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Social Media & Content Creation vocabulary · Video Production and Editing

B-roll

Meaning in social media & content creation, with examples

/ˈbiː roʊl/nounCommon term

In social media & content creation, B-roll means: Extra footage shown over or between the main shots, such as close-ups, scenery or hands at work, to make a video more interesting.

In Turkish: ara görüntü, destek görüntü, B-roll

How it is used

The main footage, often a person talking to the camera, is called A-roll. Creators use B-roll to hide cuts and illustrate what they say. You shoot or add B-roll; it is uncountable, so say 'some B-roll'.

Example sentences

  1. Let's get some B-roll of the barista pouring latte art.

  2. Add B-roll here, because the talking-head shot is too long.

Common collocations

  • shoot B-roll
  • add B-roll
  • B-roll footage
  • A-roll and B-roll
  • editTo cut, arrange and improve video clips or photos, for example by adding music, text, transitions or color changes, to create the final version.
  • voiceoverA recorded voice that explains or comments on what a video shows, while the speaker is usually not seen on screen.
  • transitionThe way one clip changes into the next in a video, from a simple cut to effects such as a fade, a swipe or a zoom.
  • jump cutA sudden cut between two parts of the same shot, used to remove pauses or mistakes and make a video feel faster.

More terms: Video Production and Editing

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