I don't have After Effects and can't afford it for this one job. I've been trying to just do a mask over the wires but it's taking forever.< </div>
Without the proper tools, wire removal is a frame-by-frame slog. There are no shortcuts that you will find acceptable, just some workarounds that leave tracks. Most wire removals are simple PS-like clone stamps that pick up a few pixels next to the wire and just move them so they cover the wire. Easy until you start dealing with image smear and bad lighting that glints off the wires and leaves video artifacts in preceding frames. Oh, so tedious.
If you're getting paid for the job, buy After Effects. You will be REALLY glad you did.
If you're getting paid for the job but don't want to invest in AE, find someone locally who has After Effects. You will be very glad you brought them into the project.
Try David Slater's Web site to see if anyone has introduced cheap plugs for wire removal for FCP. Digital Heaven might have one and it will only be $10.00.
If you're NOT getting paid for the job, explain the amount of work involved and give the producer some choices: Ask him/her to pay for the appropriate effects tools or have it restaged and reshot properly. There are wire rigs that are all but invisible, why weren't they in use?
JMO: Your client is asking w-a-y too much of you.
bogiesan
Wire Removal
