The Last Frame
A documentary exploring the final days of analog film projection in small-town America.
Watch NowPre-Production
The Last Frame began with a cross-country research trip in early 2024, visiting over forty single-screen theaters across rural America. The director spent three months embedding with projectionists, theater owners, and local communities to understand the cultural weight of these spaces before a single frame was shot.
Location scouting prioritized theaters that still ran 35mm or 16mm prints at least part-time. The team identified twelve key locations across eight states, each representing a different chapter in the story of analog projection's decline.
The decision to shoot on 16mm was both aesthetic and thematic. By using the same format these theaters were built to project, the production created a visual conversation between the medium and its subject. Pre-production included extensive testing of film stocks under varying theater lighting conditions.
Stills
Behind the Scenes
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Amount | % |
|---|---|---|
| Film Stock & Processing | $62,000 | 21.8% |
| Camera & Lens Rental | $28,500 | 10.0% |
| Travel & Transportation | $45,000 | 15.8% |
| Crew (18-month shoot) | $72,000 | 25.3% |
| Lodging & Per Diem | $24,000 | 8.4% |
| Post-Production & Color | $31,500 | 11.1% |
| Sound Design & Mix | $12,000 | 4.2% |
| Insurance & Legal | $10,000 | 3.5% |
| Total | $285,000 | 100% |