key with less space, but some fairly complex and maybe expensive software will be need to clean you key effect, a time consuming endeavor.