Codes and Conventions of Post Apocalyptic films

Below is a list of code and conventions that may appear in post apocalyptic films. I hope to use some of these idea in my own Post apocalyptic film opening.

• Abandoned/derelict locations - location is key for any film but during post apocalyptic films the scenes are usually derelict abandoned like desert like in the book of Eli or the road. it could also be set in a derelict city like new York in I am legend. another example could be in a forest or something slightly different like in Armageddon which is set in space.
• Low key lighting- like in the opening scene of 28 days later during the scene with the monkeys
• Physical and mental challenges - physical challenges like in the road and the book of Eli where the characters are travelling long distances by foot which is physically challenges and metal challenges like living in a world without communication with other humans and not being able to eat regularly.
• Tight communities/Gangs - during apocalypses staying in a group or a gang is usually better as you look stronger to other groups and gangs and also it is better to be living in company and alongside other humans to keep you mentally stable during the tough times. this occurs in films like the book of Eli as Eli is a lot stronger person when travelling with Solara even though she is a woman.  
• Dangerous gangs/antagonist - This theme occurs in most post apocalyptic films including the four films I have studied; the zombies/the walking dead in I am legend and 28 days later, in the road it is other people they may come across along there journey and in the book of Eli Carnegie and his gang is the dangerous gang that are willing to kill Eli and Solara and whoever else gets in there way. Also in the book of Eli there are smaller gangs that hijack, attack and rape people that they come across.
• A crisis that occurs - a crisis is usually the main reason that the apocalypse has happened in the film. it creates the storyline and the plot that will interest the viewer. a few examples of crisis' Include a natural disaster (the road), a virus or medicine failure (I am legend/28 days later), war (the book of Eli) ,failure in technology (I, robot) or a Alien/meteor attack (independence day).
• Dark themes - dark themes also occur in many PA films like death, murder, rape and violence.
• Strong male protagonist - a protagonist is key to any film but a strong male protagonist occurs frequently in PA films as I think they obviously need to be strong and powerful to overcome the problems that they cross . the actors playing these character also occur frequently in multiple post apocalyptic films like Will Smith who plays a part in; I Am Legend, I, Robot, independence day and After Earth. Other strong male protagonist used in PA films are Denzel Washington and Viggo Mortensen.
• Death/violence - death and violence occur in most post apocalyptic films as it is a key convention. the 4 films that we have studied all included some kind of death. in the book of Eli there was death and violence all the way through and 28 days later too. The road, the book of Eli and I am legend the main death of the film is the main character which occurs right at the end of the film. in I am legend the main character sacrifices himself to save others and in the road and the book of Eli the character dies from natural causes after they have passed there legacy onto someone else.
• Fight scenes- fight scene occur frequently in the book of Eli which is the main film that I have studied, during the film Eli has a fight with many gangs during the film including the gang that hijacked him and Carnegie's gang.
• Religion - religion is a massive part in the book of Eli as the thing that he is protecting is the only bible left in the world and he believes that god is guiding him too the right place where the bible will be put to good use and not to create more danger.
• Hope in the endings - hope is a massive part of all post apocalyptic films as it is the only thing that keeps the characters going throughout the film. the hope only really shows during the ending of the films for example in the book of Eli he carries the hope to get the place of safety and to share the bible for the greater good. Also in I am legend Anna strongly believes in god and carry's hope for her and her son, Robert on the other hand does not believe in god and all and even though he has the cure he believes that it will never be put to use.
• A  item of significance - An item of significance is important as it shapes the storyline of the film for example In I am legend the  item is the cure that they are trying to find, in the book of Eli the bible is the item that everyone is searching for. in the road the family is looking for a safe haven so hope is really the item of significance but in the end scene the young boy askes the new family do you carry the light which is also a big part of the film. Each film have and significant item or thing that will shape the storyline and give meaning to the characters.