How does Spielberg create tension in the movie “Jaws”?
The film “Jaws” was made in the year 1975 by the director Steven Spielberg. At this time he did not have available to him any C.G.I special effects, but despite this he managed to instil in his audience a sense of fear, tension and many other emotions. He did this using a series of techniques such as music and camera angles.
In the film “Jaws” we are immediately shown the first killing of Chrissie, this shows us the power of the shark and initialises the idea that the sharks signature music means that the shark is about to attack or is nearing, we are shown 2 more attacks like this before Quint, Brody and Hooper go out to kill the shark. When they go out to kill the shark we are shown things that we had not seen before and we witness the real strength and size of the shark.
In the film “Jaws” Steven Spielberg uses a series of different camera angles to create a sense of fear and tension in the audience. For instance he uses a low level underwater camera angle which informs the audience that the shark is possibly near. There are many other camera angles used such as a close up, zoom in, zoom out, panning camera moving left or right, mid shot, high angle looking down. Each of these camera angles has a different effect on the audience. A camera can do many things, it can be used to shock the audience, it can be used to make the audience feel like they are in the film and can be used for a host of other things.
Music is a big part of the film “Jaws” it is used in a different variety of situations to heighten a certain sense or feeling in the audience such as a sense of fear, or a sense of happiness or any other emotions. This effect is achieved particularly well by John Williams and Steven Spielberg when they are trying to heighten a sense of tension or fear. This is done by using the shark’s signature tune among other aspects of music. The audience immediately when they hear the shark’s music that the shark is near and more often than not the shark attacks someone or attempts to. We are immediately introduced to the shark’s signature tune in the opening credits, when the camera moves through the reeds as if it were from a first perspective of the shark perspective. As the camera moves, a menacing sound builds up increasing in speed and volume. Spielberg also uses music to make the audience feel happy at certain points in the film, for instance when Hooper, Brody and Quint are chasing the shark, the music is fast paced and cheerful, happy music is also used to achieve a different affect earlier in the film just before the 4th of July attack. The music is originally joyous and jovial when you see all of the tourists arriving in Amity Island, although the audience does sense an undertone of danger in the music. This is used very cleverly to lure the audience into a false sense of security.
