Don’t Ask About The Blue/Green Screen.

It is the year 2010 and I can’t believe I’m still hearing the same thing. I can’t believe journalist still ask actors about the blue/green screen. I can’t believe the actors still have the exact same response as they had more than 10 years ago.

This is what usually happens: A journalist/entertainment person/hip blogger will briefly interview a movie star in a press junket regarding their latest action/sci-fi/fantasy film. The question will inevitably be “SO, HOW WAS IT LIKE TO ACT IN FRONT OF A BLUE/GREEN SCREEN?” and the answer will always be:
“Well, you know it was so odd to have nothing but blue/green around you. It was hard to keep track of all the marks the crew will set for you, but also to be ready to act when the director tells you that ‘you now how to run for your life because a monster/alien/helicopter/robot/dead historical figure turned zombie is chasing you’ but in reality is only this big blue/green cube following you around. So, it’s hard but is actually quite fun to use your imagination. In that aspect it’s a lot like theater and it reminds me of when I was starting out on plays [and how mediocre an actor/actress I was and how little have I improved since then].
But then when I got to see the finished movie I couldn’t believe it, they painted all this amazing stuff around me and it totally feels like I’ve been in a place in which I I’ve never really gone to. So, yeah, it was an incredible experience.”

Do you know how long have I been hearing this little speech? I’ll tell you. Since Space Jam come out! That was in 1996, It’s been 14 years. And it is the press’ fault! You can’t blame it on all the young actors (or actors who have just first experienced visual effects movies) for being surprised by it, YOU JUST HAVE TO AVOID THE QUESTION! The only way in which you can get caught in getting that answer is if you ask “What was the biggest challenge for you on this film?” and if you do that you are an embarrasment of a reporter because that’s a really stupid question.

SO, FOR GOD’ SAKE, DON’T LET THE ACTORS TALK ABOUT THE BLUE/GREEN SCREEN ANYMORE!

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Photo credit: eviloars