Blog written for a stock media site.

Stock footage saves time, money, and is the answer to the impossible

Editing videos can be time-consuming and expensive, but the editing process can be affordable and streamlined with unlimited stock video libraries.
 
In a fast-paced world, more and more individuals are finding better ways to manage their time and finances. The film and content-creating industries are no different. Utilizing digital services to get jobs done faster and at a lower rate is becoming more of the norm. Stock footage supplies filmmakers and content creators with the means to create various content cost-effectively and quickly.
 
What is stock footage?
 
Stock video, also known as a form of B-roll, is pre-filmed footage that can be purchased and used in various projects. It’s utilized in films, TV shows, ads, and news broadcasts. It is often secondary footage to intercut or tie together primary shots to achieve a cohesive story. The clips can be outtakes from productions or shot with the intention of use for a stock library. 

Common stock clips include cityscapes, food, travel destinations, nature, sports, and animals. Editors and content creators alike utilize stock videos to get the job done when the alternatives are too costly, time-consuming, or impossible to achieve. 

Even Hollywood isn’t opposed to incorporating stock video into their productions. Many notable films over the years have used stock clips to put together scenes. 

Dante’s Pea (1997) featured the 1980 explosion of Mount St Helens, an active volcano in Skamania County, Washington. Without stock video, filmmakers would have had to rely on CGI lava or practical effects, both of which don’t always stick the landing when compared to the real deal. 
Stock footage can be a high-quality solution to create a story that shines.
 
Why use stock video footage?
Stock video is financially responsible

Filming costs can quickly add up. Between purchasing or renting cameras, lighting rigs, tripods and stabilizers, editing software, memory cards, travel fees, and more, it can be easy to go over budget. Stock footage can make it possible to get the shot while keeping more of your money in your wallet. 

With stock video, there are two primary business models: subscription-based and pay-per-clip. You don’t outright buy the clip, but the rights to utilize it in your project. While purchasing individual clips can be helpful for a one-time project, subscriptions provide more value. The user is given access to a wide variety of clips that can be used for numerous projects. 

Sometimes an ad may need a more diverse cast of actors, but the budget won’t cover a range of demographics. Using stock video can ensure ads are more inclusive without driving up costs. 
 
Make the impossible possible with stock video

A script may dictate the storyline extends beyond United States borders to remote locations or past historical events. Sending a crew out to the destination to film may not be possible from a financial, time, or safety standpoint. Nor can a videographer journey to the past to capture a landmark moment. Plugging in stock clips can fill those spots to keep the narrative cohesive. 

Often when filming, what can go wrong will go wrong. Weather, accidents, and any other unforeseen delays can and will happen. Paying for additional days of filming isn’t always possible.

What do you use stock footage for?
 
Stock video for advertising needs

Commercials may not require an original video to sell a product or idea. B-roll can come in as primary footage, allowing the ability to piece together scenes that would otherwise be costly. 

For example, a general advertisement for medicine, insurance, or a dating site may utilize clips of smiling couples, people playing sports, or a group of individuals seated around a table enjoying a meal together. Stock footage prices would be far less than hiring a group of actors, renting a set, and enlisting the expertise of a camera crew.
 
Improve social media output with stock footage

In addition to making movies, television shows, and ads, stock videos can be helpful for social media purposes. Video-based social media apps like TikTok and Instagram are rapidly growing. 

A constant video presence is crucial for a brand to make and keep its name known. Keeping up with daily posts and challenges can be time-consuming. Making use of stock video can help you create high-quality video posts quickly. 
 
Stock Footage for backgrounds

Sometimes a clip or montage is needed for something as simple as a background video for a website. Or a video could be required to display on a screen while an audience waits for an event to begin, like at a concert or conference. Stock-footage libraries are home to countless clips, covering a wide span of categories to fit any mood or idea.
 
How do I choose the right stock footage?
 
Take into consideration not only the look and feel you’re going for but also the technicalities. Seek stock clips that match what you have. If your footage was shot in 4K, find 4K stock footage, not a lower resolution. Be sure you can download the size and quality you need; standard, HD, 4K, etc. Not all stock sites provide a variety of sizes and resolutions, whereas ClipStock offers a broad selection. 

Also, ensure the stock clips accurately convey your idea. Perhaps your storyline takes place in a small town in the U.S. Midwest. You don’t want footage that is obviously showcasing Italy or Paris. Well-known landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Eiffel Tower are dead giveaways of European cities. Most stock video sites offer some generic-city footage that appears as though it could have been filmed anywhere.
 
Wrap-up:

Stock footage can be the time and money-saving answer to your cinema, advertising, or social media needs. Whatever type of video content you need is available at the click of a button, whether 1080p or 8K. Royalty-free stock video can be the answer to making multiple TikTok videos daily for your brand. Or it can be useful for inserting shots into a documentary that otherwise would be difficult to finish.

If it rains on the day you need sunny drone footage of a metropolitan city, stock footage can be the solution. Stock video can solve many of the issues digital creators face.