Stock footage can be called many things and used for many reasons. It is most commonly called archive footage. When movies are made, not all of the film used in the making of the movie becomes part of the final product. There are mistakes, bad takes or a myriad other things to account for literally miles of film shot. This extra film is stored in giant warehouses until it is one day needed.
This much film is needed for lots of reasons. First, filmmakers never know when they have enough, so they tend to shoot much more. It gives them lots of options to complete their artistic vision. Even after the film is completed, they like to keep all the extra around in case of the unplanned. Many movie channels also have sneak peeks at upcoming movies. This footage is used so the audience can see what is in store for a particular film without showing much of the actual film itself.
DVD’s have revolutionized the use of this footage. Many DVD’s offer special features, which contain similar behind-the-scenes specials, outtakes, and cast interviews. This is all stock footage. It lets the audience be privy to the inner workings of a film and understand how things were done. Sometimes the special footage can be more memorable than the film.
There is much that is public domain stock footage. Much is maintained by the government. For example, public figures are often video taped during speeches or appearances. If someone wishes to make a film or show later in which this person appears, it is very easy to find stock footage on them. Having real footage adds to the reliability and quality of a movie, rather than just having an actor play the figure and try to recreate a famous moment.
Some footage from actual movies can become public domain, too. Classic films are used over and over again, especially on televised movie countdowns and lists. Many of these show describe why a movie is ranked as it is, followed by a clip of the movie. It is helpful for the viewers at home. Some clips from classic films are used so frequently that one can’t help but think of them as stock footage.
It doesn’t have to be a large, iconic moment, though. Much of the footage is used as background in the movie and is scarcely noticed by the audience. Many films can use the same shot of a landscape or the same background for someone driving. Thematically the footage can be good to subtly demonstrate the atmosphere of the film.
Though this is not as provocative as other behind-the-scenes looks, the type of footage outside the car window can give clues to the quality of the movie or important scenes in the film. The small details of the footage can make or break a movie.
This stock video footage is also very useful in films with low budgets or television shows that can get away with using the same clip over and over. Many children’s programs use this type of video stock footage video. If a character does a certain joke or dance over and over, it is very often just the same clip played every episode.
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