JAWS. Scheme of Work Assignment title: Analyse the ways that the director builds suspense and scare the audience in the film JAWS
JAWS Scheme of Work Assignment title: Analyse the ways that the director builds suspense and scare the audience in the film JAWS. Teaching sequence: T...
JAWS Complete analysis of the opening sequence grid (it isn’t necessary to do every single one) If time, watch on…. 1. Building tension and fear (from second attack up to 50 minutes) After the excitement of the first two attacks the film slows down a bit. Key points to pick up in the next section are the ways that tension and fear of the shark are built up: • The way that the sympathy with Brody’s family is built up • The book of shark attacks • The destruction of the jetty • The autopsy • Catching the wrong shark • Going out on the boat at night 1. The 4th July attack (minutes 51-1hour 1 min) Discuss why the film is set around 4th July American Independence day, public holiday lots of people on the beach. Something to build up to Watch scene No detailed analysis grid this time, focus on how this attack is the same and different from the last one in the way that it is presented. Draw table in exercise books. How is it worse? • Loads of people on the beach • Men with guns/helicopters v tense • False alarm lets us relax makes second attack worse • Brody’s sons involved therefore we are more emotionally involved. 1. The climax of the film (1hour 8 minutes to end 1 hour 59 minutes) As pupils are watching pause every now and then to note down how the situation builds up. • How does the director avoid showing the shark? • Why does the director avoid showing the shark? Other useful information: 1. Jaws was given a PG certificate when it was first released in this country in 1975. However, it has these certificates in other countries and for video DVD releases: Certification: Argentina:18 / Australia:M / Finland:K-16 / France:-12 / Netherlands:16 (video release) / Norway:15 / Spain:18 / Sweden:15 / UK:12 (DVD release) / UK:A (theatrical) / UK:PG (video release) / USA:PG-13 / USA:PG (original rating) / West Germany:16
2. The original working title for JAWS was ‘Still in the Water’ (information from the Internet Movie Database)
The camera shows the point of view of the shark moving through the weeds. The music builds up and gets louder and faster. Opening Scene There is the sound of a mouth organ being played at the beach party. There is a large bonfire on the beach.
The camera pulls back to show a wide shot of the sea. We can hear the noise of the sea in the background.
Whilst the girl is swimming there is no music. The camera shows the shark’s point of view and the music starts.
The camera switches between the top and bottom of the water. There is a shot of her legs kicking and the camera slowly zooms in. We do not see the shark.
There are pauses in the attack, and the camera shows the boy slumped on the beach. After the attack there is a sudden silence. At the end of the scene all we can hear is the sound of the sea.
JAWS Media Coursework essay Analyse the ways that the director builds suspense and scares the audience in the film JAWS Paragraph 1: Introduction • What the film is called • Who directed it • What it is about • Where and when it is set • Why it is set on 4th July. Paragraph 2: Music • Describe how the shark is connected to the music in the title sequence. • Give two other example of how music or silence is used to scare the audience or build tension. E.g. Radio playing on the beach, silence after the attack. Paragraph 3: Camera techniques • Describe the second attack in detail and say how the camera was used to help to build tension and scare the audience. Paragraph 4: The shark Write about the ways that the director builds up the fear of the shark. • Music • Showing the damage it can do • Through characters’ reactions Paragraph 5: Tension in the plot and the ending Write about how the story is put together to build up tension and fear e.g. • First two attacks close together • Third attack on the 4th of July, Brody’s son involved • Last section of the film out at sea on a small boat (add in all your notes about how the ending of the film build tension and fear). Paragraph 6: Finally give your view of the scariest moment in the film. Give reasons for your opinion.