How to Improve Your Video Using Stock Footage (2024 Guide)

If you create YouTube videos, commercials, music videos, or any type of visual content, you've likely wanted to use footage you couldn't shoot yourself. These clips are known as "stock footage" or "b-roll footage." Stock footage is video shot by others that you can include in your project.

Stock footage often gets a bad rap, but it can be very useful for video projects. People think it's poorly filmed and only used as a last resort. However, there are many benefits to using stock footage, especially for video marketing.

In video marketing, you have about seven seconds to connect with your audience. This pressure is even greater for small or medium-sized businesses, as they have fewer resources. Stock footage offers high-quality video clips at a lower cost, making it a great option for all video marketing campaigns.

What is Stock Footage in Video?

Stock footage is pre-recorded video content that can be reused in various media projects. This type of footage covers a broad spectrum of subjects, including nature scenes, cityscapes, historical events, and generic action sequences. Filmmakers, advertisers, and content creators often use stock footage to enhance their productions without needing to film new material.

The use of stock footage can save time and resources, allowing creators to focus on other aspects of their projects. For example, if a filmmaker needs a shot of a bustling city but cannot travel to one, they can easily purchase and download high-quality stock footage to fill that need. This approach is not only cost-effective but also efficient, providing access to a wide array of visuals that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to capture.

Moreover, stock footage can help bridge gaps in storytelling. For instance, if a documentary filmmaker lacks certain historical footage, they can use stock clips to illustrate their narrative more effectively. The availability of stock footage in various resolutions, such as 2K and 4K, ensures that it can be seamlessly integrated into projects of different quality standards.

Overall, stock footage is a valuable resource for anyone involved in video production, offering a versatile and practical solution for enhancing visual content.

Also read: Get to Know Color Grading in Video Editing (Comprehensive Guide)

Top Reasons to Use Stock Footage in Your Next Video Production

‍

Enhances Your Storytelling

Stock footage helps you tell your story and engage your audience. A major use of stock footage is to include clips that illustrate what the narrator or interviewee is discussing. This enhances your story and visually supports the narrative.

For example, if your narrator is talking about Paris, you can insert stock footage of the Eiffel Tower when Paris is mentioned. Another example is showing melting ice caps when discussing global warming. The visual impact of stock footage enhances your audience’s overall experience of the video.

Stock footage also helps fill in any gaps in your video. Bridging scenes can be challenging, and you might not have footage to help the story flow. Stock video clips are especially useful for transitioning between scenes.

Provides Access to Niche Footage

Stock footage offers a wide range of impactful shots that you may not be able to film yourself. From snow-capped peaks to historical events, stock footage is a great solution for obtaining clips that are otherwise difficult to capture.

One benefit of stock footage is that filmmakers can access clips from all around the world. For example, you can purchase footage of the Taj Mahal without traveling there. Or, if you need snow in a shot but don't live where it snows, stock footage makes it easy to include snow in your video. You can also download stock videos of wildlife or unique animals that may be dangerous or difficult to film in person.

Additionally, stock footage provides access to historical videos of past events, such as presidential speeches, major events, and war footage. This adds value to your video production and saves you from having to recreate events with CGI or actors.

Lowers Production Costs

Using stock footage means you don’t need to travel to get specific shots. While shooting on location can produce amazing results, it is expensive and requires extensive planning. You’d need to transport your cast and crew and secure all necessary permits. Additionally, shooting on location is usually time-limited.

In many cases, it is cheaper to purchase a stock video clip than to film on location. Stock video is especially cost-effective if you use royalty-free clips, as a royalty-free license means you pay a one-time fee for unlimited usage. Stock footage is available as either royalty-free or rights-managed.

Since stock footage is generic, you can use it multiple times. This means you can feature the same royalty-free clip in different video marketing campaigns without having to pay for it repeatedly. If a specific shot is important to your business and showcases your products or services, stock footage is a great option to secure that essential shot for repeated use.

Time-Saving

One of the main benefits of using stock footage is that it saves a lot of time. If you know the type of shot you need, finding and downloading the perfect footage is quick and easy. Typically, footage can be purchased and downloaded immediately, so you don’t have to wait long.

Whether you’re behind schedule or facing a tight deadline, stock footage enables you to get the perfect shot and deliver your project on time. This allows you to focus on other aspects of post-production, ensuring you have enough time to bring the entire project together successfully.

Stock footage can also be a lifesaver if you realize you didn’t get the right shot during production. Instead of reshooting the scene, you can replace the intended clip with stock footage for a low-cost, last-minute fix that keeps your production on track.

Stock Footage Can Be Very High Quality

You might think stock footage looks unprofessional or cheesy, but there’s a lot of high-quality stock footage available today. Many real filmmaking professionals create stock video clips that they offer on footage sites, available in resolutions like 2K and 4K. These clips can be seamlessly integrated into various video productions, featuring stable, well-lit, and well-composed shots.

You can also match stock footage to the resolution of your video production. If you need a lower resolution to match the rest of your video, you often have the option to downsize the clip's resolution. Whatever your needs, you’ll be able to find stock footage that’s perfect for your project.

How to Choose the Right Stock Footage

1. Clearly Define Your Needs

Before you start searching for stock footage, clearly define its purpose in your project. Determine whether you need it to establish a setting, evoke specific emotions, illustrate actions, or add visual variety to your content.

2. Use Specific Keywords and Filters

Utilize precise keywords and filters when browsing stock footage libraries. Keywords should relate closely to your project's theme, such as location, activity, mood, or specific objects. Filters for resolution (like HD, 4K), orientation, and color palette can further refine your search.

3. Ensure Visual Consistency

It's crucial to maintain visual coherence throughout your project. Match the style, color grading, and overall quality of the stock footage with your original content. This consistency helps in creating a seamless and unified visual narrative.

4. Consider Resolution Requirements

Assess where your video will be viewed and select the appropriate resolution accordingly. For online platforms, HD resolution might suffice, while for larger screens or projections, opting for 4K or higher ensures optimal quality.

5. Review Licensing Terms

Understand the licensing agreements associated with each piece of stock footage. Different licenses offer varying levels of usage rights, from royalty-free for unlimited use to rights-managed with specific usage restrictions. Carefully reviewing these terms prevents potential legal issues and ensures compliance.

6. Choose Realistic and Believable Footage

Opt for stock footage that looks authentic and blends seamlessly with your original content. Footage that appears overly staged or artificial can detract from the authenticity of your project's narrative.

By following these comprehensive steps, you can effectively leverage stock footage to enhance your video projects, enriching them with visually compelling elements that resonate with your audience.

Also read: 10 Video Editing Tips for Beginners to Easily Improve (2024)

Cons of Using Stock Footage

While stock footage has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks that you should consider during the production process. Here are some potential downsides to using stock footage:

Lack of Originality

One downside of using stock footage is the risk of a lack of originality. Since stock footage is available to anyone, the same clip might have been used in other productions. This can make your final product less unique and may not fully align with your project's specific vision or style.

Quality Variance

While there are many high-quality stock footage options, there's also a risk of encountering low-quality or improperly formatted footage. With the vast amount of stock footage available, the quality can vary significantly. It's important to ensure the footage matches your project's resolution, frame rate, and overall aesthetic.

Licensing Issues

Navigating licensing agreements can be a complex part of using stock footage. Different types of licenses come with various permissions and restrictions. Misunderstanding or overlooking these can lead to copyright issues. It's essential to thoroughly understand the usage rights of any stock footage before incorporating it into your project.

Enhance Your Videos with LeoModo Unlimited Video Editing Service

Upgrade your videos effortlessly with Leomodo's Unlimited Video Editing Service. Instead of editing stock footage yourself, our professional editors seamlessly integrate high-quality visuals into your content. Whether it's for YouTube, commercials, or other visual media, Leomodo ensures smooth transitions and compelling storytelling, saving you time and improving your video quality.

Visit Leomodo Unlimited Video Editing Service to see how our service can enhance your videos with expert editing and integrated stock footage.