"A House of Dynamite": A closer look at the making of Kathryn Bigelow's anxiety-filled film

Kathryn Bigelow's recent release, "A House of Dynamite," has its audience positioned on the edge of their seats due to an impending nuclear missile crisis threatening the United States. The intensity and unease are the fine output of masterful work by a team of experts that include composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson.

Available on Netflix, Bigelow's movie is split into three chapters each offering alternate viewpoints. The crisis unfolds in the White House Crisis Room as Captain Olivia Walker, aided by Major Daniel Gonzalez in Alaska, tackle an incoming missile with a countdown of just 20 minutes.

Both artisans, Bertelmann and Ottosson found the script nerve-wracking. They both played crucial roles in setting up the tension for the movie. Bertelmann devised a musical score unique to each chapter, while Ottosson designed the sound, keeping in focus the chapter-wise division.

A hint of anxiety lands at the end of the first chapter with the score peak, then smoothly glides into the second chapter, inducing panic and a rush of curiosity about the missile impact. Ottosson points out the stark difference; the confidence in the crisis rooms in the first two chapters turns into a chaotic and uncontrollable environment by the third.

The final chapter shifts back to the Oval Office and dives deep into the emotional turmoil faced by the President. Throughout the chapters, the execution brilliantly focuses on the human experience, invoking a deep appreciation for the delicate human touch in the situation of chaos.

The film was structured intending not to reveal the President until the last. The silence and anticipation served as a build-up to the final scene where the President’s struggles, amplified by the skillful scoring, are mirrored in his actions. Adding texture to the scene is a wide shot of his wife on a safari with the sounds of elephants permeating the background, symbolizing the desire for human connection amidst crisis.

The team also worked with military advisor, Dan Karbler to ensure the legitimacy of the depicted crisis room scenarios. According to Ottosson, their prime focus was to be honest and realistic about the ambient sounds in these situations. It was more about emoting the actual feelings one would experience rather than creating 'cool' sounds. This intense focus on authenticity and human connection is what sets "A House of Dynamite" apart.