The document discusses various camera angles and shots used in the opening sequence of the film I Am Legend. It begins with an establishing shot of empty New York City streets to create a sense of abandonment. It then shows a close-up shot of empty Times Square before cutting to a bird's eye view of the city from above, with only the sound of birds to be heard. These shots introduce the protagonist and setting while establishing the deserted tone.

2. Camera Angles
This angle gives a deserted/ abandoned
feeling to the audience again dueThethe starts with an establishing shot of
to film
presence of only one moving car New York City, this shows a lifeless run
instead of a
crowded avenue. down New York which creates questions in
the audience’s minds.
Now the camera angle has changed to a closeshot of Times Square, this creates a
A low angle
up, focusing of the protagonist’s gun
strange image for the audience as the audience
would generally believe that a landmark like Times
Square would normally be crowded and busy.
These two short camera angle
close ups are done in order to
introduce the main Then there is a birds eye view of an avenue with
characters. skyscrapers, the only sound that can be heard in
this scene is the noise of birds.
This camera shot here also helps to show
the relationship between Robert Neville
and his dog Sam.

3. Sound track
 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.

4. MISE - EN - SCÉNE
 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.

5. EdItIng
 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.

6. ConventIons
Conventional: Non-Conventional:
 Introduces characters and story No non-diagetic soundtrack; a lot of the
 Sets up an enigma. time there is only silence or diagetic, yet
quiet, sounds. This is different compared to
 Has an establishing shot. the normal in this genre of film.
 A hook: who is the main character There is no title until 7:05 minutes into
and how is he still alive? 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.

7. “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
THANK YOU FOR SURVIVING
THE PRESENTATION
“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