How to Use Masking in Descript for Dynamic Backgrounds

Introduction to Masking --- Today, I'm going to show you how to enhance your video content by using a technique called masking. Imagine taking something in your background, like a whiteboard, and transforming it into a screen that displays text or other media, much like you see on a news report. In this guide, I'll walk you through how this can be done in Descript, though the principles are applicable to other video editing software as well. To demonstrate, I'll use a clip that you might have seen at the beginning of this video.

Setting Up Your Layers --- To start, select the layer that you want to apply the masking effect to. Right-click on it and select "Copy." Then, move to the layer above and select "Paste." Now you have an identical copy overlaying the original script layer. With this top copy, navigate to the layer menu, scroll down to "Effects," hit the plus button, and apply the Green Screen effect. Ensure you're only applying it to the top layer.

What this does is remove everything on the top layer except for me; the original background remains visible on the layer underneath. While the green screen is applying, let me explain what will happen next: I'll add text or an image, which will appear between the top and bottom layers.

Applying the Green Screen Effect --- Once the green screen effect has been applied, you might notice that the two layers are slightly misaligned. To correct this, make sure both layers are the same size. Compare the X and Y coordinates, as well as the height and width of both layers, ensuring they match perfectly.

Next, mute the top layer that has the green screen effect applied. This prevents any echo or noise distortion. Simply click on the little speaker icon to mute that layer, and you're good to go.

Adding and Adjusting Text --- Next, let's add some text. To do this, click on the caption button on the right side of the screen, choose your desired caption style, and apply it. Initially, the caption layer will appear on top, which is not what we want. So, right-click on your green screen layer, select "Layer Order," and click "Bring to Front." Now, the text will appear behind you, creating the desired masking effect.

If you need to make adjustments, for example, if the text layer is not perfectly aligned, repeat the steps mentioned earlier to ensure everything fits perfectly.

Using Media in the Background --- The same masking principles can be applied to other media types. For example, imagine you want to display a weather chart in the background. Select the media, apply it, and once again, adjust the layer order to place it behind you. If the media is too large or covers too much of the background, resize it by adjusting the width and height.

Final Adjustments and Tips --- After applying your text or media, there might be instances where you need to make minor adjustments. If you have trouble selecting the correct layer because your layer is on top, simply lock the top layer. Then, you can freely adjust the layer beneath it without any issues.

In conclusion, that's how you can create a masking effect in Descript. This powerful feature allows you to dynamically alter your backgrounds to include text or other media, adding a professional touch to your videos. Whether you’re demonstrating a product, broadcasting a weather report, or sharing a presentation, masking can significantly enhance your visual storytelling. Happy editing!