Masking is a video effect that allows you to cut out a scene and use the overlay to duplicate, hide, modify, or reveal your video footage. Just think of it as cutting something on your video so you can see what's in the bottom layer. So, without wasting time, let me show you how to mask a video in Wondershare Filmora. Let's get started!
Masking Trick 1:
First, you need to shoot footage to add the masking effect. To do that, find a doorway with enough space to walk back and forth before setting up a camera with a tripod facing the entrance. Make sure you set the camera at the center height of the door to prevent lens distortion.
With the tripod set up, film yourself walking behind the door toward the camera. Get close to the camera, then walk back to the door. Then, cross the doorway slowly before walking out of the frame. Now let's get editing with Wondershare Filmora.
Step 1 Fire up Wondershare Filmora, then import the clip on the video editor. After that, move the clip to the timeline by merely dragging it. Add two clips on the first and second tracks.
Step 2 Now proceed to hide the first track before adding a freeze frame on the second track. To do that, move the playhead to find the starting scene with the door frame without your subject. Then, right-click the clip and tap Add Freeze Frame. After that, extend the freeze frame area and cut out the rest of the clip.
Step 3 Next, click the Effect button and find the Image Mask effect in the Utility folder. Now drag the effect to the top layer.
Step 4 Double-click the clip to open the video editing options, then choose a rectangle image mast under Video Effects. Ensure the mask is inverted by clicking the Invert Mask checkbox. Now adjust the mast to match the door frame before clicking Ok.
Step 5 Up to this point, unhide the first track, then find the scene where the subject appears on the door frame. On the first track, cut the clip before the subject appears on the stage before cutting the scene where the subject crosses the door frame for the second time on the second track. Now play the video to view your masking effect.
Masking Trick: 2
In the second masking effect, we want to create a subject walking in and outside a tree. To do that, find a tree with a clear background, then place your camera to film the center of the tree trunk where the subject will be walking.
Now film the subject walking from one side of the tree, stop for a second, and then turn back. They should repeat the same action, but this time they'll walk forward outside the frame after the one-second stop. That's all!
Step 1 Import the clip on Filmora, then add the footage on the first and second timelines. After that, hide the first track, then find the scene where the subject walks forward away from the tree in the second track. Cut off the area before that action.
Step 2 Next, click Effects, choose Utility, then drag the Image Mask effect on the second video track. Then, double-click the second clip, select Video Effects, and choose a rectangular option that masks the right side of the frame.
Now adjust the mask until it covers the entire right side of the tree. After that, unhide the first clip and move the second to match the first clip's timing. You can also cut out everything outside the scene of the first clip.
Step 3 Play the video to see your subject walking in both directions of the tree.
Masking Trick 3:
For this masking illusion, we'll create a video with a subject jumping over a house. So, set up your camera tripod on a low level in front of the building. You can also add a mark on the ground for your subject to know where to jump.
Now tell your subject to walk to the marker before jumping and walking out of the scene.
Step 1 Import the clip into Filmora and add it to the first and second tracks. Now hide the first track before finding the scene without the subject in the second track and add a freeze frame. After that, extend the freeze frame area and cut out the rest of the clip.
Step 2 Now, it's time to customize the clip with a mask. To do that, head to the Utility folder under Effects and choose Image Mask. Click the Invert Mask box to invert the mask.
Step 3 Double-click the video track and choose an image mask under Video Effects. Note that you may need several combinations of masks to mask out the sky and leave the building. So, play around with different masking shapes until the sky is covered.
Step 4 After masking, unhide the first track on the timeline before playing the video to find the scene where the subject appears and cut off everything before that scene. Also, find the scene where the subject jumps in the air and cut the clip in the second track. Then, delete everything after that scene.
Step 5 Play the video to see your subject jumping over the building and walking away from the scene.
Conclusion
That was easy, right? Playing around with Filmora's masking tools can create incredible masking illusions like the ones we've discussed. And don't forget this video editor has many more creative possibilities. You should try these masking tricks!
