How to Shoot Cinematic B-Roll Like a Pro: 6 Game-Changing Techniques for Filmmakers
Ever watched a beautifully shot video and thought, “Why does their B-roll look like a movie—and mine just looks like filler?”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
When I first picked up a camera, I believed cinematic B-roll was all about the gear. I figured if I just upgraded my camera, my shots would magically start looking like something out of a film.
I was wrong.
The truth? Cinematic B-roll has very little to do with your gear—and everything to do with your technique. Over time, I learned a few simple strategies that radically improved my work. And today, I’m going to share the five essential techniques (plus one bonus tip) that completely transformed the way I shoot B-roll—and how they can help you too.
1. The Wide–Medium–Tight Formula: Your Storytelling Backbone
If you take away one thing from this blog, let it be this: shoot wide, medium, and tight shots for every location or action.
Wide: Establishes the scene and adds context.
Medium: Brings you closer to the action.
Tight: Reveals the small details you’d otherwise miss.
This simple structure guarantees you’ll have the building blocks to tell a compelling visual story in the edit. Most beginner filmmakers overlook one or two of these, but shooting all three gives you flexibility and flow in your final cut.
🎥 Pro Tip: Mentally check off each shot size while filming—this habit alone will set you apart from 90% of beginners.
2. Add Depth with Foreground Elements
Cameras flatten our 3D world into a 2D screen. So how do you make your shots feel dimensional and immersive?
Foreground elements.
That’s it. That’s the trick.
Position something closer to your camera than your subject—a chair, a wall, even your hand—and watch how it instantly adds depth. Foreground, middle ground, background… it's a subtle illusion that makes your B-roll pop.
Sure, shallow depth of field and leading lines also help, but this is by far the easiest way to make your shots feel cinematic without any fancy gear.
3. Use Angle Variety to Create Visual Interest
Most of us default to eye-level shots because… well, that’s how we see the world. But guess what? That’s also why it looks boring.
Start shooting:
Low angles: Crouch, kneel, even lay flat on the ground.
High angles: Stand on chairs, staircases, or fly a drone.
Capturing your subject from unique perspectives immediately elevates your footage. It doesn’t just look cool—it helps tell a more dynamic story.
🎯 Reminder: If your subject is a child or a pet, shoot at their eye level. Your back will thank you for kneeling instead of bending over.
4. Know When to Move (and When to Stay Still)
Here’s where many filmmakers go wrong: they move the camera just because.
Yes, movement can be beautiful—but only when it serves the story.
When to keep it static:
If your scene already has natural movement
When you want the audience to focus on the composition
When to add camera movement:
If your subject or product is static
When the movement emphasizes or reveals something
Try:
Push-ins for emotional emphasis
Pull-outs to reveal context
Tracking shots to follow action
Pans & tilts to explore your scene
The key is to move with intention. If your camera has no purpose behind its motion, the shot will feel off—even if you’re using a gimbal or slider.
5. Play with Time Using Frame Rates
Real-time footage shot at 24fps has a natural, film-like quality. But if you want to add style and drama, it’s time to explore slow motion.
Use:
30fps or 60fps to slow down real-time motion subtly
120fps for ultra slow motion shots—ideal for high-speed action or emotional moments
But don’t overdo it. Shooting everything in slo-mo becomes a crutch fast. The magic is in mixing frame rates to create rhythm and variety in your edit.
BONUS TIP: Record Longer Clips (Seriously)
This one’s for the editors out there—you know the pain.
Most beginners record B-roll in 1–5 second bursts. But when it comes time to edit? You’re stuck trying to make magic out of micro-moments. That’s why I always recommend recording 30-second to 2-minute clips—especially when capturing scenes in real time.
Not only do you get more options in post, but you also avoid slowing your editing software down by importing hundreds of tiny clips.
🧠 Pro Tip: In one long take, you can pan from a wide to medium to tight shot—and have multiple usable angles from a single clip.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a RED camera or cinema lenses to shoot cinematic B-roll.
You just need:
A solid shot plan (Wide–Medium–Tight)
Depth in your frames
Angle creativity
Intentional camera movement
Frame rate variety
And longer clips that give you editing freedom
These simple shifts can transform your work from average to compelling. So the next time you pick up your camera, try implementing just one or two of these techniques. The difference will be noticeable—both to you and your audience.
🎬 Got a favorite B-roll tip of your own? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what works for you.
Ready to take your visuals to the next level?
Check out my full YouTube playlist on filmmaking techniques, gear reviews, and how to make money with your camera.
