What is B-Roll? A Complete Guide to Using it Like a Pro

B-roll is the extra footage that makes your main video shine. It is the secondary shots such as close-ups, cutaways, and scene-setting clips that bring a story to life. In video editing, B-roll gives context, hides awkward cuts, and keeps viewers engaged. Whether you are filming a documentary, producing a marketing video, or creating social media content, knowing how to use B-roll can transform your work from flat to captivating.

Great B-roll does more than fill space. It adds texture, mood, and visual variety that helps your audience feel connected to your story. From sweeping aerial views to intimate detail shots, the right B-roll can turn simple footage into a compelling visual experience.

This starter guide will tell you everything you need to know about B-roll footage, and how to make the most of it. Let’s get started.

What is B-roll and why it matters

B-roll is supplemental or secondary footage that appears alongside your primary footage, also called A-roll, to enhance a story. While A-roll footage (main shot) carries the core message, such as an interview or direct-to-camera segment, B-roll (alternative footage) provides additional visual variety that keeps viewers engaged.

The term B-roll comes from the days of 16 mm film editing, when editors used two rolls of film, A and B, in a checkerboard pattern to add transitions and avoid visible splices. Over time, the practice evolved into the digital era, but the purpose stayed the same. It fills visual gaps, covers cuts, and makes a video more dynamic.

B-roll plays several important roles in video production:

• Supports storytelling by showing rather than telling
• Hides mistakes or jump cuts in the A-roll
• Improves pacing so the edit flows naturally
• Adds visual interest to hold audience attention

Used well, B-roll complements A-roll without overshadowing it. It enhances the message and makes the viewing experience richer.

For example, in a nature documentary about coral reefs, the A-roll might be a marine biologist explaining the threats to ocean ecosystems. The B-roll could include sweeping underwater shots of colorful coral, close-ups of fish darting between reef crevices, and time-lapse footage of coral bleaching. These visuals help the audience see what the expert is describing, making the information more impactful and memorable.

When to use B-roll

Cover transitions or pacing issues

Sometimes your main footage has awkward pauses, jump cuts, or moments that slow the energy of the video. B-roll can hide these edits and create a seamless flow between scenes. For example, in a travel vlog, you might use shots of local street life to bridge the gap between two interview clips.

Support voiceovers or narration

When you are speaking over visuals, B-roll video can bring your words to life. In a product tutorial, if the voiceover explains how a feature works, you can cut to close-ups of the product in action. This helps the viewer connect what they are hearing with what they are seeing.

Keep attention in talking-head content

Long stretches of a person speaking directly to the camera can lose viewer interest. Cutting to relevant B-roll—like charts, demonstrations, or related scenes—adds variety and keeps the audience engaged. For example, in a business interview, you might insert shots of the team working, the office environment, or the product being used.

Types of B-roll

B-roll comes in many forms, and each type can add something different to your video content. Using a mix of them makes your edit feel polished and visually engaging.

Insert shots

These are close-ups of key objects or small details that give depth to a scene. They often highlight something mentioned in the A-roll. For example, in a cooking video, an insert might show the sizzle of onions in a pan or a hand sprinkling salt over a dish. In a tech review, it could be a tight shot of a phone’s charging port or camera lens. Insert shots draw the viewer’s attention to what matters most.

Establishing shots

These wide or long shots set the scene and give viewers important context. They tell the audience where the action is taking place before diving into the details. In a travel vlog, this might be a panoramic view of a bustling market. In a corporate video, it could be the exterior of the company headquarters. Establishing shots orient the audience so they feel grounded in the story.

Cutaway shots

Cutaways shift the viewer’s focus from the main subject to something else that supports the narrative. They can be used to cover edits, add variety, or create visual breaks. In an interview about coffee culture, a cutaway might show a barista steaming milk or customers chatting at tables. In a sports feature, it could be close-ups of fans cheering or a scoreboard changing.

Stock footage or stock B-roll

These are pre-recorded clips sourced from royalty-free libraries or stock video platforms. They’re especially useful when filming certain shots yourself is impractical or expensive. For example, a marketing video about global teamwork might use stock aerial shots of world cities. A presentation about climate change could use time-lapse clips of melting glaciers. Stock footage can fill gaps and save production time without sacrificing quality.

Best practices for planning and filming B-roll

Plan ahead with a shot list

Think through the types before you shoot B-roll. Include inserts, establishing shots, and contextual scenes that will enhance your A-roll. A clear list keeps you focused on what matters, but leave room for spontaneous shots you notice on set. Sometimes the best B-roll moments are unplanned, like a sudden change in weather, a reaction from someone in the background, or a detail you didn’t anticipate.

Frame with variety

Capture wide, medium, and close shots of the same subject to give yourself options in the edit. Shoot from high and low angles to add interest. Move around your subject to find unexpected perspectives—through doorways, behind objects, or with foreground elements framing the shot. Pay attention to backgrounds so they do not distract from the subject. Clean backgrounds are useful for professional pieces, while textured ones can add mood or story context.

Get more coverage than you think you need

Film each shot longer than necessary to give yourself editing flexibility. Include a few seconds of stillness before and after the action so you have clean entry and exit points. Experiment with different camera movements—pans, tilts, push-ins, pull-outs, and handheld tracking. If possible, change focal lengths to create visual contrast. Multiple angles and variations help your edit feel dynamic and prevent visual fatigue.

Match your B-roll to the narrative

Always choose shots that support the message of the video. Even beautiful footage can feel out of place if it does not connect with the story. Ask yourself if each shot answers a question or deepens the audience’s understanding. In a product demo, for example, cutaways should show the product being used, not just sitting idle. In a documentary, supporting footage should reflect the tone (light and airy for uplifting segments, darker and moodier for serious topics).

Think about light and texture

Great B-roll is not just about what is in the frame but how it looks. Use natural light creatively. Think silhouettes at sunrise, shadows at golden hour, or soft diffused light on overcast days. Look for texture in your scenes: steam rising from a cup, ripples on water, fabric swaying in the wind. These details add atmosphere and visual richness.

Record ambient audio

B-roll is often about visuals, but pairing it with natural sounds can make it feel immersive. Capture background audio while filming, such as birds chirping, footsteps, the hum of machinery, etc.. Even if you do not use it directly, it can be layered under music or voiceovers to add realism.

Leave room for text or graphics

If your B-roll might be used with titles or on-screen graphics, frame with negative space in mind. This makes it easier to overlay elements later without cluttering the scene.

Where to find B-roll

You can create B-roll yourself or source it from existing libraries. The right choice depends on your time, budget, and the look you are going for.

Shoot your own footage

Filming your own B-roll gives you full control over style, lighting, and narrative fit. You can match the footage exactly to your A-roll and capture the specific details that make your story unique. Even a smartphone with good camera settings can produce high-quality B-roll if you plan your shots well.

Use stock footage

When you cannot film everything yourself, stock footage is a fast solution. Many online libraries offer royalty-free clips in various resolutions and styles, from cinematic aerial shots to everyday lifestyle scenes. Stock B-roll can fill in gaps, save travel costs, and help you achieve a professional look without additional production time.

Leverage your archives

Past projects, behind-the-scenes clips, or unused footage can become valuable B-roll for new videos. Reusing material you already own not only saves time but also maintains brand consistency.

Crowdsource or collaborate

For certain projects, collaborating with other creators or sourcing footage from your community can provide authentic, diverse visuals that fit your message.

AI and the future of B-roll

Advances in AI are changing how B-roll is created and used. Modern AI tools can analyze your A-roll footage, identify the best moments for visual cutaways, and generate matching B-roll in seconds. This means you can produce relevant supporting footage without needing to shoot or search manually.

AI can also generate entirely new B-roll from text prompts. Describe the scene you want—like “drone shot over a mountain lake at sunrise” or “close-up of a coffee cup steaming in morning light”—and the tool creates it instantly. This is especially powerful when you need footage that would be costly or impossible to capture yourself.

VEED’s new Gen B-roll feature bring this capability directly into both the mobile app and the web editor. You will be able to create, customize, and insert B-roll without leaving your editing workspace. This makes it easier than ever to enhance your videos with high-quality, story-driven visuals, whether you are on location with your phone or editing at your desk.

Ending note

B-roll is one of the most effective tools for making videos more engaging and visually rich. It supports your main footage, adds context, improves pacing, and keeps viewers interested from start to finish. Whether you are filming a documentary, a product demo, or a quick social media clip, B-roll can take your visual storytelling to the next level.

With the right mix of planning, creativity, and technique, you can use B-roll to transform ordinary footage into something memorable. And now, creating it has never been easier.

VEED’s upcoming AI B-roll generation features (now available on both mobile and web) will let you produce professional, relevant B-roll in seconds. No extra shoots. No endless searching. Just better videos, faster.