B-Roll Ideas That Make Talking-Head Videos Watchable (With a Shot List)
A reusable b-roll shot list and a simple editing method so your interviews and talking-head videos stop feeling static — without adding hours to the shoot.
Josiah Love6 min read
A talking head holds attention for about as long as the person is interesting — and then the eyes wander. B-roll is what you cut to so the video keeps moving while the voice keeps talking. Good b-roll is not decoration; it is pacing, proof, and cover for your edit. Here is a shot list you can reuse on every shoot, how much you actually need, and how to cut it in so it never feels random.
What b-roll actually does
Three jobs, really. It shows what the person is describing (say "our workshop" and cut to the workshop). It