expert interviews

1. Codes and
Conventions
of interviews with experts.

2. The expert being interviewed is
typically positioned to the right of the
frame...
> This leaves a lot of empty space next to the interviewee. This is so that the
documentary watchers feel like they are being spoken to by the expert
directly, rather than feeling as though they are watching a conversation
between the documentary maker and the expert.
> This technique is good because it means that the message the expert is
trying to get across will address the audience directly, so they take the
information in more.
> This is a technique we will use in our documentary, because we want the
audience to feel as close to the expert as possible, so the information has
the most impact on the audience.

3. A medium close up or mid shot is
generally used for filming in
interviews...
> This is so that the audience can see the interviewee's facial expressions,
but you can also see their clothes and the environment around them. This
allows mise-en-scene to be used to the filmmaker's advantage, because
there is just enough environment around the shot to make the background
relevant.
> You can see how they are dressed, and when they are dressed well the
audience feels inferior to them and respects them as someone who knows
much more than them. The audience will be more likely to listen to them
and trust them if they can see that they are well presented.
> This is a useful convention to remember for our documentary, because we
will make sure that in the background of our interviews we have computers
in the background with examples of video games running.

4. In the interview, the expert will not
look directly into the camera...
> They are always sat down, facing slightly to the other side, and are always
looking at the interviewer. By looking directly into the camera, this would
give the documentary a very 'staged' feeling. It is only expected of the
presenter to look directly into the camera. We use the presenter as our
guide through the journey the documentary takes us on, therefore all
aspects must come down to the presenter themselves.
> They are always on the same level as the camera and the interviewer. The
camera doesn't look up or down to the interviewee, and the interviewee isn't
looking up or down at the interviewer. This makes it much more
conversational, and doesn't make the audience feel excluded.
> We will be using this positioning for the experts in our interviews, because
we want the audience to relate to the information provided as much as they
can, and a more conversational presentation allows this.

5. During the interview there will be
relevant cutaways...
> This keeps the audience interested. Instead of just staring at the expert the
whole time they're talking, the cutaways allow the audience to have
something they can apply the information the expert is delivering to.
> The archival footage used for the cutaways also gives context to what the
expert is saying. With visual aids, the audience can become active viewers,
so the information doesn't just go over their heads. If the clips have some
sort of shock value, this will allow the information to stick in their heads
clearly.
> We will be using cutaways in our documentary, because the purpose of our
documentary is to raise awareness of how big video games have become.
Some people may not know as much about video games as others, so the
cutaways will help them understand what the expert is saying.

6. Their name and relevance to the
documentary appears in the corner of
the screen...
> This typically appears from the right. It will appear not long after the expert is first on
screen, but disappears soon after. In a documentary with a lot of people to keep track
of, their introduction will be shown whenever a clip of them is used again. However, in
a documentary with very few people being interviewed, their introduction will only be
used the first time they appear.
> There will usually be a box that holds all the information, which fades in and out, or
slides on and off screen. At the top, in bigger text, will be their first and last name,
which shows they are respected and should be referred to by name. If they have a title
such as 'Dr' this is also included. Underneath, often in smaller text, is their job or what
they do which is linked to the documentary. For example, "diet and lifestyle expert",
"primary school teacher" for a documentary about healthy eating and children.
> We will use this convention in our documentary, because is it a vital element to keep
the documentary looking professional, and will also indicate when someone of
importance is on screen.

7. You never hear the interviewer ask
the question...
> Only the answer the expert gives is included in the footage, and often the question is
reworded into the answer. This again makes it more conversational, but also makes it
seem less amateur. By asking the questions, the filmmaker is made to seem less
important than the expert, but in terms of a documentary the audience needs to see
the filmmaker and the expert as equals, because the audience need to trust them in
order to engage with what they're saying.
> Also, it just allows the documentary to flow better. If the presenter has made a point
and the expert makes a statement to back it up, this could be way after the question is
said, and by hearing the question it would indicate a subject change. By not having the
question, it allows the transition from presenter to expert to be a lot smoother.
> We will use this technique in our documentary, because we have made sure the
questions we were asking were relevant to the information being delivered by the
presenter. This will help our documentary look more professional and smooth.

8. What have we learnt...?
 The expert must be on one side of the frame, preferably the right.
 The introduction of the expert should come in shortly after they
appear, and should be on the opposite side to the expert.
 The expert should be in a medium close up in the shot, should be sat
down, and should be looking at the interviewer. Their eye level should
be straight ahead, meaning the interviewer must be positioned at their
height.

9. Why did we research this...?
 So we know what we need to do for our expert interviews to make it
look professional.
 So we know what needs doing during filming and during editing.
 So we can make our interviews as informative and interesting as we
can.