In order to analyse this opening title sequence, I will again use the 8 main areas of discussion:
- Narrative
- Setting
- Sound
- Titles
- Atmosphere
- Genre
- Character
- Theme
The title sequence of I Am Legend (2007) is an open narrative, however if looked at in conjunction with the entire film it would become a closed narrative. The film as whole would be described as a fragmented narrative as the plot line jumps between the past and present in order to explain the sequence of events that led up to and impacted the present situation. The title sequence is also in a fragmented narrative style, making it harder for the audience to follow and understand right away. The opening is ambiguous in its meaning and it is not directly clear what has happened - which leaves the audience questioning and wanting to continue watching. The news report heard at the start of the opening is assumed to be present time, however after the words 'Three years later' appears it is clear that that was a past event and the audience are now in the present time frame of the story.
Throughout the opening Francis Lawrence (Director) establishes the main features of the film: the genre, the location, the atmosphere and also possible themes. We can gather that something has caused New York City to become abandoned. As the opening cuts straight from the news report to the abandoned city we can assume that there two things are linked in some way, leading the audience to believe that this so called 'cancer cure' may have caused the abandonment. A range of camera shots are used to show various places in New York City - this could be a indication of settings that may be used in significant parts later on in the storyline.
The setting of the opening sequence is indicated from the American accent and conversation of the news reporters right at the beginning of the clip. This is later re-inforced by the cinematography of the iconic New York skyline. The iconograpahy of Time Square is also important as it is shown to be completely abandoned, which is strange for the audience as Time Square is a famous landmark usually over crowded with people. This leads further questions is the audiences mind.
All sounds heard in the opening sequence are diegetic - this adds a natural and desolate feel of the text -anything other than natural sounds would not be fitting with the style of the opening. The absence of sound not only sets the audience up for the eerie tone of the rest of the film, but also the introduction of the single car driving along the road. It makes this sound stand out, signifying its importance. The diegetic sound of birds and other natural beings highlights the barren setting and the isolation of the city. It also emphasises how different the setting is to what the audience would conventionally expect.
Within the opening of the film (the first 3 minutes) the only titles shown are they production company - Warner Bros. - and other companies involved in the production of the film. No titles about the director or actors are shown and, more significantly, neither is the title of the film. Even though this is not conventional of opening sequences I think it works well for this film in particular. Without the titles it gives the film a sense of realism and adds to the intensity of the sequence. Perhaps Lawence felt that by introducing a credited institution such as Warner Bros. it would be enough to assure the audience that the film would be one worth seeing. It also builds up the anticipation from the awaiting audience.
The atmosphere of the opening switches very quickly between the beginning and end of the opening sequence. We are introduced to a news report about sports which is a very normal, everyday occurrence giving a comfortable, relatable atmosphere. The opening then develops and we hear about a supposed cure for cancer - which is a very positive thing to hear and creates a happy atmosphere. However, this positive tone juxtaposed with the silent, seemingly dead, city dramatically alters the atmosphere of the text. The tone becomes very somber and seems disturbingly bizarre to the audience. The absence of sound also increases the prominence of the uncertain atmosphere here.
Many genres could be suggested for the opening sequence due to its ambiguity. The idea of medicine that is introduced and the word 'disease' seen on a wall in the city signifies a sci-fi genre, however the added scenes of shattered streets and suggested previous chaos implies a drama/action genre. The fragmented narrative and the obscure setting is very fitting with the sci-fi genre as it adds a complexity to the plot line.
No main characters are introduced in the first three minutes of the opening which again adds to the uncertainty of the situation. We hear the voices of two men talking on a television programme but as we never see their identity it is assumed they are not significant characters. The two women talking about the cancer cure are also introduced to the audience, however this is purely to set the scene and the fact that they are in a past event shows that's they are unlikely to feature in the rest of the film. The lack of characters further adds to the confusion of the narrative and the overall atmosphere of the text.
Many themes are suggested throughout the opening titles such as: medicine, death conflict and destruction. Most of these are indicated through the mise en scene. The complete devastation of the city suggests conflict and destruction whilst the mention of the cancer cure and the word 'disease' indicates the medicine theme. The fragmented narrative allows the audience to predict and assume other themes throughout and come up with a explanation for the abandoned city.
The opening sequence of 'I Am Legend' is very effective in hinting at different aspects of the film. Nothing is directly told to the audience, only implied, which leaves them questioning a lot of things. The ambiguity of the events allows the audience to create their own take on the film and predict the future events of the plot line. The lack of sound and the iconography of the New York City buildings strongly accents abnormality of the situation.
Throughout the opening Francis Lawrence (Director) establishes the main features of the film: the genre, the location, the atmosphere and also possible themes. We can gather that something has caused New York City to become abandoned. As the opening cuts straight from the news report to the abandoned city we can assume that there two things are linked in some way, leading the audience to believe that this so called 'cancer cure' may have caused the abandonment. A range of camera shots are used to show various places in New York City - this could be a indication of settings that may be used in significant parts later on in the storyline.
The setting of the opening sequence is indicated from the American accent and conversation of the news reporters right at the beginning of the clip. This is later re-inforced by the cinematography of the iconic New York skyline. The iconograpahy of Time Square is also important as it is shown to be completely abandoned, which is strange for the audience as Time Square is a famous landmark usually over crowded with people. This leads further questions is the audiences mind.
All sounds heard in the opening sequence are diegetic - this adds a natural and desolate feel of the text -anything other than natural sounds would not be fitting with the style of the opening. The absence of sound not only sets the audience up for the eerie tone of the rest of the film, but also the introduction of the single car driving along the road. It makes this sound stand out, signifying its importance. The diegetic sound of birds and other natural beings highlights the barren setting and the isolation of the city. It also emphasises how different the setting is to what the audience would conventionally expect.
Within the opening of the film (the first 3 minutes) the only titles shown are they production company - Warner Bros. - and other companies involved in the production of the film. No titles about the director or actors are shown and, more significantly, neither is the title of the film. Even though this is not conventional of opening sequences I think it works well for this film in particular. Without the titles it gives the film a sense of realism and adds to the intensity of the sequence. Perhaps Lawence felt that by introducing a credited institution such as Warner Bros. it would be enough to assure the audience that the film would be one worth seeing. It also builds up the anticipation from the awaiting audience.
The atmosphere of the opening switches very quickly between the beginning and end of the opening sequence. We are introduced to a news report about sports which is a very normal, everyday occurrence giving a comfortable, relatable atmosphere. The opening then develops and we hear about a supposed cure for cancer - which is a very positive thing to hear and creates a happy atmosphere. However, this positive tone juxtaposed with the silent, seemingly dead, city dramatically alters the atmosphere of the text. The tone becomes very somber and seems disturbingly bizarre to the audience. The absence of sound also increases the prominence of the uncertain atmosphere here.
Many genres could be suggested for the opening sequence due to its ambiguity. The idea of medicine that is introduced and the word 'disease' seen on a wall in the city signifies a sci-fi genre, however the added scenes of shattered streets and suggested previous chaos implies a drama/action genre. The fragmented narrative and the obscure setting is very fitting with the sci-fi genre as it adds a complexity to the plot line.
No main characters are introduced in the first three minutes of the opening which again adds to the uncertainty of the situation. We hear the voices of two men talking on a television programme but as we never see their identity it is assumed they are not significant characters. The two women talking about the cancer cure are also introduced to the audience, however this is purely to set the scene and the fact that they are in a past event shows that's they are unlikely to feature in the rest of the film. The lack of characters further adds to the confusion of the narrative and the overall atmosphere of the text.
Many themes are suggested throughout the opening titles such as: medicine, death conflict and destruction. Most of these are indicated through the mise en scene. The complete devastation of the city suggests conflict and destruction whilst the mention of the cancer cure and the word 'disease' indicates the medicine theme. The fragmented narrative allows the audience to predict and assume other themes throughout and come up with a explanation for the abandoned city.
The opening sequence of 'I Am Legend' is very effective in hinting at different aspects of the film. Nothing is directly told to the audience, only implied, which leaves them questioning a lot of things. The ambiguity of the events allows the audience to create their own take on the film and predict the future events of the plot line. The lack of sound and the iconography of the New York City buildings strongly accents abnormality of the situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment