What is a B-Roll?
I stumbled upon a B-Roll of Lucy while looking around on IMDB.com. It was quite interesting in giving a "behind the scenes look" at the production of the movie. I've heard the term, but until now I've never really knowingly watched one.
My questions are fairly simple:
- What exactly is a B-roll?
- What purpose does it serve in the production of a movie?
- Do all (or most even) movies have B-rolls?
(Note: The link above is just an example. I could have stumbled upon just about any B-roll and put it in here.)
Best Answer
What exactly is a B-roll?
In news media B-roll is typically background footage - things like showing the President walking to the Oval Office, or all the world leaders milling about at G20 for the photo shoot - shown while the reporter talks about the actual story. Some businesses might even produce some B-roll to distribute to news media as part of their public relations.
In terms of entertainment media (movies and TV shows), the B-roll is a collection of shots from the film that has been released to TV stations so they can included sequences while reviewing the show or playing audio from an interview with the actor(s) and/or production crew. Radio stations can also use the audio from the B-roll to slice into their reviews/interviews.
B-roll can also mean any kind of background shot or sequence that can be edited into a movie (things like a sunset, or crowd scene).
In film and television production, B-roll, B roll, B-reel or B reel is supplemental or alternative footage intercut with the main shot. The term A-roll referring to the main footage has fallen out of usage.
The clip you linked to also has a title card:
This material is specifically intended to be used in edited stories promoting the film and is not to be presented, at any time, as stand alone material. It must be edited into a larger piece.
What purpose does it serve in the production of a movie?
It is for marketing and media purposes. B-roll can also be used by movie or show editors to fill in around shots (like a crowd scene, or other background activity) to enhance the story depicted in the main scenes.
Do all (or most even) movies have B-rolls?
Probably most (if not all) of the major movies would have a B-roll that the studio distributes to TV and radio networks.
Pictures about "What is a B-Roll?"
What does B-roll mean?
B-roll is a term used to describe secondary footage, often used as cutaway footage, to provide context and visual interest to help tell your story. The term derives from the early days of Hollywood when they used to shoot on film.What is B-roll in film example?
The term B-roll refers to accompanying footage intercut with a main shot in an interview or documentary. So, for example, your interview subject talking to camera may be your A-roll. Any alternative footage, such as cutaways to surroundings or significant places, will be your B-roll.What is a B-roll and a-roll?
In video production, A-roll is the primary footage of a project's main subject, while B-roll shots are supplemental footage. B-roll provides filmmakers with flexibility in the editing process and is often spliced together with A-roll footage to bolster the story, create dramatic tension, or further illustrate a point.What is C roll?
He talks about shooting footage for yourself, for no pre-defined or pre-imagined purpose, just of things that happen in your normal life. This is what he's called "C-Roll".What Is B ROLL? Plus 3 Tips to Get CINEMATIC Footage
More answers regarding what is a B-Roll?
Answer 2
B-Roll is alternative footage used to edit with main action in scenes to achieve one or more purposes. Sometimes it can be used as an establishing shot to set the scene location and context or it can be used for artistic purposes to accentuate things in the main shot or help set mood.
Yes, virtually all movies will use a fair amount of B-Roll in assembling the final product. Often times this alternate footage is shot by second unit teams instead of the principles to save time and money and often helps give assistant directors and camera people valuable experience.
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