What is B-roll footage commonly used for?

B-roll footage is commonly used to indicate simultaneous action or flashbacks within a video or film. This type of footage is supplementary to the main narrative and helps to enhance storytelling by providing visual context, establishing the setting, or illustrating a point being made in the primary footage. For instance, while a voiceover explains a character’s backstory, B-roll can show relevant scenes that depict those events, making the story more engaging and easier for the audience to follow.

B-roll is often employed during interviews to show reactions or relate to the subject matter being discussed without requiring the interviewee to appear on screen the entire time. This technique allows filmmakers to create a more dynamic viewing experience, seamlessly integrating B-roll with A-roll (the main footage) to convey a broader context, maintain viewer interest, and ensure the narrative flows smoothly.