Notes on Jaws

What formats does this fit into?


What is the narrative structure?

The narrative structure in Jaws is of a linear structure, the opening sequence sets up the feel and theme of what the film is about. It then starts off into the same environment after the title sequence, but at a different time a few days later. The narrative is very easy to follow throughout as the story is told through a string of events all in the same order. This is often very appealing to audiences as it doesn't require too much complex thinking, and it means that because you aren't thinking about a jumbled up narrative you can focus more on the plot and characters.


How is the camera used?

Throughout the film Jaws, multi-camera techniques are used. For example during the Kitney boys death scene, various differently angled shots are shown of his death. As well as a close-up birds of view shot showing a higher up perspective making it more dramatic. A extreme long shot of everyone running out of the sea is also shown. This shows the vast expanse of all the seaside residents and how extreme the situation is, this all adds to making the narrative more engaging. A point of view moving shot is also used for the shark when he is going in to attack his victims, the reason the camera is like this only for the shark is it shows that there is a clear difference between the shark and humans, it also adds an element of danger and suspense. Clearly being different from the other camera techniques.


How is lighting used?

The lighting underneath the water when the shark is going in for the kill is very murky blue and dark, this connotes a very eerie feel and is also quite mysterious as it metaphorically leaves you in the dark not knowing who will fall victim to the sharks next attack. Also when they are on the boat near the end, the lighting is fairly dark when the shark first attacks. This yet again adds to the themes of the film.


Talk about relationship between visuals and sound

Whenever the shark is approaching we immediately as the audience know about it, this is because there is a strong relationship between the visuals and sound. The visuals throughout the whole film of the shark (minus the end on the boast) are as a point of view moving shot, not showing the shark. To accompany this there is a very powerful score which is very popular among television and film culture,  this theme is dark and eerie but it adds an edge of excitement which we instantly know is the shark.