Better B-roll is probably already in your camera roll

Give each cutaway a job

A person says the jacket folds into its own pocket. The next shot shows the jacket folding into that pocket. That is useful B-roll. A beautiful shot of trees might fit the mood, but it does not explain the claim.

Sort your supporting clips by what they show: the action, the detail, the place, or the result. You do not need an elaborate tagging system. A small selection with obvious jobs is easier to direct than a folder where every file is called final-final.

Tell Shorty what belongs beside the words

Supply the main footage and the supporting clips, then ask Shorty to assemble the edit. Specify the connection you want: show the clasp when the speaker discusses fastening, and show the packed bag when they discuss capacity. This gives the editor a reason to choose a shot.

Keep the instruction honest. A clip of a different model, an earlier prototype, or an unrelated location may look right while showing the wrong thing. Exclude those files before the edit. A source-only instruction is especially useful for product demonstrations.

Review for meaning, then rhythm

Watch once with the sound on and ask whether the pictures support the words. Watch again with the sound off. Can you follow the action, or are you seeing a collection of nice-looking fragments?

Let a useful demonstration breathe. Cutting away before the zip closes removes the very information the shot was meant to provide. If the first version moves too quickly, request one precise change: hold the packing shot until the last item goes in. Review the revision rather than assuming the timing is exact.

A brief to adapt to your footage

Example direction. Replace the subject, shots, and wording with your own.