How to Remove Green Screen Video Background in Adobe Premiere Pro CC (Tutorial)

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to effectively remove a green screen background in Adobe Premiere Pro CC. This technique is widely used in video production, allowing you to replace the green screen with any desired background, enhancing your videos' visual appeal. Whether you're creating content for YouTube, presentations, or other projects, mastering this skill can significantly elevate your work.

Step 1: Import Your Footage

• Open Adobe Premiere Pro CC.
• Create a new project or open an existing one.
• Import your video footage with the green screen background by dragging it into the project panel or using the "File" menu.

Step 2: Add Your Video to the Timeline

• Drag your green screen video onto the timeline.
• Ensure that this video is on the top track (Video Track 1) so it overlays any background you plan to add.

Step 3: Apply the Ultra Key Effect

• Go to the "Effects" panel. If it’s not visible, navigate to "Window" and select "Effects."
• In the search bar, type “Ultra Key.”
• Drag the “Ultra Key” effect onto your green screen clip in the timeline.

Step 4: Select the Green Color

• With the green screen clip selected, go to the "Effect Controls" panel.
• Locate the "Ultra Key" effect you just applied.
• Use the eyedropper tool to click on the green background in your video. This action tells Premiere Pro which color to remove.

Step 5: Fine-Tune the Keying

• Adjust the "Matte Generation" settings for better results:
  • Transparency: Increase if parts of the background still appear.
  • Highlight: Adjust to eliminate any green spill around your subject.
  • Shadow: Modify this to enhance the edges of your subject.
  • Tolerance: Increase to remove more green if needed.

Step 6: Add a New Background

• Import the background footage or image you want to use.
• Drag the background layer onto the timeline, placing it on the track below your green screen clip (e.g., Video Track 2).
• Adjust the background clip's scale and position in the "Effect Controls" panel if necessary.

Step 7: Preview and Make Final Adjustments

• Play back the video in the preview window to see how the composite looks.
• Make any additional adjustments to the Ultra Key settings or the background position as needed.

Conclusion

You've successfully removed a green screen background and replaced it with a new background in Adobe Premiere Pro CC. This technique allows for creative flexibility in your video projects. For next steps, you might explore additional effects or transitions to further enhance your video. Experiment with different backgrounds and settings to find the perfect look for your content!