What is Backing Video (B-Roll)?
In vlogging and filmmaking, A-roll is your primary footage, typically your talking head, interview, or main narrative. B-roll (also called "backing video" or "cutaway footage") is the supporting footage edited over your A-roll to illustrate what you're talking about, provide context, and break up static shots.
B-roll serves three main purposes:
- Visual variety: Keeps viewers engaged instead of watching the same shot for minutes
- Context and illustration: Shows rather than tells. If you say "I visited Tokyo", cut to shots of Tokyo
- Edit cover: Allows you to cut jump cuts, remove stumbles, and condense time without jarring edits
The ratio of A-roll to B-roll varies by vlogging style. Casey Neistat-style cinematic vlogs use heavy B-roll. Talking-head commentary channels use almost none. Most successful vlogs fall somewhere in between: B-roll for establishing, context, and pacing; A-roll for personality and narrative.
Essential B-Roll Shot Types
Not all B-roll is equal. These six shot types cover 90% of what you'll need for compelling vlog B-roll.
How to Shoot Great B-Roll
The difference between amateur and professional B-roll isn't the camera. It's the intention behind each shot. Here's how to approach B-roll shooting systematically.
The 3-Shot Rule
For any scene or subject, capture at least three different shots: a wide/establishing shot, a medium shot, and a close-up. This gives you options in the edit and allows you to build visual progression from context to detail.
Before You Start Recording
- Slow your movements down: Fast camera movements look amateur. Pan at half the speed you think looks right
- Hold the shot longer: Shoot 5–10 seconds minimum per clip even if you only use 2 seconds in the edit
- Vary your angles: Shoot from low, high, eye level, and behind for the same subject
- Think about the story: What does this shot tell the viewer? Does it support what you're saying in the A-roll?
B-Roll Shooting Checklist
- Establish the location with a wide shot before anything else
- Capture 5+ detail shots of interesting elements, objects, or hands
- Film any movement (walking, cooking, driving) from multiple angles
- Get atmospheric shots (sky, light, texture) without people
- Consider slow motion for any action (120fps or higher)
- Set up a time-lapse if you have stationary time to spare
GoPro and Action Camera B-Roll
A GoPro or action camera excels at B-roll you couldn't safely capture with a mirrorless: chest mount POV, underwater shots, close-to-action sports footage. Many vloggers carry both a main camera for A-roll and a GoPro dedicated to B-roll, particularly travel and adventure vloggers.
Drone B-Roll
Aerial B-roll adds a cinematic quality that's hard to achieve any other way. Even 15 seconds of drone footage in a travel vlog significantly increases perceived production value. See our best vlogging drones guide for options from $300 to $1,000+.
Stock Footage Sources
When you don't have the right B-roll from your own shooting, stock footage fills the gap. Many successful vloggers use stock footage to supplement their own content, particularly for subjects they can't reasonably film themselves (historical footage, locations they haven't visited, specific product shots).
| Source | Cost | Attribution | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pexels | Free | Not required | General lifestyle, travel |
| Pixabay | Free | Not required | Nature, abstract |
| Mixkit | Free | Not required | Business, technology |
| Artgrid | From ~$240/yr | Licence included | Cinematic, high-end |
| Motion Array | From ~$20/mo | Licence included | Templates and footage bundle |
| Storyblocks | From ~$21/mo | Licence included | Volume users, large library |
YouTube's Own Audio Library for B-Roll Inspiration
YouTube Creator Studio sometimes includes royalty-free footage assets, and YouTube's own shorts and clips can sometimes be legally reused under fair use for commentary. Always check licences carefully: when in doubt, use Pexels or Pixabay where the licence is crystal clear.
Editing B-Roll into Your Vlog
Having great B-roll is only half the battle. Knowing when and how to cut it in determines whether your vlog flows naturally or feels choppy.
The B-Roll Timing Formula
Cut to B-roll on the word that describes what you're showing. If you say "I visited this incredible waterfall", cut to the waterfall footage at "waterfall", not before or after. This synchronisation is what makes vlogs feel professional and intentional.
B-Roll Length
- Establishing shots: 3–5 seconds
- Detail shots: 1–3 seconds
- Movement/action shots: 2–4 seconds
- Time-lapses: 5–15 seconds (they need time to breathe)
Music and B-Roll Synchronisation
The most impactful B-roll edits sync with the beat of your background music. Cut on the beat, especially at the beginning of a section or after a scene change. This is a technique used heavily by Casey Neistat and most cinematic vloggers. It creates a rhythm that viewers feel emotionally even if they don't consciously notice it.
For royalty-free music that works well with B-roll edits, see our guide to finding music for YouTube vlogs.
Colour Matching B-Roll
A common mistake is using B-roll footage with a completely different colour grade to your A-roll. Apply the same LUT or colour correction pass to both. If you're using stock footage that doesn't match, run a basic colour match in your editing software (Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve both have this feature).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much B-roll should I aim to shoot?
A practical target is three times more than you think you will use. Aim for at least five to ten seconds per clip, even if you trim it down to two seconds in the edit. You will almost always want more options in post, not fewer.
Can I use Pexels or Pixabay footage on a monetised YouTube channel?
Yes. Both platforms licence their video under terms that allow commercial use and monetisation, with no attribution required. Always confirm the individual clip licence on the download page, as a small number of clips carry different terms.
What frame rate should I shoot B-roll at?
For a 24fps or 30fps timeline, shooting B-roll at 60fps or 120fps gives you the option to slow it down in post without a choppy result. Slow-motion detail shots and movement shots add production value without extra equipment.
Do I need a second camera for B-roll?
No. Your main camera handles most B-roll. A secondary action camera such as a GoPro is useful for shots that are impractical with a mirrorless (chest mounts, underwater, extreme close-to-action angles), but is not essential for most vlogging styles.
How do I stop B-roll looking different to my A-roll?
Apply the same LUT or colour grade to both. For stock footage that doesn't match, use the colour match feature in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve to align it to your primary footage automatically. Matching exposure and white balance before shooting also reduces the correction needed in post.