For decades, Hollywood studios maintained libraries of “outtakes” (often referred to simply as “outs”) which consisted of the leftover footage originally filmed for various productions but not used in the final edit. Seeing the value in repurposing this leftover film footage that "littered the cutting room floor" after the editing process was completed, early film librarians sorted through the “outs” and saved the imagery that was generic in nature and didn’t feature principal actors. Anything from an aerial of New York City to a close-up of a police siren could be re-used by the studio's other productions to save time and money. These historic collections gave birth to the stock footage industry as we know it today.

In 2003, Sony Pictures set out to modernize its stock footage library and make all of its content available to third party licensors. Today, Sony Pictures Stock Footage is the industry's most prolific provider of feature-quality 4K, HD and 35mm film content, offering unparalleled access to over 160,000 stock footage clips originally filmed for Sony Pictures Entertainment’s feature films and television programs. The library’s comprehensive collection of premium and traditional stock footage provides advertising agencies and production companies more creative options than ever before while saving them the time and expense of shooting footage themselves.

Content highlights include:

   - over 160,000 clips pulled from Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Television productions -
   - one-of-a-kind, blockbuster production shots -
   - the most comprehensive collection of stunts and pyrotechnics available in the world -
   - a vast collection of aerial cinematography spanning the globe -
   - moving POV backplates (car plates, train plates, plane plates) -
   - coverage of major cities throughout the US and the world -
   - nature, scenic landscapes, and wildlife -
   - home and building establishers -
   - planes, trains, and automobiles -
   - military footage -
   - historical re-enactments and period establishers -
   - much, much more -

Sony Pictures Stock Footage is a full-service resource offering free research. If you can't find what you are looking for, contact us to help with your request!