What's the best shade of backdrop to use for video?

[Corey]

I'm setting up a basic "set" which has a computer desk, etc. It will be me sitting at the desk for all my original computer stuff and beginning guitar stuff. What is the best color/shade of backdrop to set up so that the desk and I show up well against it? Should it be dark/light? Thanks.

[AXXESS]

Chroma green... then you can key it out in post and use a Style Workshop background!

[Corey]

I thought of that but I need something general purpose to start with, i.e. interviews, training vids, and guitar vids. I will get a green screen eventually too though, I have a seperate room to do that kind of stuff in, where it's going to be easier to get the lighting perfectly even. Boy that's one cool thing about being a bachelor, you can do any whacky thing in the house you feel like doing. By autmun my house is going to look like the set of The Trailer Park Boys.

[AXXESS]

B&H Photo & Video has some decent backdrop info here:

B&H

They are the only New York City based video supply company I ever do business with. Incredibly fast service, and you get what you are expecting.

[Corey]

Cool. Thanks for the link. I have to figure out whether to get something dark or light.

[eric_darling]

I'm going to say it depends. I don't think you can say one or the other is "better," and it's a matter of taste, shot needs and set surroundings. If you have no way to put light directly on your backdrop and you want to see a background, a lighter backdrop is going to show up better.

We own one dark charcoal backdrop and one pearl white backdrop. I have to say we find more use for the charcoal one, since it can double as an ambient light shield as well.

Lighter backgrounds accept color better - you can make an argument for more flexibility there. In the end, you probably want one of each to make more options for yourself.

You can always start out cheap and get a nice thick cotton bed sheet that doesn't show light through its threads.

[Corey]

Sounds good, I'll see if I can grab a charcoal one to start, that will probably suit me well for my starting needs. Then I'll build as I go. Thanks.

[yosik]

Corey,
A few things to remember.
Use a contrasty backdrop (bright if scene is dark and dark if scene or talent wears light colors)
Have it far enough so that you can out focus it. Nice and lightly blurey looks good.
Play with lighting, but don't overdo it.
Use Back light on yourself so as to stand out from the background.

Just a few ideas...
Yossi

[Corey]

Yeah, I'll use some sort of hair/separation light for sure, definitely have to experiment with this room until I get it right. Soooooooooo much stuff to plan...