Keep a mask path static while it's parented by something animated?

Hi, is there any way to have a layers mask stay static in the scene even when its parented by something thats animated?
Such as maybe putting an expression in its mask path settings?
Thanks,
Mike

I posted this question on two different forums, unrelated to eachother, so I could get more, and different feedback from different groups of people.
Read that old blog entry! Really do! You know, that thing about potentially getting more confused, the community being small and such.... Don't take this as arrogance or snobism: When it comes to basic techniques, the answers will usually be the same, regardless of which forum. Within a reasonable timeframe (which for forums is something like 24 hours to allow for people living in different time zones; longer on holidays and weekends), there will always be someone to help you on a halfway frequented forum such as VC or this one here. If you have serious technical questions, opt for the forum that would provide the best insights, which usually is that of the vendor. When it comes to creative matters, that's a whole different story. In that case of course it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion from a different set of people, but even then it would be nice if you took a structured approach and would only post on other forums, if the answers you get in one location do not satisfy you. Plus you should always tell people when you have posted on other forums to keep the spirit of the discussion. Who knows? - Even an old slacker like me might still learn a thing or  or catch some good creative ideas peeking in on other forums...
Mylenium

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