The film Jaws is based around a shark aimed to scare the audience and capture interest and intrigue, so naturally the shark becomes the main focus. With the shark being the main focus it is important that the audience is made to feel the victim’s emotions. In the first attack the director uses the pace of the music to show when the shark is approaching without actually showing the shark itself, which forces the audience to create a mental image of an intimidating terrifying shark. In the first attack the director uses different camera to give the perspective of both the victim and the villain, to do this he uses an underwater shot to show the shark’s view which creates tension as the camera gets closer and closer to the unexpecing victim. As the attack takes place you get flashes of extreme close up on the victim showing the emotional turmoil which rubs of on the audience. Within the first ten minutes of the film we are presented with a build up of a sombre and happy atmosphere leading to an attack which creates fear of the shark without actually showing it.
In an attempt to capture the shark a professional is introduced who finds a tiger shark believed to be the ‘killer’ shark. Unconvinced, sheriff Brody, leads an investigation to cut the shark open to reveal the insides of the stomach to see if there are human remains, along side oceanographer Hooper. In the scene where this takes place the director places the shark lying near the camera in shadow making it seem insignificant and unimportant. The two characters become the main focus to show their reaction when realising the ‘killer’ shark is still on the loose capable of attacking at any time. Another scene shows Brody eagerly flicking through a book on shark attacks, it is then that the audience appreciates the danger and capabilities of the shark who is still on the loose, which naturally creates fright and anxiety.
The theme music can be used to mislead the audience into a false sense of fright, as done so when Cooper and Quinn set out to catch the shark. The scene opens with a long shot to show the setting and situation then gradually gets closer where it becomes apparent that the two men have a sense of unease about them, which becomes mimicked by the audience. During the scene tell tail signs are used to create a build up like extreme close up’s on the characters revealing their emotions, also the eerie absence of music. The suspense is broken when the theme tune starts quietly and slowly but builds up while the speed of the scene pics up. This is what’s known as a false alarm as the attack did not take place, this leaves the audience unsure next time they here the theme tune they don’t know whether to expect an attack or not.
Throughout the film you watch the three main characters relationships develop as the film goes on. It is important that this occurs as it gives the audience more interest and gives them something they can relate to. The three main characters are each very different and individual which gives you variety. Chief Brody, who is the sheriff of Amity Island and has much responsibility for the welfare of the people, this puts him under much strain. Quinn who is the shark hunter, a strong experienced rugged character who adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the story line. Hooper who is an well educated Oceanographer who is portrayed as a weak character which makes the audience feel unsafe and vulnerable.
Steven Spielberg uses many dramatic techniques to capture the audience. Among the techniques is the important use of camera angles to show dominance, insignificance, facial expressions etc. Spielberg uses extreme close ups to show the facial expressions and emotion, this gives the audience a sense of how to feel. Low angle shot is where the camera is pointed upwards to create an importance and intimidating view, Spielberg uses this when showing the shark in attack. A very effective camera angle is the point of view shot which Spielberg uses to show the perspective of the main focus, for instance when the shark is about to attack in the first scene a below sea level shot is show moving in a rapid movement towards the victim believed to be the shark.
Steven Spielberg’s techniques worked brilliantly and successfully as he created an even more popular film then the original book. Without the use of sound and a variety of camera angles the film ‘Jaws’ could or would never have been so notorious today, as it was when first released.
