Why it matters
It makes a video visual, hides cuts and keeps the picture changing.
Example
While you explain the sauce, show it bubbling, the spoon tasting it and the plate being served.
Common mistake
Filming random pretty shots that don’t match what’s being said at that moment.
How to use it
Plan B-roll from the script: for each line, ask what the viewer should see while they hear it. Film each B-roll shot for at least five seconds, with a still start and end, so you have room to cut. Get a mix of wide, medium and close shots of the same action, and grab more than you think you need. It’s the cheapest footage to film and the most expensive to go back for.
