Renowned showgirl Shelly is navigating a new chapter in Director Gia Coppola’s drama, The Last Showgirl. After a 30-year run in the glittering Las Vegas revue, Coppola’s film explores Shelly’s journey of reconciliation with her past decisions and the community she has built.
Coppola discussed the making of the film during a Q&A session, revealing why she chose handheld photography for the 16mm-shot movie. The director prioritized capturing a tactile, analog feel to symbolize the clash between old and new media.
To achieve this aesthetic, Coppola had to sacrifice her lighting budget but gained speed by setting up multiple setups quickly with a large cast. She also employed a technique borrowed from her grandfather’s work on The Godfather, using mealtime interactions to help actors bond with their characters.
The Last Showgirl features actress Pamela Anderson as Shelly and showcases Coppola’s experience in directing films like Palo Alto, Mainstream, and The Seven Faces of Jane, for which she has been a DGA member since 2016.
Source: https://www.dga.org/Events/2025/February2025/TheLastShowgirl_QnA_1224