Something that we explain to our clients when we’re talking about the different components of what we offer with our video services is the difference between A-Roll and B-Roll. We use both to create well-rounded videos that showcase what our clients are talking about and have to offer. 

What is A-Roll?

A-Roll is the primary audio and video that often consists of one or more people discussing a topic or relating a narrative. Typically it shows a person speaking directly to the camera.  

What is B-Roll?

B-Roll is supplemental footage that is used to visually support the A-Roll. It’s typically imagery and video that shows what the speaker or audio is talking about.

Here are some examples:

In this video we made with one of our clients, Hadfield Stieben & Doutt Law, we see examples of both A-Roll and B-Roll. 

The video starts with Bill Doutt, one of the partners at HSD Law, talking directly to the camera about how he’s a cyclist, and has been riding bikes his whole life. That’s an example of A-Roll. 

As he continues on to explain how his own experience as a cyclist has influenced his ability to defend cyclists involved in accidents and understand what they go through while cycling, the video cuts to footage of cyclists riding down a road. This is an example of B-Roll. 

Throughout the rest of the video, we cut from A-Roll to B-Roll to help create a dynamic, interesting, and informative visual to complement what Bill is explaining about HSD Law and cycling.  

So what can you do with A-Roll and B-Roll for your next project? Reach out via email at [email protected] or give us a call at 1-800-273-2849 to chat about what would be the best fit for your video needs!

Follow @lightswitchvideo on Instagram for more video terminology and tips, and check out our previous Video Terminology blog post about the differences between various types of resolution!