Jaws (1975)
Jaws by Steven Spielberg (1975) is a film that became famous through its ability to create tension through its mixture of visual and audio elements. These elements can be seen as early as in its introductory sequence, where the films characteristic tense atmosphere is perfectly introduced through a mixture of what is being shown as well as what isn't. The combination of audio and visual techniques used in the title sequence instantly capture the audience's attention and demonstrate why Spielberg has remained one of Hollywood's most accomplished directors throughout his career.
A key noticeable visual element of the introduction is its cinematography. The entirety of the opening sequence is a single shot, beginning with blackness before fading into a single POV(point of view) sequence shot along the ocean floor. The visuals serve as a cold open, instantly putting the audience in the shoes of the titular antagonist as it wades through the seabed. The use of POV serves two purposes for the film, the first being the sense of power the shot provides with the camera moving smoothly and stoically through the seabed, pushing aside the flora and never losing momentum. The other purpose is to install a sense of curiosity, as the audience at this point still doesn't know the perspective they're experiencing. Together, the curiosity and power leave the audience in anticipation, dreading what is next to come.
The mise en scene of the introduction sequence also adds to the power of the scene. The ocean floor is tranquil and dense, with little movement other than the currents of the ocean. It gives off a peaceful vibe, one that directly contrasts with the urgency of the music and the stoic pace of the cinematography. The peacefulness of the ocean acts to highlight the dread that the other elements of the film through direct contrast, making them more pronounced in comparison.
Like the cinematography, the audio aspects of Jaws, specifically the music, have been designed specifically to install dread and anticipation in the audience. Even before the visuals fade into view, John Williams score begins, with string instruments slowly drawing out each noise. As the visuals begin the music slowly speeds up, increasing in intensity before abruptly cutting off as the scene ends. As stated in The Film Experience by Corrigan and White, music is used to deepen the emotional resonance of the audience throughout the film. This is especially true in Jaws where the music almost commands the audience to enter a panicked mindset, especially near the end of the title sequence where the music reaches its crescendo both in pitch and tempo.
The combination of visual and audio elements present in Jaws opening sequence set the tone for the rest of the film to follow, working both as an introduction and a riveting scene on its own terms. The tension commanded through the use of audio combined with the sense of dread present in the films cinematography and mise en scene was designed to instantly grip the audience, an especially impressive seeing as little actually happens in the scene( from the story's perspective ). From a filmmaker's perspective, Jaw's title sequence is a gold mine of cinematic techniques at their best.
The mise en scene of the introduction sequence also adds to the power of the scene. The ocean floor is tranquil and dense, with little movement other than the currents of the ocean. It gives off a peaceful vibe, one that directly contrasts with the urgency of the music and the stoic pace of the cinematography. The peacefulness of the ocean acts to highlight the dread that the other elements of the film through direct contrast, making them more pronounced in comparison.Like the cinematography, the audio aspects of Jaws, specifically the music, have been designed specifically to install dread and anticipation in the audience. Even before the visuals fade into view, John Williams score begins, with string instruments slowly drawing out each noise. As the visuals begin the music slowly speeds up, increasing in intensity before abruptly cutting off as the scene ends. As stated in The Film Experience by Corrigan and White, music is used to deepen the emotional resonance of the audience throughout the film. This is especially true in Jaws where the music almost commands the audience to enter a panicked mindset, especially near the end of the title sequence where the music reaches its crescendo both in pitch and tempo.
The combination of visual and audio elements present in Jaws opening sequence set the tone for the rest of the film to follow, working both as an introduction and a riveting scene on its own terms. The tension commanded through the use of audio combined with the sense of dread present in the films cinematography and mise en scene was designed to instantly grip the audience, an especially impressive seeing as little actually happens in the scene( from the story's perspective ). From a filmmaker's perspective, Jaw's title sequence is a gold mine of cinematic techniques at their best.
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