Green Screens and Reading Promotion

As a Library Media Specialist I am always looking for ways to promote reading in the school.  One tool that I use is the ALA READ Design Studio.  Last year I worked with our PR department to take photos of students with their favorite book for READ posters.  Each student posed for a photograph in front of a green screen and the PR department processed the photos into the READ design studio.  The photos were printed and displayed in the library and each student took a printed image home at the end of the school year.  The students enjoyed this event but I wondered how else can I use this.

This year I am going to do this activity myself.  I will have classes come to the library for photos, and each student will pick out a book.  They will have their photo taken in front of a green screen.  This year not only will students get a poster but they will also get personalized bookmarks.

      How does this promote reading?

1. Students get to show off what they like to read.
2. Students get personalized bookmarks to use in their future reading.
3. Students get to see what other students are reading.
4. Teachers and other adults get to see what students are reading.
5. This activity shows that reading is valued.

The bookmarks will be a nice addition to their classrooms, because students will be able to easily identify the book they are reading.  It's got their photo on the bookmark, no question as to who the book belongs to.  I will also be adding their library card ID onto the back of the bookmark to make library checkout easier.  These will be printed on card stock and laminated to make them last the school year.

What you will need:  

1. READ Design Studio - or other images that you want to use for your photo booth - NOTE: READ in connection to READ posters/bookmarks is a trademark of ALA (American Library Association).  I have purchased the design studio that includes the licensing agreement.  Here is a link to FAQ page about ALA's trademark for READ.
2. Green screen - large enough to cover the entire background - or you can paint a wall green.  I also have a blue screen available because a student may wear green the day of the photo shoot.  This did happen last year.
3. Camera - a separate camera or the webcam on your computer will do.
4. A remote for the camera will come in handy.  My camera has an app to use as a remote for my camera. (Optional)
5. Computer with photo editing software.  I have used the following with green screen photography successfully.
• Pixlr Editor is free to use and files can be saved to your computer and not online, but can also connect to your Google Drive for saving online.  
• Photoshop

Setup:

1. Set up your green screen area, make sure the area is well lit.
2. Set up your camera on a tripod
3. Chair (Optional)  Students can stand or sit
4. A display with the different backgrounds students can choose from. Put a letter next to each background.
5. Sign in sheet. I have students sign in with the background letter they choose.  The sign in is in the order that their photos are taken in.  This will help with file management.  Double check with the classroom teacher that each student has photo permissions on file.

Photo shoot:

1. Have students step in front of the green screen
2. take a few pictures of each student

Photo Editing:

1. You will need to decide which photo editing software you will be using. Photoshop or Pixlr?
1. The ALA Getting started guide link.
2. Step by step guide for Pixlr green screen link Video-YouTube Pixlr Green screen link
2. You will then need to open the image files from the READ design studio or the images you choose to use.
3. You will also need to open the photos of the students - since you took several photos of each student select the one that turned out the best.
4. Follow the steps for removing the green background and follow the steps for putting the student image into the new background.
5. The READ word can be changed out to another font that was included on the READ Design Studio disks.

Printing:

1. You will need to save your files and get them printed
2. I use a Selfie printer that prints on photo quality paper for the READ posters (photos)  This is nice for families that struggle to get a yearly portrait of their kids.  The selfie printer prints images from my cell phone.  I will need to edit the photos and send them to the app on my phone or on a school iPad that has the app installed on it.
3. Larger poster files are sent to our printing department
4. Bookmarks should be printed on card stock and can be laminated.

Once you have mastered the Green Screen Basics with still images you can then apply the similar technique to videos.  There is also the option of setting up an Open Air Photo Booth.  Here is a link to the DIY directions - this video shows it being made out of wood but you can also use cardboard.  

Green Screen uses:

• READ posters/bookmarks/website graphics
• Videos i.e. weather reports
• Photo booths
• You are only limited by your imagination and willingness to try something new.

Follow Up Post about Green Screens Stills & Videos