B-Roll

B-roll refers to supplementary footage that is intercut with the main footage, called A-roll, to add visual interest, context, and professional polish to video productions. While A-roll typically features the primary subject such as an interview or main action, B-roll provides cutaway shots like establishing shots of locations, detail shots of hands working, reaction shots, or relevant imagery that illustrates what the speaker is discussing. B-roll also conveniently covers edit points and jump cuts.

Producing a documentary about a local bakery, your A-roll consists of the interview with the owner talking about their craft and history. Your B-roll includes early morning exterior shots showing the shop sign at sunrise, close-ups of hands kneading dough and shaping bread, wide shots of the kitchen with steam rising from ovens, customers entering and selecting pastries, and detail shots of finished products. When the owner mentions their grandmother's recipe, you cut to B-roll of vintage family photos, then return to the interview seamlessly.