Black screen, white screen, or green screen?

A

AmateurFilmmaker

For as long as I can remember, I've always thought "on camera" interviews were always done with the subject being interviewed in front of a green screen. After learning more about video production, I've realized that some have been in natural environments with "depth of field" taking part in the interviewed subjects background/backdrop looking so out of focus and unnatural --from what I could see-- and black screen with the subject illuminated or white screen that's illuminated. When do you use which? Is it just personal preference? When is it better to use either of them? What would a "keyed" black background/white background look like using green screen? Identical to authentic black screen or white screen being used? Have you ever used any of them for "on camera" interviews? For anything? What do you use the most for "on camera" interviews? The Least?

This for example I thought was green screen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUhxRmYdv_o
 
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I don't think I entirely get your question and/or your point about the black and white screens.

As far as I recall, most interviews I have seen have been filmed either in a real room with shallow depth-of-field, or against a solid color wall, sometimes even a black wall or a black curtain. But I can't think of a time I've ever seen a white backdrop used. Although, yes, plenty of documentaries, if not nearly half, are filmed against a green screen so as to allow the integration of a stylized and customized logo, or for background visuals to be added that are related to the documentary's subject.

It all really depends on your ultimate vision. Do you want to put a unique background or graphic behind your interviewees? Do you have a good place to film your interviews, or are you stuck with having to film everyone in a neutral location that won't look good unless you use a black backdrop?

I think this would really be up to the virtue of choice, as I find many concerns placed on this community end up amounting to. But no worries. You either work with what you have, what you can get, or what you can make. And you do what's best for the project if you can manage it.
 
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If you want a black backdrop, use a black backdrop.
If you want white, use white (and light it properly so it is really white, or grey)

It is silly to use a greenscreen and then only change the color.

Besides that most greenscreen interviews just look not real at all: so if you want to use greenscreen, I'd say: use it for something onreal, something you can't show IRL during the interview... But that is just my opinion.
 
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