Nothing on tv is real! (amazing vid)

Richard Dower · 21-02-2010 9:18am #1

OK, i knew green screen was used, but NOT at this level :eek:

Look at the early footage, of Ugly Betty or non sci-fi shows...i'm stunned at the level and use of green screen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clnozSXyF4k&feature=player_embedded

It's amazing to see all the elements get added in, like the Greys scene.

Mr E · 21-02-2010 12:33pm

Thats an amazing video... a real eye opener!

chillin_penguin · 21-02-2010 12:40pm

That is amazing some of it really would trick you

Richard Dower · 21-02-2010 1:55pm

I think what's shocking are scenes that could easily have been shot on location, like Ugly Betty or Monk....but it's shot on the lot with green screen.

I didn't know they went to that extent, but when you think about it it must be to reduce costs. Location shooting costs more + permits, security etc.

+ on the lot you have total control over the enviroment + no bystanders shouting crap etc. But it sheds light on the whole process and you now wonder....is it all fake?

amacachi · 21-02-2010 2:07pm

Saw that before, and tbh any time I've seen Ugly Betty there's been a few scenes that looked odd. Though I'd've never guessed so much of Monk was Green-screened. It's unreal what they're doing these days.

jonnybadd · 21-02-2010 5:13pm

That's crazy, always thought they did some green screen shots but not to that extent. Makes sense though as someone said location shots would mean more expenses

pickarooney · 21-02-2010 5:26pm

Imagine the hassle of trying to get clear sound and unobscured cameras in Times Square?

ixoy · 21-02-2010 5:31pm

Excellent video - never realised either how predominant green screen had become. The fact I didn't notice it is testament to the quality.

I even gave Richard Dower thanks!!

Richard Dower · 21-02-2010 5:42pm

If you look at the Ugly Betty scene (from the pilot) it's basically a composite of two "real" scenes, the background is a genuine shot of a NY street, it seems like the background/backplate had extras maybe?....or maybe they are a third element?

So it's not a traditional green screen/CGI job that we know of....you'd 100% understand sci-fi shows using green screen, but the regular tv shows is quite a revelation.

Richard Dower · 21-02-2010 5:44pm

pickarooney wrote: »

Imagine the hassle of trying to get clear sound and unobscured cameras in Times Square?

Enchanted?....or was that fake also?

Richard Dower · 21-02-2010 5:51pm

LOL!, NY Post picks up the story: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/mindless_minute_1UaJpNssOu4XobVBi2QV5I

amacachi · 21-02-2010 5:54pm

Richard Dower wrote: »

LOL!, NY Post picks up the story: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/mindless_minute_1UaJpNssOu4XobVBi2QV5I

That is pretty funny since that video has been around a good while. And newspapers wonder why they're losing readers.:rolleyes:

JonathanAnon · 21-02-2010 9:53pm

Nothing on tv is real!

God wait til Richard finds out that Santy doesnt exist... I'd say there will be tears that day..

high heels · 21-02-2010 10:45pm

Alot of stuff in Ireland is shot on location becasue its just as cheap.. All the news is green screen tho..

Also just to tell ye all TV is fake!!!! Even alot of documentrys!!

Richard Dower · 21-02-2010 11:34pm

JonathanAnon wrote: »

God wait til Richard finds out that Santy doesnt exist... I'd say there will be tears that day..

......WHAT? :eek:

krudler · 22-02-2010 12:54am

Kinda similar video here, shows just how much cgi and bluescreen is used in movies, this all from Zodiac but its crazy how much of it you wouldnt realise is fake

Junco Partner · 22-02-2010 1:00am

so is on-location filming after been cast aside surely all that cgi is unnecessary they should cut costs a bit

Bog · 22-02-2010 1:03am

So what? Is it really that important?

The whole idea of television is to be entertained, if you had never noticed that a particular scene in front of a courthouse was digitally created, what does it matter? When you go to the theatre you don't complain that the backdrops are not real, the genius lies in the acting, the plot, the storytelling.

electrogrimey · 22-02-2010 3:00am

Is Top Gear done like this too? I always think it's ridiculous the amount of places they go, and expense they pay for episodes.

ixoy · 22-02-2010 10:33am

Bog wrote: »

So what? Is it really that important?

The whole idea of television is to be entertained, if you had never noticed that a particular scene in front of a courthouse was digitally created, what does it matter? When you go to the theatre you don't complain that the backdrops are not real, the genius lies in the acting, the plot, the storytelling.

Where is anyone complaining?! People are pointing out how impressed they are with the SFX and how it allows them to work around shooting permits, budget restrictions, etc. This is a TV forum where we discuss TV and that can include how it's made. You're the only one complaining here.

BaZmO* · 22-02-2010 1:57pm

Bog wrote: »

So what? Is it really that important?

The whole idea of television is to be entertained, if you had never noticed that a particular scene in front of a courthouse was digitally created, what does it matter? When you go to the theatre you don't complain that the backdrops are not real, the genius lies in the acting, the plot, the storytelling.

Jeez, someone got out of bed on the wrong side!

As for the clip, Wow, I'm quite surprised at the level of CGI but when you actually think about it, it's probably not that surprising. New York would come to a stand still if every time it featured in a tv show or a movie the had to close down a street.

It certainly explains why certain scenes have that strange look about them, but not so much that affects the overall effect.

I remember years ago seeing an interview with a Film Director (can't remember who) and he was saying that CGI was becoming more prevalent due to time and costs restraints. He made the point that it was easier to CGI out a catering truck in the background rather than re-shooting the whole scene. Makes sense, although it's surprising the amount that they do now.

Luno · 22-02-2010 3:16pm

I don't know whether to be fascinated or disappointed...

lord lucan · 22-02-2010 3:39pm

Anyone that offers tv location tours showing where your favourite tv show was filmed "on location" in say NYC for example may find bookings dropping now.:p

Elmo · 22-02-2010 4:37pm

You would never notice the Chroma Key. Is it difficult to get away with it so much. I notice it constantly on TV3's shows and I am wondering how can they improve (Just the look not the content, that might be a bit much). Often you see legs on TV3 disappearing and all the presenters seem to have blue rinses.

LeoGilly · 22-02-2010 10:14pm

And there's me thinking Hiro from Heroes does alot of travelling filming that show.

Poochie05 · 28-02-2010 6:51pm

It's all smoke and mirrors! I visited the back lots of a few TV studios in LA last year and now recognise them in everything. I would think a lot of programmes set somewhere other than LA may all be actually in LA (or Vancouver - the cheaper alternative to LA). There's an army of location specialists who drive around and identify areas of the city that could pass for somewhere else. Then just CGI some more famous landmarks or scenes into the background and hey presto you're in Miami!

Minstrel27 · 28-02-2010 6:56pm

I knew it happened to some degree but that video is a real eye opener. I am not bothered by it if it is done well.

copacetic · 28-02-2010 7:16pm

Elmo wrote: »

You would never notice the Chroma Key. Is it difficult to get away with it so much. I notice it constantly on TV3's shows and I am wondering how can they improve (Just the look not the content, that might be a bit much). Often you see legs on TV3 disappearing and all the presenters seem to have blue rinses.

It's a fair bit more difficult to get good results when doing it live without spending a lot of money. Hard to get flat lighting for the key on a bigger set with constantly changing angles and guests.

The american shows save money doing a lot of VR work but they spend enough to get quality results too, i.e they still send camera crews to the locations to get perfect footage to use.They just don't have to send the talent and a massive production crew also. Once they use top end sound stages like in the OPs video and spend enough time in editing, the results are perfect. It still isn't cheap, just cheaper.

JonathanAnon · 28-02-2010 7:31pm

I guess the scene where Ugly Betty walks in to the bus shelter would not have been possible (without risking the actress) if there was no green screen. As well as the obvious financial reasons for using green screens.

I think the only problem is. Once you see something like this, you start looking for it when you should be watching the content of the program. I was watching that "How It Was Made" program about The Pacific, and I couldnt help but try finding where the horizon of real landscape ends and the CGI begins. And
there is CGI in nearly every scene of this.

So thanks Richard, you've just fked up telly watching for me :-(

Richard Dower · 28-02-2010 7:54pm

I was shocked myself....it does put the kybosh on things a bit, i'm an a**...sorry peeps.

lovelyhome · 03-03-2010 1:18am

This post has been deleted.

Nothing on tv is real! (amazing vid)

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