Instead of creating a handmade galaxy, painting custom weather maps or using giant video screens, movie and television productions rely on chroma keys to eliminate thins from shots and replace them with special effects, background and other videos. You do not need an expensive production suite to use chroma keys because the filters are built right into Adobe Premiere Elements. With a little tweaking, you can easily use the chroma key on any AVI video.
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Step 1
Start a new project and import your footage by clicking on the “Project Window” and selecting “Import…” Select the files from the explorer window and press “OK.”
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Step 2
Drag the AVI file that you want to use chroma key on and place it into the “Video 2″ slot in the timeline.
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Step 3
Click on the “Sticky Note” icon and select a new “Color Matte.” Choose a bright red color matte. This will be used to place behind the video to help guide you and show what has been keyed out.
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Step 4
Drag the red color matte into the “Video 1″ slot on the timeline. Click on the edge of the colored mat and extend it until it reaches the end of the AVI video clip.
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Step 5
Click on the “Effects” tab in the project window. By default, the tab is located on the project window, but it could be a separate window or located to the left of the timeline. Click on the “Video Effects” folder, “Keying” and find the “Chroma Key” filter. Click and drag the filter onto your AVI clip.
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Step 6
Click on the “Effect Controls” tab in the “Monitor Window.” The chroma key should be applied and placed right under the “Opacity” option. Click on the arrow next to “Chroma Key” to expand the options.
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Step 7
Click on the “Eyedropper” tool on the “Color” menu selection. Move the eyedropper over the video preview and click once on the color you want to eliminate. Wait a few seconds and the color should disappear. Look for spots of red to appear on the video.
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Step 8
Adjust the “Similarity” of the color to remove any other tints of that color. Do not extend this percentage past 5 percent or you could eliminate the whole video.
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Step 9
Adjust the “Blend” to smooth other edges. This will make edges appear crisp and smooth. Alternate between the “Blend” and “Similarity” to get the perfect mixture.
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Step 10
Apply multiple chroma keys to eliminate different colors. If the “Similarity” takes out too much, apply multiple chroma keys to remove multiple shades of a color. Work with the video multiple times to get the best result.