Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Composition • Jump Cut • Avid Media Composer

B-Roll

Term from Editing industry explained for recruiters

B-Roll is extra video footage captured to enrich the main story being told in a video or film. Think of it like supporting visuals that editors use to make videos more interesting. For example, in a news interview about a restaurant, while someone is talking, you might see shots of the kitchen, food being prepared, or customers dining - that's B-Roll. It's different from the main footage (called A-Roll) which shows the primary subject, like someone speaking directly to the camera. Video editors and producers use B-Roll to make their final products more engaging and professional.

Examples in Resumes

Managed and organized over 100 hours of B-Roll footage for documentary projects

Captured compelling B-Roll footage for corporate training videos

Directed camera crews in gathering B-Roll and Background Footage for news segments

Typical job title: "Video Editors"

Also try searching for:

Video Editor Film Editor Content Editor Post-Production Editor Digital Media Editor Production Assistant Videographer

Where to Find Video Editors

Online Communities

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you plan B-Roll requirements for a large project?

Expected Answer: A senior editor should discuss pre-production planning, shot lists, coordinating with directors/producers, and ensuring coverage matches the project's storytelling needs. They should mention budget considerations and time management.

Q: How do you handle insufficient or poor quality B-Roll in a project?

Expected Answer: Should explain creative solutions like using stock footage, re-shooting if possible, or restructuring the edit to work with available footage. Should also discuss how to prevent such situations in future projects.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What makes good B-Roll footage?

Expected Answer: Should discuss composition, lighting, relevance to the story, variety of shots, and technical quality. Should mention how B-Roll enhances the main narrative.

Q: How do you organize and manage B-Roll footage?

Expected Answer: Should explain file organization systems, naming conventions, and methods for quick access to footage during editing. Should mention backup procedures.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is B-Roll and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should explain that B-Roll is supplementary footage used to enrich the main video content and make edits more engaging. Should give basic examples of when and how it's used.

Q: How do you choose which B-Roll shots to use in an edit?

Expected Answer: Should discuss basic principles of matching B-Roll to the story, considering timing, relevance, and visual appeal. Should mention the importance of smooth transitions.