Stripping in film editing refers to the process of eliminating unwanted elements from an image, leaving only its desired parts. Stripping is often used to remove unnecessary text, logos, or people from frames. At the same time, it can also remove objects that shouldn’t be seen, like wires and scaffolding that shouldn’t be visible in certain scenes. Stripping can also be used when converting widescreen films for television broadcasts.
There are various techniques for stripping an image. Adobe After Effects Rotoscoping program lets the user quickly draw a mask around desired areas of an image, automatically allowing it to strip away unwanted portions. Another typical option is matte painting software like Photoshop’s Matte Painting feature, which enables painting over any unwanted areas automatically removed by the software.
There are various methods of stripping footage, but one of the easiest and quickest is with software like Adobe After Effects or Final Cut Pro. Both programs contain tools explicitly designed to quickly and efficiently remove layers from video footage.
Stripping footage serves two main functions: making it easier for editors to work with and improving quality. When done correctly, stripping can give films an air of professionalism and polish that are unattainable otherwise.
Stripping is an integral component of filmmaking as it allows crew members to see what they are filming, which helps ensure they capture the perfect shot. Stripping also gives crews an idea of lighting and set design issues.