So, its the first week back at school from the Christmas Holidays (How was your Christmas? Hoping it went well) and I'm feeling hyped about our project. Sir (Mr Roberts) wanted to introduce us to some of the most ground-breaking and famous opening sequences of all-time (I presume). I'd only seen JAWS once in my 16 years which I understand to some is a cardinal sin, but I remember the epic opening and was eager to re-watch it. One of our group members, Sam, is terrified of sharks and so wasn't overly pleased about the idea of us viewing it but we made it through with her pride intact (barely).
JAWS was a great film to watch as we got a bunch of ideas for techniques we could use. Despite the fact that the film's genre was horror, it was really beneficial to watch how Spielberg used a range of camera-shots and film-techniques to completely unsettle to audience and create that terrifying mood present throughout the entire film
The first thing we focused on was Spielberg's use of narrative story-telling in the space of just the opening sequence. Spielberg began the sequence (discluding the title sequence underwater) at a beach party, creating an equilirbium from the beginning. As the girl races off towards the water, eager boy following in tow, we start to experience the ending of the equilibrium. The girl then strips and goes out into the water - already building tension as, based on the films title, we know that there is a shark in the water. As the girl is attacked by the shark, we enter into the dilema/disequilibrium. We are returned to the beach and with the sunny weather, we've reached the new equilibrium of the opening sequence. This is a very unique and clever way in which to introduce the audience to the villain of the film and foreshadow future events. I liked the opening sequence as it did a superb job of unsettling me and throwing me completely out of my comfort zone - I could only just imagine the impact it must have had on those seeing it for the first time in the cinema.
The next technique we examined used in the film was the use of contrasting shots of extreme wide shots to extreme close-ups. Spielberg used both ends of the shot-spectrum in order to make the audeince feel un-grounded and compare the two different shots shown - one in close detail and one showing the bigger picture. He used the close-up, particularly on the girl-being-attacked, to involve the audience in the scene and make them feel as though they were in the place of the actress, as well as give a greater sense of detail. He used the wider-shot to showcase the whole scene and show every aspect of the shot. He also used the contrast to create that sense of helplessness in the audeince as the close-up is showing a vicious shark attack and the extreme wide-shot shows a picturesque, peaceful landscape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acI5z9vyok&noredirect=1 (JAWS opening sequence - showcasing the contrast between extreme close-ups and extreme long shots used by Speilberg)
The final technique we picked up on while was how Spielberg used the entire frame during the shark-attack. By having the frame still or staunch while tracking, the actress being attaacked by the shark was able to move across the entire screen, using up all the space and creating that sense of great size and power the shark has. It also adds to the degree of violence and sense of fear felt throughout the whole film, making 'Jaws' such a legendary villain.
It was a very interesting lesson and I garnered a lot of information from the opening sequence. I think that although I would like to replicate and practise with some of Spielberg's techniques in the future, I'm not sure they are entirely appropriate to the genre and mood I'm trying to convey in our project.
Pheebs OUT! ;)
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