> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.tella.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add vintage videos

> Add free public-domain film shots from the Vintage videos section of Overlay, or from More → Vintage videos in the media library, as an overlay or layout media.

Add free, public-domain film shots to your video from the **Vintage videos** section of **Overlay** in the editor sidebar. You can also pick them from **Browse** → **Vintage videos** in the media library to use one as B-roll in a layout.

The shots come from public-domain films from the Internet Archive, NASA, Open Beelden, the Library of Congress and Wikimedia Commons.

[https://www.tella.tv/video/vid\_cmvqnink300sw02owbkts9cot/embed?b=0\&title=0\&a=1\&loop=0\&t=0\&muted=0\&wt=0](https://www.tella.tv/video/vid_cmvqnink300sw02owbkts9cot/embed?b=0\&title=0\&a=1\&loop=0\&t=0\&muted=0\&wt=0)

## Where to find vintage videos

1. Open your video in the editor.
2. Open **Overlay** in the sidebar, or press `V`.
3. Scroll to the **Vintage videos** section.

The section shows a row of featured shots and a set of topics, such as **Space**, **Cities**, **Cars**, and **Trains**.

## Add a vintage video as an overlay

1. Move the playhead to where you want the shot to appear, or select a time range.
2. In **Vintage videos**, click a featured shot to add it right away.
3. To see more, click **Browse all**, a topic, or the search button (**Search vintage videos**).
4. Click a shot to add it.

Tella places the shot on top of your recording at the playhead, the same way as any other [media overlay](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/media-overlays.md). The library closes once the shot is placed.

> [!TIP]
>
> Hover over a shot to play a preview inside its tile. Each tile in the full library shows how long the shot is.

## Search for a vintage video

In the full **Vintage videos** library, type in the search box in the header to look through film titles and descriptions. Click a topic to search for it, and click it again to clear the search.

Scroll down, or click **Load more**, to see more results.

You can also type in **Search overlays** at the top of the Overlay panel. Matching shots appear under **Vintage videos** alongside text styles, stickers, and sounds.

## Use a vintage video in a layout

Use a media layout when the shot should replace your screen recording for part of your video.

1. Open your video and click **Layout**.
2. Select a time range or layout section, then choose a **Media** layout. You can also open **Customize layout** and change **Screen** or **Camera** to **Media**.
3. In the media library, click **Browse**, open its menu and choose **Vintage videos**.
4. Pick a topic or search, then click a shot.

Tella adds the shot to the current video's library and puts it in the layout section you had selected. **Vintage videos** is also under **Browse** when you click **Browse all** in the **Media** section of **Overlay**.

## Edit a vintage video after adding it

A placed shot is an ordinary video. Trim it, resize it, fade it in and out, or put it behind you just like any other clip. See [Add media overlays](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/media-overlays.md) or [Add media (B-roll)](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/use-media.md).

## Why can't I add a vintage video?

If a shot can't be added, Tella shows **Could not add that item**. Try another shot, or try again in a moment. If the library shows **Vintage videos are unavailable right now.**, the library couldn't load. Reopen it later.

## Use vintage videos from the API or an AI agent

The [Media library API](https://www.tella.com/docs/media-library-api.md#bring-in-vintage-film-shots) and the [MCP server's library tools](https://www.tella.com/docs/mcp-tools/library.md#vintage-videos) can search vintage shots and bring one into Tella, so the editor agent, another AI agent, or a script can place them in your videos.

## Related

* [Overlays overview](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/overlays.md)
* [Add media overlays](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/media-overlays.md)
* [Add media (B-roll)](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/use-media.md)
* [Import a YouTube video](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/import-a-youtube-video.md)


## Related topics

- [Overlays overview](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/overlays.md)
- [Add media overlays](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/media-overlays.md)
- [Library](https://www.tella.com/docs/mcp-tools/library.md)
- [Add media (B-roll)](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/use-media.md)
- [Add a video to a playlist](https://www.tella.com/docs/api-reference/playlists/add-a-video-to-a-playlist.md)


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