Apply and customize Chromakey using the Ultra Key effect

Last updated on Jun 23, 2025

Learn how to remove a solid-color background, like green or blue screens, from your video.

The Ultra Key effect allows you to easily remove a solid-colored background from your video footage to create a transparent area that can be composited over other layers. This technique is known as chromakey or green screen.

The Ultra Key effect is GPU-accelerated for improved system performance with supported graphics cards.

Before you begin:

Shoot your footage against an evenly lit green or blue background. Ensure your subject isn't wearing colors like the background and import your footage into Premiere Pro.

Apply the Ultra Key effect

  1. Drag your green screen footage to the timeline.

  2. Select the clip in the timeline.

  3. Open the Effects panel.

  4. Expand Video Effects > Keying.

  5. Drag the Ultra Key effect onto your clip in the timeline.


Set the key color

  1. In the Effect Controls panel, locate the Ultra Key effect settings.

  2. Select the eyedropper icon next to Key Color.

  3. Select the green or blue background in the Program Monitor to sample the key color.


Refine the key

  1. In the Effect Controls panel, adjust the following settings as needed:

    • Matte Generation: Controls how aggressively the background is removed.
    • Matte Cleanup: Refines edges and removes spill.
    • Spill Suppression: Removes background color reflected on the subject.
  2. Use the Output menu to preview different stages of the key.

  3. Place your desired background footage on a video track, lower-right of the keyed clip.

Tip:

For best results, shoot your green screen footage with even lighting and a high-quality camera. This will make it much easier to pull a clean key in post-production.