
SCENE 01 / ROTOSCOPING CLEANUP
Rotoscoping & Cleanup
Precision rotoscoping and invisible cleanup work that forms the foundation of seamless visual effects.
Rotoscoping and cleanup are frame-by-frame post-production processes that isolate elements, remove unwanted objects, and prepare footage for compositing. Rotoscoping traces precise mattes around subjects for extraction, while cleanup removes wires, rigs, markers, and other artifacts visible in raw production footage.
We coordinate rotoscoping and cleanup work with VFX facilities experienced in detailed frame-by-frame processing. Our team manages shot turnover, quality reviews, and delivery schedules to ensure your footage is cleanly prepared for compositing or presented free of distracting production artifacts.
Capabilities
Rotoscoping & Cleanup Excellence
We provide the essential foundation for high-quality visual effects through meticulous frame-by-frame work that isolates elements and removes unwanted artifacts.
01
Precision Roto
Frame-accurate masking with perfect edge quality.
Accuracy
02
Wire Removal
Invisible elimination of rigs and support wires.
Invisible
03
Paint Work
Seamless cleanup and artifact removal.
Clean
04
Tracking Integration
Smart workflows with motion tracking.
Efficient
Rotoscoping Services
Cleanup Services
Why Us
Why Choose Our Roto Services
01.
Pixel Precision
Frame-by-frame accuracy for perfect results.
02.
Efficient Workflow
Smart techniques for faster delivery.
03.
Quality Control
Rigorous checking at every stage.
04.
VFX Ready
Prepared for seamless compositing.
On Location
Silhouette and Nuke roto pipelines through Weta FX and Auckland boutique VFX houses
Here is how this works in practice. We staff roto and paint-cleanup artists through Weta FX Wellington, Cinesite Auckland, and boutique VFX houses including BluBlu Studios, Mukpuddy Animation, and Plot Point Productions, with overflow capacity managed through DNeg and Pixomondo partnerships when project scale demands. Standard toolchains run Silhouette FX for high-volume rotoscoping, Nuke's RotoPaint and Splinewarp for VFX-aligned roto, Mocha Pro for planar tracking-driven roto, and Fusion Studio for Resolve-integrated paint.
Here is how this works in practice. Cleanup work includes rig removal (wirework on Avatar Way of Water, Thor Ragnarok), tracking-marker paint, background plate restoration for shots that picked up unwanted detail (Auckland and The capital urban shoots routinely need traffic-light, signage, and vehicle removal under Auckland Council and The capital City Council location-permit conditions), and beauty work for hero performance shots. Pipeline ingest accepts ARRIRAW, REDCODE R3D, Sony X-OCN, and Canon CRM masters. Deliveries route to Park Road Post and finishing houses as DPX, EXR, and ProRes mezzanines.
Here is the short of it. NZ roto and cleanup heritage runs through Weta FX's six-plus Best VFX Oscar wins — Lord of the Rings Return of the King (2003). King Kong (2005), Avatar (2009), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) — and the today's Rings of Power (Amazon Prime Video) campaign which sits as the largest streaming production ever made. District 9 (2009, Best VFX nomination) was a Weta-Wellington joint work. Avatar Way of Water's high-frame-rate 48 fps stereoscopic 3D needed roto pipelines retooled for HFR delivery, advancing the industry standard. Iwi consultation under tikanga applies to roto and cleanup involving culturally major material — moko, korowai, taonga objects — where digital alteration touches kaitiaki rights. Privacy Act 2020, AWS Auckland storage, GST 15 percent, NZD invoicing, ACC accident cover.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What rotoscoping software do you use?
We primarily use Silhouette, Nuke, and Mocha Pro for rotoscoping work. Each tool has strengths for different scenarios - Silhouette for detailed shape work, Nuke for integration with compositing, and Mocha for planar tracking-assisted roto. We select the best tool for each shot.
How do you handle motion blur in roto?
Motion blur requires careful attention to maintain natural-looking edges. We match blur direction and intensity to the source footage, using specialized edge treatments and multi-frame techniques. The goal is seamless integration where the roto edges are invisible in the final composite.
Can you work with difficult elements like hair?
Yes, we specialize in challenging roto including fine hair, fur, and semi-transparent elements. We use techniques including core mattes with soft edges, multi-channel keying assistance, and detailed hand work to achieve clean results that preserve natural edge detail.
What's your typical turnaround for roto work?
Turnaround depends on shot complexity and volume. Simple roto might be completed in hours per shot, while complex character work with hair and motion blur requires more time. We provide detailed estimates based on shot breakdowns and can scale our team to meet deadlines.
Related Services
Productions in New Zealand that need this often pair it with Visual Effects Compositing, CGI & 3D Animation Services, and Motion Graphics Services for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Virtual Reality Filming and Digital Cinema Package (DCP).
On Set
Ready for Flawless Prep Work?
Let's create perfect mattes and clean plates for your VFX.