Using the mask tool.. need help

The StudentFilmmakers magazine has an Adobe forum with an After Effects section and we have a few questions that need answers. Here is a link to one and below is the question.
http://www.studentfilmmakers.com/bb/showthread.php?t=4830
"Hey! I'm experiencing After fx for the first time.... and I wonder how I use the mask tool to remove something in a movie clip.
I have a clip with a boy jumping on a trampoline....then I want to cut out the background and insert a mountain cliff so it seems that he falls from the cliff.....
How ?? "
We love Adobe products and we feature film and video makers from out networking section each issue. We very much apreciaete help from professionals or knowlegable people. You are welcome to put your links in your signature and we do reward our posters and feature networkers in the magazine.

Better answer??
- Place the movie in the timeline creating a new composition of the size of your footage or drag it onto the "create new Comp" icon.
- interpret your footage properly
- use the pen tool and start to draw a mask around your jumping trampoline guy at the very first frame of your timeline
- open the mask properties of your movie layer and click the stopwatch icon to create a keyframe for the mask shape properties
- now move one frame forward in the timeline and readjust the mask - keyframes will be added automatically for you
- if done, move next frame in timeline and readjust your mask
- if done, move next frame in timeline and readjust your mask
- if done, move next frame in timeline and readjust your mask
- if done, move next frame in timeline and readjust your mask
- if done, move next frame in timeline and readjust your mask
- if done, move next frame in timeline and readjust your mask
- ... if done with all, click the "show transparency" button of your comp window. place your mountain underneath the masked movie and you're done.
this is called rotoscoping and makes a lot of fun.
if your actor was shot in front of a green screen or a blue box, you could use the Ae keying plugs and make this process a lot easier, of course i would not recommend a desk lamp for lighting your scene and not a $ 100,- videocamera from Wal Mart.
better answer?

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