C a m e r a A n g l e s

The film starts with an establishing shot of New York City, this shows a lifeless run down New York which creates questions in the audience’s minds.

A low angle shot of Times Square, this creates a strange image for the audience as the audience would generally believe that a landmark like Times Square would normally be crowded and busy.

Then there is a birds eye view of an avenue with skyscrapers, the only sound that can be heard in this scene is the noise of birds.

C a m e r a A n g l e s This angle gives a deserted/ abandoned feeling to the audience again due to the presence of only one moving car instead of a crowded avenue.

Now the camera angle has changed to a close up, focusing of the protagonist’s gun

These two short camera angle close ups are done in order to introduce the main characters.

This camera shot here also helps to show the relationship between Robert Neville and his dog Sam.

S o u n d t r a c k The opening sequence used mainly diagetic sounds such as the sound of birds whistling in the

background- this created an illusion of an absence of sound and as a result this causes the audience to question more.

Another example of a diagetic sound used in the opening sequence is the roar of Robert Neville's car engine.

The first actual part of dialogue you hear from the protagonist is him saying “What do you see, what do you see?” – this is said with anxiety and possible eagerness, this brings up the theme ‘hunter or hunted?’ as the audience cannot be sure at this point whether Robert Neville will use the gun to protect himself or whether he will use it to hunt with. This also helps to build suspense and tension due to the created anxiousness and uncertainty presented to the audience.

There is also the sound of the deer squealing When the deer squeals, it shows the contrast of technology and nature, technology being the

sound of the car engine and nature being the deer’s squeal.

There is military tanks props in the opening sequence which helps gives the audience a clue as it means that something seriously dangerous must of happened

Abandoned police cars are also present in the opening sequence, this is to represent the lack of law in the city and when Robert Neville is shown driving through red lights and onto pavements this helps back up the point that there is no law present in the city.

When Robert Neville is shown to be hunting a deer it raises questions to the audience such as ‘why is he hunting deer's?’- this helps create suspense as the audience is uncertain about the actions and/or events coming after

The opening sequence also has a conventional dark atmosphere to it.

M I S E - E N - S C É N E

In terms of the editing in the opening sequence, the editing is generally fast paced especially when there is a chase scene in the works (e.g. Robert Neville chasing the deer).

After the news report is shown in the opening sequence, the editing is generally slow cut and transitioned this is to build up the atmosphere and impend on the audience a sense of solitude and abandonment. The camera shots then turn into shaky footage when shown from inside the car, this is in order to a sense of realism to the film.

When the deer's run in front of Robert Neville’s car the editing is sped up and quick cut transitions are now used- this is to add suspense and tension as in principal it is a conventional chase scene.

E d I t I n g

C o n v e n t I o n sConventional:

Introduces characters and story Sets up an enigma. Has an establishing shot. A hook: who is the main character

and how is he still alive?

Non-Conventional:No non-diagetic soundtrack; a lot of the time there is only silence or diagetic, yet quiet, sounds. This is different compared to the normal in this genre of film.There is no title until 7:05 minutes into the film.No title credits.The points on the left show that there was nothing to interrupt the audiences anticipation, as if it was part of the main film.

“Robert Neville looked out over the new people of the earth. He knew he did not belong to them; he knew that, like the vampires, he was anathema and black terror to be destroyed. And, abruptly, the concept came, amusing to him even in his pain. ... Full circle. A new terror born in death, a new superstition entering the unassailable fortress of forever. I am legend.” ― Richard Matheson, I Am Legend: And Other Stories

“In a typical desperation for quick answers, easily understood, people had turned to primitive worship as the solution. With less than success. Not only had they died as quickly as the rest of the people, but they had died with terror in their hearts, with a mortal dread flowing in their very veins.” ― Richard Matheson, I Am Legend: And Other Stories

T H A N K Y O U F O R S U R V I V I N G

THE PRESENTATION