Watch: Important Things You Need to Know about Editing B-Roll

Ah, b-roll. It may seem like a bunch of random shots that the second unit is responsible for capturing, but all of that supplementary footage is incredibly important to the overall look and feel of a film. In fact, we talk about it a lot in these parts, especially in terms of how to shoot it, but there is another side of filmmaking that we don't often talk about when it comes to b-roll: post-production. In this video, editor Justin Odisho shows you how to edit and cut away to b-roll footage like a pro. Check it out below:

Odisho shows you how to add b-roll to your timeline in a number of ways. For one, you can place your b-roll footage above your main footage on its own track in the timeline, which doesn't interfere with your main footage's audio. This is good for talking head segments in documentaries, video tutorials, and of course, transitional shots in narrative films.

Another thing you can do is place your b-roll right after your main footage in the timeline. Of course, without the added benefit of audio from your main footage, your b-roll shot is going to be pretty boring to look at, so you'll probably want to add some music or something to make things more interesting.

This is pretty basic stuff as far as editing is concerned, but for those who may be just starting out, these are tips you'll want to know for the next time you have to edit b-roll.

Source: Justin Odisho