How to include the sky?

[Zilcho]

A lot of trouble during animation for me, comes from having to fill up the background.

I've just been trying to replicate scenes from the latest Avengers trailer, and several of the shots contain characters walking with the sky in the background.

I've figured the only easy way to do it, is by using a green screen as the back drop and fill it in during editing. However, I have no idea how to edit it in - could anyone offer any advice? Also, is there any site where I could find good backdrops? Firstly, I want to avoid stealing pictures, and also, a lot of the images I found on google weren't really suitable for what I wanted.

If anyone wants to offer any other advice, or how you fill in the backs of your brick flicks, please comment.

[SteampunkDoc]

I just use a large piece of blue poster board and leave it at that. Plop it behind the set and instantly you've got a good sky backdrop.

Green screens are really hard to use, and unless you're really good, they end up looking terrible.

Also, I find the juxtaposition of a Lego set and figures with a real-life sky rarely looks nice.

There's just such a contrast between the two that they don't mesh well.

With brickfilms, it's sometimes the simplest solution that works the best, especially if you don't have much experience.

[Darkdragon]

I've used a cloud paper as a backdrop to good effect. I glued it to a sheet of foam core board and used it behind the set. You need to remember to light it correctly and place it so the clouds are the correct size for your shot.

[Zilcho]

Some good ideas, both a lot easier than green screening :grin:

Do either of you have any videos with your method used, it would be nice to see some examples.

Thanks!

[Darkdragon]

I don't have videos but here are some photos where I've used a backdrop. Click the images to see larger version on Flickr.

Blue posterboard

Printed sky background (night)

Printed background

Cloud background

LEGO Movie Studio backdrop

[SteampunkDoc]

Here's a video that makes extensive use of a blue poster board:

And as a bonus, here's a white wall lit with a colored light.