B-roll is supplemental video footage, such as scene-setting shots or related action, that editors cut alongside a main interview or narration to add visual context and variety. The term comes from film editing, where a second reel of footage supported the primary A-roll.
B-roll refers to secondary footage intercut with a story's main action or interview, used to support the narrative without necessarily carrying its own synchronized sound. In news and documentary production, it typically establishes a location, shows related activity, or gives an editor a visual to place over narration or an interview subject's voice, so the camera is not locked on a talking head for the whole segment.
The term's origin is technical. In the era of 16mm film editing, visible splices were a problem on the narrow film stock, so editors split footage across two reels: an A-roll of odd-numbered shots and a B-roll of even-numbered shots. The terminology carried over into videotape editing in the 1980s, where A and B decks held primary and supporting footage, and it has stuck ever since, long after the physical reels disappeared.
For a press kit or media kit, offering usable B-roll saves broadcasters and video journalists the trouble of shooting their own establishing footage, which increases the chance a story gets covered on television or video at all. Because it usually lacks synchronized sound requirements, B-roll can often be shot with a smaller crew than a full interview setup.
How to: 1) Identify what visuals would help a journalist tell your story without relying only on an interview. 2) Shoot clean, steady footage of the relevant activity, product or location. 3) Provide multiple short clips rather than one long take, so editors can select what they need. 4) Include the footage in your press kit or media kit with clear usage rights. 5) Label each clip so a journalist can quickly identify what it shows.
QUESTIONS
What is B-roll?
It is supplemental video footage, such as establishing shots or related action, that gets cut into a story alongside a main interview or narration to add visual context and variety, rather than serving as the primary content itself.
Where does the term B-roll come from?
From film editing. To hide visible splices on narrow 16mm film, editors split footage into two reels, an A-roll and a B-roll, and the term carried over into videotape and then modern video production.
Does B-roll need synchronized sound?
Generally no. Because it usually plays under narration, an interview's audio, or low background sound, B-roll can typically be shot without the synchronized sound equipment a full interview setup requires.
Why should a press kit include B-roll?
Because it saves broadcasters and video journalists from shooting their own footage, which makes coverage easier to produce and increases the chance a story gets picked up for video or television use.
SOURCES
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