Deconstruction of I am Legend

Time

Device

Detail

Effect on audience

0.01

Tilt

Up wards tilt mainly used

as an establishing shot

Shows the audience where the

film is taking place in a matter of
seconds (Busy american city like
New York or LA)

0.06,0.09,0.1
2

A series of
jump cuts

Used to help back up the

previous establishing shot

The series of jump shots

contradicts the previous
establishing shot as the first shot
makes it look like the film it set in
a busy city whereas the jump
shots make the city look empty
and abandoned making the
audience feel uneasy.

0.12

Tilt

Downwards tilt to revel

destruction

The tilt continues to make the

audience feel uneasy when they
see the destruction of the city

0.26

Diegetic
sound

Sound of birds

The sound of the birds is

unexpected for the city as the the
audience expect to hear the
hussel and bussel of the city but
instead hear birds which makes
the city feel isolated.

0.32

Jump cut

symmetrical composition
of the sub way

the image of the subway confirms

the city location for the audience
as well as making alarm bells go
off in there head as the subway
isnt be used which is unusual.

0.37

Sound
bridge

the sound of the birds and

the wind continues into
the next shot

the sound bridge help to show

that the whole city is isolated

0.37

Helicopter/ov
erhead
tracking shot

the tracking shot follows

the one single car

the single car make the city look

vast and empty

0.52

Medium
close up

Allows you to clearly see

the characters face

Because the character in the shot

has gun to the audience he either
looks like a bad guy or he is
trying to protect himself from
something

1.06

POV

show the audience what is

happening through the
characters eyes

the pov allow the audience to see

how empty the city is and how
fast the car is moving

1.22

Pan

shows the car's speed

going around the bend

the speed of the car makes it look

like the character need to be
somewhere urgently or the
character is being chased by
some thing which help to create
tension.

1.41

sound effect
with close up

sound of spinning tyres

and close up of the
wheels spinning

the wheels spin make the

character look vulnerable
whereas in previous shots the
character has looked like a hero.