What Is B Roll? Definition, Examples & How To Use It The Right Way

B-roll is a term that refers to video footage shot of an event or subject, but not used in the final edit.

The purpose of b-roll is to provide context and information about what’s happening on screen.

It may also be used as filler during transitions between segments of a show or film. B-roll can come from anywhere!

You might see b-roll at work, like someone using their laptop at a desk in an office, or you might see shots captured by professional camera operators when they’re filming something else.

B-Roll Definition

The term “B-roll” was first coined by cinematographer John Alton in 1930 when he shot around ten thousand feet of b-roll footage for the 1933 film King Kong.

This technique became popular during WWII as it allowed filmmakers to save money on expensive extras and actors so they could focus on filming more important scenes like battle sequences.

It’s also used during live broadcasts to show additional content related to the event being broadcasted.

These clips usually show actions happening in the background such as people walking by or sitting at tables in restaurants.

They are often shown during interviews when the subject isn’t talking so it adds context for viewers who may not know anything about what’s being discussed on screen.

Why Is B-Roll Footage Important?

This type of footage helps add depth and context to what we’re seeing on screen as well as provide variety for viewers who might have seen too many similar shots in succession.

B-roll footage is a key component in editing and creating videos. It helps to keep viewers engaged by showing them the locations, backgrounds, and people that are the focus of the video.

   

B-roll footage has many different uses but can be hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

B-roll also enhances an emotional moment by capturing it from various points of view and angles.

It can be difficult to know when you should use b-roll, how long your b-roll should be, and what types of shots are best for different situations; so we’ve put together this blog post to help you with these questions. Keep reading!

B-Roll In Film And Television

The term B-roll is an abbreviation for “background” or “behind.” In filmmaking, it typically refers to supplemental material filmed with a movie camera while taking into account lighting continuity between shots.

It can be used as filler when the director doesn’t want to show any dialog or action on screen but still wants some movement within the frame.

The use of B-roll dates back to early silent films such as D.W Griffith’s 1915 film “Intolerance”. Griffith’s innovative use B-roll footage is the term used for all of the shots that accompany a film or television show.

These shots are often seen on screen in quick succession to add context and detail to the production being filmed.

B-roll can be used for anything from establishing shots to closeups of objects.

Filmmakers use it when they don’t have enough money for expensive productions or if they want to show off their creativity.

It’s also a great technique for telling stories without dialogue.

It can be anything from a landscape vista to an individual’s hands holding up a sign with text on it.

For example, if someone is giving a speech from behind a podium, there are often shots taken with wider lenses so we can see not only them but also their surroundings: people standing in the audience clapping or security guards stationed nearby.

   

Ways To Use B Roll

With so many stock footage sites online now, there are tons of options to choose from when you’re looking for just the right scene to fill out your project!

B roll footage is usually overlooked by filmmakers. One way to use it effectively is to use it as a transitional device in-between scenes. It can also be used to set the tone for an event or show what the time of day is when filming.

The best way to use B roll is by using it as a backdrop for interviews. This type of footage can be used in three ways: establishing shots, cutaways and transitions.

Establishing shots are usually the opening moments of an interview or video that help set the scene.

Cutaways, on the other hand, can show various people reacting to what is being said during an interview.

Lastly, transitions are often used when transitioning from one person talking about their experience with a particular topic to another person having a similar experience.

All these different types of footage allow filmmakers and videographers more freedom in telling their stories without relying too heavily on dialogue or narration.

   

What Is B-Roll Footage?

The use of B-roll footage has increased dramatically over the years as technology has helped make it much easier to capture these types of clips without breaking the bank. There are many online resources available for free, but if you have access to expensive equipment or simply want better quality, there are many paid options available too!

B-rolling can be done by anyone with a camera – even you! If you’re looking to learn more about b-rolling then check out our blog post on YouTube’s best practices for shooting b-roll footage.

For example, if someone were talking about their home town, b-roll footage could include images of buildings downtown or events going on around town.

Affordable Or Free B-Roll Footage

The footage we do have is quite expensive and can be difficult to find. However, there are some resources that you can use in order to get your hands on some b-roll footage for a cheaper price.

It was often used for filler in documentaries and television shows, where it could be seen at the end credits rolling by on a screen.

Nowadays, B-Rolls are essential to any editor’s toolbox and can make up an entire project depending on how long you want your video to be.

These resources include: free stock footage sites like Videvo or Pexels, using video clips from YouTube or Vimeo videos, taking the time to film it yourself with a smartphone (or even DSLR), and finally by recording short clips of the video on your phone instead of an entire movie when filming personal moments with friends and family.

Another option is to use free sources like stock video sites or public domain images on Flickr.

Many people are surprised to find out how affordable B-roll footage is! There’s even free B-roll stock video available on sites like Pond5 and Getty Images.

How To Shoot B-Roll

Do you know how to shoot a b-roll? It’s a skill every filmmaker should master. Watch this video and learn the basics of shooting a b-roll: what gear is needed, what settings work best, and how to edit it once you’ve captured it.

Filmmaking is an art. B-roll, or background footage, is a key element in telling the story of your film and establishing mood.

The first step in shooting a b-roll is to find a location or subject matter that matches with what’s happening on screen. Then set up the camera at eye level and make sure it’s not too close to the subject matter.

The right distance depends on what type of shot you want but generally speaking if a person isn’t more than six feet away from the camera they should fill at least half of the frame. If there are multiple people then keep them within

B-roll footage is the most overlooked but crucial aspect of film and video production. It’s what fills in the gaps between shots, creates continuity, and helps to tell a story. In this Watch episode, we’ll show you how to shoot B-roll with one light source and no extra gear!

How To Get The Best And Most Cinematic B-Roll

Have you ever been editing a video and realized that the shots you have are not engaging enough? The camera is too far away from what’s happening, or it’s just an uninteresting shot of someone sitting at their desk.

B-roll footage can be used to spice up your videos by adding some action.

This might include natural scenery like grassy fields or forested areas; urban cityscapes; outdoor street scenes like bustling sidewalks or busy intersections; or people in action such as conference participants on stage or busy office workers.

The options are endless!

   

If you want your videos to have an impactful cinematic feel, consider using some form of b-roll in every project.

How Does B-Roll Footage Improve Videos?

B-roll footage is a great way to improve your video. This type of footage is usually used in documentaries, interviews, and other videos that need to show the subject’s surroundings.

It can provide context for what they are doing or talking about on camera which will make it easier for viewers to understand the content.

There are several different types of b-roll you can use including shots of people walking around their neighbourhood or driving past an intersection.

You could also film a person sitting at their desk looking through papers or someone cooking dinner as these types of scenes may be relevant to the topic at hand.

The more variety you have in your b-roll footage, the better because this will keep things interesting when editing together multiple clips into one video

Have you ever watched a video and thought “Wow, this is great but it would be so much better if they had some footage of the background” or “I wish I could see more behind-the-scenes”?

When you add a b-roll to your video editing project, it’s important to make sure the timing is right so the story being told on screen has some context for viewers who didn’t see what happened before or after the clip shown on screen.

The quality of a video is often determined by its B-roll footage. A camera operator will typically start with one or two shots that are close to the subject and then slowly pull back as they follow them around.

These types of shots create interest for the viewer by showing what is happening from different angles and creating what’s called “depth.”

This helps make your video more immersive, which can increase engagement – especially if you work in marketing or advertising where viewers need to be drawn into your product or idea.

It also gives you options when editing since it includes many clips that might not have been used otherwise but still look good enough to use in a final production.