# B-roll

> Secondary footage cut over the main talking-head shot to illustrate, add energy, and hold attention.

*Editing*

*Also known as: broll, supplemental footage*

Canonical: https://novaclipper.com/glossary/b-roll

B-roll is any supplemental footage layered over your primary (A-roll) shot — stock clips, screen recordings, product shots, or related video. In short-form it does double duty: it visually explains what's being said and it adds motion that resets the viewer's attention every few seconds.

Well-placed b-roll is one of the cheapest ways to lift retention on a talking-head clip. The art is relevance and timing: the cutaway should match the exact moment it references, then return to the speaker before it overstays.

## Related

- [Nova for podcasters](https://novaclipper.com/for/podcast-clips)
- [Repurpose long-form video](https://novaclipper.com/blog/how-to-repurpose-long-form-video)

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