In this extract, “24,” the director strives to create intensity and suspense. In this extract, an interrogation is taking place. The intensity builds as the interrogator digs for answers from the woman, and she does not give any. The issue at hand is very important and delicate, causing the interrogator to become frustrated as a result of the suspect’s lack of cooperation. The intensity and suspense is built throughout this extract through the camera angles, movements, shots, sounds, editing, and mis en scene.
The intensity and suspense is introduced right at the start of the extract. The set design reveals what will be occurring the next few minutes, seeing as an interrogation room is shown. Interrogations are known to occur for cases that are very serious, so through this set design the viewer can get a sense of the seriousness of the issue before anything else happens. The incidental music that plays as the suspect is shown sitting alone in the room, and as the interrogator walks into the room, builds the suspense and intensifies the scene before any dialogue begins. As the interrogator walks in, an eyeline match occurs. The eyeline match shows that the interrogation is a serious one, because the interrogator looks up and a camera is shown, which reveals that the interrogation is being viewed, possibly by higher powers. This brings even more seriousness to the issue.
As the interrogation begins, the intensity and suspense is built even further. The dialogue shared between the interrogator and the woman reveal the issue at hand and reason for interrogation. The two speak of a bomb that needs to be disabled, which is a very serious issue. The shot reverse shot throughout the conversation intensifies the scene because it shows how the interrogator continuously pushes to receive answers from the woman. Furthermore, the interrogator becomes frustrated because of the suspects lack of cooperation in this serious matter, and the close up of his face demonstrates his frustrated facial expression. His apparent frustration clarifies that the matter at hand is very serious and needs to be handled.
The director uses a two-shot to build even more tension of the interrogation. The two-shot reveals the interrogator screaming in the woman’s face. Clearly, since he is screaming at her to give answers, the issue must be serious. Throughout this entire extract, the low key lighting also plays such a large role in building and maintaining the suspense and intensity. The dimness of the room sets the mood of seriousness. Interrogation rooms tend to usually be dim, and the director made sure to do just that.
Throughout this extract, it was the director’s goal to establish a sense of intensity and suspense. Through the many elements, this goal was accomplished. Everything from the set design of the interrogation room, to the dim suspenseful lighting, to the dialogue, and to the incidental music, all built the suspense of the extract and brought attention to the seriousness of the issue and reason for the interrogation.
