What is rotoscoping exactly? It is the process of tracing a live-action sequence frame by frame. The analogy of clipping path is similar for rotoscoping. You trace an object out to remove it from the scene or to apply effects exclusively within the created matte or mask. Rotoscoping is clearly like clipping path only it is for videos and ten times the workload.
Rotoscoping is a repetitive and time-consuming task that does not need the degree of creativity a compositor would like to work into. Many post-production companies employ roto artists to accomplish this task and free VFX (Visual Effects) designers of this lackluster chore. Keeping rotoscoping in house definitely adds to a company's project cost which is exactly why this can be a profitable niche for outsourcing firms to enter.
