As you’re editing your YouTube videos, do you ever feel like something is missing? You have all the a-roll footage you need to create the story, but the emotional aspect could be better for your viewers. Or perhaps you’re looking for a more cinematic appearance to give your videos a professional look.
This is where b-roll comes in to give your videos the look you’re wanting. But what kind of b-roll shot should you use? Keep reading to learn about different b-roll shots and how to create them.
What Is B-Roll?
B-roll is considered to be secondary footagethat helps complement a-roll footage and enhance the video’s storyline. It’s used to help viewers see different viewpoints and recognize the emotion of the video. It can be anything from a sunset landscape shot to a person in the distance doing cartwheels.
Even more, b-roll gives YouTubers the ability to hide any unwanted editing mishaps and a-roll blunders, creating the appearance of a more cinematic look. For example, if a cut between two clips just isn’t working, and it’s noticeable, adding a four-second b-roll clip can erase the mistake.
Should You Plan Your B-Roll?
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There’s always some form of planning that goes into producing videos. With that being said, should you plan your b-roll footage? The answer is yes.
Planning b-roll that you know will help capture the narrative of your a-roll is smart. If you have a set plan in place for your video, you need to make sure the footage is available before the editing process.
If you don’t, there’s a chance that you can’t go back to the setting and try to recapture the moment. The sun may be positioned differently, people could be wearing different clothing, or the overall mood has changed. It’s best to plan ahead.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t take shots of random b-roll to potentially use for a later project. It’s always better to be over-prepared than not have enough.
If you’re unsure what to plan in terms of b-roll,gain some inspiration by watching other YouTube videos. The videos can be within your niche or among the types of videos you watch in your downtime—they must be doing something right if you’re actively watching the videos.
The Different Types of B-Roll You Can Shoot
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There are several styles of b-roll shots that you can consider when you’re creating the footage. If you do have plans for your shots, think about the type of a-roll you’ll be implementing into your video, so the two rolls can complement each other.
You should also consider if you’re doing any voiceovers as well. Many times, voiceovers are overlapped on top of b-roll, and you’ll want them to have the same energy.
The b-roll shots below are some of the most used types in both YouTube videos and even on the big screen.
Establishing Shots
An establishing shot helps to set the stage for the upcoming scene—setting, time, and place. Many times, it’s done with a wide-angle shot, so the whole location can be seen by the viewer before honing in on the main event.
If your video is about the most challenging mountain you’ve ever climbed, you could show the landscape where the mountain is located.
Cutaway Shots
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Cutaway shots refer to shots in a scene that deviate from the main action for a quick moment. They’re not always completely related to the main scene, but they do serve a purpose in telling the story.
For example, say you are creating a cooking video. While you’re talking about the ingredients for the food, you may do a cutaway shot to the utensils you’ll be using eventually, like a garlic press and a carrot peeler. It’s not about the ingredients, but it will help keep the audience’s attention.
Action Shots
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An action shot is used to capture movement in your video. Most of the time, they’re used to add some excitement or drama, depending on the emotion that the video editor is going for.
Let’s say, in your YouTube video, you’re at a motocross event. A great example of an action shot would be a dirt bike doing a trick while riding down the track. You’re not the one on the dirt bike, but panning to the action helps the audience feel the same thrill you’re feeling.
Detail Shots
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Detail shots are the b-roll version of close-up shots. They give very specific up-close views of the elements within the video that are related to the narrative. These elements can be anything from an object to a person’s hands.
You may have a video that starts off with you making your morning cup of coffee. Instead of having the whole scene be a middle shot of you doing the process, use a few detailed shots of the water boiling, pouring the coffee into the mug, and the coffee steaming.
Nature Shots
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A nature shot is one of the most peaceful shots you can take, especially if you’re leaning towards an easeful type of video. These shots are known for showcasing the beauty in nature, whether that be landscapes, wildlife, or other natural elements.
Luckily, nature is all around and easy to capture. You can get a few seconds of the wind blowing through a tree. You can even add a few b-roll nature shots of a flower, a bee buzzing around, and a deer eating grass in a field.
Time Manipulation Shots
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Time manipulation shots change the speed of the object’s natural course, and there are a couple of ways to do it. Time lapses are usually set on the camera that you’re using, whereas speeding up or slowing down a shot is typically done in the editing software.
A cool time manipulation shot that you could take would be atime-lapse of a flower bloomingor the sunrise coming over the horizon on the beach.
Make Sure to Experiment With Angles
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All the shots mentioned above can be done from several different angles. Using different angles throughout your video will help make them more dynamic.
If you’re new to the concept of angles, don’t be afraid to experiment.Using low-angle shotscan help give your b-roll appear more powerful, whereasusing high-angle shotscan show vulnerability.
Take a Shot at Using B-Roll in Your YouTube Videos
As a YouTuber, b-roll is a powerful tool to help drive your storyline and control the emotion of your video. Simply using whatever camera you have available can help you make your videos more lively.
Before filming your next YouTube video, consider the storyline and plan to add some b-roll content. You may be surprised by what you can create with it.
