Part I: Process. I'll provide a general overview the process for producing green screen videos for eLearning.
Part II: Purchasing. A "checklist" and guidelines for obtaining required equipment.
Part III: Production. An outline of the production process for recording, editing, processing, and encoding green screen video.
Part IV: Captivate Integration. I'll explain the steps for using the produced green screen video in an Adobe Captivate lesson.
Process Overview
Green screen video production is a popular and seemingly complex trend in eLearning development. It is the process by which a solid-color background is removed from a video to allow a talent to be "placed" on other backgrounds or in this case, directly within a Captivate lesson. This is similar to the process used for weather reports where a weather person superimposed over a graphic or map.
This technique allows e-Mentors or coaches to be placed in eLearning lessons and provides a method for online instructors to share their "personality" with students. This human element supports positive online learner retention rates and is often a key factor related to achieving desired instructional outcomes.
Demand a Script
A typical eLearning green screen production process begins with a detailed script that not only outlines what the talent should say, but also what they should do while on camera.
Once a script is approved, the talent is recorded against an evenly lit green screen. The color green is used because it is the most dissimilar color from skin tones. This allows the green to be easily removed from the video, while leaving the foreground subject untouched.
Chroma Key Processing
Once the video is recorded, it is imported into Adobe Premiere Pro for editing and chroma key processing. The chroma key software is the component that actually removes the background from the video, leaving the removed color transparent.
Export to FLV
Next, the video is exported from Premiere in the Flash Video (FLV) format with the alpha layer enabled to allow the background (removed color) to remain transparent. After this, the video can be imported directly into a Captivate project.
Next Week: Purchasing.
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Bucky Dodd is an instructional designer at the Center for Professional and Distance Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. His professional interests include innovation in eLearning, workplace learning and performance trends, and instructional design. Mr. Dodd has instructional design and consulting experience in both public and private organizations. He holds a B.A. in Corporate Communication and a M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of Central Oklahoma.