How are the audience prepared for the climax in the beach scene in "Jaws?"
How are the audience prepared for the climax in the beach scene in "Jaws?"
The spectacular film "Jaws" was filmed in 1975 and directed by Steven Spielberg at the age of 27. The film was based on a book titled 'A Stillness In The Water' by Peter Benchely. The scene being analysed reflects the main plot in the book. It is set on a beach and involves a young boy, who is later attacked by a shark.
The essay will analyse how the use of cinematic techniques such as lighting, colour, sound, camera shots, camera edits/movements and mise en scene help to prepare the audience for the climax in this particular scene.
Lighting and colour are used effectively in preparing the audience for the climax. This is evident at the start of the scene where the atmosphere on the beach is pleasant and sunny. Natural lighting is used to make the scene realistic to watch and feel involved in. As the scene progresses, the natural lighting seems to dim prior to the shark's appearance to create a growing sense of danger and insecurity. The lighting is faded to illustrate the murkiness of the water. Doing this shows that the gradual close proximity of the shark is disguised until it ensnares the child.
The purpose of colour in clothing is effective in building suspense. The audience are introduced to the boy who is clothed in red swimming trunks. The colour red signifies his vulnerability, and also indicating blood. The people on the beach are clothed in bright and vibrant swimwear to portray that they are relaxed and nothing troubles them. This technique enables anything sinister that occurs to appear sudden and unforeseen. In addition, it gently unravels the disturbances that arise at the end of the scene.
However, in contrast to this mood, a man is presented in sombre and dismal clothes to depict his anxiety and anticipation, as he has assured himself that the people on the beach are in grave danger.
The first sound that the audience observe is the dog running and jumping into the sea. Its barking and the owner's commands are heard continually. The dog is therefore revealed to the audience as holding some importance in the scene. The sounds of joyful laughter, light-hearted speech and the radio playing soothing music in the background is sustained throughout the ...
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However, in contrast to this mood, a man is presented in sombre and dismal clothes to depict his anxiety and anticipation, as he has assured himself that the people on the beach are in grave danger.
The first sound that the audience observe is the dog running and jumping into the sea. Its barking and the owner's commands are heard continually. The dog is therefore revealed to the audience as holding some importance in the scene. The sounds of joyful laughter, light-hearted speech and the radio playing soothing music in the background is sustained throughout the scene to demonstrate safety and an illusion of enjoyment. The audience contemplate on the boy asking his mother permission to swim for a little while more. At this point his mother is unwilling for the boy to return, but then sees no harm in allowing him another 10 minutes. This piece of dialogue implies an awareness of threat targeted at the boy.
Whilst the troubled, agitated lifeguard is looking out to sea, a man approaches him and proceeds to speak. His voice is muted to a low volume, illustrating that the lifeguard is not attentive and is effortlessly being distracted. This particular part of the scene informs the audience of his strange behaviour, in comparison to the lively atmosphere on the beach.
Following this, a girl screams whilst frolicking around with her boyfriend in the water. The lifeguard is mislead by this and jumps up, alarmed and startled. The audience instantly feel that something horrific has
arisen due to the lifeguard's reaction.
Subsequently, a feeling of uncertainty begins to build up because the audience have no doubt that something devastating may occur. This is understood from the lifeguard's body language and the uses of sound that emphasise this idea. A while before the shark features, a small boy is centralised on the screen who is playing with sand and singing contently to himself. These two extremes are successful in the build up to a climax, on account of the innocence of the boy, which contrasts greatly with the menace and peril that the shark posses.
When the shark approaches the surface of the water, a piece of music alike our heart beating is played. The music guides the audience's own heartbeat into imitating it, along with the unease that swiftly rises predominantly in the scene.
The music amplifies and accelerates to the chaos of parents rescuing their children from the water. During this period the audience feel a huge amount of distress and tension forming.
A silence accompanies this, displaying grief and sorrow which hangs over them.
The distinguishable types of camera shots are dealt with efficiently throughout. The scene begins with a long shot of the boy. This assists in establishing the scene. Several long-shot of individual swimmers in the water are presented, and also of the dog and it's owner. This demonstrates that an unconstrained environment is trying to be composed to conceal the horrifying occurrence from the audience.
An extreme close-up of the lifeguard's facial expressions that depict trauma as well as severe distress, is shown when he realises that the shark has captured it's prey. The audiences' fear and anticipation rise dramatically as the tension eventuates.
As the hysteria dies away, a fixed camera is focused on the boy's mother. This emphasises the loss of the boy even more. The audience feel empathy towards the mother.
Camera edits and movement are used effectively in achieving the build up to a climax. At the beginning of the scene, the camera follows the boy's footsteps to portray the boy as the main character in the scene. The camera movements are generally slow paced at this part of the scene. When all concentration is focused on the lifeguard, wipe cuts aided by an actual people are used to exchange close-ups of the lifeguard and long shots of the people swimming in the sea. This illustrates a connection between the lifeguard, and his concerns for the people swimming in the sea.
As the scene advances closer to the climax, the camera movements change rapidly and appear more frequent. This is apparent when a group of children all speed towards the water at once. Several jump cuts are applied to formulate confusion amidst the audience, therefore creating suspense. A point-of-view shot from the shark is taken as it draws nearer to the surface. This assists in reinforcing development in tension.
The beach accentuates props that contribute to the relevance of the scene. People typically wear less clothing on a beach, denoting
insecurity in this scene.
In advance to the shark's vicinity to the boy, a shot of the dog's stick drifting in the water conveys a missing presence, therefore developing unease among the audience. Furthermore, after the boy is taken, his mother is highlighted with a yellow hat. This makes certain that the audience's regard is only on her. As the concluding shot, a mangled lilo dispersed in bloody water drifts up on the seafront. This gives guidance in stressing the grievance and affliction to the audience.
Based on all the points conceived, I can conclude that the overall use of cinematic techniques are effective in building tension and suspense in the climatic scene. Each technique emphasises this powerfully and combined produces an even greater impact. I found that sound was used exceptionally well in achieving this. The music that is played as the shark draws nearer the surface provides an increasingly tense atmosphere among the audience. The many differential contrasts in sound that are used also trigger the knowledge of something fatal and disastrous to arise. As to the success of the film, it grossed $745 million worldwide, enhancing the vast influence on the audience.
