Remove a green screen in Premiere Pro with Ultra Key
In Premiere Pro, green screens come out with the Ultra Key effect. Three groups of settings do most of the work. Here's how to use them on a flat green clip.
How do you remove a green screen in Premiere Pro?
Apply the Ultra Key effect to the green screen clip, then pick the green with the eyedropper. In most cases the background vanishes right away; the rest is edge cleanup.
The green screen clip needs to sit on a track above the background. If you don't have one yet, Keyotte makes it from footage shot anywhere: see removing a background without a green screen.
Which Ultra Key settings really matter?
Three groups are enough: Matte Generation (what counts as green), Matte Cleanup (tighten and soften the edges) and Spill Suppression (remove green reflections on the subject). Exact names may vary by version.
- Setting (Default, Relaxed, Aggressive): the overall starting point.
- Matte Generation: transparency, pedestal, thresholds.
- Matte Cleanup: Choke and Soften.
- Spill Suppression: removes the green tint on edges.
How do you check the key is clean?
Switch Ultra Key's Output to Alpha Channel: the background should be solid black, the subject solid white, with grey only in the hair. Grey patches in the background or subject mean a setting to revisit.
Then switch back to Composite and check the result over the final background, zoomed in on the edges.
Why is flat green easier to key?
Because the effect has a single color to remove, with no shadows or creases. Shot green screens always vary a little in brightness, which forces you to push the settings.
Keyotte's export is on flat green #00B140: the default setting is usually enough, and your effort goes into the edges.
What if the subject is wearing green?
Ultra Key will remove the green from the clothes too. With a Keyotte clip, the green background is added after the cutout, but bright green clothing is still close to #00B140 and can get caught.
In that case, lower the tolerance and add a mask around the subject to protect the clothing, or shift its hue before keying. Simplest of all: avoid bright green when you shoot; see how to film for background removal.
Can you export a transparent video from Premiere Pro?
Yes, as ProRes 4444 with the alpha channel, provided nothing sits under the clip. Handy for passing the subject alone to another app.
Settings are in transparent ProRes 4444 video. For DaVinci Resolve, see green screen in DaVinci.
Export price : €1.99
Remove my video backgroundFrequently asked questions
Is Ultra Key included in Premiere Pro?
Yes, it's a built-in effect, under the Keying video effects.
Why do parts of my subject turn transparent?
Part of the subject is close to green, or transparency is pushed too far. Back it off, or wear a different color.
How do I remove green spill on hair?
Raise Spill Suppression in Ultra Key, gently, so skin doesn't go dull.
Does the Keyotte clip keep its sound in Premiere?
Yes, the original audio track is in the MP4.