B-roll is supplementary footage that is intercut with the primary footage (A-roll) to provide visual variety, context, and illustrative imagery that supports the main narrative.
B-roll is the visual workhorse of video editing. While A-roll typically refers to the primary footage — an interview subject speaking, the main action of a scene — B-roll provides everything else: establishing shots of locations, close-ups of relevant objects, people performing actions described in the narration, atmospheric footage that sets the mood, and transitional shots that bridge scenes. B-roll transforms a talking-head video into a visually rich, engaging experience.
The quality and quantity of B-roll often determines the quality of the final edit. Abundant, well-shot B-roll gives the editor freedom to illustrate concepts visually, cover edits in interview footage, maintain pacing, and keep the viewer's eyes engaged. Insufficient B-roll forces editors to rely on static shots or stock footage, which can feel repetitive and generic. Professional productions prioritize B-roll capture alongside primary footage.
When planning a video project, allocating adequate time for B-roll capture is essential. A common guideline is to shoot three to five times more B-roll than you think you need. The editor will use a fraction of it, but having choices makes the difference between a merely adequate edit and an exceptional one. Specify desired B-roll in the shot list and brief the cinematographer on the specific supplementary visuals that will best tell your story.
A jump cut is an edit that removes a portion of a single continuous shot, causing a visible "jump" in the subject's position or the scene's continuity.
An L-cut is an editing technique where the audio from the current clip continues playing after the video has transitioned to the next shot.
A shot list is a detailed document that catalogues every shot needed for a video production, specifying camera angles, framing, movements, equipment, and other technical details for each setup.