Short Films made with Stock Footage

Whether you call it stock video, B-roll, or archive footage, we tend to think of stock footage as something left to cheesy marketing videos and the occasional filler content in a larger project. In fact, some TV watchers make a fun game out of spotting the same footage recycled in different projects, which is how we know that both Indeed and the mortgage provider Guaranteed Rate bought the same footage to the coveted Super Bowl commercial platform last year! Fortunately, not all uses of these convenient pre-filmed archive clips are so dull, and they’re used in a wide variety of projects. Sometimes, they’re even the backbone of the entire piece! Here are just a few fantastic movie projects (and the people making them) made entirely with stock video – but you’d never know it!

Kriscoart

Ok, this one is a bit of a cheat- but it’s a treat, too, we promise! Kriscoart is actually the name of an entire YouTube channel dedicated to the art of short film, and most of their work aims to show you how you, too, can produce top-quality cinematics with little but your skills and some great stock footage.

Momentum

Momentum is an entry stock-footage-based short film by Nick Sales that not only explores the scientific ramifications of the force which is momentum but also elaborates on how we can use that same concept and force to better our lives and achieve our goals. It’s well worth the watch.

Minds Alike

Brought to you by the channel, “Worth it or Not?” Minds Alike is an interesting foray into storytelling through the use of stock footage alone. Fun, poignant, and an interesting exploration of VFX techniques as well as storytelling, you should definitely add this one to your playlist

A Generic Love Story

Recently attracting a lot of attention, Marissa King brings us a compelling little video made only with stock video but telling a compelling (and a little trashy) soap opera-like story that’s amazingly edited. It’s a tongue-in-cheek look at the stock footage industry, but a remarkable project all the same.

A Changing World

Another short video project that will linger with you longer than you might expect, ZoeRikardo brings us a quick glimpse into the shifts and changes of the modern technological world in a startlingly compelling way. While it was only made as a project to showcase the versatility of archival footage, it’s also a powerful little piece that’s well worth the watch.

Blink of an Eye

This short film ventures into more artistic territory, and makes for a surprisingly enrapturing look at how quickly things can shift and change in the blink of an eye around us. Showcasing the very best of 4K quality archival footage and free-use clips, it’s an excellent look into what can be achieved with the right clips and a little dedication.

While stock footage is often used as a supplement to other footage shot specifically for a project, it can also make a powerful statement all of its own. With the right imagery and story flow, you can save a lot of cash and still leave the world with a message that speaks for itself. From heartbreak to horror, there’s plenty to explore. Many stock footage sources even allow for commercial licensing these days, so if you’re looking for a great way to save time without compromising on quality, it’s something well worth considering.