The Q&A

The Q&A interrogation framework is a powerful tool for scribblers. It can reveal character backstories, deliver twists, and frame high-stakes action, all while keeping the audience guessing. When done well, it can elevate a story, but when misused, it risks undercutting the tension. Let’s break down how this structure works, using examples from popular films and TV, and explore ways to incorporate it into your scribbler’s toolbox.

What is the Q&A Structure?

This structure revolves around scenes where a character is being interrogated, questioned, or forced to recount past events. These scenes often unfold in a controlled setting (an interrogation room), with flashbacks or cutaways showing the events being described.

This structure is particularly useful for:

• Saving money (hello, clip shows!).

• Building mystery or suspense.

• Exploring dual timelines.

• Delivering twists and reversals.

But not all uses of this structure are created equal. Let’s investigate two espionage flicks, Spy Game, and Atomic Blonde, to consider where it works and where it doesn’t.

Case Study 1: Spy Game – A Masterclass in Tension

In Spy Game (2001), Robert Redford’s Nathan Muir is interrogated by CIA officials about his past missions with protégé Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt), who has been captured and is hours away from execution. The Q&A framework serves as the picture’s narrative backbone, but it’s far from passive.

Why It Works:

Tied to Present Stakes: The interrogation isn’t just a retrospective. It’s happening in real-time, with Muir secretly working to save Bishop while recounting their shared history. The flashbacks aren’t filler; they inform the audience about their bond and why Muir is willing to risk everything.

Dual Timelines: The flashbacks reveal key moments in Muir and Bishop’s relationship, building emotional depth. The present timeline ratchets up tension with a ticking clock as Muir manipulates his interrogators.

Twists and Payoffs: Every reveal in the flashbacks ties directly into Muir’s present-day strategy. By the end, the audience feels the weight of both timelines converging as Muir outmaneuvers the CIA to rescue Bishop.

Takeaway: Q&A structure should drive present-day stakes, not just as a framing device. Flashbacks can do more than deliver backstory. They can actively influence the unfolding plot.

Case Study 2: Atomic Blonde – Style Over Substance

In Atomic Blonde (2017), Charlize Theron’s Lorraine recounts her mission to recover a critical list of double agents. The story unfolds as a flashback, framed by her debriefing after the mission.

Why It Falls Flat:

Predictable Stakes: The Q&A setup guarantees Lorraine’s survival, removing tension from the flashbacks. The audience is left waiting for a twist to justify the framing device.

Disconnected Timelines: The flashbacks showcase thrilling action set pieces but feel self-contained. We knew every hard hit Lorraine takes will heal and her life is not in jeopardy. The interrogation doesn’t add urgency or insight. It’s just there to bookend the story.

Underwhelming Twist: The final twist about Lorraine’s true loyalties doesn’t resonate because the framing device hasn’t built enough emotional or narrative weight.

Takeaway: If using a Q&A structure, ensure the present-day scenes have stakes beyond exposition. The audience must care about the now, what is, not just what was.

Other Notable Examples of the Q&A Structure

The Usual Suspects (1995): The interrogation of Verbal Kint unfolds with flashbacks that reveal a heist gone wrong. The twist that Kint is Keyser Söze recontextualizes everything, making the Q&A structure essential.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Clarice Starling’s exchanges with Hannibal Lecter are psychological interrogations revealing her vulnerabilities while advancing the Buffalo Bill case.

True Detective (Season 1): The dual interrogations of Rust Cohle and Marty Hart explore an unreliable narrative, keeping the audience on edge as the truth slowly emerges.

Alias (Clip Show Episode): By integrating flashbacks with a present-day breakout story, Alias elevated a budget-saving clip show into a tense, character-driven episode.

Use the Q&A Structure in Your Story

Make the Present Matter:
Avoid making the interrogation a mere framing device. Give the present-day scenes stakes that are as compelling as the flashbacks. A ticking clock, shifting power dynamics, or an unexpected betrayal can keep the audience engaged.

Tie Timelines Together:
Use the flashbacks to reveal information that actively impacts the present. This could be a character’s motivation, a hidden piece of evidence, or a critical betrayal.

Subvert Expectations:
Introduce twists that recontextualize the narrative. Maybe the interrogator has a hidden agenda, or the subject is misleading them intentionally. Keep the audience guessing.

Incorporate a Prisoner’s Dilemma:
Add tension by interrogating multiple characters separately, forcing them to decide whether to betray each other. This can create dynamic shifts in loyalty and power.

Don’t Forget Emotional Stakes:
Action and intrigue are great, but emotional stakes make the structure resonate. Why is the character being interrogated? Do they have a personal relationship with their interrogator? What’s at risk for all involved?

The interrogation isn’t just a place to drop exposition. It’s a heartbeat, where past and present collide, and the audience hangs on every exchange. Will your Q&A drive the story forward or fall flat like an echo without purpose?

Remember, you’re not facing the blank page alone. You have your scribbler’s toolbox. So, ABS. Always. Be. Scribbling.