Analysing interogation scenes

Nightcrawler

In my opening film sequence, there will be an interrogation occurring in the present day after the flash forward from the bank robbery/police chase scene. To get an idea on how to make a thrilling interrogation scene I will be analyzing a couple of film scenes where an interrogation of a criminal occurs. From this I will be able to expand my understanding of the important conventions needed to make a good interrogation scene so I can apply the knowledge to my own film. The first film scene I will be analysing is taken from Nightcrawler- a crime based, action-packed thriller of which a man takes up a new career in filming crimes and accidents that take place in Los Angeles.



Firstly, the camera angles used are important because they help the audience to understand the scene and not get confused, for example the 180 degree rule is used through out this scene which is effective because it keeps the characters on the same sides of the screen which stops the audience thinking they've switched places. Also, the director uses the over the shoulder shot so the audience is essentially looking in the same position as the character creating the illusion that the reader is in that situation making it more exciting for them. While doing this shot, the director furthermore, uses shot reverse shot to make the audience immerse in the dialogue between characters and thus the story itself as apose to the visuals of the scene. This is often used if there is important information being discussed and the director wants the audience to listen and understand it specifically.

The digetic sound in the scene mainly includes speech between the police officer and the suspect, and often the volume of the speech and the tone changes for different parts of the interrogation for example, when the woman says, ''You left your dead partner," she sounds a lot more louder and certainly more aggressive towards the man. Another key thing about sound for this scene is the non-digetic sound, or should I say the lack of non-digetic sound. While the two characters are speaking, there is no soundtrack playing which can only imply that the director wanted the dead silence in the room to emphasis the dialogue so the reader will listen.

 The Dark Knight Rises

Another interrogation scene that I analysed was from the film The dark Knight Rises. The scene involves the great and powerful Batman interrogating the Joker and is filled with action, violence and harsh language. This scene is different to the first one I looked at because it is very much more physical in the way that the Batman treats the Joker in order to get him to confess his criminal acts.

Firstly the scene builds suspense and creates mystery at the start of the scene where the joker is talking in the darkness. The low-key lighting connotes a sense of the unknown which the audience finds intriguing and suddenly cant take their eyes off the screen because of the suspense being built up. The sudden change in lighting when the batman appears literally sheds light on the situation so the audience can understand more about the scene and what is taking place. 

The variety of camera angles and shot types used in this scene are really effective for making the audience get more into a film because it makes it seem more real. For example, when the Joker and the Batman are talking, shot reverse shot is used which essentially gives the illusion that the audience is there in the eyes of the characters. This effect makes the audience feel as though they are a part of the film which is exciting for them. Furthermore, high and low angle shots are used in this scene when Batman has the Joker griped up by his collar. The low angle shot looking up at Batman connotes power and control over the Joker which links to the whole scene of Batman physical attacking the Joker as part of the interrogation.