Jaws (1975) Directed by Steven Speilburg

The instantaneous underwater shot makes it apparent that the sea is going to be an imminent setting. The lighting is dull representing night time- this further makes the water blurry and murky giving the illusion of a the unknown. The camera movement is smooth and natural, through the water, indicating perhaps that it is a point of view shot of a sea creature. The juxtaposition of the title ‘Jaws’ fades on screen anchoring the idea that it is a point of view shot of a shark. The iconic theme song, by John Williams, is laid over the scene. This stimulates an eerie thriller atmosphere giving an on edge feeling alluring the audience to wanting more. The tempos pace then accumulates instigating that something is about to occur, yet it then reaches a peak and cuts. This cunningly leaves the audience in anticipation and suspense, a commonly used characteristic within other thrillers.

A jump shot then focus the location onto the land. The cut signifies the beginning of the credits, and switch to the diegetic sound of a harmonica and guitar creating a stark contrast too previously as it is now tranquil. A close up, two shot shows the relationship between a couple engaging with one another, it then horizontality tracks and panes revealing more couples, dressed casually, participating in smoking and drinking; signifying common teenager conduct. This focus on their acts insinuates their carefree nature which is a typical victim trait; from this can relate the shark to be the imminent danger to them. Through the use of a camera pan, round the young group, it looks like someone is watching and waiting like that of a predator when selecting its prey. There is a large fire shown by a long shot which additionally overstates their blithe attitude; yet could also foreshadow danger and them needing assistance as a fire is normally an SOS signal. The fire is the only light source, creating many shadows implying that much is hidden and out of sight (like the shark). Expectation of hazardous events kicks in as teenagers are frequently the target in most horror and thriller films (like Scream, and The Ring). A shot reverse shot, of a male and female is shown, showing a relationship between the pair, and there importance as they are shown on screen singly; this rapport is a classic representation of a young fling. They then exclude themselves from the main group by running away immediately making them appear more vulnerable. The camera then tracks there movement, the tracking makes it appear like they are approaching danger. The boy is chasing her further exaggerating she is the classic innocent target. While running she is stripping her clothes making her also physically more exposed to danger.  

A shot from beneath the water at a low angle shows the young girl swimming on the water she is swimming in the natural lighting of the moon giving her an angelic persona making her seem innocent so the ideal target. The camera is a low angle shot, which is commonly used to signify a characters authority or power; yet this shot rather implies her lack of awareness of what is below her. The camera is in the depths again appearing to take the shark’s viewpoint; the little light generates a gloomy image perhaps representing its upcoming evil acts. A cut to an extreme longshot of the sea shows a boy, and the girl, in the water which demonstrates again her seclusion and her distance from aid. Typical of a thriller the audience are aware of impending danger yet she is blissfully unaware, shown by a close up, of her smiling and being happy.

Then a cut shows a further submerged shot which is a zooming point of view shot from the shark’s perspective which focuses the attention on the girl and builds tension as you feel that action is going to take place. The lighting presents her as a blackened shadow foreshadowing lifeless. A close up of her face is presented on screen as she is first attacked this allows us to see her facial expression and her desperation. The silence is then shattered as she begins to scream, as she is dragged below the surface, which is intense and disconcerting to the audience making them feel apprehensive and adding to the tension of whether she will be saved. As her attack advances the cut pace increases representing the panic and confusion. The camera is at water level and therefore the audience feel like another character watching this happening giving them a sense of helplessness. The water splashes against the camera also making you feel more involved and panicked. It then cuts to a wide shot of the beach showing the boy with his feet in the sea and head on land, above him is the sun covered by clouds perhaps representing the end of the day and end of a life. This shot is calm and the ambient noise of waves is only present creating a very calm atmosphere which is emphasis the panic apparent in the previous scene. This cross cut also leads the audience into feeling a false sense of hope that she will be rescued by him. The diegetic sound of bells from a boat then rings, these could symbolise church bells like that heard at a funeral or memorial again symbolising her death. The scene concludes with a silence representing her untimely death.