Boring B-Roll? Creative Angles Bring Stories to Life

B-roll is the unsung hero of video storytelling. It’s the supplemental footage that fills in the gaps, sets the tone, and connects the dots between main scenes. Think of it as the glue that holds your story together. Done well, b-roll isn’t just filler—it’s the layer of visual texture that keeps viewers engaged.

But here’s the trap too many amateur videographers fall into: shot after shot from the same angle, at the same height, on the same horizontal plane. The result? Flat and predictable visuals that fail to captivate.

The secret to elevating your b-roll is simple: change your perspective. By experimenting with creative angles, you transform ordinary scenes into dynamic, cinematic moments.

Dutch Angles: Tilt for Tension

A classic filmmaker’s trick, the Dutch angle tilts the camera diagonally, creating a sense of energy, unease, or heightened drama. Use it sparingly, but when you want to signal that something is off-kilter—or inject a burst of visual flair—it’s hard to beat. Even in subtle doses, a slight tilt adds motion and intrigue to what might otherwise be static coverage.

The "We're gonna need a bigger boat" scene from Jaws helps to convey Roy Scheider's off-balance surprise and fear as he comes face-to-face with the famous, terrifying movie shark.

Wide-Angle Lenses: Exaggerate and Expand

Switching to a wide-angle lens can do wonders for b-roll. Not only does it pull in more of the environment, but it also exaggerates depth and scale. Imagine a craftsman’s hands at work with the tools stretching toward the lens, or a bustling hallway captured in one sweeping view. These shots draw viewers in, making them feel like participants rather than observers.

In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick uses a wide-angle lens to show the full sweep of a neo-classical bedroom alongside the futuristic space pod. The lens exaggerates depth and contrasts old-world elegance and modern technology. It feels absurd and surreal—an image that perfectly captures the film’s tension between past and future.

Low POVs: Power from the Ground Up

Angles shot from below eye level naturally confer authority. A low point of view makes your subject loom larger, lending them weight and importance. Whether it’s a teacher addressing a class, a dancer mid-pose, or even a child at play, shooting from the ground up changes the emotional tone—granting subjects a quiet dignity or epic stature.

In The Matrix, the low-angle shot makes the Agents loom over the viewer, exaggerating their size and authority. By shooting from below, the scene conveys dominance and intimidation, leaving the audience to feel the same vulnerability as the character under their gaze.

High Angles: Vulnerability and Context

Conversely, a high vantage point can make a subject seem smaller, more vulnerable—or simply place them in the broader context of their environment. Overhead shots can reveal patterns (a group working at a table, a crowd flowing through a street) that you’d never catch from eye level.

In Psycho, a high-angle shot frames Detective Arbogast as he ascends the Bates’ staircase. The elevated view makes him look small and vulnerable, signaling his disadvantage. Within seconds, the shot pays off—his fate sealed by what awaits above.

Over-the-Shoulder and Oblique Shots: Invite the Viewer In

Placing the camera just behind a subject’s shoulder or slightly off to the side creates intimacy, as if the audience is peeking into the action. Oblique framing—where a subject is placed at the edge rather than center—adds asymmetry and visual tension that feels modern and engaging.

By framing Indiana Jones and the idol together in this shot of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the over-the-shoulder camera positioning places us inside his dilemma. We share his gaze, feeling the idol’s silent challenge as it dares him to make the fateful grab.

Movement Matters: Dynamic Perspectives

Don’t just think about where your camera rests—think about how it moves. A slow push-in from a low angle, a sweeping pan across a wide scene, or even a handheld drift past objects can shift the energy of a sequence. Movement layered with creative framing adds richness and depth.

Zach Ramelan's video demonstrates how various shots are used in feature films to convey emotions.

The B-Roll Takeaway

Great b-roll isn’t about covering gaps in your edit. It’s about building a visual language that complements your story. By moving beyond level, shoulder-height shots, you inject energy, meaning, and artistry into your footage. Tilt, widen, lower, rise, drift—each angle becomes another brushstroke on your cinematic canvas.

At ZulakisCreative, we believe that every frame should do more than fill time—it should inspire.

Ready to Elevate Your Story?

If your next project deserves more than standard coverage, let’s talk. ZulakisCreative specializes in capturing stories with artistry and perspective—turning even the smallest details into unforgettable visuals.

Reach out today, and let’s bring your story to life from every angle.