ClipsPalGet ClipsPal

Free tool · No signup

B roll ideas for talking-head videos

Find a shot for your spoken line, then copy the filming plan.

24 shot plans

Clear a desk for recording

YouTube

Example spoken line
Before I record, I clear the desk so only my notes and microphone are in reach.
Shot
Slide loose papers out of frame, then set a notebook beside the microphone.
Filming directions
Fix the camera at desk height, angled across the surface. Keep both hands and the microphone in frame; hold the cleared desk for a beat.
Suggested placement
Cut to the desk on 'clear the desk'. Return to your face after the notebook lands, before the next sentence.

Gather the gear for a shoot

YouTube

Example spoken line
For this shoot I only need a camera, a microphone and a spare battery.
Shot
Place the camera, microphone and battery on a table in that order.
Filming directions
Shoot straight down with a fixed camera. Leave space for all three items and bring each one in from the same edge of the frame.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'a camera', matching each item to its name. Cut away after 'spare battery' once all three are visible.

Compare two microphone sizes

YouTube

Example spoken line
The clip-on microphone fits in my pocket; the desk microphone stays here.
Shot
Lift a clip-on microphone beside a desk microphone, then tuck the smaller one into a pocket.
Filming directions
Frame from chest to desktop so both microphones and the pocket are visible. Lock the camera and keep the desk microphone in place.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'clip-on microphone'. Stay through the pocket movement and return to your face after 'stays here'.

Reveal a repaired drawer

YouTube

Example spoken line
Now the drawer closes without catching on the frame.
Shot
Push the repaired drawer closed in one uninterrupted movement.
Filming directions
Frame the drawer front and its surrounding cabinet from a slight side angle. Start with it open, keep your hand visible and hold after it closes.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'Now'. Keep the full closing action over the line, then return to your face after the drawer stops.

Find the next point in your notes

YouTube

Example spoken line
I keep the three main points on one page so I can find my place between takes.
Shot
Run a finger down three handwritten headings and stop at the next one.
Filming directions
Shoot over your shoulder with the page filling most of the frame. Focus on the handwriting and keep your shoulder near the edge.
Suggested placement
Cut to the page on 'three main points'. Cut back after the finger stops, before you begin the next point.

Pack a camera bag

YouTube

Example spoken line
The camera goes in the padded divider, and the memory cards go in the zipped pocket.
Shot
Lower a camera into its divider, then zip the card wallet into the bag pocket.
Filming directions
Place the open bag on a bench and film from above at an angle. Keep both compartments visible and avoid blocking them with your forearms.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'padded divider'. Stay through the pocket zip and cut back after 'zipped pocket'.

Cross out a finished task

Founder

Example spoken line
Today I finished the signup copy before moving on to the settings screen.
Shot
Cross out 'Signup copy' on a paper list, then point at 'Settings screen' below it.
Filming directions
Film a tight overhead shot of the two tasks. Write large enough to read and move the pen slowly enough to see the full stroke.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'finished the signup copy'. Return to your face after the pen points at the next task, at the end of the sentence.

Sketch a workflow on paper

Founder

Example spoken line
The new flow takes someone from choosing a file straight to reviewing the result.
Shot
Draw an arrow between boxes labelled 'Choose file' and 'Review result'.
Filming directions
Use an overhead camera and thick pen on blank paper. Start with the two boxes drawn, leaving the space between them clear for the arrow.
Suggested placement
Cut to the first box on 'choosing a file'. Follow the arrow through 'reviewing the result', then cut back once the pen lifts.

Show one product action

Founder

Example spoken line
I drag the receipt into this folder, and it appears beside the rest of this month's expenses.
Shot
Record a receipt file being dragged into a folder and appearing in the file list.
Filming directions
Capture the screen with a sample receipt and a clean folder view. Enlarge the window so the filename is readable; move the cursor directly to the destination.
Suggested placement
Cut to the screen on 'drag the receipt'. Hold on the updated list through 'expenses', then return to your face before the next explanation.

Review two prototype versions

Founder

Example spoken line
In the second prototype, I moved the handle higher so there is room for my fingers.
Shot
Set two cardboard prototypes side by side, then grip the higher handle on the second.
Filming directions
Use a fixed side view at handle height. Label the models '1' and '2', keep them equally close to the camera and leave room to show your grip.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'second prototype'. Hold through the grip on 'room for my fingers', then cut back after releasing the handle.

Pack an order from the checklist

Founder

Example spoken line
Before sealing the box, I check the item and the thank-you card against the packing list.
Shot
Tick the item and card on a packing list, then fold the box flaps closed.
Filming directions
Film from a high three-quarter angle. Put the list beside the open box so the contents and check marks fit in the same shot; use sample order details.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'check the item'. Show both ticks over 'packing list' and cut away after the flaps close.

Move a release task into place

Founder

Example spoken line
The release waits until the help page is ready, so that task comes before the announcement.
Shot
Move a 'Help page' sticky note ahead of 'Announcement' on a small planning board.
Filming directions
Place the camera square to the board with both notes readable. Leave an empty position before the announcement and move just the help-page note.
Suggested placement
Cut to the board on 'help page'. Finish moving the note over 'before the announcement', then return to your face when your hand leaves frame.

Lay out lesson materials

Course

Example spoken line
For this shading exercise, put a pencil, a sheet of paper and an eraser in front of you.
Shot
Slide a sheet of paper onto the table, then place a pencil and eraser beside it.
Filming directions
Shoot straight down on a contrasting tabletop. Leave the centre of the paper empty for the exercise and place the tools along its edge.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'shading exercise'. Hold the finished arrangement through 'in front of you', then cut to the first demonstration.

Show the wrist movement

Course

Example spoken line
Keep your wrist loose and pull the brush toward you to make the stroke thinner.
Shot
Pull a loaded brush toward you, easing pressure until the painted stroke narrows.
Filming directions
Film close from the side of your drawing hand, with the wrist and brush tip both visible. Lock focus on the paper and record the stroke without moving the camera.
Suggested placement
Cut to your hand on 'wrist loose'. Stay for the entire stroke through 'thinner', then return to your face when the brush lifts.

Mark the cell that breaks a total

Course

Example spoken line
This total skips the final row because the selected range stops one cell too early.
Shot
Select a total formula, then highlight the final row outside its selected range.
Filming directions
Screen-record a small sample spreadsheet. Zoom until the formula and all rows fit legibly; pause with the selected range visible before pointing to the omitted cell.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'skips the final row'. Hold the highlighted omission through 'too early', then cut to the correction or back to your face.

Write a worked percentage example

Course

Example spoken line
Ten percent of eighty is eight, so twenty percent is twice that: sixteen.
Shot
Write '10% of 80 = 8', then '20% of 80 = 16' beneath it.
Filming directions
Use a fixed overhead shot of plain paper. Write the first line fully before starting the second; leave your hand below each answer once it is written.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'Ten percent'. Reveal each answer with its spoken number and return to your face after 'sixteen'.

Compare two practice seams

Course

Example spoken line
The first seam wanders near the edge; on the second, I followed the guide all the way down.
Shot
Place a wandering practice seam next to a straight one and trace each stitch line with a finger.
Filming directions
Shoot overhead with both fabric samples flat and aligned at the top. Use contrasting thread and keep the finger beside the stitches rather than over them.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'first seam'. Move to the second sample on 'the second' and cut back after tracing to the bottom on 'all the way down'.

Check a completed knot

Course

Example spoken line
Pull both standing ends to check that the knot holds its shape before you trim the tails.
Shot
Pull the ends of a practice cord apart, then turn the knot toward the camera.
Filming directions
Frame both hands and the knot against a plain tabletop. Keep the cord centred while pulling, then hold the front of the knot still for inspection.
Suggested placement
Cut to the cord on 'Pull both standing ends'. Stay through the shape check and return to your face before describing how to trim the tails.

Prepare a workbench

Business

Example spoken line
I wipe down the bench and lay out a clean cloth before starting the next piece.
Shot
Wipe an empty workbench, then unroll a clean cloth across it.
Filming directions
Film a wide side angle that includes the full work surface. Keep the camera still and move across the frame once for each action.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'wipe down the bench'. Stay until the cloth lies flat after 'clean cloth', then cut to the next piece or your face.

Count one shelf of stock

Business

Example spoken line
I count the small jars on this shelf before deciding how many to make next.
Shot
Touch each jar in a row, then write the count on a stock sheet.
Filming directions
Frame a single shelf from the front with the stock sheet resting below it. Keep the row short enough to count in one shot and the sheet within the lower edge.
Suggested placement
Cut to the jars on 'count the small jars'. Hold until the count is written and return to your face on 'how many to make next'.

Cut an item from a clay slab

Business

Example spoken line
I press the cutter straight down, then lift the extra clay away to leave the coaster shape.
Shot
Press a round cutter into a rolled clay slab and peel away the surrounding clay.
Filming directions
Film close from a high side angle with the cutter and slab fully visible. Keep the camera fixed so the uncut slab and final shape share the same framing.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'press the cutter'. Show the complete peel over 'coaster shape', then cut back after the shape is unobstructed.

Inspect a finished stitch line

Business

Example spoken line
I check the corners for loose threads before this pouch goes into its box.
Shot
Rotate a finished pouch under the light and lift one corner to inspect its stitches.
Filming directions
Frame a tight close-up with light coming from the side. Focus on the corner seam, rotate the pouch slowly and stop with the stitching facing the lens.
Suggested placement
Cut to the corner on 'check the corners'. Hold the stitch detail through 'loose threads', then return to your face before mentioning the box.

Attach a parcel label

Business

Example spoken line
The label goes on the flat side of the parcel so the barcode stays clear of the seam.
Shot
Peel a sample shipping label and smooth it onto a box beside the taped seam.
Filming directions
Use an overhead shot with the box filling the frame. Use a label with sample details, keep the tape seam visible and smooth from the centre outward.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'flat side of the parcel'. Hold the label and seam together through 'clear of the seam', then cut back when your hands move away.

Hand over a finished order

Business

Example spoken line
At pickup, I put the boxed order on the counter with the care card tucked under the ribbon.
Shot
Set a ribbon-tied box on a counter and turn it so the care card faces the receiving hands.
Filming directions
Frame the counter from the side with hands only. Rehearse with a teammate so the box pauses in the centre before the receiving hands lift it.
Suggested placement
Cut in on 'boxed order'. Keep the card visible through 'under the ribbon', then cut back once the box leaves the counter.

B-roll filming questions

What can I film for B-roll at home?+

Film actions your script mentions: clearing a desk, gathering gear, reviewing notes or checking a finished piece. Use a window for side light and a fixed camera. Record the full action with a still moment before and after so you have room to choose the cut.

How do I match B-roll to a script?+

Underline a concrete noun or action in your spoken line, then film that thing happening. A line about packing a camera needs a shot of the camera going into the bag. Keep one action per shot so the viewer can connect it to the words before you move on.

Where should I place B-roll in a talking-head video?+

Keep the spoken audio running and cut to the supporting shot as you name the object or action. Hold until the action finishes, then return to your face for the next point. Each plan above gives a word cue for cutting in and an action or sentence cue for cutting away.

More free tools

Hook + B-roll video generator

Drop your b-roll, pick an AI hook clip, get 10 TikTok-ready videos rendered right in your browser.

TikTok script generator

Pick a viral hook, type your product and audience. AI writes a punchy 30-60 second short-form script.

Video script templates

Pick a video format, edit a complete example script with timings and shot notes, then copy it or read it on the teleprompter.

All free tools