[("24": Behind the Scenes )] [Author: Jon Cassar] [Nov-2006]

by Jon Cassar

Now in its fifth season, “24” is the highly acclaimed, groundbreaking, dramatic thriller which defines “appointment television” and continues to attract millions of viewers a week on Fox. Over the past four seasons, the show has consistently increased its high ratings and audience size with a fine cast of recurring actors, a growing slate of guest stars and the show’s star Kiefer Sutherland who portrays the unforgettable “Jack Bauer.”Jon Cassar, Director/Co-Executive Producer of Fox’s “24”, turns his filmmaker’s eye behind the scenes of the first five seasons of this hit series. He captures unscripted moments with the “24” cast and crew, including the show’s star Kiefer Sutherland, as well as many other well-known celebrity guests who have graced the screen of one of the most highly acclaimed and often controversial shows on television. Jon Cassar’s photography is accompanied by photographs from other members of the “24” family including Rodney Charters, Jay Herron, Michael Klick, Bruce Margolis, David St. Onge and Isabella Vosmikova.Here you will be able to see moments behind the scenes on the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) set and remote location shooting as well as the planned explosions of bombs and spontaneous laughter accompanied by candid, firsthand, never-before-told stories of relationships, lifelong friendships, mishaps and mayhem developed over five seasons and more than one hundred episodes that make the magic that is “24.”The show, originally intended as a one-time miniseries, is now in its fifth blockbuster season, with a sixth already confirmed. “24” continues to receive critical and popular acclaim. Among the many awards garnered a Golden Globe for Best Actor (2002) and two SAG Awards (2004, 2006) for Kiefer Sutherland; an Emmy for Best Writing for series creators Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran (2002); and a Golden Globe for Best Drama Series (2004).

Unknown Binding

First published October 24, 2006

Reviews

[Alex Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great coffee table book and companion for anyone who's a fan of the series.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up the book. I thought it would be a straight gallery of photographs, but 24: Behind the Scenes includes a lot of text and anecdotes, and covers the first five seasons of the show. There's a lot of interesting stuff in here, including behind-the-scenes gags (I was not aware that there was a stuffed doll the filmmakers put in many shots throughout the first season as a running gag/prank), moments of levity with the cast, celebrity visitors and insight into some of the major plot twists in the early seasons.

There's also some visually striking images in here, shot by on-set photographers and Jon Cassar's son, including a burned helicopter pilot in mid-pose, actors standing on-set getting ready to deliver their lines and moments with the crew during the production process. There's also an included DVD with even more images and insight.

If you can find this on sale, definitely pick it up. It's a great resource for fans of the show, and it looks classy as hell to boot.

[Charles Pearce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing collection of photos taken by crew members.