B-roll

[ bee-rohl ]

noun

1. 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.
2. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of B-roll¹

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

Example Sentences

As for how Allred has been going after Cruz, though, consider the B-roll shown in the second half of this response ad.

From Slate

So when they brought in the script, they had a guy come in to shoot some B-roll for the DVD.

From Los Angeles Times

I would have liked a little boring local culture instead of the B-roll clips that speed by between scenes — lots of chickens — but that’s just me.

From Los Angeles Times

Buttressed by B-roll of odd sights on the streets of New York, ironically juxtaposed with Wilson’s amusingly low-key voice-over, “How to” never mocked the bizarre subjects who entered its orbit — whether UFO eyewitnesses or vacuum-cleaner collectors — instead crafting movingly humane snapshots of proudly peculiar individuals.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Dolan's reporting, those who were in attendance didn’t amount to a lot, judging by the b-roll aired later that evening.

From Salon