B-roll is supplemental footage used to visually support or enhance the primary footage (A-roll). It can include cutaways, establishing shots, product close-ups, or atmospheric visuals. It provides context, visual variety, and is often used hide cuts in A-roll, preventing jarring jump edits.
B-roll makes your content more engaging and professional. It can illustrate concepts or set the tone without relying solely on talking heads or narration. For marketers, B-roll makes branded content more engaging; for filmmakers, it deepens immersion.
Use B-roll to complement dialogue or voiceovers, fill visual gaps, or bring abstract ideas to life. It’s typically captured during production but can also be sourced from stock libraries when needed.
Capture variety – Shoot wide, medium, and close-up angles to maximize editing flexibility.
Match the story – Use B-roll that visually reinforces what’s being said in A-roll (e.g., cutaways, location shots, activities).
Maintain quality – Ensure B-roll is well-lit, in focus, and matches the style/look of the main footage.