Special FX

You chose Bright Green

Yes!

The effect that places the weather map behind Gus (and on his tie) is called "green screening." Also known as "blue screening" (because that color works as well) and "chroma keying," this effect uses digital technology to project an image where one doesn't really exist. What Gus is actually standing in front of is a solid green wall. When it comes time for his weather report, a computer is programmed to replace anything that's green with another image; in this case, a weather map. So, when you're watching Gus on television and he points to a warm front moving across the Midwest, what he's really pointing to is a green wall in the studio. Digital technology supplies the weather map that you see, and all Gus has to do is keep an eye on the monitor so he knows he's pointing to the right spot. So why green or blue and not tan or black? Green and blue are the least naturally occuring colors when it comes to a person's skin tone. By using green and blue, producers can avoid having an image accidentially projected on a meteorologist's forehead (or tie). That is, until little green people start doing the weather reports.

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