B-Roll Footage: Hire a Local Camera Crew in Chicago
B-Roll: The Footage That Makes Your Video Believable
If you're producing a marketing video, training content, or brand story, you already know the challenge: the video needs to look professional, feel authentic, and actually move people to action.
The fastest way to improve quality is b-roll.
B-roll is supplemental footage that plays while your main audio continues. It's the shots of people working, products being used, environments that set the scene, and details that prove your story is real. While A-roll (your interviews, narration, or on-camera host) tells the story, b-roll shows it.
If you need b-roll captured fast and done right, our Chicago videography services can staff the shoot and deliver footage that cuts clean.
Good b-roll makes your message believable. Weak b-roll makes everything harder: the edit drags, stakeholders ask for changes, and viewers lose interest.
FAQs: Start Here
1) What is b-roll in a video project?
B-roll is supporting footage that plays alongside your primary audio. It shows the people, places, products, and processes you're talking about so viewers can see what's happening, not just hear it.
2) Why does b-roll matter for business videos?
It builds credibility. Instead of saying "we deliver quality," b-roll shows your team at work, your facility, your process. That reduces doubt and helps viewers take action.
3) How much b-roll should we plan to capture?
More than you think. If you estimate you need 10 shots, plan for 20. Editors need options to cover transitions, tighten pacing, and handle stakeholder revisions.
4) Can we use stock footage instead of custom b-roll?
Stock footage works for generic scenes (cityscapes, transitions, abstract concepts). But if the video is about your company, your team, or your specific work, custom b-roll is what makes it real.
5) Can we hire a local crew if we're handling post-production ourselves?
Yes. Many agencies and in-house teams hire Acclaim Media as their “local” camera crew to capture interviews and b-roll, then handle editing internally. That's a common workflow, especially for out-of-market clients who need Chicago-based footage. We have several options to get the customer the footage- including transferring to a hard drive or using an ftp.
The Real Problem: Weak B-Roll Slows Everything Down
When b-roll is thin or generic, three things happen:
The edit takes longer.
Editors stretch shots, repeat visuals, or leave in awkward pauses because there aren't enough options.
Revisions pile up.
Stakeholders see the rough cut and say it "doesn't feel right" or "doesn't look like us." What they usually mean is: we're not seeing enough of our actual work, people, or environment.
Results suffer.
Viewers who don't see proof hesitate. Hesitation kills conversions, sign-ups, and next steps.
What Good B-Roll Does for Your Project
You don't need to overthink this. B-roll delivers measurable outcomes:
Higher credibility.
Real footage of real people and environments makes your claims believable. Viewers trust what they see.
Better engagement.
B-roll adds motion, variety, and pacing. People keep watching instead of clicking away.
Cleaner edits.
B-roll covers jump cuts, removes filler words, and lets you tighten the story without losing context.
More reusable assets.
A strong b-roll library feeds future projects: social clips, case studies, ads, web pages, recruiting videos, and internal updates. You shoot once, use many times.
If you are planning to repurpose this footage across channels, this guide to marketing video services helps you map assets before shoot day.
Where B-Roll Gets Used (And Why It Works)
B-roll isn't just filler. It's functional. Here's where it drives results:
Website hero and service pages.
A-roll explains your value. B-roll proves it by showing your location, team, capabilities, and scale.
Case studies and testimonials.
Cut b-roll over customer audio to show the story as it's being told. Viewers see the outcome, not just hear about it.
If you want those testimonial edits to convert, this breakdown of testimonial video production shows what builds trust fastest.
Trade shows and events.
Events produce high-value b-roll that supports the funnel long after the show. If you're capturing event footage, a local crew familiar with the venue can move fast and stay out of the way. More on that here: Trade Show Camera Crew.
Corporate and marketing content.
Whether it's internal communications, recruiting, or brand storytelling, b-roll makes the message stick. See examples of how we've shot this type of content: Portfolio.
If this b-roll is part of a bigger campaign, our marketing video services can turn that footage into finished assets for web, email, and social.
Hire a Local Chicago Camera Crew: One Call, Zero Hassles
If you're an agency, production company, or in-house team based outside of Chicago and need local shoot support, hiring a crew who knows the area removes friction.
You don't need a massive crew. You need reliable professionals who can walk in, capture what matters, and deliver footage that cuts well.
Here is what to expect from a professional Chicago camera crew, including how we staff shoots and keep production moving.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
You're based in New York, Texas, Europe or Asia.
Your client has a facility in Naperville, Oak Brook, or Aurora. You need interviews and b-roll, but you're handling post in-house. A local crew can execute the shoot and deliver footage within 24 - 36 hours of the shoots completion.
You're managing multiple projects across regions.
You need consistent quality without flying your team to every market. A trusted local videographer in Chicago covering Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan means you can scale production without scaling headaches.
You have tight deadlines and no margin for problems.
Gear issues, location permits, last-minute changes — none of that should land on you. A local crew who sweats the details means you get great footage and stay on schedule.
Shooting at a Chicago hotel or other venue? Versed in the union rules? We are!
That's the "one call, zero hassles" approach. You tell us what you need, we handle the rest. More on how we work: Videographer Chicago.
A Simple Plan for B-Roll That Works
Here's how to approach b-roll so it's tied to outcomes, not random visuals:
Step 1: Start with the story beats.
List what the video must prove: quality, speed, safety, care, scale, trust, results. Each claim needs visual proof.
Step 2: Build a shot list that covers wide, medium, and tight.
Wide shots establish place and scale. Medium shots show people working and interacting. Tight shots show detail, craftsmanship, and precision. Groups of 3 shots on a subject? You’re editor will LOVE us!
And remember: if you think you need 10 shots, you probably need 20. A strong edit needs options.
Step 3: Capture actions, not just scenes.
Don't only film spaces. Film work in progress: hands using tools, screens displaying data, movement through the facility, process steps, and outcomes. But not just machines, show your people off.
Step 4: Use stock only to fill gaps.
Stock can help with generic transitions or abstract concepts. But if the video is about your client's specific story, custom b-roll wins because it's real and specific.
If you're working on multi-camera shoots or timecode workflows, this post has helpful context: Timecode Video Editing.
Why Acclaim Media for Chicago B-Roll
We've been doing this for 25+ years. We know how to move fast, capture what matters, and deliver footage that makes your edit easier.
Whether you need a crew in downtown Chicago, Elk Grove Village, Elgin, Rolling Meadows, North Chicago, or anywhere across the suburbs, we handle the logistics so you don't have to.
You provide the shot list and schedule. We provide the footage. No drama, no delays.
See more of our work here: Portfolio.
What to Do Next
If you need b-roll captured in Chicago or the surrounding area, start by using the contact form on our site. Share the shoot goals, location, timing, and how you plan to use the footage. We’ll respond within 24 hours with next steps.
Every project is different. We'll ask the right questions, give you a clear quote, and make the shoot as easy as possible.
Acclaim Media is a Chicago-based video production company helping brands nationwide create high-impact content—from marketing and corporate messaging to training and events. With 25+ years of experience and hundreds of successful projects, we make video production simple, strategic, and results-driven.