A lot of footage we receive is a single locked shot of someone talking. That leaves very little room in the edit: every time a filler word is cut, the picture jumps. B-roll is the answer. This page explains what it is, what to shoot and how.
What B-roll is
The main footage (the person talking, the main activity) is A-roll; everything supporting it is B-roll: the setting, details, hands at work, product close-ups, audience reactions. In the edit, B-roll is laid over the A-roll: viewers still hear the original audio but see related pictures.
Three jobs B-roll does in the edit
- Hiding jump cuts: cut a filler word or a mistake, cover it with B-roll, and the picture doesn't jump.
- Illustrating: when the speaker says "our factory", the factory appears; viewers understand faster.
- Pacing: watching one person talk is tiring; a new picture every few seconds keeps people watching.
The most useful B-roll checklist
- The setting: the frontage, the sign, a wide shot of the shop or office, once in the morning and once with people in it.
- People at work: close-ups of hands doing the job, operating equipment, interacting with customers, without looking at the camera.
- Product or results: close-ups from different angles, and in use.
- Details: the lettering on the sign, business cards, menus, tools, materials.
- Process: a short clip of each stage from start to finish.
- Reactions: customers', students' or audience members' faces and gestures, with their consent.
How to shoot it
- Hold each shot at least 8 to 10 seconds, with a little room before and after, so the edit has space.
- Shoot each subject at three distances: wide, medium, close-up.
- On a phone, shoot horizontally (unless the video is vertical only), and brace your elbows against your body or a table to reduce shake.
- Match the A-roll's resolution and frame rate, for example both 1080p 30fps or both 4K 30fps.
- No need for camera moves; a static shot is more useful than a shaky push-in.
When you send it to us
Put the content in the file name, such as "05_frontage_morning" or "12_hands_packing_closeup", or split the folder into "main" and "B-roll". See how to send us your material.
Frequently asked questions
We didn't shoot any B-roll. Can we add it?
You can shoot it later, or use existing photos, product images and clips from past videos. For anything you truly don't have, AI-generated scene shots can be considered.
How much B-roll is enough?
For a two-to-three-minute interview video, twenty to thirty different shots is usually enough. Variety matters more than filming one thing for a long time.
Can stock footage be used as B-roll?
Yes, if the licence allows commercial use. Stock doesn't match your real premises and viewers can tell, so keep it to mood shots and transitions.
