7 Replies Latest reply: Sep 14, 2012 9:59 AM by able123 RSS

    How to manually cover up background in scene

    bboyatomik Community Member

      There's a 15 second long shot of the "C.I.A." interior location in my senior thesis film, and unfortunately due to limited time on production we didn't have the luxury to remove the convention center's flags that had a flower design.  The flowers are subtle, but it can call attention to itself in regards to the narrative, is there an effective way compositly cover it up in Premier CS4,   I did had some luck convering some of the flags with the TITLE DEFAULT STILL.

       

      I might post the photos.

       

      Thanks

        • 1. Re: How to manually cover up background in scene
          Ann Bens CommunityMVP

          Photos will certainly help.

          • 2. Re: How to manually cover up background in scene
            Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

            I agree that being able to see the offending elements, their location and distribution, would be helpful.

             

            If on the perimeter of the Video Frame, you might look into doing Track Matte Keying, with a Matte that allows you to Blur the edges of the Frame. Basically, you would dupe your Clip, and place it on the next Video Track above, say Video 2, and apply a Blur (several choices there), and then create a Matte, that would be a rectangle, possibly with a bit of Blur on its edge. This would be placed onto the Video Track above that Blurred dupe Video, say Video 3. Add the Track Matte Keying Effect to the Blurred dupe Video on Video Track 2, and link it to the Matte on Video Track 3. As what you want to do is create a "mask" to hold back/block the Blurred Video, so that you see the Clip on Video Track 1. Depending on how you created your Matte, you will probably want to Invert, so that it blocks the Blurred Video.

             

            That will allow you to clearly see the Video from Video Track 1, and if the Matte is soft-edged, it will gradually soften into the full Blur on Video Track 2.

             

            However, depending on those flags, that might not be a viable method.

             

            Good luck, and please let us see more.

             

            Hunt

            • 3. Re: How to manually cover up background in scene
              bboyatomik Community Member

              Hey appreciate it guys, I just been busy to reply much earlier. Anyway,
              I'll update you guys with the composite move once I revisit the edit chair, and maybe upload a photo for more effective advice. 
              Always to good to hear from you again Bill, you've advised on some editing before!

              • 4. Re: How to manually cover up background in scene
                Bill Hunt CommunityMVP

                Thanks for the kind words.

                 

                When you do get back to editing, the screen-caps will be appreciated, and might give us an exact idea on how to help best.

                 

                Good luck,

                 

                Hunt

                • 5. Re: How to manually cover up background in scene
                  Community Member

                  and dont forget..sometimes you can put stuff ' in foreground' to HIDE stuff in background...like plants or tree branches etc.

                   

                  or snakes !

                   

                  a lot of times , to both create depth in shot, and to maybe "hide" stuff... people put stuff in front of lens in foreground for that purpose... can do in edit also.. ( probably have to get something shot on green screen or black or something so you have an alpha channel for the plants, tree branches, snakes )

                   

                   

                  • 6. Re: How to manually cover up background in scene
                    bboyatomik Community Member

                    Hey guys, I hope everyone's had a good year so far..

                    seven months later I'm back on the chair!

                     

                    To recap, I like to blur out the flags but still add a solid color to it, in the context of the environment.. navy blue

                     

                    So basically I should dupicate this clip, put it on video 2..in addition with track matte, and add a square rectangle to cover up in video 3 ?

                     

                     

                     

                    CIA Flags composite.PNG

                     

                    Message was edited by: bboyatomik

                    • 7. Re: How to manually cover up background in scene
                      Community Member

                      COMPOSITE3.jpg

                       

                      I would just put Godzilla in the background !

                      I might get a better idea in the next 7 months though...stay tuned !