RotO

Roto is a term used in several distinct contexts, spanning film and visual effects, sports, and commerce. It can refer to techniques, brands, or shorthand names that have entered various domains.

In film and video production, roto is short for rotoscope, a technique for creating motion graphics or mattes by tracing over live-action footage frame by frame. Rotoscoping is used to isolate subjects for compositing, to apply effects, or to separate elements for color correction. Modern software includes dedicated roto tools, such as the Roto Brush in Adobe After Effects, and other specialized applications used in visual effects pipelines.

In fantasy sports, a roto league is short for Rotisserie League Baseball, a scoring format that aggregates statistics across multiple categories. Originating from a 1980s concept described by Daniel Okrent, roto leagues rank players by categories such as home runs, stolen bases, and wins, rather than using a single point total. The term has since broadened to other sports and remains a common shorthand for category-based fantasy formats.

In commerce and industry, Roto is used as a brand name or prefix. Roto Frank AG, a German manufacturer, is known for window and door hardware and fittings. The term also appears in consumer service and home improvement contexts, such as Roto-Rooter, a U.S. plumbing and drain-cleaning company whose name evokes the rotary action of the tools used to clear blockages.

See also rotoscope, rotisserie, and Roto-Rooter.