Russian Actor Predicts the End of Green Screen in Cinema
Sergey Bezrukov says AI, 3D scanning, and digital avatars will soon make chroma key obsolete in filmmaking.
Chroma key technology—the process of merging two or more images or frames into a single composition—is on its way out as artificial intelligence and 3D scanning advance, according to popular Russian actor Sergey Bezrukov. He argues that filmmakers can now tackle challenges once thought impossible, from building entire digital worlds to recreating lifelike human appearances.
The actor himself has helped pioneer the shift. For the upcoming musical-digital show Vysotsky. Height, which premieres October 24 in Moscow, Bezrukov created a digital avatar of legendary Russian singer and performer Vladimir Vysotsky. The likeness was generated through 3D scanning, without the need for makeup. Bezrukov said he was thrilled that modern technology allowed him to replicate Vysotsky’s songs, walk, gestures, and even gaze with striking precision.
The green screen era dates back to the 1920s, when Walt Disney used a white backdrop to combine actors with animated characters. The technology evolved over the decades and became a staple of television production, particularly in weather forecasts.
