doubleofive said:
The more I think about it, there really is no excuse for Vader to not have his helmet on. It doesn't matter how long we make the hallway or anything. How come people can just go in and open the door without knocking or anything like that?

One of the people out in the hall is a guard.

My 2¢ say that the long hallway should be the choice because it is cooler than just having it open up to being just off of the bridge. While the elevator option works as well, I just don't see it as ominous to a long hall. Maybe a new shot could be added focusing on Piett's boots as he walks along the corridor before he gets to the door. I am imagining a shot similiar to the one in ANH of the troopers feet as the troopers and Vader arrive at Leia's cell on the death star.