Overview

This standard is about creating mattes of filmed elements so that effects can be added. This can be done by various methods including rotoscoping and keying. 

Following matte creation, compositors will use these mattes to create a layered image or make adjustments to achieve the desired effect. 

This could apply to those involved with rotoscoping and matte creation.

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. interpret production information about how the shot will develop and how this will effect required mattes
  2. assess shots to gain familiarity with subjects’ movements
  3. plan shapes and mattes required and how best to produce them 
  4. create mattes effectively and efficiently, making sure you are not producing more than required
  5. check and confirm that mattes have accurate edge proximity, introducing edge softness as appropriate
  6. check and confirm consistency between frames
  7. check there is no background contamination
  8. replicate motion blur to match original photography
  9. share work with compositors and use feedback to revise mattes when required 
  10. check that work meets quality requirements
  11. check and confirm that mattes meet required outputs and are delivered on time

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. how to evaluate the requirements of the shot and how it will develop 
  2. the role of the compositor in planning matte creation and how to communicate with them
  3. how to keep your scripts tidy and organised and name shapes effectively 
  4. how to determine the shapes to break down when creating mattes
  5. how to use tracking techniques to attach spline shapes to objects
  6. how to use blocking and traditional animation techniques to avoid edge chatter or undesired interpolation
  7. the advanatges and disadvantages of using rotoscoping, keying and other image processing techniques to produce mattes and the relative time taken by each
  8. the properties of different types of key and how to use them
  9. how cameras capture images
  10. how motion blur works and affects the mattes 
  11. how to assess the quality of created mattes to meet the requirements 
  12. how to use your experience to judge when additional mattes may be required
  13. how to render mattes into separate colour spaces