What is B-roll?
B-roll is any additional video footage that supplements the A-roll (the main video clip) and helps set the scene, trim mistakes, and make scene transitions smoother.
The name B-roll comes from the early days of cinema, where editors would use two rolls of film—the A-roll and the B-roll. While the A-roll had all the main action, the B-roll contained cutaway shots and transitions. Since the narrow film stock used in 16 mm film had visible splices, editors would use B-roll to hide them.
Podcasters, YouTubers, and content creators rely on B-roll to add more context to a scene, offer a visual break, or hide jarring cuts or mistakes in the video.
What does getting B-roll mean?
If you’re asked to get B-roll, shoot additional footage so you can add it to the main video. If you don’t have any additional content, you can also use the pre-existing video library that most video editing platforms offer to find some relevant clips.
Why do people use B-roll?
For a video editor, B-roll is a time-saver for any post-production editing because instead of having to reshoot a segment of a video, an editor can easily use B-roll to cut to a different camera angle or even add a different scene that better explains the concept being talked about.
Does B-roll include sound?
Yes, B-roll can contain sound. For instance, documentaries sometimes use B-roll to create dramatic re-enactments when the footage of an event doesn’t exist.
But when B-roll footage is used to explain a concept, the audio typically remains unchanged.
How to shoot B-Roll with Riverside
- Plan what B-roll you’re going to shoot. If you already know what shots you need, make a checklist so you don’t forget to capture them.
- Use Riverside to record your A-roll and set up your phone as a secondary camera to record other angles and shots at the same time.
- Get a huge variety of B-roll shots—close-ups, wide angles, or slow-motion.
- Always keep the camera rolling. You may capture candid moments that you didn’t plan for but make your videos feel more authentic.
- Shoot as much B-roll as possible so post-production is a breeze and you can be creative with the editing.
How to edit B-roll with Riverside
Once you’ve got the B-roll upload all the files to the platform.
- Add B-roll to different sections where you spot a jarring transition or a mistake in the video.
- If you want to create some visual tension or control the tempo of the video, you can use B-roll in slow motion to give audiences time to grasp the key message.
- There are no rules when it comes to adding B-roll. You can overlay it on the video or use a split-screen—to create visually cohesive footage. Get creative with it.
