Monday, 24 January 2011

SECTION TWO: RESEARCH INTO COMPARABLE MEDIA PRODUCTS

'JAWS' : OPENING SEQUENCE ANALYSIS
The first thing we see is a black screen. This instantly creates enigma as the question arises 'why can't we see anything?'. This is accompanied by both diagetic (sound of the water) and non-diagetic sound (mood music). The 'mood music' is very sharp and low-key. This creates suspense and tension. The diagetic sound of the water foreshadows the setting to follow (underwater) and also foreshadows the narrative as the storyline is based upon an 'underwater fiend'. As the music gains a faster tempo, the scene of underwater is presented. The camera shot seems to move through the water, representing the sharks line of vision. The music reaches a crescendo creating the impression that something is about to happen, however the shot then cuts to a relaxed teenage beach scene. This creates confusion and in turn, suspense, as the audience doesn't know what to expect. This could also represent Jaws 'heading towards his victims'.


As the camera moves through the group we see a closeup of a boy who is facing the opposite way from the entire group. This singles out the importance of his character within that group. The camera then follows his line of vision showing us a female character sat on her own, outside the circle of friends. This connotes danger for her character as she is not within the group due to the stereotypical belief of 'safety in numbers'. The setting of the beach at night enforces the sense of danger as the characters are more vulnerable at night-time and on a secluded beach surrounded by ocean. 

When the two characters run off together towards the ocean, the boy is shown to be drunk (eg- repeatedly falling over, he also says "I'm not drunk!" with a beer can in his hand). This immediately shows the audience that he is somewhat accident prone due to his inebriation. This foreshadows the 'accident' that will occur to Chrissie (female character) soon. As Chrissie enters the water, a shot of her from underwater is shown, representing Jaws' vision. This 'warns' the audience that something is about to happen. This is enforced by the change in sound above and below water shots. Above the water only diagetic sounds from the characters and the water is heard, however under the water non-diagetic ominous music is played creating enigma and foreshadowing narrative. This ominous music continues into the above water shots once Jaws has started to attack Chrissie. Before Chrissie is attacked, an establishing shot of the ocean is shown, to show the audience her vulnerability of being alone in the vast ocean with Jaws. Once Chrissie has disappeared under the water there is no music or sounds except for the water lapping. This creates an eerie atmosphere and lets the event sink into the audience, creating the 'persona of Jaws' to be an evil murderer. However some audiences may not perceive Jaws this way and see the death of Chrissie as inevitable due to the nature of the shark. 

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