"Mean Girls" Ferraro

"Mean Girls"
(2004) Mark Waters


In the beginning, where Cady, Janis, and Damion are sitting outside in the "back building"...


1) Establishing shot: School field. The three walking across the field; natural, outdoor lighting, dim and represents tranquility of outside; dollying sideways as they're coming closer.

2) Medium close-up of Damion, doesn't get why Cady is taking calculus.

3) Medium close-up of Cady, explaining

4) Reverse shot back to Damion; he understands now: "It's beautiful."

5) Quick shot- tableau - They stop walking and Damion and Janis sit to the ground, while Cady looks around.

6) Medium close-up of Cady: Back of her head; she's searching: "Where's the building?"

7) High-angle medium-shot of Janis and Damion sitting on the ground. "It burnt down."

8) Reverse shot of Cady, confused at their answer, and worried they will be in trouble."

9) Reverse shot; Janis and Damion. "We're friends."

10) Reverse shot; Cady looking back at school, then back down at Janis and Damion (off screen), with voice-over narrative in background. She is making her decision.

11) Reverse shot of first tableau: Cady sits down with her friends. Low-key lighting (they're sitting in shadows)

12) Jump Cut: Classroom: Health Class.

13) Wide-Angle shot of health teacher, frame pushes in.

14) Medium-wide shot-cut on teacher, explaining the seriousness of "having sex will kill you."

15) Wide-angle shot: Students. Frame pushes in.

16) Close-up on teacher, finishing his lecture.

17) Medium-shot: Teacher; holds up a box of rubbers.

18) Jump Cut: Back to Cady, Janis, and Damion, sitting in field.