Video & Scriptwriting / Documentary Structure
Specify B-roll needed to support interview content and narrative arc — visual coverage mapping for documentary editing.
Why This Prompt Exists
Documentaries live and die on B-roll. Without planned coverage, editors face hours of talking heads with nothing to cut away to — resulting in boring, static films.
You get:
- talking heads with no cutaways (jump cuts visible, visually static)
- B-roll that doesn’t match interview content (disconnected, confusing)
- generic, meaningless footage (filler, not storytelling)
- insufficient coverage for key moments (can’t illustrate what’s being described)
- no visual variety (same shot type, same angle, same location)
But B-roll has specific functions:
- illustrative B-roll: shows what interview describes (visual evidence)
- atmospheric B-roll: sets mood, establishes place (emotional tone)
- transitional B-roll: bridges topics, covers cuts (editing aid)
- metaphorical B-roll: represents abstract concepts (visual poetry)
- archival B-roll: historical footage, photos, documents (evidence)
- process B-roll: shows action, work, movement (dynamic, engaging)
Without planning, B-roll fails.
This prompt plans B-roll coverage based on interview content.
The Prompt
Assume the role of a documentary B-roll specialist who plans visual coverage. Your task is to specify B-roll needed to support interview content. Generate: 1. B-ROLL TYPE CLASSIFICATION | Type | Purpose | Example | Best For | |------|---------|---------|----------| | Illustrative | Shows what's described | Factory floor while talking about work | Concrete topics | | Atmospheric | Sets mood, establishes place | Foggy landscape, empty room | Emotional tone | | Transitional | Bridges topics, covers cuts | City streets, building exteriors | Editing between segments | | Metaphorical | Represents abstract concepts | Clock ticking for time, birds flying for freedom | Abstract ideas | | Archival | Historical footage, photos | Newspaper headlines, old home movies | Past events | | Process | Shows action, work, movement | Hands working, machines running | Action, labor, creation | | Portrait | Subject in environment | Walking, working, thinking | Character development | | Detail | Close-up of specific element | Hands, objects, textures | Emphasis, evidence | 2. INTERVIEW CONTENT TO B-ROLL MAP | Interview Topic | B-Roll Type | Specific Shots | Duration | |----------------|-------------|----------------|----------| | Describing a place | Illustrative + Atmospheric | Location exteriors, interiors, details | 10-30s per mention | | Recalling an event | Archival + Illustrative | Photos, documents, reenactment suggestions | 15-45s | | Explaining a process | Process + Illustrative | Step-by-step action, hands working | 20-60s | | Emotional reflection | Atmospheric + Metaphorical | Weather, light, empty spaces | 10-20s | | Relationship with subject | Portrait + Detail | Subject in environment, close-ups | 15-30s | | Transition between topics | Transitional | Location changes, time passing | 5-10s | 3. B-ROLL SHOT LIST TEMPLATE | Shot ID | Type | Description | Location | Duration | Corresponding Interview Topic | |---------|------|-------------|----------|----------|-------------------------------| | BR-01 | Illustrative | [detailed shot description] | [where] | Xs | [topic from transcript] | | BR-02 | Atmospheric | [detailed shot description] | [where] | Xs | [mood setting] | 4. COVERAGE RATIOS | Documentary Length | Interview Footage | B-Roll Needed | Ratio | |--------------------|-------------------|---------------|-------| | 10 minutes | 5-7 min | 3-5 min | 1.5:1 | | 30 minutes | 15-20 min | 10-15 min | 1.5:1 | | 60 minutes | 30-40 min | 20-30 min | 1.5:1 | | 90 minutes | 45-60 min | 30-45 min | 1.5:1 | 5. B-ROLL SHOT VARIETY | Shot Type | Percentage of B-Roll | Purpose | |-----------|---------------------|---------| | Wide/Establishing | 20% | Context, location | | Medium | 40% | Action, process, subject | | Close-up | 30% | Detail, emotion, texture | | Extreme close-up | 10% | Emphasis, evidence | 6. B-ROLL SEQUENCE PATTERNS | Pattern | Sequence | Effect | |---------|----------|--------| | Establish → Detail → Return | WS → CU → WS | Context to specific to context | | Wide → Medium → Close-up | WS → MS → CU | Increasing intimacy, focus | | Details building to whole | CU → CU → WS | Mystery to reveal | | Parallel action | A → B → A → B | Connection between two subjects | 7. COMMON B-ROLL MISTAKES | Mistake | Why It Fails | Correct Approach | |---------|--------------|------------------| | Generic stock footage | Disconnected from story | Shoot specific, relevant footage | | No variety | Visually boring | Mix shot sizes and types | | Shots too short | Can't see subject | Minimum 5-8 seconds per shot | | Shots too long | Slows pace | Cut every 5-15 seconds | | No establishing shots | Disoriented viewer | Start each location with WS | INPUTS: Interview transcript or key topics: [PASTE INTERVIEW TOPICS OR KEY QUOTES] Documentary topic: [E.G., "Small town bakery closing after 50 years"] Locations available: [E.G., "Bakery interior, bakery exterior, owner's home, town main street"] Visual style: [CINEMATIC / OBSERVATIONAL / INTIMATE / GRITTY / POLISHED] RULES: - Illustrative B-roll shows what interview describes (visual evidence) - Atmospheric B-roll sets mood and establishes place (emotional tone) - Transitional B-roll bridges topics and covers cuts (editing aid) - Metaphorical B-roll represents abstract concepts (visual poetry) - Process B-roll shows action, work, movement (dynamic, engaging) - Minimum 5 seconds per B-roll shot (shorter is disorienting) - Shoot variety: 20% WS, 40% MS, 30% CU, 10% ECU - Plan 1.5 minutes of B-roll for every 1 minute of interview
How To Use It
- Illustrative B-roll shows what the interview describes — visual evidence of the story.
- Atmospheric B-roll sets mood and establishes place — emotional tone without words.
- Transitional B-roll bridges topics and covers cuts — editing aid between segments.
- Metaphorical B-roll represents abstract concepts — visual poetry for feelings.
- Process B-roll shows action, work, movement — dynamic, engaging visuals.
- Minimum 5 seconds per B-roll shot — shorter is disorienting, viewer can’t absorb.
- Shoot variety: 20% wide, 40% medium, 30% close-up, 10% extreme close-up.
- Plan 1.5 minutes of B-roll for every 1 minute of interview — coverage ratio.
Example Input
Interview transcript or key topics:
“Interview topics: Growing up in the bakery, learning from father, the decision to close after 50 years”
Documentary topic:
“Family bakery closing after three generations”
Locations available:
“Bakery interior (ovens, display cases, flour), bakery exterior (sign, storefront), owner’s home (kitchen, family photos), town main street”
Visual style:
“INTIMATE, WARM, SLIGHTLY NOSTALGIC”
Why It Works
Most documentaries shoot interviews first and figure out B-roll later — resulting in generic, disconnected footage that doesn’t support the story.
This framework improves outcomes by forcing:
- B-roll type classification (illustrative, atmospheric, transitional, metaphorical, archival, process, portrait, detail)
- interview-to-B-roll mapping (which B-roll for which topic)
- shot list template (ready-to-use production plan)
- coverage ratios (how much B-roll relative to interview)
- shot variety guidelines (WS, MS, CU, ECU percentages)
Failure modes this prevents:
- Talking heads with no cutaways (jump cuts visible, visually static)
- B-roll that doesn’t match interview content (disconnected, confusing)
- Generic, meaningless footage (filler, not storytelling)
- No visual variety (same shot type, same angle, same location)
This improves on: Post-hoc B-roll shooting. Planned coverage supports the story.
Related to: DS-02 (Interview) for content mapping; DS-05 (Archival) for historical footage.
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