Stock footage, or archive footage as it is sometimes called, is basically video of a location that is not taken for a specific production, but is instead cataloged in a studio's stock footage library to be used on an as-needed basis. Footage that has actually been used in a specific production can also wind up in a stock footage library, as is the case with the Ghostbusters films. Using stock footage is much cheaper for a production than actually sending a crew out to shoot establishing shots of each different locale needed for a particular show or movie. So, in essence, footage originally shot for, oh say, a car commercial, may wind up being used regularly on a hit television series almost a decade later.

Sony has a huge library of stock footage, which includes bits of footage that were filmed for and/or during production of their movies and television shows. What you'll find below is all of the footage I found back in 2012 on the Sony Pictures Stock Footage website that came from the movie Ghostbusters. This material is no longer available online on the current version of the Sony Stock Footage website. Besides that, Sony's stock footage archivists did not do a very good job cataloging their collection, as I found Ghostbusters footage that was listed as "undetermined" (and has since been misattributed to the film The Mirror Has Two Faces), and other footage listed as being from Ghostbusters even though it clearly isn't (that footage is not listed below). I have organized the footage by location, and tried to list each section in the order you'd see it in the final film. Footage that came from unused shots appears last. All clip descriptions were written by Sony. In some of the Ectomobile shots, you can catch a glimpse of the car at the beginning or end of the footage. In these cases, I have provided screen shots with an arrow pointing to the car. When Ghostbusters stock footage has appeared in another production, it will be noted with the piece of footage that was used.

I should also note that Sony cropped out the sides of the stock footage to put it into a 16:9 ratio for their website. The actual stock footage may be in the original 2.40:1 aspect ratio.

As an added bonus, since this is all stock footage that Sony has for sale, if you see footage you like and you have a video production that you'd think it would be appropriate for, you can buy it on Sony's website. Yes, that means that you can have an authentic piece of Ghostbusters in your movie! How cool is that?!? By the way, none of the video clips have audio, and all videos were converted from the original 720x404 Quicktime (.mov) files.

Columbia University 6255-056 College Campus Wide angle of Columbia University quad and campus area. POV is from behind statue of greek figure. 6259-039 Columbia University Wide angle of Butler Library at Columbia University. Library building is framed by upraised arms of bronze "Alma Mater" statue. See pedestrians walking and talking in plaza area in front of Low Library. Plaza or quad includes patterned brick walkways and green lawn. College campuses. Universities. Students. 6259-065 University Est. medium angle of college students and professors entering and exiting university building. See sign saying "Weaver Hall Department of Psychology" in foreground. See columns and pillars of building.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6255-056_COLLEGE_CAMPUS
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6259-039_COLUMBIA_UNIVERSITY
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6259-065_UNIVERSITY

Firehouse 6078-007 Street Corner Wide angle of downtown street corner. See fire station with "sale" sign on it. See cars parked on left side of street and other cars driving on one-way street to right. See pedestrians start to cross street. 6078-008 Street Corner Wide angle of downtown street corner. See Fire station with "sale" sign on it. See Cars Parked On left side of street and other cars driving on one-way street to right. Neg cut. 6078-009 Street Corner Wide angle of downtown street corner. See fire station with "sale" sign on it. See cars parked on left side of street and other cars driving on one-way street to right. See white car back around corner. 6078-010 Fire Station Up angle of brick fire station. See iron letters that say "Hook & Ladder 8." See windows with "$" and "X" on them. 6078-011 Fire Station Up angle of brick fire station. See iron letters that say "Hook & Ladder 8." See windows with "$" and "X" on them.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-007_STREET_CORNER
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-008_STREET_CORNER
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-009_STREET_CORNER
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-010_FIRE_STATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-011_FIRE_STATION

Biltmore Hotel 6078-015 Hotels High angle down of hotel entrance in New York City. See taxis parked out front and people entering and exiting hotel. Pedestrians walk by on street and cars drive by. Ornate entrance. 6078-016 Hotels Medium of hotel entrance in New York City. See taxi parked out front. People enter and leave hotel, pedestrians walk by on street. Taxi pulls up and parks in front of doors. 6078-017 Hotels High angle down of hotel entrance in New York City. See taxis parked out front and people entering and exiting hotel. Pedestrians walk by on street and cars drive by. Ornate entrance. 6078-018 Hotels Medium of hotel entrance in New York City. See taxi parked out front. People enter and leave hotel, pedestrians walk by on street. Taxi pulls up and parks in front of doors. 6078-019 Hotels Medium of hotel entrance in New York City. See taxi parked out front. People enter and leave hotel, pedestrians walk by on street. Taxi pulls up and parks in front of doors. 6078-020 Hotels High angle down of hotel entrance in New York City. See taxis parked out front and people entering and exiting hotel. Pedestrians walk by on street and cars drive by. Ornate entrance.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-015_HOTELS
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-016_HOTELS
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-017_HOTELS
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-018_HOTELS
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-019_HOTELS
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-020_HOTELS

Ectomobile On Manhattan Bridge 6076-064 New York City Skyline Aerial of lower Manhattan, Manhattan Bridge in foreground. Twin Towers, World Trade Center. New York City skyline. 6076-069 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline and Manhattan Bridge. See Ghostbusters truck with flashing blue lights driving to right on bridge. Pans right to see more of bridge and more of city. World Trade Center Twin Towers only at beginning of shot in left foreground. 6078-001 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline, lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, East River, Manhattan Bridge in foreground. World Trade Center, Twin Towers. 6078-004 New York City Skyline Aerial over Manhattan Bridge, pans left to New York City skyline, lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, East River. World Trade Center, Twin Towers. New York City skyline. 6078-006 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline, lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, East River, Manhattan Bridge in foreground. World Trade Center, Twin Towers.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-064_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-069_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-001_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-004_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-006_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE

New York City Skyline [from the Ecto on Bridge shoot, but since the car isn't as clearly visible in these shots, I'm listing these seperately]. 6076-062 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline. East River and lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge in foreground. Twin Towers, World Trade Center. Hazy, overcast skies. 6076-063 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline. East River and lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge in foreground. Twin Towers, World Trade Center. Hazy, overcast skies. 6076-065 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline. East River and lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge in foreground. Twin Towers, World Trade Center. Hazy, overcast skies. Blue tint or filter. 6076-067 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline. See south view of Manhattan and Manhattan Bridge in foreground. Pans right to show bright well lit building. World Trade Center Twin Towers. 6076-068 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline. Begins with view down of Manhattan Bridge and cars driving. Pans up to show skyline and Brooklyn Bridge with Hudson River. World Trade Center Twin Towers. 6076-070 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline. Starts with view of car driving on Manhattan Bridge. Pans up to see skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, and Hudson River. World Trade Center Two Towers. 6078-002 New York City Skyline Aerial over Manhattan Bridge, pans left to New York City skyline, lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, East River. World Trade Center, Twin Towers. New York City skyline. Overcast, hazy sky. 6078-003 New York City Skyline Aerial over Manhattan Bridge, pans left to New York City skyline, lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, East River. World Trade Center, Twin Towers. New York City skyline. 6078-005 New York City Skyline Aerial of New York City skyline, lower Manhattan. Brooklyn Bridge, East River, Manhattan Bridge in foreground. World Trade Center, Twin Towers.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-062_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-063_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-065_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-067_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-068_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-070_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-002_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-003_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-005_NEW_YORK_CITY_SKYLINE

Undead Cabbie's Wreckless Driving 6076-052 Swerving Medium angle of city street. See garbage dumpster on left side with parked white car in front. See pedestrians on right side and in background. See green car parked in center of road and another white car parked in right foreground. See sedan and white car start moving up street and see yellow taxi barrel down street and swerving. Green car, white car, and another white car turn off road onto sidewalk to avoid being hit by swerving yellow taxi. See motorcycle enter from bottom left and hit white car in front of dumpster. Drivers of cars open doors, step out, and look back angrily. 6076-053 Swerving Medium angle of city street. See garbage dumpster on left side with parked white car in front. See pedestrians on right side and in background. See green car parked in center of road and another white car parked in right foreground. See sedan and white car start moving up street and see yellow taxi barrel down street. Green car, white car, and another white car turn off road onto sidewalk to avoid being hit by swerving yellow taxi. See motorcycle enter from bottom left and swerve in front of dumpster. Driver of white car opens door, steps out, and looks back angrily. 6076-058 Swerving Tracking shot of yellow taxi. Many cars parked on New York City one way downtown street. Yellow taxi and white sedan start down street and man grabs woman pedestrian to push her out of way of oncoming cars. Yellow taxi swerves in front of white sedan. Taxi goes off right and green sedan crashes into garbage cans on sidewalk. 6076-059 Intersection High angle down of man standing in intersection. Woman pedestrian starts to cross street and he runs to move her away from oncoming traffic. Yellow taxi enters from left and swerves and leaves burnt rubber to avoid hitting other cars moving through intersection. Other cars stop in middle of intersection. • Watch the top middle of the shot very carefully to see an extra who really gets into his role. The black guy wearing the dark blue jacket jumps onto that lamp post for dear life to avoid getting hit by the cab that's nowhere near him! Interestingly, this guy causes a goof in the final film by appearing in two places at once in this scene! 6076-060 Swerving Tracking shot of taxi on New York City street. Tall building with awning in background. Green sedan drives from right to left. Taxi enters from left and swerves to avoid hitting green sedan. White sedan enters from right and taxi swerves to avoid white sedan and garbage dumpster. Another green sedan enters from right and hit white car parked by dumpster in foreground. Yellow taxi drives off to top right. Driver exits green sedan from passenger side and looks backwards angrily. 6076-061 Swerving Tracking shot of taxi on New York City street. Tall building with awning in background. Pedestrians walk through intersection in left top background. Green sedan drives from right to left. Taxi enters from left and swerves to avoid hitting green sedan. White sedan enters from right and taxi swerves to avoid white sedan and garbage dumpster. Another green sedan enters from right and hit white car parked by dumpster in foreground. Yellow taxi drives off to top right. Motorcycle enters from right and does small circle to exit right. Driver of green sedan moves over to passenger side and attempts to open door.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-052_SWERVING
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-053_SWERVING
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-058_SWERVING
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-059_INTERSECTION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-060_SWERVING
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-061_SWERVING

City Hall 6259-023 Government Building Est. medium angle of government building. See city people and police officers stand on footsteps and in front of building. See people run and exit frame right. See other people turn around and look towards frame right. See photographer take pictures. See "Furnishing the Streets 1902-1922" sign hung on balcony of building. See flag on foreground frame right. Building could be consulate, city hall, or library. Flag could be French flag.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6259-023_GOVERNMENT_BUILDING

Stay Puft Columbus Circle Crowd Scattering 6076-047 Evacuation Medium angle of intersection in downtown city streets. Pedestrians standing but begin running forward in a panic. Cars and taxis drive into intersection but stop and drivers join mass of people in winter coats fleeing to left in evacuation of disaster. More people come running and looking backwards hastily over their shoulders. 6076-048 Evacuation Medium angle of intersection in downtown city streets. Pedestrians standing but begin running forward in a panic. Cars and taxis drive into intersection but stop and drivers join mass of people in winter coats fleeing to left in evacuation of disaster. More people come running and looking backwards hastily over their shoulders. Neg cut. 6076-049 Evacuation [no description] 6076-050 Evacuation [no discription] 6076-051 Evacuation Medium angle of intersection in downtown city streets. Cars and taxis drive into intersection but stop in a hasty way. Drivers exit cars and run and a mass of people in winter coats come from background in panic fleeing to left in evacuation of disaster. More people come running and looking backwards hastily over their shoulders. Several people walk over the top of cars in their attempt to escape. See taxis at end parked with no one inside. Neg cut. 6081-013 Evacuation High angle down of city street intersection. Taxis and cars drive into intersection, crash into each other. Drivers abandon their cars and flee to left. A mass of people follows them and runs away, looking back over their shoulder at disaster off screen. Some drivers climb out of windows in their rush. • Watch the very end of the clip to see one lone woman in red who couldn't keep up with the rest of the crowd. Very funny seeing her alone with no one else on the street. If Stay Puft were really there, she'd be his lunch. 6081-025 Evacuation Medium angle of evacuation on city street. Cars pull into intersection and drivers flee to left. Pans right to show more cars pulling up and more people fleeing from disaster out of frame. 6082-016 Evacuation Medium angle of cars driving from city street. They stop in intersection, then drivers exit cars and flee to left, looking over their shoulders. More people, wearing winter clothes, come from right, running in evacuation from disaster out of frame. Neg cut. 6089-029 Traffic Medium angle of downtown area. Several cars, mainly yellow taxis drive toward camera and stop. Large mob or crowd of people enters screen from right and exit to left of screen. 6089-048 Intersection Medium angle of downtown area intersection. Several cars drive toward camera and off screen to left. Large mob or crowd of people enters and runs across exits screen from right to left.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-047_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-048_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-049_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-050_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-051_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6081-013_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6081-025_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6082-016_EVACUATION
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6089-029_TRAFFIC
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6089-048_INTERSECTION

Unused Ectomobile Shots 6076-071 High Rise Aerial of New York City Manhattan buildings. See Hudson River in foreground. Vehicle with flashing blue lights drives on road next to river left to right. Pans left to see more buildings. • Sony's description is wrong. That's the East River in the foreground, not the Hudson River. • This is from the Ecto-1 Driving At Night shoot. You know, the scene where Ray and Winston have the end of the world talk. So, technically this isn't from an unused scene, but this footage itself wasn't used in the movie. It's either leading into or out of the shot we DO see in the movie. You can see the flashing blue lights of the Ecto-1 on the right side of the footage. I did a screen capture pointing it out. 6078-012 City Street Wide angle one way city street with multi-story buildings in background. apartment buildings. cars, trucks, traffic.pedestrians walk across street. 6078-013 City Street Medium angle one way city street with tall buildings in background. See cars parked on right and other cars driving toward and exiting left. See yellow Hertz moving truck drive through. See pedestrians walk across street. 6078-014 City Street Medium angle one way city street with tall buildings in background. See cars parked on right and other cars driving toward and exiting left. See pedestrians walk across street.

These files were originally found at these urls:
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6076-071_HIGH_RISE
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-012_CITY_STREET
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-013_CITY_STREET
https://www.sonypicturesstockfootage.com/footage/detail.aspx?6078-014_CITY_STREET