🎥 Creating Establishing B-Roll with AI Video Generation Tools (Sora 2 / Veo)with example Prompts

🧩 Introduction

Establishing B-roll is what sets the stage for your story — it tells the audience where and what kind of world your video takes place in. Instead of jumping straight into the main action, these shots ground viewers in time, space, and atmosphere.

Thanks to modern AI video generation tools like Sora 2 and Veo, creators can now craft cinematic, realistic, or even stylized establishing scenes without ever picking up a camera.

In this guide, we’ll explore several common types of Establishing B-roll — and show how you can use AI tools to create each one with clarity and mood.

All prompts in this article have been tested and are fully compatible with Veo / Sora 2.

🌆 1️⃣ Urban & Cityscapes

Example 1 — City Skyline

Scene idea: Wide aerial shot of a modern city skyline with traffic flowing below.
Lighting: Golden hour sunlight reflecting on glass towers.
Mood: Dynamic, ambitious, alive.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide aerial shot of a modern city skyline with traffic flowing below. The scene is captured during golden hour, with warm sunlight reflecting off glass towers and skyscrapers. Cars move steadily along highways and city streets, forming glowing trails of light. The atmosphere feels dynamic, ambitious, and alive — symbolizing energy, growth, and progress. The camera slowly glides across the skyline, revealing layers of architecture and movement. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, golden hour sunlight, aerial drone perspective, dynamic urban energy, reflective glass towers.

Example 2 — Street Life

Scene idea: Pedestrians crossing intersections, buses passing, neon reflections on wet asphalt.
Lighting: Blue-hour or nighttime city glow.
Mood: Energetic, cinematic, urban pulse.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic street-level shot of pedestrians crossing busy intersections as buses and cars pass by. Neon signs reflect off the wet asphalt, creating a kaleidoscope of color and motion. The lighting captures the blue-hour or early nighttime city glow, with cool tones contrasted by vibrant reds, blues, and yellows. The atmosphere feels energetic and cinematic — the heartbeat of a city alive at night. The camera moves dynamically, following the motion of people and vehicles through pools of reflected light. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, blue-hour tones, wet reflections, shallow depth of field, urban energy.

Example 3 — Public Transit

Scene idea: Subway entrance, escalators moving, trains arriving with commuters.
Lighting: Underground artificial lighting mixed with daylight leaks.
Mood: Routine, motion, anticipation.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic shot of a subway entrance with escalators moving steadily, commuters ascending and descending. A train arrives in the background, its headlights cutting through the dim underground space. The lighting mixes cool artificial tones with occasional daylight leaks from above, creating a layered, realistic atmosphere. The camera captures the rhythm of daily motion — footsteps, escalators, and train doors opening. The mood is routine yet filled with anticipation, symbolizing the pulse of city life. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, mixed underground light, shallow depth of field, dynamic motion.

🌿 2️⃣ Nature & Landscapes

Example 1 — Mountain Sunrise

Scene idea: Sun rising behind mountain peaks, clouds drifting below.
Lighting: Soft morning glow with cool shadows.
Mood: Peaceful, inspiring, pure.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide aerial shot of the sun rising behind majestic mountain peaks, with soft morning light illuminating the clouds drifting below. The golden glow spreads across the ridges, while the cool blue shadows remain in the valleys. Mist swirls gently between the mountains, creating a sense of vastness and purity. The atmosphere is peaceful and inspiring, symbolizing new beginnings and calm strength. The camera glides slowly through the clouds, revealing the sun’s first rays touching the peaks. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, soft morning glow, cool shadows, aerial drone perspective, peaceful and inspiring mood.

Example 2 — Rainy Forest

Scene idea: Droplets falling on green leaves, mist between trees, puddles reflecting light.
Lighting: Diffused overcast light.
Mood: Melancholic, calm, atmospheric.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic close-up of droplets falling gently on green leaves, creating soft ripples on their surface. Mist drifts between the trees, adding a dreamy and atmospheric quality to the scene. Puddles on the forest floor reflect the diffused overcast light, mirroring the natural world in calm, shimmering water. The lighting is soft and diffused, with cool tones that evoke a melancholic yet peaceful mood. The atmosphere feels serene, introspective, and deeply atmospheric, as if capturing the stillness of a rainy day in nature. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, diffused overcast light, shallow depth of field, melancholic mood, nature close-up.

Example 3 — Beach Horizon

Scene idea: Slow waves rolling in under pastel sunset skies.
Lighting: Golden and pink tones, soft contrast.
Mood: Serene, nostalgic, meditative.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of slow waves gently rolling in under pastel-colored sunset skies. The golden and pink tones of the sky reflect off the water, casting a serene glow on the scene. The waves move with a soft, rhythmic motion, adding to the peaceful atmosphere. The lighting creates a soft contrast, with warm hues blending seamlessly into the cool shades of the ocean. The mood is nostalgic, meditative, and deeply calming, evoking a sense of tranquility and reflection. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, golden and pink sunset tones, shallow depth of field, peaceful mood, nostalgic atmosphere.

🏙️ 3️⃣ Business & Architecture

Example 1 — Corporate Exterior

Scene idea: Modern office buildings, glass facades reflecting the sky.
Lighting: Midday clarity or golden reflections.
Mood: Professional, structured, optimistic.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of modern office buildings with sleek glass facades reflecting the clear sky above. The midday light creates a crisp, professional atmosphere, with sharp contrasts between the glass surfaces and the sky’s reflection. The buildings stand tall and structured, symbolizing corporate strength and optimism. The lighting is bright and clear, with golden reflections adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cool tones. The mood is professional, dynamic, and forward-looking, capturing the energy of a thriving urban environment. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, midday clarity, glass reflections, shallow depth of field, optimistic mood.

Example 2 — Rooftop View

Scene idea: Panoramic shot from high-rise rooftop overlooking a city.
Lighting: Sunset to early night transition.
Mood: Reflective, powerful, cinematic.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic panoramic shot from a high-rise rooftop overlooking the city as the day transitions into night. The last light of sunset lingers over the skyline, casting a warm, golden glow across the buildings. As the sun sets, the city lights begin to flicker on, creating a contrast between the fading daylight and the emerging artificial lights. The mood is reflective, powerful, and cinematic, evoking a sense of perspective and ambition. The camera slowly sweeps across the skyline, capturing the magnitude of the urban landscape as it shifts from day to night. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, sunset to night transition, wide-angle shot, shallow depth of field, reflective mood.

Example 3 — Empty Hallway

Scene idea: Clean minimalist corridor with natural symmetry.
Lighting: Soft diffused indoor lighting.
Mood: Calm, balanced, introspective.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic shot of a clean, minimalist corridor with perfect natural symmetry. The space is wide and open, with smooth lines and simple design elements that create a serene and balanced atmosphere. Soft diffused indoor lighting fills the space, creating gentle shadows and enhancing the peaceful mood. The camera moves slowly down the corridor, emphasizing the symmetry and calmness of the scene. The lighting is soft and even, evoking a sense of tranquility and introspection. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, soft diffused light, minimalist design, shallow depth of field, introspective mood.

🏰 4️⃣ Fictional & Historical Worlds

Example 1 — Medieval City

Scene idea: Stone walls, castle gates, smoke rising from chimneys.
Lighting: Golden afternoon with warm textures.
Mood: Epic, historical, adventurous.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of a medieval castle, with sturdy stone walls and massive gates. Smoke rises from chimneys, drifting into the golden afternoon sky. The lighting is warm, casting rich golden tones across the textured stone surfaces, emphasizing the age and grandeur of the castle. The atmosphere feels epic and historical, evoking a sense of adventure and timeless strength. The camera moves slowly across the castle’s exterior, capturing the towering walls and the bustling activity of the surrounding village. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, golden afternoon light, textured surfaces, epic mood, historical adventure.

Example 2 — Futuristic Metropolis

Scene idea: Neon skyscrapers, flying vehicles, glass walkways in the sky.
Lighting: Vibrant cyberpunk palette.
Mood: Futuristic, thrilling, imaginative.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of a futuristic cityscape, with towering neon-lit skyscrapers and flying vehicles zipping through the sky. Glass walkways connect buildings high above the ground, illuminated by vibrant cyberpunk lighting. The color palette is filled with neon blues, purples, and pinks, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The city pulses with energy, as futuristic technology collides with architectural innovation. The mood is thrilling, imaginative, and full of possibility, evoking the excitement of living in a world of advanced technology. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, vibrant cyberpunk palette, futuristic cityscape, dynamic motion.

Example 3 — Ancient Temple

Scene idea: Wide shot of a temple in mist-covered mountains.
Lighting: Diffused morning fog and ancient stone color tones.
Mood: Mystical, spiritual, timeless.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of an ancient temple nestled in mist-covered mountains. The morning fog gently swirls around the temple, obscuring parts of the stone structure, while diffused sunlight filters through the mist, casting soft light on the stone surfaces. The color tones of the ancient stone are muted and earthy, with hints of weathered gray and warm browns. The atmosphere is mystical, spiritual, and timeless, evoking a sense of reverence and ancient wisdom. The camera moves slowly, capturing the grandeur and serenity of the temple amidst the fog. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, diffused fog, ancient stone tones, spiritual atmosphere.

🌍 5️⃣ Travel & Documentary Intros

Example 1 — Local Life

Scene idea: Market scenes, street vendors, people walking with bicycles.
Lighting: Natural daylight, handheld camera look.
Mood: Curious, authentic, human.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic handheld shot of a bustling market scene, with street vendors selling their goods and people walking with bicycles. The market is lively, filled with vibrant colors from fresh produce, textiles, and handmade items. Natural daylight filters through the scene, casting soft shadows and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The camera moves organically through the crowd, capturing authentic moments of daily life — interactions between vendors and customers, the hum of conversations, and the flow of people on the street. The mood is curious, authentic, and human, bringing the viewer into the heart of the community. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, natural daylight, handheld camera feel, immersive atmosphere.

Example 2 — Transportation

Scene idea: Airplane taking off, train crossing bridges, cars along coastal highways.
Lighting: Late afternoon with motion blur.
Mood: Moving forward, anticipation, wanderlust.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic shot of an airplane taking off, with its wheels lifting off the runway as the engines roar. In the background, a train crosses a bridge, and cars drive along the winding coastal highway. The late afternoon sunlight casts warm tones across the scene, with motion blur accentuating the sense of speed and movement. The lighting creates long shadows, adding depth to the flowing motion of the vehicles and aircraft. The mood is one of anticipation, forward motion, and wanderlust, evoking the excitement of travel and the freedom of movement. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, late afternoon, motion blur, dynamic movement, adventurous mood.

Example 3 — Aerial Journey

Scene idea: Drone-style shot flying over landscapes or cities transitioning from day to night.
Lighting: Dynamic exposure changes.
Mood: Expansive, cinematic, exploratory.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic drone-style shot flying over landscapes or cities, transitioning seamlessly from day to night. The camera soars high above the terrain, capturing the shifting colors of the sky as the sun sets and city lights begin to twinkle. The dynamic exposure changes as the daylight fades, with the camera adjusting to the bright cityscape lights and the darkening horizon. The scene feels expansive and cinematic, capturing the beauty of the world in motion. The mood is exploratory and adventurous, evoking a sense of discovery and wonder. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, dynamic exposure changes, drone perspective, wide-angle shot, expansive mood.

✨ Closing Thoughts

Establishing B-roll is your visual handshake with the audience — the first impression that says “welcome to this world.”

With AI tools like Sora 2 and Veo, you can build immersive environments — real or imagined — in minutes.

Experiment with lighting, angles, and motion until your viewers feel the space before your story even begins.

Tinyfool's Youtube Lab