How To Capture the Best B-Roll for Remote Productions

Case Studies

Aug 22

Getting ready to shoot or organize your next remote video production? You should already know why B-roll should be a key part of your strategy and the types of B-roll that help to bring a story to life. But if you’re still feeling daunted by some of the technical details, we’ve got your back. Here are five ways to make sure your B-roll always hits the target:

Get Good Lighting

Pay attention to the light around you. Often, it’s the difference between a bland, forgettable shot and something completely spectacular. If you’re filming outside, wait for the Golden Hour to really guarantee the best possible atmosphere. Or, if you regularly shoot indoors, spend a little time getting to grips with lighting set-ups. It’s a complicated subject, but even having a basic understanding will help you better position your camera and your subject. Check out these videos on lighting positions and window light for more detail.

Figure Out Focus and Exposure

These are two fundamental concepts that have a critical impact on your footage. Get them wrong, and your shot is heading straight for the cutting room floor. But thankfully - on a smartphone at least - they’re also simple to master.

Focus is about which part of your shot is sharp (in focus) and which part is blurry (out of focus). You want the subject of your shot to be in focus. On an iPhone, all you have to do is tap on the screen where your subject is placed. The phone should then focus on that part of the shot automatically. Once you’ve got this down, try to up your game by changing the focal point of your shot in real time. This ‘rack focus’ approach adds an extra polish to your final footage.

Exposure is a bit more complicated. This is about how much light comes into the camera. Get it wrong, and either everything ends up black and too dark, or white and too bright.

Understand Framing

Framing people is about creating a pleasant experience for our eyes and our brains. If an image is out of balance, it just looks plain weird. And that can cost you viewers, fast. Generally speaking, a basic starting point is to adhere to the rule of thirds. By taking a second to think about where your subject is placed, you’ll be on the road towards getting good, balanced framing in every shot.

Grab Timely Testimonials

Capturing people ‘in the moment’ is a huge way to get the best B-roll you can. Straightaway you’ve got authenticity, energy, and a level of depth that would otherwise be missed. Don’t worry too much about background noise – if you handle it well, it simply adds to the atmosphere and vibe you’re conveying. Just make sure your subject is close to the camera so the mic picks up what they’re saying. And if you do need to film a more classic testimonial, make the effort to head somewhere quiet.

Shoot Steady Selfies

When it comes to remote productions and filming with a phone, you’ve got tons of options to add new perspectives – starting with selfies. You’ve got two main considerations here. First, frame it well (see point 3). And second, keep the camera steady. Nobody wants to get sea sick watching your wobbly footage dance all over the place. Investing in a selfie stick or monopod is a cost-effective option. If you’re super serious, grab a tripod and watch these tripod tips.