From watching these 2 clips from youtube, I have came up with a list of codes and conventions of interviews.
The background, either traditional or using chromakey should always link in and anchor the themes of the documentary. In this example it is the shark from Jaws. The mise-en-scene is relevant to the concepts.
High key lighting is generally conventional so that the interviewee is visible. Also the lighting comes from behind the cameras towards the interviewee, as if came from behind, the person would be blackened out and could not be seen.
In the case where the light source is behind the interviewee, an attempt to block the light is necessary, for example blinds.
When the interviewee is on the right, the camera must be to the left of the frame, and vice versa. The interviewer must then be on the furthest side of the camera away from the interviewee so the person is looking across the camera and not directly at the camera.
To avoid repetition, multiple interviews swap the way the camera and interviewee are placed. For example, this is the next interview in the 'Jaws' documentary, and the interviewee is now on the left.
The rule of thirds is extremely important when shooting the interview. The face should be at a point on the thirds grid where the 2 lines intersect. This can either be the top left or right segments. This helps to grab the viewers attention immediately to the interviewee.
Cutaways are archive footage to break up interviews and illustrate what the person is talking about and can be based on this. It helps to anchor the meaning of the answer the interviewee is giving. Also is helps to avoid jump cuts in the interview.
Interviews are conventionally shot in Mid shot or Medium close up.
Interviews however can also be shot in Close up and sometimes even a big close up to provide emphasis on the person. A 2 camera setup can be used to capture the same interview in 2 different shots.
The graphics are always on the opposite side to the interviewee. Also these are conventionally in a white sans serif font for ease of reading and to appear modern. On occasion like in the example, the typeface relates to the themes, i.e. 'The Simpson's' font.
Other conventions that cannot be seen in screengrabs are:
Music is rare, but when there is it links in and relates to the interview, and can anchor the mise-en-scene
You never hear the questions, therefore the answer must contain a rewording of the question so the audience is not confused.
From the analysis of 3 documentaries that we watched in class, I have come up with the codes and conventions of documentaries which most tend to follow, otherwise having specific reasons why conventions are challenged.
