ABSTRACT
Some shots are impossible to acquire with the use of a tripod or other stabilization methods, and require the use of handheld cameras. In these instances, it’s often desirable to stabilize the footage in postproduction. This chapter explores how to use several plug-ins to stabilize as well as track elements to footage. Often referred to as camera tracking, matchmoving is the process of tracking camera movement in a shot so the move can be duplicated with a virtual camera within After Effects or other software. This allows for other elements to be composited and matched perfectly into the shot. Motion stabilization is most often used to smooth and remove camera shake from handheld footage. It is a godsend in that situation, and will help filmmaker's audience from getting motion sickness. Rotoscoping, where elements are cut out frame by frame, is often a very tedious process.
