# B-Roll Guide: Definition & How to Use it for Video Content B-roll is an important part of video storytelling. Here we explain what B-roll is, why it's important, when to use it, and how to choose the right B-roll. **Key Takeaways:** - B-roll is supporting footage that adds context and keeps videos engaging. - Use it to break up static shots, highlight key moments, or boost storytelling. - You can record your own B-roll, pull clips from stock libraries, or even generate it with AI using tools like Riverside. ## What Is B-roll? **B-roll is supporting footage** that adds context, emotion, or detail to your main video. The main footage is called A-roll. It’s the core narrative, like someone speaking on camera or a scene with key dialogue. To see this in action, let’s look at 2 examples: First, think of a cooking video. The A-roll is the chef explaining the recipe on camera. Meanwhile, the B-roll shows close-ups of the ingredients, chopping vegetables, or food sizzling in the pan. Alternatively, think of a documentary. The A-roll is the interview, B-roll is historical photos or scenes of the person at work. ### How did B-roll get its name? The term B-roll comes from the old days of analog film editing. Back then, editors used two physical rolls of film for transitions and dissolves: the A-roll and the B-roll. Since the film’s stock was very narrow (16mm), splices and cuts were often visible during edits. To remedy this, editors would alternate shots between the A-roll and B-roll, filling unused segments with black leader. In modern times, there are no longer “rolls” of analog film, but the principle remains. You’re still layering visual content on top of your main footage to create a more dynamic final product. ## How to use B-roll? Don’t dedicate all your attention to your A-roll footage! B-roll is much more than just filler and can instantly make your film look more professional. It can help you create a dynamic, narrative-driven video by providing extra context and, in a pinch, can even help you hide cuts and edits. B-roll can be used in various ways. Here’s a few examples across different types of content: ### Interviews and podcasts B-roll helps break up static talking head shots in podcasts or interviews. They can emphasize key points, reinforce your statements with news headlines, or add authenticity with behind-the-scenes footage. ### Documentaries A traditional use case of B-roll is documentaries, where it can support narration or visualize past events. ### Tutorials and walkthroughs If you’re recording a step-by-step or how-to video, B-roll is very effective in showing things in practice. ### Social media reels & shorts B-roll can make social media videos more engaging by quickly cutting between scenes and shots. ### Corporate and brand videos B-rolls make it easier to showcase your brand. Use it to show your product in action during demos, feature your team in culture videos, or for training videos. ### Short films and creative content Just like in documentaries, B-rolls help build atmosphere and heighten emotional impact. ## B-roll footage examples There are different kinds of B-roll shots that you can use. Here are a few examples: ### Archival footage Perfect for historical documentaries to add context. ### Dramatic re-enactments When real footage doesn’t exist, re-enactments let your viewers visualize key events with real actors. ### Stock footage Using stock footage is a fast, effective way to fill visual gaps without compromising quality. ### Visual detail / Close-ups Close-up shots draw the viewer’s eye to details they might otherwise miss. ### Storytelling Storytelling B-roll is directly connected with dialogue or narration, visually reinforcing what’s being said. ### Atmospheric establishing shots These shots help establish a setting or introduce a location during a transition. ## How to get B-roll When it comes to getting B-roll, you’ve got two main options: shoot it yourself or look for it online. ### How to shoot B-roll Filming your own B-roll gives you the most control, since you can pick the subjects and action of the shot. 1. **Shoot more than you think you need:** Capture that extra shot or film the small moment or detail. 2. **Plan ahead:** Think about the visuals that best support your story or message. 3. **Start with the A-roll:** Start shooting B-roll after you’ve wrapped your A-roll. 4. **Capture a variety of angles and shots:** Mix camera angles with wide-angle shots, close-ups, frame rates, slow motion, and drone shots. 5. **Embrace unplanned and accidental B-roll:** Serendipitously captured B-roll footage can be just as valuable. ### How to find B-roll footage online - **Stock libraries:** Find thousands of royalty-free clips in stock sites like Pexels, Pixabay, or Mixkit. - **AI-generated B-roll:** You can generate custom B-roll using AI. - **Historical footage:** You can find lots of historical footage in public domain archives. - **Open-license content:** Platforms like Vimeo, Flickr, YouTube Creative Commons can have free B-roll footage. ## How to edit B-roll? Adding B-roll to your A-roll is incredibly easy. Just follow these steps: 1. Log in to your account. From your dashboard, click on your Projects page, then select the project with the video you want to edit. 2. Select the episode you want to add your B-roll to, and click “Edit.” 3. Click on the “Video” tab on the right sidebar. Here you can select a video or upload your own. 4. You can easily create your own custom footage with AI. 5. Pick the overlay you want to use as your B-roll, then drag it around the screen to choose its position or resize it. 6. Once you've applied all the overlays, click “Export.” Choose your video resolution, then click on “Export video.” ## FAQs about B-roll ### How long should B-roll last? A single B-roll clip typically lasts between 2 and 10 seconds, just long enough to emphasize a point without overstaying its welcome. ### What is B-roll on social media? B-roll usually refers to secondary footage that makes videos more dynamic, often shown with a text overlay. ### What is B-roll on TikTok? B-roll on TikTok is often used to highlight what’s happening in the A-roll. ### What is B-roll on Instagram? On Instagram, B-roll is used to enhance visual appeal in Reels or Stories and is often employed with text.