Friday, 25 June 2010

Codes And Conventions Of An Interview

Here are the codes and conventions of an interview:
  • Interviewee is positions to the left or right of frame - if there are multiple interviews then it will alternate.
  • Filmed in mid-shot, medium close-up or close-up.
  • Questions are edited out.
  • M.E.S. - background reinforces the content of the interview or provides more information about the interviewee.
  • Graphics used to anchor the person on screen and tells the audience about his involvment with the topic.
  • The interviewee looks directly at the interviewer, not the camera.
  • If the interviewee is on the right of frame, the interviewer will be on the left of camera and vice-versa.
  • Framing follows the rule of thirds - eye-line is a third of the way down the screen.
  • There is never a light source behind the interviewee, because it creates a sillouette.
  • Cut-aways are editied it between questions.

Examples of Interviews

Here are some examples of interviews which follow the Codes and Coventions: