Frequently Asked Questions about Video Production, Virtual Studio Sets and Green Screen Technology

Q: How do the virtual sets work?

A: In order to place you in a virtual set, we film you in front of a green screen and then use Chroma Keying to strip out all of the green in the image, leaving just you behind. Using our live editing technology, we then put you into a custom-built, 3D virtual studio which works with our cameras, lighting and layout, for a sleek and highly professional look. Depending on the tone you want to set for your video, you can choose from a range of realistic or stylised sets, from classic news studios and elegant penthouse offices to clean, minimalist layouts and branded backgrounds. Take a look at our bespoke virtual studios or check out this blog post for a more detailed explanation!

Q: What do you need from me?

A: All we need from you is your script, PowerPoint presentation and any graphics or video clips 48 hours in advance of filming. This means we can get everything cued up and ready for a swift and seamless live edit, giving you more time in the studio to get your videos perfect. Click here to download a comprehensive guide to preparing for your shoot, including the formats we need for PowerPoint, images and video.

Q: Can you write the script for me?

A: Yes, we will be happy to do that for you. Scriptwriting costs £380 for half a day or £760 for a full day; editing an existing script is charged at £55 per hour. Please take a look at our Script Writing page or contact us to talk through how we can help.

Q: Can I include a PowerPoint presentation in my video?

A: Yes, but it must be provided in widescreen (16:9) ratio. If you need help or advice about your presentation at any stage, give us a ring, see our PowerPoint page or download our client guide. We also offer services for tidying up or creating PowerPoint presentations from scratch; contact us or see the guide for details.

Q: Can I use my own pictures or video clips as a background in my video?

A: Yes. Please make sure that the media you provide is in a widescreen (16:9) ratio and preferably at a resolution of 1280 x 720. JPEGs or PNGs are both fine for images; MP4 and WMV files are best for video. For advice and information on how to do this, see our client guide or contact us to talk it through.

Q: What file formats can you accept?

A: We can accept a variety of file formats including: WMV, MP4, MOV, AVI, DV, MPEG-2, HDV, JPG and PNG. Please make sure that any media you give us conforms to the guidelines in our client guide.

Q: I love the idea of making a video, but I don’t want to present it! What should I do?

A: If you would rather use a VirtualStudio.TV presenter to deliver your message, that is absolutely fine. All you need to do is send us your script and media and we can make the video for you. You don’t even need to make the trip to the studio, although you’re very welcome to come in and observe if you prefer!

Q: How many videos can I make in an hour’s studio time?

A: This is completely up to you. If you have a 5-10 minute long script and are nervous about your presentation, or if you want to include fairly complex transitions in your video, you might choose to spend the whole hour rehearsing and doing several takes to get this perfect. On the other hand, if you are super-confident about presenting to camera and have four very short, simple scripts accompanied by simple graphics, you might want to squeeze all of these into your hour. One of our clients managed to make seven videos in a single hour!

If you are making multiple videos, we will need to set up the autocue, graphics and PowerPoint for each one before you begin. 

Q: What should I wear?

A: Whatever you do, don’t wear green! This will make you disappear into the background, along with the green screen behind you.

Block colour work best. Avoid stripes (especially pinstripes), checks, patterns and dogtooth prints – these can all play havoc with interlaced video, leaving you with a fuzzy, flickering or wavy look that is impossible to get rid of, during filming or afterwards. If you can, it is also advisable to avoid wearing glasses or anything with a reflective surface. If your hair gets frizzy or wispy, tie or smooth it back, or you may find yourself with a ‘green halo’.

Q: Can I watch my video back straight away?

A: Absolutely. We always show you your video before you leave the studio, so that you can sign off on your best takes. If there’s anything you’re not completely happy with, we can re-record this as many times as you like until you are happy with what is recorded.

Q: How soon after filming can I have my finished video(s)?

A: Within a matter of hours. Our live editing approach means that, whilst you are speaking in front of the green screen, we are busy combining your presentation, images and video clips and placing you in a virtual studio of your choice. Afterwards, all that is left for us to do is give this a final polish, process the video and send it over to you.

Q: What formats will my videos be in and how will I receive them?

A: We can make videos in a wide variety of formats, including high quality MP4, MOV, WMV, AVI, DV, or MPEG-2 files, as well as HD or SD YouTube and Vimeo-ready versions. When your video is ready, we will send you a preview via Dropbox or a secure YouTube link. Finished videos can be downloaded from Dropbox or a different FTP site, delivered to you on a USB or DVD, or even uploaded directly to YouTube or Vimeo for you.

Q: Are you HD enabled?

A: Yes, we record your video in 1080i HD (High Definition) and can output to HD, or SD (Standard Definition).

Q: What if I want to make changes to my video later?

A: Our videos are edited live, meaning that once you’ve signed off on and left the studio, making changes is tricky, time-consuming and potentially very expensive. We want you to be thrilled with your video and we’ll do everything we can to make it perfect, but we can’t stress enough how important it is to have everything ready in place before filming begins.

To find out how to prepare for your shoot, and to make sure you get the very best out of your studio time, have a look at the advice and information provided in our client guide.

If you have any other questions, or would like some help and advice on preparing for your shoot, please do contact us.