How to film b-roll that doesn't look staged

While video can include plenty of dialogue, the visuals are what really carry the storytelling (otherwise, you might as well stick to radio). Sometimes, all it takes to deliver a message is a few words; the rest comes across in what you show. For example, when viewers hear a voice over say, "We're bringing food security to families," that line is important for setting up the context. But the real power is in what viewers see at the same time: a loving family sharing a meal together, the kids talking animatedly and the parents stress-free. In the span of one shot, the viewer can viscerally understand the value this organization provides. 

These supporting images are what we in the business call b-roll. One of the challenges of producing b-roll is making sure that it’s as natural and authentic as possible. This can be tough because a camera and crew are inherently foreign to any situation that you’re trying to capture. Unless you’re using actors – which I don’t recommend – the people being filmed probably aren’t used to being so closely observed. They can’t help but be aware of the camera. Some may react by shutting down, all stiff and self-conscious, while others may overcompensate and try too hard. 

This is all pretty antithetical to the goal of b-roll, which is to add life and color to the video and make it a more immersive experience. 

B-roll that doesn’t look authentic is a particular problem for nonprofits, who need to build serious credibility for donors to entrust them with their hard-earned money. The last thing you want is to leave them thinking that you’re trying to pull something staged or fake.

On the other hand, what if nobody does anything exciting or interesting when you show up to film? How can you make sure that you capture good, usable footage that’s still totally natural?

What can you do about it?

Despite the difficulties, all hope is not lost. In fact, I think that the main thing is to be aware of the issue so you can take steps to address it. As long as you make an effort to create the right environment for filming, getting good b-roll is absolutely not an insurmountable problem.

Stiffness or self-consciousness are less likely to crop up if you’re filming a video in-house, where the participants already know you. But if you feel that your people aren’t at ease, or if you’ve brought in an outside team, the best thing to do is just try to get everyone to relax before starting to film. 

I remember one video I worked on that was focused on sports and outdoor activities. It should have been full of energy and excitement, but from the minute I showed up, I could tell that everyone was all too aware of my presence. 

So, I put the camera down and hung out with them for a while. Once I was a familiar figure and even a part of the family, they were perfectly comfortable being themselves.

As for getting interesting footage, I don’t think it’s inauthentic to encourage scenarios or activities that will look good on camera, then let the participants run with your idea in a natural and sincere way. 

Once, I was working with a school, brainstorming what kind of visuals would really effectively convey what this institution stood for. In the end, I came up with a student activity based on their educational mission. The students spent a meaningful afternoon engaging with the school’s core values, and I got great footage of them engaging in a positive way with the school and with each other. 

If having a good dynamic on set also contributes to capturing good b-roll, well, so be it. 😊

How often do you film in-house? Do you struggle to get good quality eb-roll? Feel free to share your own tips in the comments.