b-roll-and-cutaway-discipline

name	b-roll-and-cutaway-discipline
description	Use when adding visual variety. B-roll = supplementary footage shown over voiceover or interview.

B-Roll and Cutaway Discipline

B-roll fills cuts, illustrates points, masks jump cuts. Plan b-roll list before shooting. Average 30-40% of edit is b-roll.

B-roll types

1. Action shots — hands working, demonstration
2. Detail shots — close-up of objects, screens
3. Atmospheric — environment, mood-setting
4. People shots — secondary subjects
5. Process shots — step-by-step actions
6. Reaction shots — interview subject reacting
7. Establishing shots — wide context

Shooting b-roll

After main interview:

1. List visuals mentioned in interview ('Topps Chrome card', 'slab', etc.)
2. Shoot each as b-roll
3. Multiple angles per subject
4. Vary focal lengths (wide + tight)
5. Get static + slight motion versions
6. Capture more than you think you need

Editing with b-roll

Don't:

1. Cut to b-roll randomly (without motivation)
2. Overuse same b-roll (rotation feels lazy)
3. Use b-roll that contradicts the audio
4. B-roll without context

Do:

1. Cut to b-roll motivated by dialogue ('When we look at centering...' → b-roll of centering)
2. Vary b-roll variety
3. Use b-roll for emphasis
4. Match b-roll mood to scene

Where this fits in the X3 empire

B-roll planning for CardPrepAI tutorial videos.