The document provides commentary on the shots and scenes from a short horror film titled "Last Man Standing". It describes: 1) The opening scene which was filmed in low light to set a mysterious and spooky tone and immerse the audience without using titles. 2) The main character is introduced in the midst of a nightmare to portray him as mentally disturbed and vulnerable to gain audience sympathy. 3) Later scenes show the character trying to live normally but alone, raising questions about what drove him to isolation. 4) The character cautiously explores an abandoned building where the source of his isolation may be discovered, though he remains isolated at the end.

1. Last Man Standing

2. • For the very start of my production I decided
to follow a convention of some horror films
where it jumps right into the action, usually
set in a scary location. So I chose to film in the
very early morning to achieve low-key lighting
and film going down the alleyway
mysteriously and spookily (hopefully). This
also makes the film feel more real and takes
the audience into it as I find titles break the
fourth wall somewhat.

3. • I chose to do the titles like this because I am
awful at making titles.

4. • The main character is introduced in the midst of a mare.
This adds to the psychological thriller/ horror element of
the film as it shows he is clearly mentally deranged, as
anyone suffering even one nightmare should be locked up
and the key be thrown away. Showing that he is vulnerable
and a nutter helps the audience to instantly identify with
the character and sympathise with his plight.
• The high angle also shows how vulnerable he is.
• Furthermore, in this scene jump cuts are used as our
character thrashes in the throes of a thoroughly frightful
night terror. This indicates his disturbed state even more.

5. • Our character is shown trying to live a normal
life but by this point the audience should be
wondering why he is completely alone? where
is the rest of the world?
• Doing ‘normal’ activities again means the
audience can understand and identify with the
character.

6. • Setting off into the big, wide world, my
character sets a striking figure, alone but
brave, fighting for the cause. However he does
all this dressed like a mere peon, meaning that
despite his plight and his will to fight, and the
numerous frights he has endured he is just like
you or I and as such is a top bloke who the
audience will love.

7. • The body language of the character and
positioning, slightly behind the door almost as though
he is hiding from what might be in the house. And the
body language with closed body, hunched up, and
head peering round. Show how tentatively my
character is venturing into the house and the fear and
constant pressure and suspense he is under.
• The medium shot is best for depicting this body
language and keeping it detailed as from a LS for
instance you wouldn’t be able to see facial expression
and the sheer horror that the character is experiencing.

8. • As the character explores the derelict building, a high-
angle long shot is used as he goes up the stairs to show
his isolation. However as he traverses the steep, slippy,
stairs, he comes closer into shot, connoting that
possibly the secret to his isolation lies in this house and
he’s coming ever closer to solving it and being not the
last man standing.
• The location, with mildewed walls, rusty metal
staircase, boarded windows and peeling paint. Not to
mention the heaps of rubbish at the foot of the stairs
all contribute to setting the scene as a horror film as
the setting is very destitute and, as anyone knows,
death springs from dirt.

9. • Once inside the abandoned building our
character appears terrified and the audience
expects for a big jump moment to come. His
features are shrouded in darkness showing how
he is in the depths of one of his worst psychotic
episodes and his twitchy, jerky movements make
this clear as crystal to the audience. The blurred
torch head as he whirls to find the foe he believes
to be beside his body, shows realistically and in a
more physical manner his fear and how on edge
he is because this is a scary scary scary scary
scary film.

10. • The final shot in my production I was instructed
to use by my teacher however we were then
marked down (by the same teacher) for using the
shot, but that’s how the cookie crumbles I guess.
It as a reverse zoom of an extreme long shot
showing the opposite of the stair scene how the
situation has just worsened considerably for the
character and how he is as isolated now as he
ever has been. The fade to black adds some
finality to the sequence and just closes off the
opening sequnce nicely.