TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

I'm getting really fed-up with TV interviewing techniques where the 'interviewee' is speaking to the interviewer who is to the left or right of the camera, rather than more-or-less behind the camera, as they used to do it!

For me it's silly because I need face-on to read the lips as subtitles are often hopeless.

With heads turned to one direction sometimes the subject's own idiosyncrasies clash with the arty-farty camera angle and he / she turns further away from the camera but not away from the person they're speaking to!
I also find I'm almost looking to my left or right too! (You talking to me or what?!!)

Another annoying thing that's really fashionable, especially on the Beeb is the awful habit of doing an out-of-focus video background to words on the screen - makes me feel quite ill so I'm having to turn away, but I need to read the words 'cos I can't hear them!

The last one is Statistics: -

Have you ever noticed how often newsreaders or presenters will explain something by using "1 in 10" then "55%" followed by "Three-quarters" when reporting any Statistics?
Can't we have just the one type of format?! stevmk2

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

I see your point Steve, they will keep trying out all these arty farty camera angles without regard for the viewer, well maybe 55% of them or 6 in 10 perhaps even 5 eights.

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

The one that bothers me is the artistic way they pan around couples or people spinning around makes me feel quite dizzy sometimes. Emmerdale tried it with hand held cameras for a while complaints from viewers they dropped it and went back to more traditional shots. Much easier on the eye.

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

Oh, I hate these new fangled techniques. I watch a crime documentary series and the criminal psychologist is looking to the left when being interviewed, it looks really stupid as though he's looking over my shoulder!
I don't enjoy watching it anymore.

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

Agree totally with all that has been said - its a sackable offence - really inane !

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

It was called a Handycam Julie and it was a one-man operated unit that - I think - has the audio built-in now.

I could be wrong there 'cos I first saw one a number of years ago on trial at the BBC and then it had no audio - a fact that my colleagues all gave opinions on!

Happy days really - I loved worked for the BBC and was so sad to be made redundant - then it happened again - then again........ stevmk2

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

I absolutely agree Steve. Why don't they talk to us, the viewer? And tell you something else I hate. When a person is about to be interviewed, they are always doing a little walk, usually along a corridor, a road, or grounds of somewhere. Then there they are, talking, with their name and profession on the screen. Grrrrrr. Why not go straight to the interview?!

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

I can't afford a TV, so I am not missing out on much then - 100% that's for sure!

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

Anyone else strain to see in the dark ? so many dramas seem to think it adds to the moment to have us trying to see them with the lights turned off. Whispering too and whispering in the dark is especially annoying !

Re: TV interviews, out-of-focus shots & Statistics!

What about those "Fosters" adverts, they are O.K.