Gina Maunsell's Final Cut Shot Analysis

I analysed the first ten shots of Last One Standing (excluding idents). 

1. The first establishing shot is a slanted long shot showing the house through trees. I think that this works well because it shows where the film is set and also the light is switched on in the house so it shows that someone’s in. Also because it’s slanted it appears more unusual.

2. The second shot is a medium close up, over the shoulder shot of the main character (the girl) looking in the mirror. I think that this is good because it lets the viewer see the main character for the first time in an interesting way and also it shows you that she’s getting ready to go in the bath.

3. Next there’s a point of view, long shot that starts walking towards the house. This lets you know that there is someone outside and they are coming to the house. It’s also quite a short length shot but I think that this works well because it makes the film faster paced and interesting.

4. The fourth shot is a medium shot showing the girl walking across the screen (going to the bathroom). This shot shows her from the waist down which makes it more interesting than if it was showing her from the waist up.

5. The next shot is a point of view continued from shot 3. What I like about these shots is that they keep switching between indoors with the girl and outdoors with the character that the viewer hasn’t seen yet because it keeps the film fast paced and connects the characters.

6. Next there’s a medium shot of the girl from behind putting a dressing gown on. This shows the viewer that she is about to run a bath which almost connects her to Marion Crane in Psycho with the shower scene.

7. There is then a long shot of the house showing the light go off. I don’t think that this works very well because the girl never actually turns off the light but it does let the viewer know that she’s gone out of that room.

8. Next there’s a medium long shot of the girl walking into the bathroom. I like this camera shot because it’s the first time you properly see the girl from the front which shows that they’ve used a good range of shots that aren’t straight on previously.

9. Then there’s a long shot of the house again like the seventh shot but this time the bathroom light goes on. Again the continuity doesn’t really work but I think that the idea’s good because it shows the viewer that the girl’s gone from one room to another but it keeps the shots from outdoors which makes you remember the character outside.

10. The tenth shot is a medium, slightly high angle shot of the girl going to turn the bath tap on. I think that this angle works well because it shows that the girl is about to get into trouble.