I Am Legend

Work Title: I Am Legend
Medium: Film
Episode Title:
Year: 2007
Writer(s): Richard Matheson
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

Robert Neville is a scientist who was unable to stop the spread of the terrible virus that was incurable and man-made. Immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and perhaps the world. For three years, Neville has faithfully sent out daily radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. But he is not alone. Mutant victims of the plague -- The Infected -- lurk in the shadows... watching Neville's every move... waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind's last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But he knows he is outnumbered... and quickly running out of time. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Era/Year of Portrayal: near_future
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

The film centers around mutant-turned humans who prey on any living thing at night. They are the survivors of a post-apocalyptic world in which a lethal strain of virus kills 90 percent of the world's inhabitants . The setting is largely destroyed buildings, cars, buses, trains, and planes. The main characters, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neville, the scientist largely responsible for the virus, and his dog, navigate the destruction in a Ford Expedition. For most of the film, there is no form of life other than Neville, the dog, and the mutants, but there are many stores and homes with products, computers, phones and supplies, left undamaged, as though no tragedy had occurred.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Mannequins, computer recording equipment
  • Description of the technology: A general description:

    - Mannequins -- Human-shaped inanimate objects once used as displays in now abandoned stores.

    - Computer recording equipment -- Visual and audio equipment responsive to Neville's voice as he discusses his attempts to find a cure for the virus.

    Mobile:
    - Mannequins -- Not mobile
    - Computer recording equipment -- Not mobile but Neville is mobile as he speaks to it.

    How the user interacts:
    - Mannequin -- Neville speaks to and touches the mannequins as if they are human, expecting a response and growing very frustrated when he doesn't get one.
    - Computer recording equipment -- Neville speaks to the equipment as if it is another person in the room, comforted by its attentiveness.

    Quality:
    - Mannequins -- Highly vivid and perceptually and socially real in visual form. There is initially a social realness in perceived physical interaction, as Neville indicates the mannequins are simply shy or stand-offish. Increasingly, the silence frustrates Neville, as he expects an aural or tactile response but doesn't get one.
    - Computer recording equipment -- The equipment does not speak back but has a high degree of social realism and a quick response time as it receives Neville's narrative in the time and manner he expects it to be received. He needs a listener, and the equipment serves this need.

    Behavior:
    - Mannequins -- The mannequins seems unassuming at first but eventually give off an indifferent or superior attitude by not offering back any audio or physical responses.
    - Computer recording equipment -- The expectation of the equipment is to listen and receive, which the equipment does effectively throughout the film. Neville seems to find it helpful and accommodating.


  • Nature of task or activity: Mannequins -- Social interaction. Neville speaks to and touches the mannequins for a human connection in a world devoid of normal humans.
    Computer recording equipment -- Social interaction. Neville speaks to the equipment to have a recipient of the information he is processing and to record it for future review.
  • Performance of the Technology: Mannequins -- The mannequins at first do what they are intended to do and are comforting but then they fall short of social interactoin and are disappointing.
    Computer recording equipment -- The equipment does what it is supposed to do and is satisfying from the beginning to the end of the film.
  • Description of creator(s): Mannequins -- The mannequins are created for stored displays. There is evidence that Neville may move them around and change their clothing for a more believable social interaction, but the viewer never sees this.
    Computer recording equipment -- It is presumed that Neville, who was in the military, had the advanced equipment in his possession and had been using it effectively prior to the world tragedy. He is very comfortable speaking to the equipment.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): Mannequins -- To showcase clothing in department stores.
    Computer recording equipment -- To log important research findings.
  • Description of users of technology: Mannequins -- Neville, a scientist in his early 40s who has lost his wife and child in the world tragedy.
    Computer recording equpiment -- Neville
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: both
  • Description of presence experience: Mannequins -- Neville feels as though he is in the presence of normal humans when he speaks to and touches the mannequins. He is at first optimistic that they are present and are attentive to his discourse. He ultimately is frustrated with the lack of audio and physical responses they offer.
    Computer recording equipment -- Neville seems satisfied as he speaks to the equipment, expecting it to receive and retain important information about his research. He does not seem to need or want additional audio or physical feedback from the equipment.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: Mannequins -- Neville does not ever seem aware that the mannequins are inanimate objects.
    Computer recording equipment -- Neville does not indicate that the equipment is present or not present, but he always uses his voice to communicate with the equipment. He never types or touches a screen to enter information.
  • Valence of experience: Mannequins -- Neville initially enjoys interacting with the mannequins are eventually grows frustrated. He seems to enjoy the spatial and social presence experience more before his frustration.
    Computer recording equipment -- Neville is satisfied with his interaction with the equipment. He seems to enjoy the social presence experience.
  • Specific responses: Mannequins -- Neville feels a sense of physical attraction and grows amorous toward one of the woman-shaped mannequins. He seems to be having some sort of a personal relationships with "her."
    Computer recording equipment -- Neville speaks to the equipment as though it is a peer. His discourse indicates they have a professional relationship in which the equipment receives, retains and offers back the information but needs not offer any other level of interaction or support.
Long-term consequences:

Mannequins -- Neville's sense of spatial and social presence with the mannequins helps him keep his sanity and he works to find a cure for the virus. He ultimately does find the cure.
Computer recording technology -- Neville's abiltiy to speak to the equipment as though it is a rationale cohort enables him to process information out loud, record it, and play it back. This helps him find a cure for the virus.

Other:

Coder name: Melissa Selverian
Coder email: melissaselverian@comcast.net
Coder affiliation: Temple University