Use the Scene Removal Mask in Final Cut Pro for Mac

The Scene Removal Mask effect detects objects in the foreground of a video clip and automatically removes the background—without the need for a green screen. You can then replace the background with a different image or insert a title between the foreground and background.

The Scene Removal Mask effect applied to a foreground clip, then combined with a title clip and a background clip

Before you begin

For best results, before you apply the Scene Removal Mask to a video clip, make sure the clip:

Has a static background and was captured using a stationary camera (a camera attached to a tripod, for example)
Has a few extra frames at the beginning or end showing the background without the foreground subject present
Was shot in a bright, evenly lit place (preferably indoors)
Has good contrast between the subject and background (no similar colors or textures)
Has no strong moving shadows, and maintains space between the foreground subject and background
Has a visually simple background (without complex patterns or structures such as windows or bookshelves)

Apply the Scene Removal Mask to a clip

In Final Cut Pro, add the foreground clip (the clip with the background you want to remove) to the primary storyline in the timeline.
In the timeline, position the playhead over the clip (so that its image appears in the viewer).
Tip: For best results, position the playhead at a point within the foreground clip that shows the maximum amount of the background to be removed.
Select the foreground clip in the timeline, then click the Effects button in the top-right corner of the timeline (or press Command-5).
In the Effects browser, select the Scene Removal Mask effect.
Tip: Type “scene” in the Effects browser search field to quickly find the Scene Removal Mask effect.
Do one of the following:
- Drag the effect to the timeline foreground clip you want to apply the effect to.
- Double-click the effect thumbnail to apply the effect to the selected clip.
In the timeline, select the foreground clip with the Scene Removal Mask effect, then open the Video inspector.
Controls for adjusting the Scene Removal Mask effect appear.
In the Scene Removal Mask section of the inspector, click the Reference pop-up menu and choose an option:
- First Frame: Final Cut Pro uses the first frame of the clip to analyze and then remove the background.
- First Frame + 1 Second: The frame 1 second after the first frame of the clip is used.
- Last Frame – 1 Second: The frame 1 second before the last frame of the clip is used.
- Last Frame: The last frame of the clip is used.

The original background is removed, and the foreground subject is isolated in front of a transparent background. If the clip is in the primary storyline (with no connected clips), the background appears black in the viewer.

Side-by-side comparison of the original image and the image after the Scene Removal Mask is applied.

To replace the background, see Add a new background, below.

Add a new background

When you apply the Scene Removal Mask to a clip in the primary storyline, the background appears black in the viewer. You can give the isolated foreground subject a new background by compositing (combining) the masked clip with a separate background clip.

In Final Cut Pro, apply the Scene Removal Mask to a clip in the timeline.
Select the clip in the timeline, then position the playhead over the clip (so that its image appears in the viewer).
In the browser, select the clip you want to use as the background and drag it to the timeline, connecting it at a position under the masked clip.
See Connect clips.

In the viewer, the foreground subject from the masked clip appears superimposed over the image from the background clip.

The masked foreground clip superimposed over the image from the background clip

Insert a title between the foreground and background

After you apply the Scene Removal Mask to a clip in the timeline, you can add a title to the timeline so that in the viewer, the text appears behind the foreground subject.

In Final Cut Pro, apply the Scene Removal Mask to a clip in the timeline, add a new background, then position the playhead over the clips (to see the result of the effect in the viewer).
If the Titles and Generators sidebar isn’t already shown, do one of the following:
- Click the Titles and Generators button in the top-left corner of the Final Cut Pro window.
- Choose Window > Go To > Titles and Generators (or press Option-Command-1).
Drag a title clip from the Titles and Generators sidebar to a position in the timeline between the masked foreground clip and the background clip.
The title clip is attached as a connected clip.
Adjust the title, as needed.

Download this guide: PDF

Helpful?

Final Cut Pro User Guide for Mac

Use the Scene Removal Mask in Final Cut Pro for Mac

Before you begin

Apply the Scene Removal Mask to a clip

Add a new background

Insert a title between the foreground and background