The document discusses conventions for shooting interviews in documentaries. It states that interviews typically use a mid shot or medium close up of the interviewee to focus on them while showing some of the background setting. Cutaways are often used instead of showing the interviewer, and graphics introduce the interviewee. Interviews follow the rule of thirds and position the interviewee to address the off-camera interviewer. The background setting is chosen based on the documentary's tone, with natural light used for serious topics and interviews sometimes in the interviewee's own environment.

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF
INTERVIEWS

3. SHOT TYPE
• The standard shot type used for interviews
was a mid shot or a medium close up
• This enables the focus of the shot to be on the
interviewee but also disclose enough of the
background to show any significance in the
setting

4. CUTAWAYS
The interviewer is usually out of shot, keeping the
focus on the interviewee and what they are saying. The
question asked is also usually not heard but the
audience should be able to establish what was asked
based on the response. Archive material or graphics are
often used in place of cutaway material to make the
interview flow smoothly and appear seamless. This also
provides a visual representation of what the
interviewee is talking about which makes for more
active viewers.

5. GRAPHICS
A consistent feature in terms of graphics, is the
title and role of the interviewee being shown
across screen during their debut appearance
in the documentary. The font, colour and size
of the text used is unchanging throughout.

6. RULE OF THIRDS

7. • The framing of interviews always follows the rule
of thirds – ensuring the interviewee covers at
least two thirds of the screen
• This again maintains the focus of the shot on the
interviewee but also leaves enough of the
background on display to allow the audience to
get a sense of mise-en-scene
• The interviewee is always positioned to address
the interviewer (who is situated on the right of
the camera)
• The interviewee and interviewer are always at
eye level which is a key convention of interviews

8. MISE-EN-SCENE

9. • In different documentaries, the mise-en-scene of
the interview area differs depending on the tone
of the theme being explored
• Natural lighting and a plain, basic background
tends to be used for documentaries that are
more serious and formal whereas in more light-
hearted documentaries people are interviewed in
their own home or locations relevant to them
and their story
• Unnatural lighting only tends to be used for
interviews conducted in a studio or against a
green screen
• Some interviews can be conducted with passers
by on the street which anchors how they are
unbiased and fairly representative

10. WHAT WE DON’T SEE
• The interviewer is usually out of shot, keeping the
focus on the interviewee and what they are saying
• The question asked is also usually not heard but the
audience should still be able to establish what was
asked based on the response