What is B-Roll Video?

<p>If you’re a content creator, chances are you’ve used B-roll footage—perhaps without even realizing it. B-rolls are an essential tool for keeping viewers engaged and enhancing your video’s storytelling. They provide context, add visual variety, and help convey your message more effectively.</p><p>Did you know that <strong>65% of marketers</strong> say videos with B-roll perform better in terms of engagement and retention compared to those with just talking heads? And yet, incorporating B-rolls is a time-intensive task for many, with <strong>80% of video editors</strong> spending 20-30% of their editing time finding and adding relevant footage.</p><p>In this article, you will learn what B-roll videos are and how you can make them in minutes. </p><p>Yes, you read that right! You can add B-rolls to your video in minutes using Jupitrr AI. </p><div class="kg-card kg-button-card kg-align-center"><a href="https://jupitrr.com/create-slideshow?ref=jupitrr.ghost.io" class="kg-btn kg-btn-accent">Try Jupitrr AI for free</a></div><h3 id="what-is-a-b-roll-video">What is a B-roll video?</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/02/B-roll-example-1.gif" class="kg-image" alt="B-roll Example" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="527" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2024/02/B-roll-example-1.gif 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/02/B-roll-example-1.gif 1000w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"><figcaption><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">B-roll Example</span></figcaption></figure><p>Let me tell you why it is called "B-roll" first. The name B-roll comes from the early days of film editing when two separate rolls of film were used. </p><p>The main footage, containing the core scenes and dialogue, was called the A-roll. </p><p>The secondary footage, used for cutaway shots and visual inserts, was called the B-roll, or B-reel. These reels were spliced together to create the final film.</p><p><strong>B-roll is supplemental or alternative footage</strong> that is intercut with the main shot, or A-roll, in film and television production. It is used to add visual interest, context, and variety to a video, and to support the overall story being told.</p><p>In simple words, A-roll is the star of the show, the close-up shots of the actors talking or the main action happening. </p><p><strong>The B-roll is the supporting cast,</strong> the establishing shots of the location, close-ups of objects or details, and other visuals that help to set the scene and tell the story.</p><p>B-roll videos have always been important for any kind of video to provide context to the scene.</p><h3 id="why-are-b-rolls-important-for-your-videos">Why are B-rolls important for your videos?</h3><p>There are four main reasons you will need a B-roll for your video:</p><p><strong>Visual storytelling at its finest:</strong> B-roll goes beyond just "filling space." It visually complements your story, adding depth, context, and emotional impact.</p><p><strong>Engage, don't fatigue: </strong>Imagine an entire video of just <a href="https://jupitrr.com/blog/what-is-talking-head-video?ref=jupitrr.ghost.io" rel="noreferrer">talking heads</a> – snoozefest, right? B-roll breaks up the monotony, offering visual variety that keeps viewers engaged.</p><p><strong>Control the pace and emphasis: </strong>B-roll allows you to control the rhythm of your video. You can use a fast-paced B-roll to build excitement, slow down for dramatic moments, or linger on close-ups to emphasize key points.</p><p><strong>Cover up minor hiccups:</strong> Let's face it, shooting videos isn't always perfect. B-roll becomes a valuable backup. Did someone blink awkwardly during an interview? No problem, cut to a B-roll shot and smooth over the bump. </p><h3 id="b-roll-examples-in-videos">B-Roll Examples in Videos</h3><p>Here are some examples of famous YouTubers and TikTokers using B-Rolls to support the context of the video:</p><h4 id="codie-sanchez">Codie Sanchez</h4><p>Some creators use <strong>stock footage</strong> with a bit of editing to make it look good. Codie Sanchez did it a great way:</p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card kg-card-hascaption"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jhyt88K9IlI?start=26&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" title="Run a Business for 2 Months and Make $100,000+? (Here’s how…)"></iframe><figcaption><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Codie uses B-roll stock footage to support her context</span></p></figcaption></figure><h4 id="ali-abdal">Ali Abdal</h4><p>Some creators even use <strong>their own videos as B-roll footage to avoid any copyright issues</strong>. This Ali Abdal's video is a great example:</p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card kg-card-hascaption"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zz59q8wHECk?start=152&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" title="How to Be Effortlessly Disciplined: 5 Mindset Shifts"></iframe><figcaption><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ali Abdal uses his own videos as B-roll footage</span></p></figcaption></figure><h4 id="modern-millie">Modern Millie</h4><p>You can also use <strong>GIFs as B-roll footage </strong>to make it funny or relatable. Here is an example in Modern Millie's video:</p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card kg-card-hascaption"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6r_-ihbLoGQ?start=119&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" title="Change is coming..."></iframe><figcaption><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Modern Millie used a GIF as a B-Roll</span></p></figcaption></figure><p>Now when you know that all of your favourite creators use B-roll to make their videos interesting, let's dive into how you can do this in the easiest way possible. </p><div class="kg-card kg-button-card kg-align-center"><a href="https://jupitrr.com/create-slideshow?ref=jupitrr.ghost.io" class="kg-btn kg-btn-accent">Add B-Rolls to your Videos Now!</a></div><h3 id="how-to-add-b-rolls-to-your-video">How to add B-rolls to your video?</h3><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/02/Jupitrr-DEMO.gif" class="kg-image" alt="You can add B-rolls to your video using Jupitrr AI" loading="lazy" width="600" height="373" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/02/Jupitrr-DEMO.gif 600w"><figcaption><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You can add B-rolls to your video using Jupitrr AI</span></figcaption></figure><p>It is easy to add B-roll footage to your video using AI. Here are the steps to do it:</p><h5 id="step-1-sign-up-to-jupitrr-ai">Step 1: Sign up to Jupitrr AI</h5><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/02/Jupitrr-s-homepage.png" class="kg-image" alt="Jupitrr's homepage" loading="lazy" width="1872" height="810" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2024/02/Jupitrr-s-homepage.png 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2024/02/Jupitrr-s-homepage.png 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2024/02/Jupitrr-s-homepage.png 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2024/02/Jupitrr-s-homepage.png 1872w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure><p>Go to our AI video maker and sign up if you already haven't. This takes only a couple of seconds as you can directly sign up using your email.</p><h5 id="step-2-got-to-ai-video">Step 2: Got to AI Video </h5><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-5.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1906" height="929" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2025/01/image-5.png 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2025/01/image-5.png 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2025/01/image-5.png 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-5.png 1906w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure><p>Click on "Create New" &gt; "AI Video". This is the platform where all the magic will happen in just 1 minute.</p><h5 id="step-3-upload-your-video">Step 3: Upload your video</h5><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-6.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1906" height="929" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2025/01/image-6.png 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2025/01/image-6.png 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2025/01/image-6.png 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-6.png 1906w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure><p>Click on "Upload a video/audio", select your video and click on "Open"</p><h5 id="step-4-generate-b-roll-videos">Step 4: Generate B-Roll Videos</h5><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-7.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1906" height="929" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2025/01/image-7.png 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2025/01/image-7.png 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2025/01/image-7.png 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-7.png 1906w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure><p>Once the video is uploaded, select the text and click on "Generate Video". You can also select "Generate Image" if you prefer that.</p><h5 id="step-5-editing">Step 5: Editing</h5><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-8.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1906" height="929" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2025/01/image-8.png 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2025/01/image-8.png 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2025/01/image-8.png 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-8.png 1906w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure><p>If you don't like the video generated, you can change it by clicking on the text and selecting "Generate again". You can even generate the video with your own prompt. </p><h5 id="step-6-export">Step 6: Export</h5><figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-9.png" class="kg-image" alt="" loading="lazy" width="1906" height="929" srcset="https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w600/2025/01/image-9.png 600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1000/2025/01/image-9.png 1000w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/size/w1600/2025/01/image-9.png 1600w, https://jupitrr.ghost.io/content/images/2025/01/image-9.png 1906w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure><p>Once you have added the B-roll videos to your video, you can download and share it with your audience.</p><div class="kg-card kg-button-card kg-align-center"><a href="https://jupitrr.com/create-slideshow?ref=jupitrr.ghost.io" class="kg-btn kg-btn-accent">Generate B-Roll Videos Now!</a></div><h3 id="faqs-on-b-roll-videos">FAQs on B-Roll Videos</h3><p><strong>Can I make a great video without a B-roll?</strong></p><p>While technically possible, it's much harder to engage viewers for longer stretches without visual variety. B-roll adds energy, clarifies your message, and keeps them glued to your screen.</p><p><strong>Where can I find good B-roll footage?</strong></p><p>You can use a tool like Jupitrr AI to generate B-roll footage for your videos. Jupitrr AI lets you generate B-roll footage out of a prompt which you can change as per your need and creativity.</p><p><strong>What are some common mistakes creators make with B-roll?</strong></p><p>Using random, irrelevant clips, neglecting sound design, or overdoing quick cuts can backfire. Remember, B-roll serves your story, not the other way around.</p><p><strong>What's the difference between A-roll and B-roll?</strong></p><p>A roll is the primary footage, featuring the main action or dialogue. B-roll adds context, visuals, and variety to support the A-roll and enrich the overall story. Think of A-roll as the lead singer and B-roll as the backing band, working together to create a captivating performance.</p>