You don’t have to be an expert in the technical talk of every field, but it’s always helpful to know what some terms mean. Last week I heard a great example – someone asked me about b-roll footage and why you might need it. It made me realise how useful having some industry lingo knowledge is.
Have you ever wondered why some of your favourite films or company videos look so smooth and seamless? That’s likely because of b-roll footage, which is an essential part of filmmaking. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what b-roll footage is and why it’s so important. Let’s dive in!
What is b-roll footage?
B-roll footage refers to any supplementary material that is used in a film or video production. This can include establishing shots, cutaways, inserts, montages, location shots, and more. B-roll footage is usually shot separately from the main action (A-roll) of the video or film but still contributes to the overall story being told.
Why do you need b-roll footage?
B-roll footage helps give your videos a professional touch by adding visual interest and texture. It creates transitions between scenes without having to resort to jarring cuts or awkward pauses in conversation. Additionally, b-roll footage allows you to show multiple angles of the same action or scene in order to provide context for viewers and keep them engaged. For example, if you are shooting a cooking video, you could use b-roll footage of ingredients being chopped or pots being stirred while someone talks about the recipe they’re making on camera.
B-roll can also be used as filler instead of relying on long sections of talking heads – so if you want your videos to stand out from the crowd, having great b-roll footage is a must! Plus, b-roll gives you extra material that can be repurposed in other ways such as social media posts.
Examples of videos that utilise b-roll footage
CloudPrint printing project for Afterpay
Strength en Movement Brand Video
Welcome Dose local cafe brand video
Maven Data Brand Video
B-roll footage is an essential element of any video or film production. Adding visual interest and texture to your videos while providing context for viewers helps make them more engaging and memorable. So when creating your next video project take some time to plan out what type of b-roll footage would best serve your narrative – you won’t regret it!
Ready to add a bit of b-roll zest to your marketing videos? Get in touch.