The Efficient Filmmaker: AI Video Masking for the Rest of Us

Masking doesn’t have to be a slow, frame-by-frame chore. To begin with, we break down the fundamentals and show how AI tools like DaVinci Resolve’s Magic Mask can quickly isolate elements in your footage without advanced VFX skills. You’ll learn when AI masking works best, how to prepare your shots for better results, and key tips for refining masks to achieve a clean, accurate selection.

Selective color grading is one of the most powerful uses for AI Masking. In this module, you’ll learn how to apply targeted grading choices — whether to subtly guide the viewer’s attention or create bold, storytelling-driven effects. We’ll walk through practical examples in DaVinci Resolve and learn how to work on the subject and background separately.

Sometimes all a shot needs is a little extra light. This module pairs DaVinci Resolve’s Magic Mask with its AI-powered Relight tool. You’ll learn both how to enhance or soften existing light, and add subtle virtual sources — without affecting the rest of the frame. This workflow makes it easy to nudge exposure, increase contrast, or add creative touches that feel more organic than a standard grade.

Every editor knows the pain of tiny distractions that ruin an otherwise great shot — a passing stranger’s face, an unwanted logo, or a bright sign pulling attention away from your protagonist. This lesson demonstrates how you can fix these problems fast, without sending the shot to the VFX department. We’ll walk through practical examples like blurring faces, defocusing backgrounds, and even removing objects — all with quick, lightweight workflows you can use in your everyday edits.

DaVinci Resolve’s Magic Mask isn’t the only AI-powered masking tool around. Here, we explore Final Cut Pro’s Magnetic Mask — a feature that automatically detects and tracks people or objects in your shot, letting you apply effects with precision. You’ll learn how to create and refine masks, invert selections, and layer multiple masks in one clip.

Adobe has its own AI-powered option, which we can use for the same masking tasks: the Roto Brush in After Effects. In this module, you’ll learn how to use it to isolate people or objects, refine edges (even tricky details like hair), and keep your background intact. We’ll cover essential shortcuts, tracking, and freezing your selection for smoother playback. By the end, you’ll be able to separate elements from a shot and creatively integrate them into your edits.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, masking becomes a playground for creativity. We’ll explore practical, eye-catching techniques like placing text or graphics behind moving subjects or swapping backgrounds with artistic styles — and we’ll also take a quick look at Fusion’s Magic Mask in DaVinci Resolve for more flexible workflows.