From Microsoft Research comes this unique approach to “automated” compositing. Unwrap Mosaics is a semi-automated method of extracting a sequence of images from moving footage, and presenting that extract as a single flattened (and distorted) mosaic image. This can then be painted on and manipulated like any still image. When re-rendered back into the sequence, the result is a convincing composite job. This technique doesn’t work in every situation, but for specific types of shots it does an impressive job. I could see this being rolled out in consumer video editing software on a limited level. See it in action below.