B-reel

Noun

B-reel (usually uncountable, plural B-reels)

1. (usually) The second piece of film or audio or video tape in a situation (as editing or broadcasting) where multiple inputs are used.
   • The separate reels of a multiple-chain story are given letter designations: A-reel, B-reel, C-reel.[1969, Maury Green, Television News: Anatomy and Process, page 120
   • The story usually (but by no means always) opens with an A-reel shot of the reporter who by narration establishes the shot. Then picture and sound move to the second chain (B-reel) to show actuality, the actuality picture sometimes being bridged at some points by the sound of narration on the...1969, Maury Green, Television News: Anatomy and Process, page 135
2. (usually) Secondary or supplemental footage to be intercut with principle film or video.
   • Now I remembered that Murph had convinced us not to show the first B reel during our viewing of the full takes, saying that we’d seen it before.1991, Jim Weikart, Casualty Loss, page 151
   • Lela was saddled with a cameraman, shooting “B-Reel” somewhere in the fairgrounds. Theoretically, that should slow her down and make her easier to catch.2005, Melissa M. Dudek, Catchers, Cows, & Nachos, page 46

   Synonyms:

   B roll