Narrative Structure
The iconic music is played in a rhythmic tempo that rises as the scene goes on. The titles are blue and green (same colours associated with the sea) which gives indication as to what is to come. The view is from the Shark, it is moving at a fast streamline pace as if It has a goal, this introduces tension from the very beginning. We then see It cut to a scene of a young group of teenagers on the beach. The audience can gather the time period by the use of clothing, hair and attitudes/social situations of teenagers at the time. Initially it appears as a calm setting, the hum of guitar contrasting to the previously on edge theme. Perhaps laying down a false sense of security as there is unease about what is to come. The camera stops panning right and we are introduce to what would appear the two main characters in this scene (Chrissie and a young male). After making eye contact they decide to run and go swimming, Immediately the audience is alerted by the fact they have left what can be seen as comfort zone (the group of teenagers). Suspense builds as they get further and further way and Chrissie strips of showing her vulnerability as she enters the vast seen alone. The male is feebly chasing after her clearly intoxicated despite claiming "I'm not drunk". This leads to a poor lack of awareness and he ultimately passes out on the shore. Chrissie swims out a fair distance and the audience begin to speculate, more a question of when the Shark will attack than if it will. No noise can be heard just her and the water to emphasise just how alone she is. The sun is rising yet the water is a murky grey and the sky a dull sheet, this use of colour is setting the atmosphere for the attack. As I will elaborate on later the attack scene is very much a suspense building and a climatic finale to the build up of the previous scenes. The shark is shown to be in power and the girl helpless as she is thrashed around producing screams of help to terrify the audience. She is engulfed under the water and nothing else is seen,the shot lingers over the sea to show she is well and truly gone and for the impact to have its effect.
Cinematography
When we are shown the group of teenagers there is a pan shot from left to right, this is introducing the atmosphere and characters so the audience can interact with the situation. It stops and we see a close up on the two main characters to introduce them as the vocal point of the upcoming scene. What is known as a "worm shot" is used to show the Shark's view from underneath Chrissie, emulating its power and threatening potential, how it is in control and ready to pounce. There is then a close up of Chrissie but due to the lack of light you can't really see her facial expressions much, a clever ploy so that concealment is kept (just like it is with the Shark's view). We never see a shot of underwater after the Shark's initial attack, this creates a element of mystery and doesn't give too much away, giving the Shark a more pounded ego and ultimately increasing the audiences' fear as they aren't given clear indication of what it is like. The most interesting shot is when Chrissie is shown as a small figure in the huge ocean and all you can see is the sea for miles and miles on end. Truly summing up her isolation and the audience can better connect with how alone and vulnerable she is. Also the contrasting shot of Chrissie's peril in comparison to the male who is calmly drifting away on the beach.
Sound
The music to begin is ere yet in a fast passed drumming tempo, this creates the tense atmosphere but also gives a sense of warning and violent threat. As Ive hinted at the music on the beach is calm and relaxed, creating a safe and warm environment, this is in contrast to the theme hear initially and also the music used once Christie and the man have left the group, this is used to create a sense of protection in the group which is then broken. The areas of the opening scene where there is no sound (e.g. when Christie is in the water) is used to good effect so that the audience can focus on the imagery and gather the sense of emptiness in the ocean. The non digetic music at the beginning is in a minor key thus setting a dark tone and hinting as to what is to happen later on.
Character Profile
JAWS(unseen), Christie and the young male are the 3 characters shown to the audience In this scene. As i touched on the circle of teenagers is a signifier to there mood and situation, drink, drugs, chilled, music, free love (all key components of a stereotypical 60's-70's American lifestyle). Drugs and Alcohol slow down the mind and this is evident in the case of the male, he is drowsy and unassertive, meaning the audience could doubt later actions (they would be right as he passes out). The girl Christie is portrayed as innocent and perhaps slightly childish (the she eagerly runs off to the sea and laughs), representing the perfect vulnerable figure, used as bait for the Shark that we know is coming. She is shown (in a above shot) to be out the circle and this could suggest she is unwilling to take part with the others or somewhat of a outcast.
Mise En SceneConcealment was used to begin with as the audience expects the Shark to attack straight from the off but It doesn't as It cuts to the beach scene. The hair and clothing of the characters are all in theme with the time period which is parallel with the activities they are doing (drink, drugs). We can assume it is dawn and the sun is just about to rise as the characters look worn out, tired and there is little movement, suggesting an "allnighter". The lighting is dull and grey, foreshadowing the ere atmosphere beyond the safety of this circle on the beach. The props used (e.g. guitar and harmonica) represent the ambiance of the situation. Also the final shot just shows the sea, showing no one is alert to the attack, it has swiftly been and gone and the ocean is once again the Sharks to roam, creating a nervous feeling.
