How to Edit Green Screen in Premiere Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide

From the big film industry to local news channels, chroma key is accessible to everyone thanks to video editor software. Whether you are on a tight budget or dreaming of adding a virtual background, the chroma key technique is your partner. This technique is sort of fascinating for those new to video editing. It involves shooting a video against a greenscreen and then, like magic, replacing it with any background using the chroma key technique.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to master green screen in Premiere Pro. However, because of its limitations, we provide you with the best alternative—the CapCut video editor to edit your green screen footage.

Why do you need a chroma key in video editing?

• Isolation of subjects

Have you ever seen a weathercaster standing before a weather map? Do you think it's real? That’s the magic of the chroma key. It lets you easily separate your subject from the background, creating a clean and crisp focus on what matters most in your video.

• Background replacement

Shoot a video in your room, but you want it to look like you’re on a beach. Luckily, the chroma key makes it possible. It lets you replace the original background with any image or video, providing versatility and the ability to transport your audience to different locations.

• Flexible creative options

Video editing is the name of creativity, and using the chroma key, you can showcase your creativity to the world. You can set the scene, whether it is futuristic sci-fi settings or historical backdrops.

• Productivity and efficiency

Mostly in film industries like Holly Wood, Bolly Wood, and others, photos are captured against the green screen. This chroma key eases the editing process, saving time and effort in post-production by eliminating the need for complex masking and cutting. Furthermore, it will give your videos a professional look.

• Cost savings

Thinking about creating a commercial with scenes set in different cities and worried about the costs? The chroma key eliminates the need to shoot physically in different locations, letting you all shoot in a single studio space. It saves travel costs and allows you to create diverse settings from the comfort of your studio.

Chroma key in Adobe Premiere Pro: How to edit green screen videos

Step
1. Import video
2. First, click on the file menu, then select the import option from the drop-down menu, and import your footage in Premiere Pro.
Step
3. Create a new sequence
4. Place the video or image that you want to use as a background in Track 1 and green screen footage in Track 2.
Step
5. Apply ultra key effect
6. Head over to the "Effect" option, find "Keying," and pick "Ultra Key." Now, select the color picker and apply it to your green screen footage. The green screen background will disappear in seconds.
Step
7. Adjust settings
8. To fine-tune the greenscreen in Premiere, adjust the chowk and transparency to remove green highlights and shadows. With the matte cleanup, change the edges of the object and try the spill suppression feature.
Step
9. Refine and export

To enhance the professionalism of the video, use other editing features. Once you are done, save and export your project.



A free alternative to Adobe Premiere Pro chroma key: CapCut video editor

While keying in Adobe Premiere undoubtedly elevates video editing to a higher level, the problem is that not everyone can afford it. Alternatively, the CapCut video editor has multiple editing features, all accessible for free.

Over the past few years, CapCut has become the go-to editor for many, replacing others in the video editing game. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this video editor has your back at every step. Here are some key features that the CapCut video editor offers.



• Support recording of greenscreen video

Self-media users always look for an all-in-one editor to record and edit greenscreen footage. CapCut video editor is the best choice for such users. It lets them record top-notch videos against a green screen and edit them all in one place. This feature eliminates the need to jump between different platforms for different purposes.

• Use the chroma key with one click

You have recorded a business presentation against the green screen, and now you want to make it attractive with an excellent background without messing with your actual presentation. With CapCut video editor, you can use the chroma key feature to eliminate that green screen with just one click. Plus, you can adjust the intensity and shadows to make your new background look super realistic

• Free and easy, no need for ultra skills

As a novice video editor, you seek a user-friendly interface with professional editing features, all for free. That’s where the CapCut video editor steps into the market. It lets you utilize various templates, cut, trim, crop videos, change voice, convert text-to-speech, and vice versa, all without breaking the bank.

• Auto background removal

The auto background removal tool in the CapCut video editor has eliminated concerns for many professionals. When creating an ad, an engaging background is crucial. However, shooting in stunning locations can be costly. With the CapCut AI-powered auto background removal tool, you can easily replace it with an attractive background to enhance professionalism.

• Mask unnecessary parts

Looking to entertain your friends by turning their clips into hilarious visuals? CapCut video editor has got you covered. With its mask feature, you can make them disappear, clone, or showcase them in unexpected spots. Plus, if your professional video accidentally captures some unwanted objects, the mask feature is there to help you remove them.

• Transitions and effects for compelling scenes

CapCut, the video editor, has many cool transitions and effects that can turn your videos from good to extraordinary. Let's say you're making a vlog and want it to catch the audience's attention. That's where CapCut's transitions and effects play their role.

You can split your scenes smoothly by throwing in transitions like light, basic, distortion, and more. And when it comes to making your scenes pop, there's a whole bunch of effects to play with—think retro, opening and closing, nightclub, and so on.

How to edit green screen videos with CapCut?

Step
1. Sign up and upload
2. Download CapCut video editor from the bellow link. Sign up using your Email, Facebook, TikTok, or Google account. Once you are in, click "Create new video" and then upload media from your computer.
3. 

   Download for free

   
   
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Step
5. Edit green screen video
6. Now, drag and drop the image that you want to use as a background. Next, add your green screen footage. Make sure to adjust the length of both videos to be the same. In the "video", opt for the "Chroma key", select the color picker, and click on the green screen clip. Then adjust the "Strength" and "Shadow", the green screen background will be removed in seconds.
7. You can also remove the background with the auto-removal option. Once the background is removed, adjust the intensity and shadow to give it a real look. Besides this, you can add music, transition, cut and trim video, and others.
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Step
9. Export and share

When you are done with video editing, click the "Export". Select resolution, frame rate, quality, and format, then download the video to your device. Finally, you can directly share it on social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.



Conclusion

Now you know how to apply the Adobe Premiere Pro green screen effect. It is clear that, while it delivers top-notch professional editing, the paid version might not be feasible for everyone. However, the CapCut video editor is the best alternative for chroma keying. Packed with all the features Adobe Premiere offers, the best part is that it's all free. It's the perfect solution for those seeking high-quality editing without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the chroma key only for green?
2. No, the chroma key can be used for any color but green and blue are mostly used in the background because they differ from human skin colors. CapCut video editor is the best choice to use the chroma key effect.
3. How do I remove the background from a video in Premiere Pro?
4. With the use of the chroma keying option, you can remove the background in Adobe Premiere Pro. You can also use the CapCut video editor, which lets you remove background in one simple click, either with a chroma key or auto background removal.
5. How do I use the chroma key in Premiere Pro?

Adobe Premiere greenscreen effects (chroma keying) are a bit tricky to use. In Premiere Pro, you navigate to the effects option, choose keying, then ultra keying, and finally, use a color picker to eliminate the green background. On the other hand, with the CapCut video editor, chroma key is simple to use.