Background Check

Since my group and I came up with the idea of opening our film with an interrogation room scene, I wanted to research more about it so we can properly execute it.

I came across a website on how police interrogation works and some techniques. Basically the goal is to get the suspect to feel highly uncomfortable to where they want to get the heck out of there.

An uncomfortable interrogation room is more complex than it seems. In order for it to get the full affect, the layout has to be taken into consideration. It is recommended to have a "small, soundproof room with only three chairs (two for detectives, one for the suspect) and a desk, with nothing on the walls. This creates a sense of exposure, unfamiliarity and isolation...". The chair should be uncomfortable and out of reach of anything tangible such as a light switch.

Of course the interrogation room would not be complete without the one-way mirror (those things are honestly so cool). This enhances the suspects anxiety and discomfort and also allows detectives to eaves drop (see how cool it is?). 

Some steps of interrogations include:

•  Casual conversation - builds trust so they open up more
•  Observe suspects body language and eye movement
•  Ask questions about the task at hand - observe suspects reactions (right eye movement means remembering, left eye movement means lying)
•  Confrontation
•  Theme development
•  Stopping denials
•  Overcoming objections
•  Getting suspects attention
•  Suspect loses resolve
•  Alternatives
•  Bringing suspect into conversation 
•  The confession

Knowing all of this should make our opening scene more realistic by applying these rules and techniques. Obviously we are going to aim to make our audience and actor feel as uncomfortable as possible, if we don't, then we're failures.

References:

Layton, Julia "How Police Interrogation Works." HowStuffWorks. N.p., 18 May 2006. Web.

     19 Mar. 2017.