The Complete VFX Workflow: Keying, Masking, and Integrating CG in Compositing

Have you ever watched a fantasy or sci-fi movie and thought, 'How did they manage to get these non-existing creatures to life?' Or the luscious greenery and waterfalls in Baahubali left you wondering, 'Where is this paradise-like place?' We hate to burst the balloon, but the truth is they are artistically planned VFX.

Amazing, isn’t it? In this blog we will talk about the complete VFX workflow step by step that makes stories come to life on the big screen.

Step 1: Keying – The Green Screen Magic
Remember Harry Potter playing quidditch? We are not talking about the game but the way it was put to life on screen. 

That’s keying in action.

The director captures actors performing in front of a green screen with the props. After the shoot, the green background is replaced with stunning worlds as per the script.

So next time when you watch a movie, try spotting the scenes that could have been shot in front of the green screen. 

Step 2: Masking in VFX – The Detailing
Shooting in front of the green screen, then replacing it with the desired environment, is not enough. The shot needs masking; that is, the character needs to blend into the picture, making it look real. It’s like cleaning up things that would make the picture look made up, like hair strands, reflections and so on. 

Masking keeps the scenes sharp and believable. Jumping this step will make your work look artificial, breaking the viewer's illusion. 

Step 3: CG Integration – Adding the Unreal
Artists use CG integration to add computer-generated environments, creatures, or objects into real footage. Think of the fire-breathing dragons in Games Of Thrones. None of them were there on set, but through CG integration it was possible to make them come to life. 

But it only works if the lighting, shadows and camera angles are perfect. That is why the dragons look real.

Step 4: VFX Compositing – The Final Polish
Everything comes together in this last step. Keying, masking and CG elements are blended seamlessly. Motion blur, depth, and colour correction make the final scene look natural and cinematic.

Without VFX compositing, our favourite Baahubali’s epic battles would have looked completely fake.

From now on, every time you are struck by a visual scene, it is not just the action or the story. It is the invisible craft of keying, masking, CG integration and VFX compositing also that makes it unforgettable. And if you wish to learn and create, then enrolling at institutions like Arena Animation will teach you the complete VFX flow, from green screen tricks to Hollywood-style compositing. 

Turn your love for movies into a career in VFX with Arena Animation.

The Complete VFX Workflow: Keying, Masking, and Integrating CG in Compositing