This document outlines various codes and conventions for filming interviews for documentaries. It discusses using the rule of thirds and mid shots to frame interviewees. Interviewees are usually off-center to allow space for responses. Close-ups can show facial expressions. Graphics include the person's name and relevance in large and small font. Cutaways of relevant footage are used to maintain interest and cover edits.

1. Codes and Conventions
of Interviews

2. Cinematography:
 Rule of thirds is used to ensure there is space to talk into as well as
appearing as if the interviewee is speaking to the audience.
 A mid shot or a medium close up is used so that the person is easily visible
and the audience can fully gauge facial expressions and body language.
 The interviewee is usually set off centre so there is a decent amount of
space for the person to speak into.
 The interview is kept at eye level so the interview appears as more of a
conversation.
 The camera would be set-up on a tripod so that it can be adjusted to
varying heights.
 Typically there is shallow focus so focus is primarily on the interviewee but
the background still has some relevance and can be seen by the audience.
 Close-ups can be used to help show facial expressions, sometimes in unison
with a slow zoom.

3. Mise-en-scene:
 C- This shows the type of costume/attire the person wears, which would
usually have some relevance to the interviewee’s role in the documentary.
 L- The lighting used is primarily high key lighting so the interview is easily
visible to the audience.
 A- This is to shows the ‘actors’ themselves via their movements and facial
expressions.
 M- This is to represent if any make-up is used on the interview.
 P- This is to represent any props used in the interview e.g. the person being
sat down on the chair.
 S- Settings, these are relevant to the person or the topic of documentary,
they will be in either homes, work places or relevant locations to the topic.

4. Graphics:
 They are superimposed over the top of interviews.
 There are two lines, one showing the person’s name and the other showing
the person’s relevancy.
 The name is in large, bold lettering and the relevancy is kept in small writing,
placed just underneath the name.
 The same font is used for both pieces of text and must have some relevance
to the person or topic of documentary.
 The font must be easy to read so the audience can clearly see who is being
interviewed.
 They are shown the first time the interviewee is shown and not needed for
any other appearances by the person.

5. Editing:
 Cutaways, these will be footage relevant to the topic or archive footage (not
been filmed by the maker of the documentary and no more than 30 seconds
used in the documentary).
 They help to maintain audience interest as well as ensuring the audience is
not just watching someone speak continuously.
 They are also used to help transition between speakers by covering jump
cuts.
 Similarly to doing transitions they can also be used to cover a question that
has been edited out and then hide the jump cuts left by this piece of editing.
 All of the questions must be edited out.
Cutaways to clips
from the TV show.