B-Roll and Stock Footage

Fill Your Videos with AI Help

B-roll is the supporting footage that makes videos professional. AI gives you more options than ever.

What Is B-Roll?

Definition

B-roll is secondary footage that supports your main content (A-roll).

Why It Matters

  • Covers cuts (hides edits)
  • Illustrates concepts
  • Adds visual interest
  • Provides context
  • Maintains viewer attention

Examples

A-roll: You talking about coffee B-roll: Coffee being poured, beans, café atmosphere

A-roll: Explaining data analysis B-roll: Screens showing data, typing on keyboard, graphs

B-Roll Sources

Record It Yourself

Best option when possible. Consistent style, unique to you.

Tips:

  • Plan B-roll shots before recording
  • Capture more than you think you need
  • Vary angles and shots
  • Record at least 10-15 seconds per shot

Stock Footage

Pre-recorded footage libraries.

Free options:

  • Pexels
  • Pixabay
  • Coverr
  • Mixkit

Paid options:

  • Storyblocks (subscription)
  • Artgrid (subscription)
  • Shutterstock
  • Getty Images

AI-Generated Video

Create custom B-roll with AI.

When useful:

  • Specific shots that don't exist in stock
  • Abstract concepts
  • Impossible to film scenarios
  • Quick iteration

Screen Recording

For tech content, tutorials, software demos.

Tools: Loom, OBS, built-in OS recording

Animation/Motion Graphics

Created graphics, not filmed.

Tools: After Effects, Motion, Canva

Choosing B-Roll

Relevance

B-roll should support what's being said. Random footage confuses.

Quality Match

B-roll quality should match your A-roll. Mixing 4K and low-res looks amateur.

Style Consistency

Color grade, lighting, and feel should be consistent.

Timing

Cut to B-roll at appropriate moments. Not randomly.

AI B-Roll Generation

When to Use AI

  • Abstract concepts (can't film "innovation")
  • Historical or future scenes
  • Expensive or dangerous scenarios
  • Quick custom shots
  • When stock doesn't have what you need

AI Prompt Examples

Product context:

A laptop open on a wooden desk in a bright home office,
coffee cup beside it, morning sunlight through window,
shallow depth of field, no people

Abstract concept:

Abstract visualization of data flowing, blue and white
light streams connecting nodes, dark background,
futuristic technology feel, slow smooth movement

Nature:

Aerial view of ocean waves crashing on rocky shore,
golden hour lighting, cinematic movement, 4K quality

Using B-Roll Effectively

Cover Jump Cuts

When you cut within a continuous sentence, B-roll hides the edit.

Illustrate Points

Show what you're describing. "The city streets..." → show streets.

Add Energy

B-roll adds visual variety. Talking head alone gets monotonous.

Transition Between Sections

B-roll can signal a topic change.

Duration

B-roll shots typically 2-5 seconds. Longer for establishing shots.

Common B-Roll Mistakes

Random Insertion

B-roll must relate to what's being said.

Overuse

Some A-roll is fine. Not every second needs B-roll.

Repetition

Using the same clip multiple times looks lazy.

Quality Mismatch

4K A-roll with grainy B-roll is jarring.

Copyright Issues

Make sure you have rights to use the footage.

What's Next

Getting people to click.

Next chapter: Thumbnails and graphics.

Captions and SubtitlesThumbnails and Graphics