Tips for Shooting B-Roll for Digital News Packages
Here’s everything you need to know to show the who, what, when, where and why in your B-Roll.
Video journalism is not about reporting the news. Video journalism is about telling a story – well – visually. Which means we need to break down the elements of your story for you to build your package.
Exposition Shots
These are the shots that set everything up. While you don’t necessarily need to shoot them first, it often helps when checking out the scene.
Signage
Exteriors
Scenic Timelapses
Your goal is to set up as much of the who/what/when/where as possible. The “why” will come through the narrative (see below).
Narrative Shots
These are the shots that tell your story. Although it’s not always the case, I like to do any interviews first so I can try and capture the subject(s) doing the things he or she talked about. While the exposition is often static, the narrative B-Roll should really explore the environment.
Action Shots
Over the Shoulder (OTS) Shots
Your goal with these shots is to tell the story as best you can visually. If done right, your viewer should be able to watch the video on mute and still follow what’s going on.
Wrap-Up Shots
These are the shots where you really hit home on the “why.” Whether that be to encourage a call-to-action or illicit an emotional response — you need to give your viewer something to hold on to after the video is done.
Slow Motion
Curtain Shots
