<p>I agree with @MichaelLiebman 's comment, it depends ...</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>My end product usually has about 30% of BRoll, I.E. every 7 or so seconds I'll add some BRoll.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It's possible to adjust your percentage 20-30% either way. The way you'd have 60% broll and <em>still</em> call it B-Roll is that the A-Roll had a lot of failed shots and it was broll that saved the day.</p>

<p>As a <em>rule</em> seven seconds is short and > than 20 but &lt; than 40 is probably good, but even 7 can be long (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour" rel="nofollow noreferrer">parkour</a>, skateboarding, etc.) and 40 short (rowing to the crab traps, driving over the Golden Gate); it depends.</p>

<p>So basically what does it depend upon (limiting it somewhat to the scope of your question):</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Subject and pace of the story (laidback vs. jarring).</p></li>
<li><p>The need to switch. If you must show wide and close with fast pace you'll be flipping back and forth in less than 7 seconds (showing what someone is doing or offering how-to advice), if you're panning around someone's surroundings or showing the parts or usage of something you can run well beyond 40 seconds.</p></li>
<li><p>What you got. You either have to make an edit with the shots you have and try to cobble them into your storyline <strong>or</strong> you need to shoot some more footage (which often, but not always, involves going back out to the location).</p></li>
<li><p>Style. It's yours, make it your's and be proud; assuming it's reasonably good.</p></li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Look at what other people do, read up on the subject; but make your own style.</strong></p>

<p>Videos are easier than written advice for this topic but here's a mix of both:</p>

<p>Nikon's "<a href="https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/shooting-b-roll-footage-with-a-dslr.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Shooting B-Roll Footage with a DSLR</a>". In particular see near the end of the video included on that webpage how B-Roll saved Grandpa.</p>

<p>Look at this video on the Gear Dads YouTube channel: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAZwbFZppaU" rel="nofollow noreferrer">How To Shoot B-Roll</a>". See what and how to shoot, so you come home with useful material.</p>

<p>Speaking of YouTube, there's <strong>lots</strong> of professional advice, or simply work done by professionals (that isn't explained, but you can see how it's done). Erik has been a Producer for over 2 decades, here he is interviewing at a Trade Show: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPdGU3CeLy0" rel="nofollow noreferrer">CAME-TV Gimbals – Newsshooter at IBC 2017</a>". Single camera, single person <em>crew</em>, and he edits it too. Not perfect, not bad. One man job.</p>

<p>Look and learn, practice makes perfect. There's also short courses at Colleges or offered by local talent that can provide individualized advice.</p>

<p>If you edit your question and put a link to an example of your work then fine tuned advice can be offered.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-18T21:13:08.203Z
Thanks for the extensive answer Rob!  You are correct in that every person will have their personal taste and it really depends on the video.  I usually record vlogs and so forth so when it's just a head talking I feel it's better with a lot of broll to illustrate what is being said. In most of my other footage, I'll try and have that rule of 30ish % of BRoll.
Dalibor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-18T21:18:47.017Z
@Dalibor - Glad to be of assistance. If you put an example video in your question we might be more helpful.
Rob
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-16T16:39:43.890Z
2018-02-16T16:39:43.890Z
Rob
<p>When doing live webcast of a sermon, we will present slides and titles as they are referenced by the preacher. A 40 minute sermon typically has 20 slides. I will occasionally introduce some B-roll footage in post production before uploading to youtube to mask serious technical errors.</p>

<p>For special events such as concerts I will have up to 4 offline cameras to augment my two online cameras. the final cut typically ends up about 25% from the off-line footage.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-18T21:07:37.750Z
Thanks! - Yeah, I know it really depends on the video being created. I do vlogs and just walk and talk videos hence I try and put a lot of BRoll.
Dalibor
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-15T17:20:09.200Z
2018-02-15T17:20:09.200Z
pojo-guy
<p>How much of the BRoll do you usually place in your videos for documentary work (not short films)? </p>

<p>By documentary, I mean talking head whether that's vlogs, interviews of different descriptions etc. </p>

<p>My end product usually has about 30% of BRoll. I.e. every 7 or so seconds ill add some BRoll. </p>

<p>Does anyone of you have any recommendations?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-15T14:49:07.510Z
There is no one answer to this. It is completely dependent on your subject matter and creative process.
Michael Liebman
<video>
In final video how much is B Roll and how much is A Roll percentage wise
Dalibor
# In final video how much is B Roll and how much is A Roll percentage wise

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-14)

How much of the BRoll do you usually place in your videos for documentary work (not short films)?

By documentary, I mean talking head whether that's vlogs, interviews of different descriptions etc.

My end product usually has about 30% of BRoll. I.e. every 7 or so seconds ill add some BRoll.

Does anyone of you have any recommendations?

**Tags:** video

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: There is no one answer to this. It is completely dependent on your subject matter and creative process.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-02-16. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

I agree with @MichaelLiebman 's comment, it depends ...

> My end product usually has about 30% of BRoll, I.E. every 7 or so seconds I'll add some BRoll.

It's possible to adjust your percentage 20-30% either way. The way you'd have 60% broll and *still* call it B-Roll is that the A-Roll had a lot of failed shots and it was broll that saved the day.

As a *rule* seven seconds is short and > than 20 but < than 40 is probably good, but even 7 can be long ([parkour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour), skateboarding, etc.) and 40 short (rowing to the crab traps, driving over the Golden Gate); it depends.

So basically what does it depend upon (limiting it somewhat to the scope of your question):

* Subject and pace of the story (laidback vs. jarring).
* The need to switch. If you must show wide and close with fast pace you'll be flipping back and forth in less than 7 seconds (showing what someone is doing or offering how-to advice), if you're panning around someone's surroundings or showing the parts or usage of something you can run well beyond 40 seconds.
* What you got. You either have to make an edit with the shots you have and try to cobble them into your storyline **or** you need to shoot some more footage (which often, but not always, involves going back out to the location).
* Style. It's yours, make it your's and be proud; assuming it's reasonably good.

**Look at what other people do, read up on the subject; but make your own style.**

Videos are easier than written advice for this topic but here's a mix of both:

Nikon's "[Shooting B-Roll Footage with a DSLR](https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/shooting-b-roll-footage-with-a-dslr.html)". In particular see near the end of the video included on that webpage how B-Roll saved Grandpa.

Look at this video on the Gear Dads YouTube channel: "[How To Shoot B-Roll](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAZwbFZppaU)". See what and how to shoot, so you come home with useful material.

Speaking of YouTube, there's **lots** of professional advice, or simply work done by professionals (that isn't explained, but you can see how it's done). Erik has been a Producer for over 2 decades, here he is interviewing at a Trade Show: "[CAME-TV Gimbals – Newsshooter at IBC 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPdGU3CeLy0)". Single camera, single person *crew*, and he edits it too. Not perfect, not bad. One man job.

Look and learn, practice makes perfect. There's also short courses at Colleges or offered by local talent that can provide individualized advice.

If you edit your question and put a link to an example of your work then fine tuned advice can be offered.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks for the extensive answer username_2!  You are correct in that every person will have their personal taste and it really depends on the video.  I usually record vlogs and so forth so when it's just a head talking I feel it's better with a lot of broll to illustrate what is being said. In most of my other footage, I'll try and have that rule of 30ish % of BRoll.  
> **username_2**: @username_0 - Glad to be of assistance. If you put an example video in your question we might be more helpful.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-02-15. Score: 0

When doing live webcast of a sermon, we will present slides and titles as they are referenced by the preacher. A 40 minute sermon typically has 20 slides. I will occasionally introduce some B-roll footage in post production before uploading to youtube to mask serious technical errors.

For special events such as concerts I will have up to 4 offline cameras to augment my two online cameras. the final cut typically ends up about 25% from the off-line footage.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks! - Yeah, I know it really depends on the video being created. I do vlogs and just walk and talk videos hence I try and put a lot of BRoll.  

---

