Section 2: Analysing Similar Films (cntd.)

Jaws Notes

Narrative structure:
Equilibrium is used at the beginning as we are shown a group of teenagers having a party at the beach; a normal situation. Disequilibrium occurs when Jaws sneaks up, and attacks the girl who is swimming. This prepares the audience for what will happen throughout the film.

Thriller codes and conventions:
Partial vision is used at first as we are not fully aware of what is swimming through the reeds and coral.The “Transformed City” Convention is another code Spielberg also uses, as using a beach leads the audience to think they are in no danger as it is usually a safe place.Spielberg also makes good used of the Question and Answer Model as we find ourselves, as the audience, asking Questions – “What is in the Water?” “Are the Teenagers in Danger?” “Is anybody going to get hurt?” etc.Partial Vision is used again as we do not know what is swimming, yet we see the affects of it, as it attacks the girl in the water.

Camerawork:
Spielberg makes use of a Tracking Shot, Pont of View Shot and a Point of view shot as Jaws swims through the coral.Whilst at the beach there is a long tracking shot that doesn’t stop giving a calming feeling as the pace of the film at this point is slow.
There is then a close up on the young male showing he is more important in the film than the other people there, as is the girl they also do a close up on. This shows how they both have something in common leading more into the Question and Answer Model.
Then, just before the couple leave the beach there is a High Angle shot, looking down on the group as if showing they are vulnerable. (This is ironic as the killer can only realistically attack from below – Red Herring).
There is yet another tracking shot as the couple run onto the beach, which leads into a mid shot of the man on the beach attempting to undress himself.
The low angle, PoV shot shows Jaws sneaking up on his pray just before attack.After the attack there is then a Long shot out into see showing how far out she was.

Mise-en-scene:
We are shown a party, being held by a group of teenagers who are having a good time, drinking, and appear to be in no immediate danger. We see two of them leave the group and head toward the beach, and one of them then enters the water, where we see her get thrown around and dragged under; but we don’t see what by.

Sound:
Peaceful and normal music is used to show how everything is relaxed, but is non-diegetic, but at this point we can see some instruments in the background suggesting the teenagers can hear it. The only diegetic sound used is that of the bell on the buoy as the girl try to grab it whilst being attacked.

Editing:
Shot Reverse Shot is used on the beach – As the two teenagers look back and forth at each other.Eye line Match – as Jaws swims around.

Graphics:
Font is big and white, showing that the name of the film is going to play a big part, but has no colour so there is no hint as to whether this means there will be a good and evil side.The Font is Maritime looking, as though it is written on the side of a boat.