How Much of a Movie is Stock Footage?

Ever wondered how they manage to make those breathtaking cityscapes and stunning sunsets look so perfect in movies? Well, guess what? More than you think is actually stock footage!

The SEO Behind the Scenes

I've been in film production for a while, and there's a secret that will blow your mind. About 10-15% of what you see in most movies isn't even shot for that specific film. Nature documentaries, on the other hand, can use up to 40% stock footage. So, why do we do it? And where do we find this stock footage?

Why Use Stock Footage?

Let's imagine you need a quick shot of Paris for your movie. Are you going to fly your whole crew there just for a few seconds of footage? Not if you have stock footage at your disposal. It's a time and cost-efficient solution.

A Real-World Example

Back in a commercial we were working on last month, we needed some aerial shots ASAP. We were struggling until someone recommended Depositphotos. They saved our project and the footage was so seamless that nobody could tell the difference in the final cut!

Types of Stock Footage in Movies

Stock footage comes in all forms:

Perfect Weather Shots: Nature doesn't take direction, so those perfect weather scenes are often stock footage. City Skylines: Stunning cityscapes from around the world can be easily sourced via stock footage. Random Crowd Scenes: Quick recordings of crowds are a common type of stock footage. Super Specific Nature Shots: That perfect hummingbird moment can be a stock footage clip.

Key Factors Affecting Stock Footage Use

The amount of stock footage used in a movie can vary widely depending on several factors:

Low-Budget Films: These might use a significant percentage of stock footage, sometimes upwards of 30-50%, to save on production costs. Documentaries: Many documentaries rely heavily on stock footage to illustrate historical events or provide context, making stock footage compose 50% or more of the final product. Mainstream Feature Films: In larger productions, stock footage is typically used more sparingly, often constituting around 5-15% of the film, particularly for action sequences or establishing shots that are expensive or impractical to shoot. Commercials and Short Films: These often use stock footage to convey ideas quickly and effectively, leading to a higher percentage of stock footage used.

Conclusion

The use of stock footage in movies is an essential part of the filmmaking process, offering practical solutions and cost savings. Whether you're creating a blockbuster film, a television commercial, or a documentary, stock footage can be a valuable tool in your production arsenal.