I Am Legend (2007) - Amara Bullen
I Am Legend is an action packed film with a tense atmosphere throughout. This film is a drama, sci-fi and thriller. The description of this film is:
"Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in New York City struggles valiantly to find a cure."
Tension is captured in the trailer by including a busy, fast paced atmosphere mixed with a few slower shots, giving the main character more screen time. The trailer entices the audience by revealing a bit of the plot but not so much so that it gives away the whole story.
At the very beginning of this clip, whilst the production credits are fading in and out to black, a voice over is heard from the main character of the film. His voice sounds harsh and upset like the person who the voice belongs to has been crying or stressed from something. "Nothing happened the way it was supposed to happen." These are the words of the voice over which has given off a negative effect to the viewer as the choice of words appear negative and upsetting. This instantly puts the viewer in an uncomfortable position, making them question and feel uneasy for the person with why they are feeling the way they are.
Straight after the voice over was played, a quick build up to a dramatic, non-diagetic soundtrack followed this. Included in this soundtrack is a choir and orchestra instruments to create a sense of boldness.
The clip starts abruptly after the voice over with an establishing shot of a crowded street. The busy feeling was created by the amount of people and cars that were positioned in the shot. They also all seemed to be heading in the same direction.
Talking and screaming is heard in the diagetic sound from the crowd shown on screen.
A fade out to black and fade in is shown to introduce a tilt shot up of the main character holding a child. This shot shows that he has some sort of power and emphasizes the fact that he's the main character because of the angle of this shot and the fact that he's shown this early on in the trailer. Also the fact that he's holding a child may emphasize how crowded the street is to try and get across that it's too busy to let the child walk on his own. As well as the fact that the main character will be seen as having a responsibility as he has a child to look after and could possibly is the father. This would interest parents to be the target audience for this as they could put their child into the situation being shown.
Another fade out to black and fade in is used to show a tracking shot of a helicopter. The helicopter is using a search light to emphasize the fact that it is set at night and also to introduce the idea that the authorities are looking for something.
Included in the diagetic sound is the propellers of the helicopter spinning which builds up the busyness of the scene.
Yet another fade out to black and fade in is shown of an establishing shot of a well known bridge in America known as the Brooklyn Bridge. This introduces the location to the viewers. The lighting on the bridge makes it look intimidating and powerful as well as the lights that surround this.
A brief close up of the main character holding the child is shown quickly to allow the audience to understand that he is in the middle of the surroundings shown in the other shots.
The character's voice is heard in a voice over, briefly describing what's happening without giving too much information away.
A cross dissolve is used to link the shots together. This next shot shows crowd control barriers with many people struggling behind them. Men dressed in army uniform including helmets and weapons are shown running and giving each other orders. This is worrying for the audience as they may question why the army is in a main part of America and why the civilians are prevented by coming close by the barriers.
A white flash is used to show an extreme close up of someone's eye opening is briefly shown.
A panning shot is used to show the business of the scene. People dressed in the army uniform are shown in a tank whilst holding their weapons which can represent the seriousness of what's going on.
The crowd in the diagetic sound appears to become louder when the crowd is shown to emphasise the busyness. The non-diagetic sound of the loud orchestra music is still being played in time with each shot for better aesthetics.
Another straight edit is used to show a woman turning around, looking equally as worried as the crowd shown before.
Straight edits are now frequently used instead of fade to black and a fade in like the beginning of the trailer. This is because it makes the trailer seem to speed up when the straight edits are used.
The voice over of the character speaking is spaced out so too much information is not shown at once. This also allows the viewers to concentrate on the footage being shown on the screen as well as the soundtrack.
A close up of a man screaming in a horrifying way is shown with a white flash to black to emphasise the oddness of the shot previously shown. This flashes to a negative effect to represent the oddness of what's going on.
A pause of blackness is shown to slow the trailer down again and slowly fades into a close up of the character we saw before. The different use of transition, a fade in, represents that he’s in a different location. The shot shows that he’s in a building talking to the camera; documenting his words. The quality of the camera decreases, as well as the sound, in comparison to the previous shots; this shows that it's a recording the character is creating himself. Viewers can also see this as he is talking into the camera. This helps to involve the audience. The character looks tired making the audience question what has happened to him. These factors add up to create a feel that this is either in the future or past. As the voice over used previously has been talking in past tense, it tells the viewer that this shot is in the future.
When this shot is shown the non-diagetic sound quietens so the attention is drawn to what he is saying.
A straight edit is shown of a few people in the crowd pushing another person into the control barrier, making it fall over. This is odd behaviour which adds to the intriguing feeling.
A screeching sound is emphasised of the barrier falling down. This creates a sense of urgency.
Another straight edit to an over the shoulder shot of what looks like someone jumping from the crowd onto the leg of the flying helicopter.
The helicopter's propellers are heard again alongside the sound of an engine about to crash. This sound is created by a gradual high pitch sound.
Yet another establishing shot of the Brooklyn Bridge is shown in the darkness of the helicopter crashing into it and blowing up. As the helicopter hits the bridge it creates a 'bang' sound in result to the explosion shown. This is emphasised by a slight jolt of the camera to create a dramatic effect.
A tilt shot up of the explosion is shown to exaggerate the famous bridge being destroyed. This shot is shown from a first person shot as the camera is shaky which adds to the drama of the whole destruction of the bridge.
More screams and engine noises are heard as the bridge falls down. The non-diagetic climaxes at this point.
A straight edit to a blurry shot of the main character positioned at the front left corner of the shot with the army and rest of the crowd behind him. The positioning of this shows the importance of this character. The shot is also slowed down which contrasts with the other fast pace shots. This gives the audience more time to look and take in the expression of the characters face when he reacts to the situation. As well as this, the blurry effect relates to the explosion and helps the viewers put them in his position easily.
To link in with the slowed down shot, the non-diagetic soundtrack also quietens down and becomes muffled.
What sounds like material quickly flapping once is heard in the non-diagetic sound and quietens to nothing. A straight edit to a black screen is shown which gives a pause for the audience take in what’s happened. A fade in of white writing is shown of the date followed by some more words linking into the trailer but not giving away much about the film. The colour of the writing is used as it contrasts with the background, making it stand out more and easy to read. The words are spread out so that it does not look like too much to read as this is not what people want to do too much of in a trailer. The font is bold in capital letters to stand out more. It is talking about a man whom links back to the character shown previously before. A slow, non-diagetic build up of a muffled sound is played whilst the text is being shown.
The non-diagetic that was built up in the text abruptly stops when a straight edit is shown of a peaceful, daytime shot of the Brooklyn Bridge after the explosion has taken place. The damage is shown which is contradictory as it's mixing good with bad in the same shot. This could be to show that there is no way out of the city.
Non-diagetic sound of a beating drum, that is echoed, is built up.
The non-diagetic, beating sound is emphasised when the next shot is shown to create more suspense and a bigger shock to viewers,
This shot fades out slowly to black to a straight edit to overgrown, rundown, empty looking streets in the centre of America. The fact that this shot is shown in broad daylight is also contradictory as American streets are stereotypically seen as ‘alive at night time’. This is shocking even more so for the audience as America is always busy.
A high pitch, non-diagetic sound is built up gradually.
Like the last shot, this shot fades slowly out to black with text in the same font as before is shown. Also the beating of the drum is emphasised when the text is shown. The text is talking about the man again to keep the audience knowing that he’s the main character, even though he has not had much screen presence. These words about him are more positive than before.
A tilt shot down, of a long shot of the character from behind is shown sneaking through the ruins of America. The tilt shot down on the character emphasised how small he looks. The previous words ‘ONE MAN HAS SURVIVED’ fades out whilst the character is shown, giving a relation that ‘he’ is the man the text is talking about. Also shows that this man is the owner of the voice speaking in the voice overs.
This shot introduces the character properly, helped by the voice over telling the viewers his name and who he is.
A straight edit to another angle of a long shot of him at ground level is shown with him being framed by the huge, ruined buildings, making him look even smaller.
An extreme close up of him looking down his weapon is used to show that he’s hunting for something. The non-diagetic sound continues. A crossover of the sound of galloping hooves is sounded which follows into the next shot.
This is confirmed in the next shot of deer galloping away from a red sports car. This creates a bigger question as to how long America has been that way for wild animals to be running around the streets.
The character continues to tell his story in the voice over.
Three louder drum beats are sounded as the non-diagetic sound becomes slow and sorrowful. This creates a sad, lonely feeling which links into the words of the voice over "I haven't seen another person in 3 years". Longer notes are played in the non-diagetic sound which seems to slow the pace of the clip down.
The shot is also slowed down to link with the slow soundtrack.
A straight edit is used for the transition to a slowed down, mid shot of the man walking with his head down, looking at his steps in front of him. This builds a lonely representation which can make the viewer feel sorry for him.
This fades out and into an establishing shot of him playing golf on a boat with a plane on it. This shows that he could be able to do anything he likes as he is alone, except for his dog.
The voice over is then recognised to the viewers as an SOS call. This is because the character says "If there's anybody out there. Anybody. Please." These words involve the viewer. These words are spaced out throughout the next few shots to keep the trailer interesting.
A tilt shot up is shown of him as he swings the golf club while his dog faithfully stays by him. This shows that they have a good relationship.
A long shot from behind the character is shown as he finishes swinging and watches the ball respond to the hit.
Fade out to black and fade in is used occasionally. The editors have used this transition multiple times in this trailer to break up the fast pace shots. It also introduces the different locations.
More close ups, tracking shots and long shots are used of both the character and the dog showing they have a strong relationship.
A fade to black is shown as a quick rumbling sound is built up. More writing appears zooming in on the character while he looks worried. A whoosh is sounded as it passes into the screen.
This is followed by a straight edit to build up the pace. A slow zoom in is used into a dark hole looking like it has been broken into. Ghostly sounds, followed by something screeching is played in the soundtrack for greater suspense.
A tilt shot up at the German Sheppard is shown of it getting ready to pounce. This makes us feel like there is something in the dark hole.
The dog growls as it does this which makes viewers feel even more uneven.
An extreme close up of the main character is shown again, still zooming in on him to catch his worried looking expression.
A slow fade out to black is used to build suspense and keep the viewers guessing what is in the hole.
The screeching and ghostly sounds fade out as the shot does.
Writing appears on the black screen with a 'whoosh'. The text carry’s on from what was said before and is more negative as it mentions him not being alone. Suspense is created here.
A high pitch noise is built up and climaxes at the end of the shot.
A fade in changes the scene of a mid shot from outside the window of the character locking up. This makes the viewer feel insecure knowing that there's something out there.
A straight edit to a wide angle shot is used from behind the character showing him securing more of the windows. This is emphasised by a loud 'booming' sound. The room becomes pitch black giving the effect that he's left in the dark.
A straight edit to a close, tilt up shot of more security being put in place is shown. The angle makes the fact that he's using high security more intimate and worrying. Another 'booming' sound is used here to build the tension.
Another straight edit of the characters shadow on the floor is shown shutting the last bit of light out. This is then followed by a long, black pause.
This includes yet another loud bang to reinforce the thought that there has to be a lot of security.
A fade in shows a tracking shot of a bathtub that is slowly moved closer to. While this is shown, the ghostly sounds are played again to build more suspense. The lighting is dull creating a sinister feeling.
A bird’s eye view as the camera rotates presents the character and his dog in the empty bath. The man is hugging his gun like it's his only weapon. This creates a sinister atmosphere as they appear to be quite vulnerable as they're looked down on. His posture is closed giving off a negative feel. This is quite contradictory as men are seen to be quite powerful and strong.
Inhuman screeching and growling sounds are played which is made out to be in his head, perhaps from memories, as he holds his hands against his head in defence from the horrible sounds. The screeching sounds become louder and until they stop suddenly to a straight edit into the next shot.
A 'whoosh' sound is played when a torch shines into the camera. It seems to be searching the dark room for something. This may show that he's not familiar with his surroundings and makes viewers question why he's putting him in a vulnerable position.
A scared voice from the person calling out for 'Sam'. This tells us it's the main character calling for his dog. This is also followed by an odd echoing sound.
A high pitch build up is quickly played building suspense.
A close up of the characters sweaty face is shown with a faint glow from the torch, building a high intensity level. His breathing becomes heavy which is unsettling for the viewer.
A first person shot of him holding the torch allows the viewers to look at what he's searching for.
His voice becomes more panicked when he calls for his dog, as well as his breathing which is uneven.
The next straight edit is shown of him holding the torch close to his face.
An over the shoulder shot is used from the dog's perspective to a bright light from the torch shinning on him.
The high pitch, build up returns again to build suspense into the next shot.
A close up of the dog cowering under the table is shown which can scare the audience as this is natural behaviour for a dog when it's scared or there's something wrong.
German Sheppard's are seen to be strong dogs that are fearless so for the audience to see one cowering away can be quite frightening and add to the build up of suspense.
A close up of the main character is shown again with the glow from the torch on his face. He's looking down which is a closed posture but viewers are only able to see half of his face. He is framed with a dark background which can be terrifying for some people as they do not know what is beyond the darkness.
The soundtrack build up becomes louder and more intimidating at this point.
The next shot relates to the last as the main character understands why his dog is acting in that way. This also refers to previous in the trailer, showing the strong bond they have. An over the shoulder, mid shot is used of the character shooting his weapon. This makes the lighting flicker in response to the gun fire. The build up climaxes at this point making the image as scary as possible.
Another black out is continuously used in this trailer to flow nicely and to keep a dark side to the trailer.
The blackout fades into a long shot of a silhouette of the character running towards the camera with the light in the background, drawing the attention to the man.
The soundtrack becomes silent, only hearing the man breathing as he runs.
The straight edits are sped up at this stage to build tension and climax when the zombies are shown chasing the main character out of the window into the light. The light signifies hope as light is seen as a positive atmosphere.
The soundtrack becomes upbeat and more energetic at this point, starting with the window smashing.
A straight edit is used to keep the pace up and shows another explosion to live up to the drama and thriller expectation. An inspirational non-diagetic soundtrack is put into place to show courage.
A long shot is presented of the main character lying on the floor, looking in pain. He points his gun as the camera zooms in on it to emphasis the fact that he's not afraid to pull the trigger.
A fade out and into a rotating, bird’s eye view shows the abandoned streets of America. This links with the inspirational soundtrack as the streets are big and bold.
Another voice over is used of the character to carry on telling his story.
A cross dissolve is used in a mid shot to show the character in a lab coat and glasses. This is followed by another close up of his face looking serious.
A cross dissolve is used to show him with a needle injecting into the body.
These shots are linked together with cross dissolves which also seems to build pace and dramatics. A long shot of him with a body on the table shows viewers that he's experimenting with the diseased.
A cross dissolve is used to show that the next shot is in a different time and place. This shot is a close up of the main character's shocked face is briefly shown. The music becomes more dramatic by non-diagetic sounds such as the choir being included, becoming louder with each shot.
This is followed by someone jumping higher than humanly possible.
The voice over still plays while the shots are playing on the screen, summarising the movie.
A straight edit of a floor height shot is used to show the character falling down into an uncomfortable position. The contrast in what's happening and the bright lighting works well as it allows the viewer to be able to see everything in the shot and the relation it has from previous in the trailer. His screams are sounded here creating drama.
A wide angle shot is shown following on the previous shot. The lighting is the same but it shows the building around him.
A close up to his face builds the tension as his face is shocked like he's found something he's never seen before. His voice over words and the non-diagetic music create an uplifting, encouraging feeling and a sense of hope.
Multiple shots of a various angles, all of which are fast pace to build up to a climax, are shown one after the other. In a few of these shots, close ups of the characters face are shown but they seem to be angrier the more the climax is build to help the tension build up.
This then abruptly stops to a black screen to signify that viewers will have to watch the film to find out what happens.
All sound stops when the character's name is shown to make it stand out more.
The character's credits are shown followed by an extreme close up of him to make it clear what the actors name and face is like. This is then followed by another shot of the light he's using, pointed at the camera.
More short, straight edits are shown to represent that there is much more in the film that is action packed.
The non-diagetic and diagetic sound is fast pace once more until the title is shown when it then fades out into an echo to make the name stand out so people remember it.
Another straight edit to a black screen is shown again with the words going into the centre of the page letting the viewers know what it's called.
The reviews of the trailer are mostly positive and are clear that it has definitely had an effect on each of the viewers.
The view count and likes and dislikes are shown below:
2,101,544
2,377 108
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