Codes and Conventions

After studying the two documentaries already on the blog, 'In the teeth of jaws' and 'The Simpson's 20th Anniversary Special In 3D On Ice' it is now clear to me what the codes and conventions would be when considering filming a documentary.

Some of the different elements which are included throughout are:

• Different peoples answer to the interviews are cut and edited together which is easy to follow the narrative and show variation throughout.
• Interviewees always look away from the camera and into the space at the side, this is so the space is filled by them talking into it.
• The head of the interviewer is positioned looking either on the left or right, in addition the eye level is three quarters up the screen and never any higher or lower.
• You never hear the question the interviewer is asking, this is because they are removed in the editing so the cuts flow smoother.
• Only one person is interviewed at each time.
• Graphics are used at the bottom of the screen to introduce the interviewee, this is so that the audience knows who is on screen and the importance of that particular person. This graphic will also be either to the left or right depending on the person making the documentary.
• Between head-shots and interviews, cut away shots are used throughout, this is to keep the audience entertained and allows them to see footage or certian things relevant to the theme.
• The background mise-en-scene is chosen to be relevant to the subject, unless vox-pops are used instead.