B-reel

English

Alternative forms

• B reel

Noun

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

1. (television, film, music) The second piece of film or audio or video tape in a situation (as editing or broadcasting) where multiple inputs are used.
   • [1969, Maury Green, Television News: Anatomy and Process, page 120:

     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 135:

     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 A-reel.

   • 1974, George Glenn, Super 8 Handbook, page 176:

     Begin matching the original with the work print by placing the first shot of the original on one reel (the “A” reel) and the second shot on another reel (the “B” reel). Continue alternating from the A reel to the B reel as you conform.

   • 1980, Milton Lustig, Music Editing for Motion Pictures, page 38:

     When the timing goes from a B reel to an A reel, the composer should be aware of how to write for this situation. The music in the outgoing reel should end at the end of the reel.

2. (television, film) Secondary or supplemental footage to be intercut with principle film or video.

   Synonym: B roll

   • 1991, Jim Weikart, Casualty Loss, page 151:

     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.

   • 2005, Melissa M. Dudek, Catchers, Cows, & Nachos, page 46:

     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.

   • 2019, Dianne Whelan, Base Camp: 40 Days on Everest, page 95:

     I’m very weak. Everything takes effort. We spend the morning filming some B-reel and transferring footage, which leaves us both feeling wiped out, so we withdraw for a little midday tent time.

See also

• second unit
• reel