Extract 2
As a class we watched two clips from professional television interviews. We identified the codes and conventions of the above interviews. Afterwards, as a class we discussed the codes and conventions and took note. These codes and conventions below can all be applied to most television documentaries.
The way interviews are filmed & edited
- Positioned to the left or right of the frame
- If more than one position is used the positioning changed.
- They are all filmed in medium shot, medium close up or close up.
- Questions are edited out.
- The mise eh scen of the interview reinforces the context of the interview and/or is relevant to the interview providing more information about them in turns of occupation or personal environment.
- Graphics are used to anchor who the person is on the screen and their relevance to the topic.
- Always look at the interviewer, never the camera, never gives direct address.
- Positioning of the interviewer is therefore important. If the interviewee is on the right of the frame the interviewer is to the left of the camera and vice versa.
- Framing follows the rule of thirds. The eye line of the interviewee is always one third of the way down the screen regardless of the framing; even in close up.
- Interviews are never filmed with a light source behind the interviewee. IE. in front of a window or with the sun behind them, the light is always in front of them, behind the camera.
- cuts are always edited into the interviews to break them up and illustrate what they're talking about and to avoid jump cuts when the questions are edited out.
- All interviewees are sat down so that they remain still which makes for constant filming.
- Cuts are always archive material
- Cut aways are suggested by something said in the interview and therefore filmed after the interview.
- Sometimes aspects of the interviewee are filmed with another camera such as extreme close up of eyes, mouth or hands.
Documentaries:
- Cutting is the most common edit - it prevents distraction from the documentary itself.
- Editing should be invisible except on archive material and actuality footage.
- The voice over holds the narrative together.
- The gender and age of the voice over is sometimes relevant depending on the topic.
- The voice over is usually delivered in calm and clear standard English.
- Creative and varied camera work is used.
- Interviews follow conventional framing.
- The camera, during an interview, is usually static - on an tripod
- When the archive material is still images there is usually camera movement.
- A lot of archive material is used in relevance to what is being said.
- If chroma key is used it shouldn't distract from the interview.
- Any background music should be relevant and not obstructive to what is being said.
- Graphics are used to anchor the person, relevance, time or place to the image.
- Interviews are well placed - never longer than one minute
- Other visuals are used over the interview.
