Codes and Conventions of Filming and Editing Interviews

In our first lesson back at A2 we were given a break down of how this years course is set out. Then we also began to expand our knowledge on the codes and conventions of filming and editing interviews.

Codes and Conventions

-    The interviewee is positioned to the left or right of the frame. (if more than one interview it alternates)
-    Interviewees are usually filmed in: medium shot, medium close up and close up
-    Questions asked in an interview are edited out
-    MIS - EN - SCENE: background reinforces the content of the interview or is relevant to the interviewee, providing more information about them in terms of occupation/personal environment.
-    Graphic are used to anchor who the person is on screen and their relevance to the topic of the documentary.
-    Interviewee looks at the interviewer and not directly at the camera
-    Positioning of the interviewer is therefore important: If the interviewee is on the right of the frame, the interviewer is on the right of the camera.
-    the interviewer should sit/stand as close to the camera as poss.
-    Mainly all sat down
-    Interviews are never filmed with a light source behind the interviewee I.E: in a window, the light is always behind the camera.
-    Framing follows the rule of thirds:  Eyeline of interviewee is roughly a third of the way down.
-    Cut-aways are edited into interview to.. 1. Break up illustraion  2. Avoid jump cuts when questions are edited.