MovieChat Forums > 60 Minutes (1968) Discussion > During interviews, why do they...

During interviews, why do they...

posted 14 years ago by Sharmster
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Why do they cut to a shot of the interviewer so much? And I don't just mean when they're asking a question - I mean when the interviewee is speaking. I would estimate they spend almost a third of the interview time showing the interviewer's face.

It's especially egregious on Leslie Stahl's and the white African woman's interviews.

I find it odd, especially as they often show no meaningful reaction to what the interviewee is saying. In journalistic terms it seems pointless, and comes across as horribly egotistical and narcissistic.

If you're going to shoot the interviews to have only one face on screen, let's keep the focus on the interviewee.

[–] bing-57 14 years ago

> Why do they cut to a shot of the interviewer so much?

I suspect that they do that so that they can edit the interview when there are dud questions or answers. If they only showed the interviewee's face you'd be able to tell whenever they edited something.

So, poor interviews get a lot of editing and shots of the interviewer.

--
What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar (WWJDFAKB)?

[–] Sharmster 14 years ago

Thanks, I guess that could explain to as to why they cut so often, but it doesn't explain why they linger on the interviewer's face.

Besides, I think they often cut over while the interviewee is in mid-sentence and it sure doesn't seem they've edited anything, but of course maybe that's the point.

Anyway, my question was somewhat rhetorical and meant to point out that I find the effect irritating, and it makes me think of the interviewers (and the show producers) as narcissistic.