When producing a compelling marketing video, the story is often in the details—the quick cutaway shots, environment visuals, and insert clips that support your main interview or narrative. That’s where B-roll comes in. Well-captured B-roll adds context, reinforces messaging, and elevates overall production value. But for many businesses and agencies working with limited budgets, the challenge becomes: how do you shoot effective B-roll without inflating costs?
As seasoned producers, videographers, and photographers at St Louis Video Services, we’ve honed strategies that help deliver impactful B-roll even when time and budget are tight. Below are practical, professional-grade tips to help you make the most of your shoot.
1. Plan Your B-Roll Like a Storyboard
B-roll should never be an afterthought. Start with a visual checklist tied directly to your script or talking points. If someone mentions customer service? Film interactions at a front desk. Highlighting innovation? Capture devices, screens, or brainstorming sessions. Thoughtful planning ensures your B-roll supports the narrative rather than feeling generic.
2. Use Your Existing Location to Its Full Potential
You don’t need exotic settings—just creative framing. Office spaces, warehouses, conference rooms, lobbies, and even hallways can provide dynamic visuals when filmed with intention. Use available space to vary angles and create movement: shoot through doorways, around objects, or from low and high perspectives.
3. Leverage Natural Light (or a Simple Lighting Kit)
When budgets are tight, lighting can often make or break the quality of your footage. Use natural light strategically near windows or open doorways. If indoors, a basic LED panel light or even a bounce board can dramatically improve your results. Don’t underestimate how lighting direction, not just intensity, shapes the mood of a scene.
4. Capture Motion—Even If the Subject Is Static
Movement adds life. If your subject is still, consider using camera motion. A slow pan, tilt, or slide (with a handheld stabilizer or even a tripod repositioned carefully) creates cinematic energy. Capturing hands typing, coffee being poured, or tools in use adds valuable texture.
5. Shoot in Sequences
Shoot wide, medium, and close-up angles of the same action. This not only gives your editor flexibility but also helps stretch your footage further across multiple projects or social edits. Simple sequence shooting can make one location feel like several.
6. Use Slow Motion for Emphasis
Many modern DSLR or mirrorless cameras offer high-frame-rate capabilities. Even a 60fps capture can be slowed down smoothly in post-production, giving everyday movements an elegant, professional feel. This trick works well for interactions, movement through space, or product demonstrations.
7. Get Creative with Insert Shots
Don’t overlook insert details—they’re fast to shoot and incredibly valuable. Think: a close-up of a logo on a shirt, a notepad with sketches, a hand swipe on a touchscreen, a doorknob turning. These shots ground your visuals and reinforce branding subtly.
8. Always Overshoot
Even if you’re tight on time, take a few more variations than you think you’ll need. One of the biggest pain points in post is realizing you don’t have enough coverage. Extra footage = more flexibility.
Why B-Roll Matters More Than Ever
In the world of short attention spans and fast-paced content, strong B-roll can keep viewers engaged longer. It turns static interviews into dynamic stories. It also gives marketers the flexibility to repurpose content across web, social, and broadcast platforms.
At St Louis Video Services, we specialize in producing rich, engaging B-roll that matches your message—whether it’s a tight-budget shoot in your office or a high-end production at multiple locations. With decades of experience and deep familiarity with how supporting visuals elevate a brand, we ensure your footage tells a story worth watching.
Why Choose St Louis Video Services?
Since 1982, St Louis Video Services has worked with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies throughout the St. Louis region to deliver impactful photography and video. As a full-service commercial production company, we provide:
- Studio and on-location shoots for interviews and B-roll
- Licensed drone pilots, including for indoor aerials
- AI-assisted media services for editing and content repurposing
- Custom lighting setups for a polished, professional look
- Repurposing strategies to maximize your content’s lifespan
- Experienced crews who know how to keep projects efficient and cost-effective
Whether you’re building your brand library, launching a campaign, or filming for internal communications, we’re your partner for smart, strategic video.
Let’s make your next production seamless—and successful.
Contact St Louis Video Services today to learn how we can bring your vision to life.
St Louis Video Services 