How to Change Video Background in 7 Easy Steps

How to Change Video Background in 7 Easy Steps

Changing the background in your videos can elevate them to a whole new level. Imagine filming a fun family video for the holidays, only to realize that the cluttered living room behind your kids steals the show. Or, picture finishing your first gameplay video only to discover that the distracting stream overlay takes the attention away from your excellent commentary. In both scenarios, swapping out the background with something more visually appealing would eliminate the distractions and elevate the quality of your video. Thankfully, artificial intelligence is changing how we edit videos. 

With the help of AI in video production, we can now make the process of changing video backgrounds easier and more efficient. In this article, we will explain how to edit backgrounds in videos, specifically using artificial intelligence, and give you step-by-step instructions for changing video backgrounds with WarpVideo’s AI video art tool

Why Edit A Video Background?

Enhancing Professionalism and Engagement with Video Backgrounds

Editing your video background can significantly elevate the professionalism of your video content. This is especially true when dealing with educational videos or marketing content. A dull or distracting background can detract from your message. 

By changing the background, you can place your subject in a more suitable or visually appealing environment to hold the audience's attention for longer. This is specific to increasing engagement; it is not wholly confined to marketing but to educational channels, marketing content creation, or inspirational stories. 

Creative Freedom in Video Background Editing

Editing a video background fosters creativity in storytelling and branding. We can discuss video background editing, where imagination is free. For instance, you can take the viewer to another geographic location, depict an absurd world, or use visuals that resemble your brand. This flexibility can come in handy in creating much better stories or reminding my audience of my brand's: 

  • Message

  • Look

  • Feel

Fixing Background Problems Without Reshooting

Sometimes, the background in a video that one wishes to insert in a PowerPoint may be unfavorable; there may be: 

  • Objects that look bad

  • Poor lighting

  • Noise

Editing the background can fix the problems without requiring an expensive and time-consuming reshooting process. This can often save a considerable amount of time and enable one to achieve specific targeted goals within a specified timeline.

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How To Change Video Background In 7 Easy Steps

Changing a video background might sound complex, but it's surprisingly straightforward with a green screen and a little editing. The technique behind it is called chroma keying, which is used everywhere, from blockbuster movies to YouTube videos.

What is Chroma Key?

Chroma keying enables you to remove a specific color, typically bright green or blue, from your video and replace it with any image or video. It’s the technology behind: 

  • Weather maps

  • Fantasy movie backdrops

  • Slick corporate videos

Step-by-Step: Changing the Background with Chroma Key

1. Set Up a Green Screen

Use a solid green (or blue) backdrop. This could be professional green screen fabric, a smooth green wall, or a sheet. The key is using a colour that isn’t in your clothing or subject.

2. Light the Scene Evenly

Make sure the green screen is well-lit, with no shadows or bright spots. Uneven lighting can make it difficult to remove the background cleanly later.

3. Film Your Subject

Place your subject a few feet before the green screen to avoid green reflections. Then, record your video as you usually would, with a: 

  • Steady camera

  • Good audio 

  • Clear visuals

4. Open the Video in Editing Software

Import your footage into a video editing program that supports chroma keying, like:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro

  • Final Cut Pro

  • DaVinci Resolve

  • iMovie (for basic editing)

  • Camtasia (great for tutorials)

5. Apply the Chroma Key Effect

In the software:

  • Select the green background as your “key color”.

  • Use the chroma key tool (often called “Ultra Key” or “Green Screen”).

  • The software will remove the green background.

6. Add a New Background

  • Now insert your new background. This could be a: 

    • Video

    • A static image

    • A graphic design

  • Ensure the lighting and perspective match your original footage for a natural look.

7. Fine-Tune the Results

Adjust settings such as edge feathering, spill suppression, and contrast to ensure the subject blends seamlessly with the new background.

Pro Tip: Match the Mood

If your subject is brightly lit, don’t put them against a dark or moody background. For the most realistic results, aim for consistency in colour tone and lighting.

Getting Started with Green Screen Setup at Home or in a Small Studio

Using a green screen unlocks a world of possibilities: from placing yourself in Tokyo to presenting your content with a branded virtual background. With some practice, anyone can produce pro-quality videos from home or a small studio.

Transform Your Videos with AI: Face Swaps, Morphing, and More. No Experience Needed

Unleash your creative potential with WarpVideo's revolutionary AI video art tool, which transforms ordinary content into extraordinary visual experiences. Create captivating videos in minutes with our powerful face swap and morphing technologies, which seamlessly blend identities and transform scenes with just a few clicks. 

Our intuitive platform allows you to generate professional-quality videos without requiring specialized skills or expensive equipment. Elevate your visual storytelling, stand out from the competition, and bring your creative vision to life with WarpVideo's transformative AI technology. 

Get started today with 5 free text-to-image generations and see why creators worldwide are making WarpVideo their secret weapon.

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10 Best Tools For Video Background Editing

1. Transform Your Videos Creatively with WarpVideo

If you're looking to transform your videos with bold, AI-driven effects, WarpVideo is a standout option. While not a traditional background removal tool, it offers creative editing features beyond simple cutouts. Built for creators by creators, WarpVideo uses AI video art to help you reshape your footage in imaginative ways. Whether using face swap, morphing, or stylistic transformations, the platform enables you to alter scenes, blend identities, and craft visually compelling videos with a few clicks. 

What makes it useful for background editing? 

  • Scene Transformation: WarpVideo allows you to creatively transform a video's background and aesthetic using AI-driven tools. 

  • Face Swap & Morphing: These tools let you match your subject with altered backgrounds, creating cohesive, eye-catching results. 

  • No Equipment or Expertise Needed: Its intuitive interface removes the need for complex software or production gear. 

  • Try It Free: New users can start with five free text-to-image generations to explore possibilities. Over 400 startups and creators already use WarpVideo to save time, amplify their visual storytelling, and stand out in a crowded content landscape. 

If you want to elevate your video content beyond the basics, WarpVideo offers a unique creative edge.

2. Change Video Backgrounds on the Go with Erase & Change Video Background for iOS

Do you want to change the background of a video on the go using your iPhone? Then, look no further than this software. This AI-powered app is free to use and allows customization of video and photo backgrounds. Besides changing the video background, Erase & Change Video Background also boasts features to: 

  • Clone

  • Crop

  • Apply motion effects

  • Add background music and so much more

Key Features

  • Customize photo and video backgrounds. 

  • Clone yourself in a video. 

  • Add background songs to videos. 

  • Crop video size. 

  • Adjust the video playback speed.

3. VSDC Free Video Editor for Windows: The Best Video Editor for Precise Background Removal

VSDC Free Video Editor is a professional-grade video editing program for PCs. It supports all video files, including: 

  • MP4

  • MOV

  • WebM

  • MTS, etc.

This software features an advanced chroma key toolset, allowing you to change video backgrounds with exceptional precision. It can customize the video background with color effects before adjusting the transparency level and tone. Please note that VSDC Free Video Editor can be overwhelming for beginners. 

Key Features

  • It supports all digital video formats. 

  • Customize the video background with multiple colors. 

  • Adjust the background color transparency and tone. 

  • Apply video effects and filters. 4K and HD exports.

4. Video Background Changer for Android: A Mobile App to Customize Video Backgrounds

As the name suggests, Video Background Changer is a green screen and background changer app for Android phones. It offers thousands of colors to select and apply to your video's background. 

The green screen effect allows you to customize the video background with a local picture or even a video. Users can also change the background of their front and rear cameras while shooting a clip or taking a photo. This free app has loads of ads. 

Key Features

  • Thousands of free video background colors. 

  • Customize the video background with a local photo or video. 

  • Change the camera background before shooting. 

  • Apply a video green-screen effect. Great chroma key feature.

5. Final Cut Pro X Background Changer for Mac: A Professional Tool for Changing Video Backgrounds

Final Cut Pro X is a sophisticated desktop video editing program with all the essentials to create an award-winning video. As expected, this software enables creators to modify the background of a video by adding a video clip or image. 

The chroma keying feature also enables users to add a green or black background to their videos. It packs many inbuilt tools to: 

  • Add audio

  • Apply effects

  • Remove background noise and more

Key Features

  • Add a video or image background to a video. 

  • Apply black or green screen effects. 

  • It supports 360-degree VR videos. 

  • 4K and HD video support. 

  • A comprehensive collection of editing tools.

6. Movavi Video Editor for Windows: A Simple Video Editor for Changing Backgrounds

Movavi Video Editor is another excellent video editing tool for PCs. It allows you to customize your video with beautiful backgrounds and green screen effects by exploiting the chroma key function. 

Movavi Video Editor features other tools, such as: 

  • A video stabilizer

  • Picture-in-picture effect

  • Filters

  • Voiceovers

These elements breathe life into your video. The Movavi Effects Store houses hundreds of stunning filters and stickers. 

Key Features

  • Chroma key for customizing video backgrounds. 

  • Hundreds of built-in effects and stickers. 

  • Apply picture-in-picture effects. 

  • Record and add voice-overs to videos. 

  • Excellent image stabilization tool.

7. Kapwing Online: An Intuitive Online Editor for Removing Video Backgrounds

Few online video editors can match Kapwing in terms of intuitiveness and functionality. This program allows you to remove a video background and replace it with your own unique photo or video. 

After changing the background, Kapwing lets you customize the image blur, brightness, contrast, and opacity to make your video stand out. You can even trim, zoom, and adjust the frame corners. All in all, it's an excellent free tool. 

Key Features

  • It works with most video formats. 

  • You can customize a video background with photos or videos. 

  • Adjust the video effects. 

  • Trim, zoom, and crop videos. 

  • Add subtitles to videos.

8. iMovie—Mac/iOS: A Simple Video Editor for Changing Backgrounds

With iMovie, you can transform ordinary videos into Hollywood-style movies on your: 

  • iPhone

  • iPad

  • Mac

This software is 100% free and allows creators to change the video background with a few clicks. You must record your subject on a Green/Blue screen and then apply a local photo or video as the background. Users can also add: 

  • Picture-in-picture effects

  • Trim video

  • Apply motion effects and so much more

Key Features

  • Apply a video background on mobile or computer. 

  • Customize video background with photos and videos. 

  • Trim and adjust video playback length. 

  • Record a picture-in-picture effect. It supports 4K rendering.

9. KineMaster—Android and iOS: A Mobile App for Changing Video Backgrounds

KineMaster is a famous video editor among smartphone and tablet users. As expected, using this mobile app is quite a breeze, even for beginners. Record a subject before a green/blue screen, then add the video to KineMaster. After that, add a background video, and then use the chroma key function to customize the background. And, of course, KineMaster packs a ton of other video editing tools

Key Features

  • Smooth chroma key function. 

  • It supports batch processing. 

  • Thousands of free video effects and filters. 

  • It supports 4K outputs. 

  • Share videos on social media.

10. BeeCut—Online/Mac/Windows/Android/iOS: A Cross-Platform Tool to Change Video Backgrounds

BeeCut is cross-platform software that lets you add new video backgrounds in seconds. You can edit videos online or download a dedicated app. Just import a video to edit and then drag it to the timeline. After that, add a video or picture to use in the background and drag it to the upper timeline layer. Now, adjust the video size, playback duration, speed, and other features before exporting. 

Key Features

  • Cross-platform compatibility. 

  • Super-easy to use. 

  • Multi-layer timeline. 

  • Multiple video editing tools. 

  • Excellent screen, webcam, and audio recorder.

7 Tips For Professional Background Editing

1. Select the Best Background Editing Tool for Your Project

Start with a background editing tool that fits your needs. Some platforms are designed for clean background removal (like Unscreen or Kapwing), while others, like WarpVideo, offer AI-powered transformations and stylised scene changes. Choose whether you want realism, creativity, or something in between.

2. Lighting and Contrast Make a Big Difference

Background editing works best when your subject is clearly defined. Even lighting across your face and body helps the software distinguish you from the background. Avoid shadows and wear clothes that contrast with your background for cleaner results.

3. Choose a Simple, On-Brand Background

If you're replacing the background, use visuals that complement your message. A simple branded colour, a tasteful blur, or an image that reflects your product or service will look more polished than distracting scenery.

4. Watch for Edge Artifacts

Low-quality background removal often leaves a “halo” or jagged edges around the subject. Use tools that offer fine-tuning controls or allow you to feather and soften edges to achieve a seamless look.

5. Match Lighting, Mood, and Perspective 

If you’re swapping in a new background, make sure it matches the lighting, tone, and perspective of your original footage. A bright beach behind a dimly lit subject won’t feel natural. Consistency matters.

6. Use Background Blur to Maintain Focus

When in doubt, blur. A subtle blur behind your subject keeps the attention where it should be, on the message, while still hiding visual distractions. Many tools offer adjustable blur levels for this purpose.

7. Test Your Video Before Publishing 

Always preview your final video on different screens (desktop, mobile, etc.) to catch any background editing issues you may have missed, like: 

  • Flickering

  • Colour mismatches

  • Glitches around your outline

Get 5 Free text-to-image Generations - Try WarpVideo Today!

WarpVideo is a game-changing platform for video production. Our revolutionary AI video art tool transforms ordinary content into extraordinary visual experiences. Using WarpVideo, you can create captivating videos in minutes with powerful face swap and morphing technologies that seamlessly blend identities and transform scenes with just a few clicks. 

A WarpVideo video production has a professional-quality look that will elevate your visual storytelling. Best of all, it’s easy to use. You won’t need specialized skills or expensive equipment to get started.  

Get started today with 5 free text-to-image generations and see why creators worldwide are making WarpVideo their secret weapon.

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