What is B-Roll? Meaning, Uses, and Tips for Filmmakers

What is B-Roll? Meaning, Uses, and Tips for Filmmakers
Introduction to B-Roll
What is B-Roll? It is one of the most frequently asked questions that I get asked pretty much all the time. Most video inquiries we receive are about filming B-Roll with some interviews but let’s take a look what B-Roll really is.
B-roll is extra footage used to complement the main footage, often called A-roll. The term comes from the early days of filmmaking when editors worked with physical film reels. They had an “A-roll” with the main content and a “B-roll” with supplemental shots.
Before digital technology, filming an event with multiple cameras required careful planning. One camera (cam #1) recorded a stable, smooth shot—often of the main subject, like a speaker at a podium or a key moment in a scene. The second camera (cam #2) had more freedom. It captured different angles, reactions, and details while still recording continuously. Since there was no digital syncing, both cameras had to record for the same length of time. This ensured editors could easily match video with audio. The camera that filmed B-Roll could move a lot during B-roll filming.
Today, B-roll works differently. Instead of a continuous recording, filmmakers capture short clips from various angles and perspectives. These bits and pieces help create dynamic edits, highlight key moments, and add visual interest. However, B-roll is not a full-length recording of an event. It’s perfect for creating sizzle reels, montages, or polished promotional videos—but not for capturing entire speeches, presentations, or uninterrupted dialogue with clear sound.
B-Roll Meaning and Definition
B-roll footage is the extra footage that adds depth, context, and variety to a video. It’s not the main footage (A-roll), which usually includes interviews, speeches, or scripted content. Instead, B-roll is used to enhance storytelling, make edits smoother, and keep viewers engaged.
B-roll helps set the scene. For example, in a documentary about a city, A-roll might show an interview with a local historian while B-roll could include shots of the city’s skyline, busy streets, old buildings, or people walking through markets. These extra visuals make the story more interesting and help illustrate what’s being discussed.
B-roll also makes editing easier. Jump cuts – where one shot abruptly shifts to another – can feel jarring. B-roll helps cover these cuts, creating smooth transitions. It also helps fix mistakes. If an interview has an awkward pause or stumble, an editor can cut away to B-roll while keeping the speaker’s voice. This keeps the final video polished and professional.
Overall, B-roll is what makes a video feel cinematic and engaging. Without it, a video can feel flat and lifeless.

B-Roll Uses – Purpose of B-Roll in Filmmaking
B-roll has many uses in filmmaking, videography, and content creation. It adds emotion, enhances storytelling, and makes videos feel more dynamic. Here are some of the most common ways filmmakers use B-roll:
1. Enhancing Storytelling
B-roll helps tell a story visually. Instead of just listening to someone talk, viewers see relevant footage that brings the story to life. For example, in a wedding film, an interview with the bride and groom can be layered with B-roll of them holding hands, laughing, or exchanging vows. This makes the video feel more emotional and immersive.
2. Making Smooth Edits
Editing can be tricky when working with A-roll alone. B-roll helps cover jump cuts, awkward pauses, or changes in camera angles. It allows editors to cut between scenes seamlessly, keeping the video flowing naturally.
3. Setting the Scene
Before diving into the main content, B-roll can introduce a location or mood. A travel video might open with sweeping shots of landscapes, street vendors, or local culture before moving to the main subject. This helps create atmosphere and context.
4. Fixing Mistakes
Even the best speakers make mistakes. If an interview has stumbles or distractions, B-roll can cover those moments while keeping the audio intact. This makes the final cut more polished and professional.
5. Adding Emotion and Drama
B-roll can make a video feel more powerful. Close-ups, slow-motion shots, and reaction shots help emphasize emotions. In a documentary about a musician, B-roll of their hands shaking before a performance or a crowd cheering can make the story more engaging.
6. Creating Fast-Paced Montages
B-roll is great for highlight reels, promotional videos, and social media content. Quick cuts between different shots can create excitement and energy. This is often seen in event recaps, fashion films, and sports videos.
7. Supporting Voiceovers
Many videos use voiceovers instead of on-camera speakers. B-roll provides the visuals that match the narration, making the content more engaging. For example, a cooking video with a voiceover explaining a recipe would be paired with B-roll of ingredients being chopped, mixed, and cooked.
8. Showing Behind-the-Scenes Footage
B-roll can give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at an event, production, or creative process. This makes content feel more authentic and personal, especially in vlogs, corporate videos, and brand storytelling.
B-roll isn’t just extra footage—it’s a powerful tool that makes videos more interesting, professional, and engaging.

Tips for Filmmakers Using B-Roll – B-Roll in Video Production
B-roll footage can be captured in different ways, depending on the project and the tools available for editing. In the past, when automatic syncing wasn’t an option, both A-roll and B-roll were often filmed continuously. This made it easier to sync footage and sound manually. Today, AI-powered tools such as PluralEyes and built-in software features handle syncing automatically. Because of this, most videographers don’t need to record continuously—they can capture bits and pieces, and the software will align everything in post-production.
Here are some common types of B-roll footage, along with examples:
1. Establishing Shots
These wide shots set the scene and give viewers context.
Examples:
- A sweeping drone shot of a wedding venue before the ceremony
- A city skyline at sunrise in a documentary
- The exterior of a theater before an event starts
2. Cutaway Shots
These help smooth out edits by showing related details.
Examples:
- Close-up of a bride’s hands adjusting her dress during an interview
- A bartender pouring a drink while someone talks in a restaurant review
- A speaker’s hand gestures or an audience nodding in agreement
3. Reaction Shots
Capturing people’s emotions makes videos feel more natural.
Examples:
- Guests wiping away tears at a wedding ceremony
- A crowd cheering at a concert
- A chef smiling after tasting a dish in a cooking show
4. Insert Shots
These are close-ups that highlight small but important details.
Examples:
- Rings being placed on a pillow before the ceremony
- A musician’s fingers moving over a guitar’s strings
- A chef’s knife slicing through fresh ingredients
5. Slow-Motion Shots
Slow motion adds drama, elegance, or intensity.
Examples:
- A bride’s veil flowing in the wind
- Champagne bubbles rising in a glass
- Athletes celebrating a win in a sports documentary
6. Time-Lapse Shots
Time-lapses condense long periods into short clips, showing changes over time.
Examples:
- The setup of a wedding venue from empty to fully decorated
- Traffic moving through a city at night
- A sunset over a mountain landscape
7. Behind-the-Scenes Footage
These shots give viewers an inside look at the production process.
Examples:
- A wedding photographer giving directions to a couple
- A makeup artist working on a model before a fashion shoot
- Crew members setting up lighting for a film scene
8. POV (Point of View) Shots
These shots put viewers in someone else’s perspective.
Examples:
- A bride looking down at her bouquet before walking down the aisle
- A cyclist weaving through busy streets in an action film
- A chef’s view of a sizzling pan as they cook
9. Over-the-Shoulder Shots
These show what a person is looking at from their perspective.
Examples:
- A groom reading his vows from a small note
- A videographer reviewing footage on a camera screen
- A journalist taking notes during an interview
10. Action Shots
These add excitement and movement to a video.
Examples:
- A couple running hand-in-hand on the beach
- A dancer spinning in slow motion
- A car driving through a scenic mountain road
No matter the type of B-roll, the key is to shoot with purpose. Even though modern software can sync footage automatically, capturing a variety of shots ensures editors have plenty of material to craft a visually engaging story.
B-Roll FAQs
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What Does B-Roll Mean in Film?
B-roll is extra footage used to support the main footage (A-roll) in a film. It adds visual interest, helps smooth edits, and enhances storytelling by showing additional angles, details, or context. -
A-Roll vs. B-Roll: What’s the Difference?
A-roll is the primary footage, usually featuring interviews, speeches, or main events, while B-roll consists of supporting shots that add variety and visual depth. A-roll drives the narrative, while B-roll enhances it. -
What is B-Roll, and why is it important in filmmaking?
B-roll is essential for making videos more engaging, dynamic, and professional. It helps transition between scenes, covers mistakes, adds emotion, and provides context that makes storytelling stronger. -
How do I shoot effective B-Roll footage?
Plan your shots, use different angles, capture movement, think about transitions, and shoot more than you think you need. Pay attention to lighting, composition, and how each shot fits into the final edit. -
Can I use stock footage for B-Roll?
Yes, stock footage is a great option for B-roll, especially when you need specific visuals that are difficult to film yourself, such as aerial shots, time-lapses, or exotic locations. -
How much B-Roll footage should I include in a video?
It depends on the type of video, but a good balance is key. Too little B-roll can make a video feel flat, while too much can distract from the main story. Most well-edited videos use B-roll strategically to enhance, not overwhelm, the narrative.
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