Supporting footage shown over or between your talking shots, such as hands, objects, screens or places, to illustrate what you are saying.

How much b-roll do I need?

Enough to cut away every 10 to 20 seconds on a longer video. Short clips need less, sometimes none.

Can I use stock footage?

Yes, but your own footage feels more authentic. A mix often works well.

B-Roll Ideas for Talking Head Videos (No Fancy Gear Needed)

Simple b-roll ideas to break up talking head videos and keep viewers watching, using footage you can shoot on a phone in an afternoon.

A talking head video can be excellent with nothing but your face. But on longer videos, cutting away now and then gives the viewer's eyes a rest and illustrates your point. That supporting footage is called b-roll, and you can shoot plenty of it on a phone.

Why b-roll helps

Breaks up long shots of one face
Shows what you are describing
Hides edits and jump cuts
Adds pace and variety

Easy b-roll you can shoot today

Your hands at work. Typing, writing, sketching, holding a coffee. Simple, flexible and relevant to almost any topic.

Your screen. Screen recordings of the tool, document or website you are discussing.

The environment. Your desk, the street outside, a window, the view from your walk.

Objects. The product, a book, notes, a whiteboard.

Process shots. Something being made, cooked, built or assembled.

Reaction shots. You nodding, thinking or looking at a screen, filmed separately.

Shoot with intention

Before recording, read your script and mark where b-roll would help. Then shoot those shots specifically. In Cue, a [b-roll: typing] direction in brackets reminds you during recording without being read aloud, and the same notes become your shot list.

Technical tips

Shoot each clip for at least five to ten seconds.
Hold the phone steady or use a tripod.
Move slowly if you move at all.
Match the lighting to your main footage where possible.
Shoot more than you need.

Batch it

Set aside an hour to shoot general b-roll you can reuse: desk shots, walking shots, hands, coffee, screens. A small library saves time on every future video. See batch recording content.

Do not overdo it

B-roll should support the message, not distract from it. Return to your face for key moments, especially emotional points and calls to action. Viewers connect with faces.

Short-form videos

On Shorts, Reels and TikTok, b-roll is optional. A single strong talking shot often works better. Use b-roll for tutorials and process content, where showing beats telling.

Label your clips

Once you have a library of b-roll, name the files or folders clearly: desk, hands, walking, screen. Finding the right shot quickly is the difference between using b-roll and skipping it because you could not find anything in time.

Your face is still the main event

A well-framed, well-lit talking head is the foundation. Get that right first with our talking head video guide, then add b-roll to taste.