2. DIRECT
INTERVIEWS
Direct interviews is where the interviewer and
interviewee are filmed having a conversation and both
the question and response is heard on screen. The
interviewer is often not on screen but can be heard. It
suggests a journalistic or investigative style of
documentary. These are effective because it creates the
illusion that it is real life and not staged, as well as
making the audience feel they are watching a
conversation between two people rather than someone
talk to a camera. However, it is less personal to the
audience.
In the secret life of four
year olds, the interviewer
is heard in the background
asking the children
questions, which suggests
the psychologists are trying
to investigate the children.
3. INDIRECT
INTERVIEWS
Indirect interviews is where the subject speaks to the
camera without answering a question and normally
used when the subject is expressing how they feel or
explaining something. The interviewer is not recorded
in the same shot with the questions, and this makes
the subject speak directly to the audience, making
them feel connected. This is effective because the
audience understand more clearly the characters and
allows them to get to know them better. They are also
effective when telling stories.
In Blackfish, interviews are used to
explain the story in which the subject
just speaks directly to the audience.
