A virtual set is a background image or animation of a real or computer generated scene that is displayed behind a presenter who has been filmed on a green or blue screen. By combining the two layers, the video editor makes it seem as if the person was physically in the scene displayed in the background. Over the years, the Virtual Set has increased in popularity and is being used consistently in TV, movies, news shows and talk shows. Some of your favorite news shows, drama shows and movies probably use virtual sets and stages and you never even notice it.
There are many benefits of using a virtual set background over a true physical set. For one, the cost of a virtual set is much less than what it costs to create a physical set on a stage. For instance, a blue screen kit can be purchased for under 100 dollars and a royalty free virtual studio can easily be used to create an impressive scene behind your onscreen talent. If you need a custom designed news background , there are also companies that specialize in this as well. Also, a virtual set allows you to change the background regularly and not be locked down to a physical set that is cumbersome and expensive to update. A virtual studio also allows for a quick editing turnaround times since the video production variables are reduced to lighting the talent and the green screen backdrop. A virtual set can even be captured live to tape if you have the right hardware and software to take out the green screen in your shot in real time and replace it with the virtual studio (similar to the way a weatherman works with weather animations ).
Another added benefit of virtual studio technology is that it is nearly universally compatible with any non-linear editing system on the market today. As long as your editor of choice allows for chromo or color keying (removal of a particular color from a video file, usually green or blue), you have the ability to use a virtual background. Some great editors with this capability are Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premier, Avid, Pinnacle and many others.
So, whether you are wanting to save time, money or just create a more polished production, virtual sets may be a great option for your next video production. There are truly some amazing tools out there that allow you to create amazing video productions on a budget.