Jaws is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Roy Scheider
Narrative Structure
There is a distinct connection between the ocean in the opening credits and the beach in the first scene, and this helps the narrative as you know Jaws will strike there next.
The film is set in a linear narrative, as the the film follows in one plot, Jaws killing people. The narrative is also driven by the characters communication.
Thriller Codes and Conventions
- Transform City- A peaceful little beach and the lives of people who live by there are shaken up by the killings.
- Partial Vision- You don't actually see Jaws, which also creates suspence, even though the audience is aware it is a shark.
- Concealment- the audience have vital information kept away from them to create suspence
Camera Work
- First Scene - It is from the POV from Jaws, and the audience are given the authentic feeling like they are actually under water.
- Second Scene - Medium Close up of a group of teenagers on a beach, having fun and laughing. It's in the dark, so it is either night or early morning.
- Third Scene - A shot-reverse-shot of a boy looking at Chrissy before the scene switches back to him at a medium close up
- Fourth Scene- There's an extreme long shot of them all sat on the beach and then Chrissy and the boy leave, running away from the group.
- Fifth Scene- Long shot of the two of them running down the beach stripping off their clothes until Chrissy jumps into the water.
- Sixth Scene - There is an extreme long shot of Chrissy in the water, showing how vulnerable she is.
- Seventh Scene - Mid shot of her being thrashed around in the water until she is finally pulled under.
Mis-En-Scene
Under the water, there is a blue lighting which gives everything a cold feeling, whereas on the beach, the orange-red glow of the fire makes everything seem safer.
It shows a group of teenagers having fun, and we are introduced to the 'main' characters of the scene due to camera shots. He is smoking and drinking, whereas Chrissy isn't.
When they run down near the fences, what seems to lok like bite marks have been made in the wood, which is foreshadowing what will happen to Chrissy
When Chrissy jumps into the water, there is no sign that she is going to be attacked as the water is calm, yet, compared to the ocean, she is so small and vulnerable, so the audience have the feeling that she is going to be attacked.
The audience see from Jaws's point of view as he spots Chrissy's legs, and the audience immediately know that she is going to die.
She begins to be pulled under the water, and is screaming for help, but even the boy who she was with can't hear her, so she is doomed. When she is eventually pulled under, the sea is calm again, and there is no trace left of her, not even blood.
Sound
The typical Jaws themetune (Heard below) creates a tense atomosphere and trains the audience to know when an attack is about to occur.
At the very beginning, there is a non-diagetic sound showing up before the image, which sounds like a submarine. Also, during the credits, there is an anti-climax as the music becomes louder as the audience expects something to happen, but instead, a boy playing a harmonica with a happy tune comes on screen instead, which is a diagetic sound.
When Chrissy is being killed, you can hear her screaming and ringing the bell, whereas on the beach, where the boy fell asleep it is silent, showing that no-one can hear her. But when she is dragged under, there is complete silence.
Editing & Graphics
There is a shot-reverse-shot during the scene Chrissy and the boy catch each others eyes. and the ocean shows how small Chrissy is compared to it, indicating her vulnerability.
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