'Jaws' Camera Analysis

How does this extract use:

• camera shots
• angles
• movement
• composition

In this extract from 'Jaws' the camera makes the characters in the scene appear to be vulnerable. This is shown through the use of each potential victim being the only character in the frame of the ocean at that point in time. Although there are various characters in the water, they are all completely spaced away from one another, making them appear helpless and stranded, away from safety. Steven Spielberg does this so that the viewer can clearly see that the characters in the ocean are isolated and targets for the danger surrounding them. This also foreshadows their fate and whether any of them will survive.

The camera also indicates the danger that the islanders are faced with. This is shown when we see a low angle close up of the drowning young boy. The camera does this that the viewer is able to understand the severity and distress that this boy is under. Also emphasising the knowledge we have that this boy is trapped and cannot escape.

There is also an eye line match to Brody. This is done numerous times to show that Brody is trying to focus on too many things at once, showing that he wants to ensure that everyone is safe, making him immediately appear to be the protagonist throughout the film. This is because we are able to see that he is putting the safety of others before himself, as he is seen to be very cautious of the steps everyone is making around him. One of these angles that are demonstrated is a conversation with an older man, looking over the mans shoulder, Brody is looking at the children playing in the ocean in the distance. Therefore, we are seeing how concerned Brody is, mostly towards the children playing. Furthermore, foreshadowing that something is going to happen to one of the children at some point soon, causing anticipation and tension for the viewer.