Free Report On Last Man

- Original Concept
“Last Man” was inspired by Frederic Brown’s (1948) “Knock”, which Brown based on the three-sentence short-short story written by Thomas Bailey Aldrich and is about the last man on Earth following the Zan’s annihilation of living things in the planet. The “Last Man” follows Isaac as the last man on earth who refuses to forget about his family that was since long gone. Brown’s work was an inspiration because the plot narrative, although brief, offered an opportunity to create a different take of the story. Film, as a medium, works best in the project because it would show Isaac’s feelings or emotions and visually highlight his isolation as the last man.
- Development of the Film
The development of the film was alongside the extensive research that was conducted beforehand to know more about the inspiration behind the “Last Man”. Research focused on a review and discussion of techniques and concepts in filmmaking. Through research, we were able to decide on the techniques that will be used in the film in terms of the visual and sound values or elements. Moreover, part of research was a series of viewings of films and television shows that illustrate the kind of shots that we wanted in “Last Man”. On my part, research also focused on my roles as producer of the film. The succeeding discussion covers the development of the film in terms of the evaluation of the research process and practice, and a close reading of “Last Man”.
- Evaluation of Research
The development of the film began with an extensive research of film concepts and theories that would apply in the “Last Man” based on the films narrative. An evaluation of the research as a process and a practice would be rated high because it was conducted extensively. The inspiration for the film became the starting point of research. The first two lines of the short story may be the entire narrative in itself but it was an inspiration for the film because it was open-ended. We saw it as an opportunity to explore various plot points while also maintaining the thrilling and suspenseful nature of the short story. Following the research on the inspiration for the “Last Man” was a study of theories and techniques that we can employ in practice. Again, we looked at the core of the plot narrative and conducted research on film techniques based on what the plot demanded (Stam & Raengo, 2005). We also saw several film adaptations of the short story and other works with similar themes such as “The Walking Dead” and “Filth” to note prominent techniques that would work in illustrating the character’s feeling of isolation (Ortu, 2011; SixFiveOne Productions, 2013).
Through research, we decided to employ specific techniques in filmmaking. In terms of the visual elements of the film, we aim to establish Isaac’s (protagonist) feeling of isolation as the last man. Hence, we will employ close up shots with a shallow depth of field (Aitken, 2001; Branigan & Buckland, 2013). In this way, we can create the barrier or gap between the character and the background (Branigan & Buckland). Nevertheless, isolation may also be depicted in the character’s position in space so long shots will also be used to show isolation in terms of the position of the singular character in relation to the spatial element in film. We also decided to limit sound in the film not only to depict isolation but also the idea of Isaac being the last person on earth (Weis & Belton, 1985). Horror films tend to focus on the sound to create suspense but in “Last Man”, silence will be used to create an eerie atmosphere of isolation.
As a producer in the film, research also went into planning “Last Man’s” production. It involved a research on sites or locations where the film will be shot as well as the cost of shooting scenes in these spaces (Lee & Gillen, 2013). Research also went into the identification of essential elements – tangible (e.g. set pieces) or intangible – that will be need in the film (Lee & Gillen), and the audience platforms that would best attract the intended audience of “Last Man”.
- Critical Analysis of Film
Essentially, the film remains true to the core of the story. In developing the film, extensive research was conducted prior to know more about the original inspiration for the project. As previously noted, “Last Man” was based on Brown’s “Knock”. “Knock”, which may be summed up by the short story’s first two lines, essentially focuses on the suspense, specifically the last man’s discovery that he is not, after all, the last man on earth after hearing the knocks on the door. Moreover, “Knock” is science fiction, which means that an interpretation of this short story must build on a sci-fi world. Nevertheless, in the film, we plan to build on the aspect of humanity (Choi & Grey, 2013). Isaac may be the last man on Earth, hence, ideally the film should focus on his survival or the events that follow he knock on the door, but in “Last Man”, we chose to focus on Isaac’s human side. As a result, we chose to focus on recreating Isaac’s isolation in the film. We believe that by taking the film towards this direction, we can create a film that would be more relatable and realistic (Choi & Grey, 2013). Other films would focus on the “last man’s” movement and way of life, specifically what he does to survive. Some films, on the other hand, would focus on the last man’s response to the knock – will he open the door or not? – or the events that will unfold after the knock. Following these plots, we believe, would make the film one-dimensional as it would only allow the audience to watch how the plot will unfold. On the contrary, by focusing on the last man’s sense of humanity, primarily reflected in his feelings of isolation, the film becomes relatable because it would allow the audience to feel – to place themselves in the last man’s position since the film would allow them to understand his sentiments.
Our decision to focus on the last man’s feelings of isolation reflects in the screenplay. Most of the scenes in the film were drawn from Isaac’s memory. Hence, it shows who he was before humans on Earth became extinct. Isaac had a family – a wife and a daughter – and although things were chaotic between Isaac and Marie, he could not help but bring back memories of his family in times when he feels alone and isolated. When Isaac withdraws to his memories, the audience will get to see Isaac’s internal traits or characteristics, such that he is a lonely character that longs for human contact and interaction with his family. Isaac’s memories also shows who he is as a person. In the earlier scenes of confrontation between Isaac and Marie, the audience will learn that Isaac has no problems gambling his fortune despite the risks. Naturally, Isaac’s behavior brought about the strain in his marriage. We can also surmise that realistically, Isaac’s gambling addiction may have affected the dynamic in their house, specifically their way of life due to socio-economic problems. The flashbacks will also allow the audience to empathize with Isaac whose feeling of isolation may have been exacerbated by feelings of guilt, shame and loss. Isaac lost his family twice – due to his gambling ways and following the extinction of human race. Losing his family twice would naturally intensify Isaac’s pain and struggles due to his guilt of having taken advantage of his family while they were still with him.
Aside from the flashbacks, a close reading of the screenplay, which is important in film analysis (Stam & Raengo, 2005), also highlights the core of “Last Man’s” narrative – Isaac’s isolation. The flashbacks will show Isaac’s past through his memories while the voice over will allow the audience to listen to Isaac’s thoughts. Through the voice over, Isaac can express his feelings of isolation since he talks about the number of days since he lost his family as well as the things that he thinks about when he is alone. At one point during the monologue, Isaac says that isolation could be the reason for his death. The voice over is very important in the film because it must accurately communicate Isaac’s thoughts and paint a picture of his state of mind.
Another pivotal scene in the film that remains true to the core of the film – isolation – is the final scenes wherein Isaac tries to commit suicide. At this point in the film, Isaac has reached the height of his feeling of isolation. Loneliness and sadness have overwhelmed him, consequently pushing him to claim his life. This part of the film shows the impact of isolation and what it brings people to do with themselves. The audience, would however, engage with the character as people would have varying points of view about isolation. Some people would make the best out of it even if they were the last man on earth, while others would remain hopeful that they are not the last men on earth. Hence, the way that Isaac handled isolation, which is by committing suicide, reflects his weaknesses as a person.
Moreover, the final scene also stays true to the theme of isolation in “Last Man” because it shows Isaac slumped on the ground after accidentally killing himself. Throughout the film, he has been alone and isolated. Although he heard a knock, which shows that he may not be the last man on Earth, Isaac accidentally shoots himself. The final shot is of Isaac lying on the floor dead, which shows that even with the hope that he may not be alone in the world, his recklessness led him to die alone. In life and in death, Isaac remained isolated. The circumstances surrounding his isolation prove that it may have been a result of his behavior. His gambling addiction led his family to leave him and consequently, the extinction of human race claimed the lives of those he loved and although he may have a chance to be with another human being, he lost that chance because of his recklessness. Overall, “Last Man” shows an individual’s behavior as a factor that leads to one’s isolation.
- Bibliography
Aitken, I. (2001). European film theory and cinema. Indiana University Press.
Branigan, E. & Buckland, W. (2013). The Routledge encyclopedia of film theory. New York, NY: Routledge.
Brown, F. (1948). Knock. Thrilling Wonder Stories.
Choi, J. & Grey, M. (2013). Cine-ethics. New York, NY: Routledge.
Lee, J. J. & Gillen, A. M. (2012). The producer’s business handbook. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.
Ortu, C. (2011). The last man on earth. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00pf28k
SixFiveOne Productions. (2013). Last man. Retrieved from http://vimeo.com/63511979
Stam, R. & Raengo, A. (2005). Literature and film: A guide to the theory and practice of film adaptation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Weis, E. & Belton, J. (1985). Film sound: Theory and practice. Columbia University Press.