What is B-Roll Video Production?

B-roll video production includes the planning, filming, and editing of B-roll or B-reel footage which is shot as supplemental or supportive video used to add value, build tension, or otherwise support the primary story.

B-roll footage is primarily captured to add value or tension to the original storyline. When producers discuss B-roll video production, they are typically referring to the creation of supporting or secondary video footage that is captured in addition to the A-roll or primary video and will be used to support or otherwise add value to the primary storyline.

B-roll footage is used in everything from documentaries and interviews to music videos, television series, and corporate films.

What is B-Roll Footage?

B-roll footage represents the supplemental or additional video that is captured outside of the A-roll or primary video that is planned for a story or film. B-roll footage can be as simple as filming some general shots of the surroundings or the area, or it can be complex.

Sometimes, films will incorporate stock footage as b-roll, and other times the b-roll footage will be produced specifically for the intended use within the story. The primary concern here is that b-roll footage is created as a secondary element and outside the principal photography of the A-roll.

B-roll footage can include a variety of different shots and focus points.

It may be:

• Filmed by a secondary film crew to save time or allow the primary crew to focus on the a-roll.
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• Chosen from a stock footage library either that is open source and available to use by all or purchased from a stock footage source or part of the production company’s library of footage.
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• May or may not include sound. B-roll footage does not require sound.
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• Includes supporting shots, imagery, and scenes that will add value or interest.
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• May include cutaway shots and other elements of interest to the audience.
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• Is sometimes the basis for establishing shots.

What is B-Roll Video Production?

B-roll video production represents the capturing of all of the above styles and types of shots that can be used in support of the original story or video. Typically, when a film is planned, A-roll and B-roll is planned out in the pre-production process.

However, b-roll may not be as formally planned as you would find the primary footage to be. In fact, sometimes, b-roll video production leaves a lot of creativity up to the camera crew and may include a simple list of shots to obtain such as “a moving vehicle” or “a busy street” or “a crowd on the beach.” 

The best film producers will carefully plan both the a-roll and the b-roll for a film, with intricate decisions made as to the production of the footage and how each shot is obtained in order to support the underlying story.

The Plan

However, in some cases, especially when there’s a time crunch, or a budget crunch, or both, such planning may be overkill. In these cases, b-roll video production will include a list, a camera crew, and a desire to over-deliver. 

Planning and producing b-roll footage will typically include a lot of general ideas. Planning b-roll is important, and capturing more than you might need is essential to success. If you think you need a few seconds showing off the location of a shoot, capture several minutes.

This way the editing team can utilize what they need and won’t run out of good clips to incorporate in. The last thing you want is to make it all the way to post-production to realize that there’s not enough b-roll footage to go around.

B-Roll Video Production Tips

To capture great b-roll, consider the following tips and tricks for success:

Have a plan

Don’t just go and start filming without a starting list or some kind of plan to work off of. Even if it’s a basic list, as was mentioned above, some kind of idea of what types of shots you need is better than none.

List the most important b-roll shots

As well as the shots you would like to have in order. This way the film crew can capture what they can in the time they have, working on what’s absolutely vital first.

Before shooting b-roll 

Scout the location that you’ll be shooting in. Know how much time you’ll need to capture the intended footage and plan any additional needs regarding equipment or timing of shots, etc.

Capture multiple angles 

Of each intended b-roll shot or scene. Again, more is better than not enough when it comes to b-roll.

Capture extra footage 

Things that are not on the list but look interesting or otherwise show the location or the area. You never know what you might need to use later on.

Hire Experienced Professionals

B-roll video production makes up a large portion of the investment into the overall production and is used in a variety of ways throughout the film. For more information on b-roll video production, or to hire a film crew to capture b-roll for your videos, give Beverly Boy Productions a call at 888-462-7808!