This document outlines conventions for interview codes in documentaries. It discusses using medium close-ups and close-ups of interviewees to show facial expressions, positioning them off-center using the rule of thirds. Graphics are used to introduce interviewees with their name in the largest font and relevance below. Mise-en-scene elements like costumes, lighting, facial expressions and props are used that are relevant to what is being said. Editing uses simple cuts, cutaways that provide context and hide jump cuts from edited-out questions to make it seem like the interviewee is speaking directly to the audience.

1. Interview Codes and
Conventions
Documentaries.

2. Cinematography.
 Medium close up/ close up to show the
expressions of the interviewee.
 Rule of thirds is used, positioned to ether
the left or right of frame off central like the
interviewee is having a conversation with
the audience members.
 The camera is eye-level and on a tripod
with the interviewee in shallow focus so the
audience can focus on what he is saying as
well as his facial expressions.

3. Graphics.
 Graphics are used to introduce new
interviewees at the beginning of a new topic.
 Their name is largest font so audiences know
who it is.
 Their relevance is positioned bellow the
name of the person so the audience know
who and why they are talking to this person.
 There is sometime a background behind the
name and relevance to make it clearer to
read.
 The font is relevant to the topic of the
documentary. (e.g. Simpsons font is used
during the Simpsons documentary).

4. Mise-en-scene
 All mise-en-scene is relevant to ether what is
being said by the interviewee or who they are.
 Costume depends on who they are, if they are
educated they usually wear a suit to show
importance.
 Lighting is high key so audiences can see the
other pieces of mise-en-scene.
 Actors facial expressions and movement (can
only usually see arms) are relevant to what is
being said. (e.g. if someone is saying something
funny, they are smiling and laughing).
 Props are used in the background or the
foreground of the interview so audiences can
see their relevance to the documentary.

5. Editing
 Simple editing is used throughout the documentary
including interviews.
 Cutaways are used which is extra bits of footage that
have relevance to what has just been said in the
documentary. They also keep the audience
interested because they aren’t just looking at people
talking.
 Cutaways are also used to hide jump cuts from when
the questions have been edited out.
 All questions are edited out to give the effect of the
interviewee talking to the audience.