B-roll

[ bee-rohl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

stock footage from film or digital libraries used to establish locale, atmosphere, etc., or to provide generic thematic video, such as for a category of television news story.
video footage shot for a story, television show, or film, often by a secondary film crew, especially depicting building exteriors and used to establish the locale in which a film or show is set: Compare A-roll.
The actors all filmed in Toronto, but the show’s opening theme song played over B-roll of the New York skyline and a block of brownstones.

Origin of B-roll¹

First recorded in 1980–85; A-roll ( def )

But Roitfeld, ever the captivating subject, saves the film from feeling like B-roll.

Buzzfeed caught a glimpse over Gaga's pre-Photoshopped body on b-roll from the magazine's cover shoot.

And his owner is, like, “Ruh-roh,” before they throw to b-roll of beans being lovingly baked.

The whole United Center had to sing it for B-roll for the show.

He observed rehearsals, meetings, and performances, and crafted his B-roll into something brilliant.

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