Supporting footage cut into a video over the main shot (the A-roll), such as close-ups of products, hands at work or the setting. It adds context, hides cuts and keeps the video visually moving.
Example
Meera's main shot is her talking to camera about fabric. The B-roll shows close-ups of the weave, a tailor pinning a hem and a customer in the mirror, played while she speaks.
How you'll hear it
“Your talking head runs 40 seconds straight; add B-roll so it doesn't feel static.”
Don't confuse it with
- A-roll: the main footage, usually the person speaking; B-roll is the footage laid over or between it.
- Stock footage: bought generic footage; B-roll is ideally your own.