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On the set of 24
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rodney Ho, reporting from Los Angeles:
The dark, cramped coldness that emanates out of the set of “24’s” Counter Terrorism Unit is, of course, an illusion.
The actual studio set is actually bright, open and just plain cool. TV critics got to check out Jack Bauer’s home away from home Tuesday, marking the spot where Edgar died from nerve gas last season, the meeting room where Chloe tearfully watched him die and the interrogation room where Jack threatened Audrey.
Jon Cassar, a director and producer, gave us a giddy grand tour. He noted that the camera shots always stay tight on the characters to keep the feel of the scenes deliberately claustrophobic. They use a foreboding blueish tint on screen allows for quick transitions and cues to the viewer that they are at CTU.
He showed how the single interrogation room can become a second one by simply swapping a door and a wall. A secret side room where Chloe and others often go to pow wow is actually in a rather open area. He noted that what appears to be concrete all over CTU is merely hollow wood with painted plaster. He even pointed out the exact spot where a fictional terrorist placed the nerve gas that killed off 40 percent of the CTU staff last season.
And he happily showed us the computer equipment and the fact the phones are actually operational so when actors are talking to each other, they are doing it for real. The phones had the date January 23, 2012 on them but Cassar said he had no idea. “We avoid date and time references as much as possible,” he said. “We’ve learned not to say, ‘We’ll be back in three minutes’ and just say, ‘We’ll be back soon.’ “
Two actors who haven’t shown up yet on screen were at the set. Rick Schroeder (NYPD Blue, Silver Spoons) said he’s going to play a tough CTU operative working with Jack starting at 6 p.m., or the 13th episode. Starting with the sixth episode, Emmy winning actor Chad Lowe will be a deputy to the chief of staff who wants to tighten up civil liberties to help stop terrorism.
As for the shocking nuclear bomb that went off in Valencia in Monday night’s episode, actor Kiefer Sutherland said they had to let something really catastrophic finally happen to prove that Bauer can’t stop everything. He also noted that obsessives on the Internet surmise that CTU is near where the bomb occurred but it’s doubtful CTU will be affected.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By jb
January 17, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
It’s the best damn show on television.
By jl
January 17, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Fascist propaganda.
By FEARFUL OF CAIR
January 23, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
All of the “message” programs are “propaganda.” Mr, jl is miffed that there are those who relish that a Pro-American (ant- terrorist) bit of entertainment is available. I assume he is watching “24” so, maybe he will consider that there could be a “near and present danger.” And that danger is NOT from Jack Bower-type-officials!