In the opening sequence of Jaws the camera shows the point of view of the shark moving through the weeds at the bottom of the sea. This creates tension because it makes the audience feel as though the girl is being watched with out her knowing or being spied on. This point of view shot also makes the audience feel as though it is showing the sharks thoughts and emotions. It also seems as though it is showing that the shark is looking for prey. The audience would in addition be curious and nervous to see what is lurking in the water.
The camera showing the girl in the water as a silhouette creates tension. This creates tension because it makes her look more vulnerable and highlights the fact that she is alone. It also shows her as a silhouette through the sharks’ point of view, this could mean that to the shark the girl has no identity – making the shark appear a cold and heartless animal. This creates tension because it could signal a shark attack.
The two tone music sequence creates tension because it becomes gradually faster, this could represent a heartbeat. This creates tension because it would relate to the pulse of the girl increasing, which happens when someone is nervous. It could also symbolize the sharks pulse in the means that it could be seen as the sharks excitement increasing. This would build tension because the audience would be anxious as to what the shark is getting excited about and may relate it to an shark attack. It in addition gives the sense that it is building up to something or that the shark is getting closer to an unsuspecting victim.
By not seeing the shark, tension is built. This is built because it creates a sense of mystery or curiosity, not knowing what it is lurking under the sea. The fear of the creature is therefore increased by not knowing exactly what it is and what it is capable of doing.
The bonfire on the beach creates tension because it gives connotations or danger and anger. However, this is also creates juxtaposition because the circle of people around the fire give the sense of safety and belonging. This could have been used to allow the audience to be lured into a false sense of security. It also shows the darkness away from the fire, nearer to the ocean, this creates tension because the audience do not know what could be out there. This could also be seen as a warning not to leave the safety of the bonfire. This is why tension is created when the couple leave the circle, this is because it feels as though they are leaving the safety of the group and that they are more vulnerable when they are not in the group.
Throughout the opening of Jaws Steven Spielberg successfully creates tension among the audience. I believe that the most successful method he uses to create tension is his use of colour. I think this because his use of colour creates many connotations that would make the audience curious or nervous. His most successful use of colour is that of the bonfire which is a juxtaposition. I think that his least successful method of creating tension is not seeing the shark. I think this because if the shark was shown, more tension would be created because of the negative connotations of the shark. It also does not create tension as much as the other methods because the title ‘Jaws’ already gives away that it is likely to be about a shark.
