i want to talk about the scene in jaws when we first see the shark. the music is suspencful and out of no where we see this massive shark pop its head out of the water!we ahve not had a good look at the shark before this point, i used to think that was the genius of spielberg to keep us guessing as to how big the shark is and all that but i later found out that the only reason we hadnt seen it get is because the mechanical shark they used in the movie broke down and they needed time to fix it. Funny how things work out because this movie is so famous mostly for that one scene that turns out was only super intence by aciendent.
yes, i agree with what burley said about the music and how suspenceful it can make the scene. I think what makes this movie so great is the who build up that leads to such a great climax in the film. It gives you a feel like your in the victim's position and dealing with an unstoppable force. Which makes you feel helpless and cripled. it makes each assault that much better because the build up is slow then it goes fast.
The very essence of jaws is fear of the unknown, this scene exemplify this by not showing the audience clearly how big the shark actually is, this mixed with the perforce by Roy Scheider lets ur imagination fill in the blanks which in my opinion is actually scarier. Wow tom had no idea that the reason you don’t see the shark till later was because it wasn’t ready yet, its so interesting to think how a snafu like that can actually add depth (no pun intended) to a movie, while the audience is oblivious to it.
I completely agree with tom, and the rest of the group, this scene is so suspenseful because all we see is the head and after we see it then we hear the infamous music that goes along with the movie like was said before but as some one from the audience when you hear the music you know that something is going happen. “We need a bigger boat” the most famous line from the movie shows how big the shark really is and again as some one from the audience it really ticks with you that when one of the main characters in the movie says that we need something like that it really makes you think that they are not going to make it out alive. A Question I have for the group is any body else creped out by Sam Quint, the crazy guy who owns the boat they are on, or is it just me?
Naturally, i agree with the group but one thing i would like to point out is that the music doesn't kick in untill after the shark first appears. The fact that there was no music playing before it appeared made it much more suprising. There wasn't any music to hint that the shark was going to pop up untill after it showed in menacing face.
yes, brett made a valid point about the starting of the music. i think it made a big difference to start the music once you can see the shark rather then before. If the music were to start before it would set up for the sharks appearance and make it alot less surprising and suspenceful. also you would know when at each time it would be coming rather than hearing the music when it's already there. this then creates the feeling that the way of escaping would be that much harder and way more intence.
yeah brett is right, when there is no music before the shark comes out it definatly adds to the shock and aw postion of this movie. This scene wouldnt be have as famous or startling if there was a big build up to it...the fact that we are just wathcing the men on the boat and then all of a sudden this huge shark come out of now where is really the main reason this scene is so famous in my opion, the fact that there is such an awsome-ly calm line right after does help tho haha.."we need a bigger boat"
Yes I agree with the rest of the group. I like the music played during the scene and I think that it creates suspense in any types of movie. Suspense is what makes this movie so great, in my opinion. Every movie has suspense, but nothing like the suspense in this movie. Overall it is a great movie by a great director.
I agree with everyone about Jaws being a classic suspence movie. The characters of stubborn flint who doesn't want any help and the naive sherrif Brody complement each other in creating fear. He always thinks they are going to die. But I think the musci makes it the best.
I also agree with everyone, and I went back and looked at the scene because I thought there was music but Brett was right, there is no music. I thought that was really smart for Spielberg to do because instead of giving it a way with the famous music it just pops out and catches everyone off guard. Also I like how when I the shark goes back down in the water you then see it again swimming by the boat with the music, almost like the shark is toying with them. So I take it that I was the only one who did not like Sam Quint the boat owner.
Yea Hunter I agree with you on not liking Sam Quint he seems a little arrogant, but the real villain(other than the 25 foot man eating shark) is Mayor Vaughn played by Murray Hamilton, who seems to be more concerned about the economy of the town than the safety of the residents. Larry ignores the chief's suggestions and keeps the beach open leading to another attack on a young kid.
The opening scene of radiers of the lost ark is sort of an intro to who Idaina Jones is. In this scene we see indain jones being the fearless adverurer when he leades his partner into the caves that "No one has every returned" from and shows his inteligence by disarming all the booby-traps before they even go off and shows his agility with his mad dash out of the caves when he sets off a trap by acciedent. but at the very end of the scene we see he is also volnerable because w find out that he "hate snakes!!" haha
Burley I completely agree with you I think this was a great scene to pick because as you said it sets up for the rest of the movie, and it shows the life of Indiana Jones, and that you never know what is gonna happen and you cant trust anyone. Also has a mood to it where you have no idea what is gonna happen. Also I like how Spielberg uses sound in this scene, it is not loud but it is played loud enough for the viewers to notice it and to react to it. The sound helps build the suspense of the cave not knowing what he is gonna run in to. I mean I have seen this movie so many times and every time I see this scene I still get the feeling that something bad is gonna happen to Indiana, even thought I have seen the movie over a dozen times. Another thing I like about this scene is how there is not a lot of light in almost all of the shots, but just enough to see what’s going on. When there is a lot of light it is when Indiana is escaping on the plane. But there are a lot of similarities between this film and jaws though, for example the use of sound. I know there is not a lot of sound in the beginning of our jaws scene but when there is it builds so much suspense for the rest of the movie, and in my opinion he does the same here with Indiana Jones. Also I like how Spielberg uses the high angle shot in his films, like when Indiana is running form the Indians (I forgot what they are called) chasing him, and in jaws when you see the shark swim by the boat. I know that they show to different things but that’s what’s cool about Spielberg he can do that in his films. Also the main characters in both are nice guys that the audience can attach to. What did anyone else think of the music in the background when he’s in the cave?
wow that coula been 2 comments...anyways i like the scene in raiders of the lost arc when indiana jones is walking through the cave trying to get the ark. This scene is really suspenceful with the darkness, and the really slow and almost peaceful music. You get the feeling like your indiana jones and you have to watch your every step and avoid every trap. The greatness of the whole thing is you don't know what he's getting into and have no idea how he's gonna get out of the cave.
Haha nice novel Hunter, what i really liked about the opening scene is the suspenese and feeling of danger right around the corner at all times. It's unrelenting throughout the scene with the booby-traps and then the intense mad dash out of the cave running from the boulder only to run into the indiginous people who he has to run away from while dodging their poisonous darts.
I liked how the opeaning scene starts out with action right away, it realy draws you into the film and grabs your attention. My favorate part of ot is when they reach the treasure he tries to switch the golden head with the bag of sand and there is that split second where you don't know if it worked or not, then the cement block drops and the place starts to fall apart.
Again sorry guys that the last comment was so long. Like I said before this scene shows so much about Spielberg and it shows a lot about the rest of the movie. This scene in some ways can be looked as a foreshadowing device, this scene also sets up on how some scenes in the movie are gonna be shot. For example the famous scene where Indiana and Marion Ravenwood (played by Karen Allen) are trapped in the tomb and all the snakes come out to attack them. This scene is shot in similar ways because the both are shot in an area where there is not a lot of light and it also there is impending doom every where, just like our first scene. Another example is the scene where they open the ark of the Covent, this scene is similar because it again is shot at night but there is still not a lot of light around, and instead of booby traps or tons of poisonous snakes in a tomb, but they opened a box and you have no idea what is gonna happen.
Yea Andrew that may be one of my favorite scenes in a movie. When Indy makes the Peruvian idol and the sand bag swap with non-diegetic sound scored by John Williams it really adds to the suspense as indy gets ready to make the switch, i always love the cut to indys noob-partners relived face right before the button goes down, followed by the iconic run from the bolder. Spielberg is a genius when it comes to putting the audience at the edge of there seat in the opening scenes of his movies. ahh and Hunter I almost forgot to mention how much I also enjoyed the scene with Indy stuck in the pit with the snakes, I like the camera angles he went with alot and the use of diegetic sound with the flames of his torch, that scene gave me nightmares as a child haha
For the third movie we watched E.T. i wanted to comment on the opening scene. in this scene it shows a high angle of the space ship as it first lands in the woods. the camera then pans through the trees to open up the setting and the whole space ship. I like this scene because the music is very slow and epic sounding which really makes the scene a huge moment. Then after following the creatures through the woods it shows an extreme longshot on the city which sets up for whats gonna happen further on.
ok, i wanted to talk a little bit about the bike/moon scene in e.t. personally, i love this scene just because i find it a little funny when they have the close up on e.t. and also because the music being played is so epic and awsome. I also like the part when it shows the ground below from their point of view. i remember watching it as a kid and find it very mesmerizing. The combination of long shots and close ups in this scene along with the music makes it a very cool scene and its no wonder why this scene is a classic.
I enjoy that both travis and brett commented on the music in this movie. I feel like spielberg the king of memerable music in movies...think about it ...you could hum the idaina jones them song and instantly everybody knows what tune that is, same with the music when the shrak in jaws is approaching one of its victoms and again in e.t. that famous music when they ride that bike over the moon! If spielberg wasnt a director i would tell him to think about becomeing a music critic or something.
Travis I completely agree with you I love the opening scene, it makes you feel like you are there. Also it makes the ship look so cool and to me I want to pop my head in and look around. Also Brett I am glad you brought this scene up because this is probably one of the most famous scenes that Spielberg has directed, in my option of course. But I love it how you see them from far away and then you see them in kind of a close up then you see it from them looking down, basically what you just said. But I also like the scene where the little girl walks in the room and she starts to scream and then E.T. the older brother. No matter how many times I see this scene I always laugh even when I know it is coming. I also like how it was shot where it is jut close up’s of everyone there it adds to the humor in my opinion.
To watch ET without having large amounts of nostalgia is almost impossible. The music, the atmosphere even the waist high camera angles all just bring you back to a time of childhood innocence. You can tell Spielberg was trying to beat Disney at there own game, out Disney Disney in a way. There are so many classic moments and Hunter touched upon one of them, the scene when Gertie first meets ET is a favorite of mine.
In the opeaning scene of E.T it kind of gives you that spooky feeling the way they use the lighting and camera angles.When the camera focuses on the craft that has temporarily landed in a wooded clearing, the mood is almost ominous. Which leads to a great attention graber. I also agree with all you guys about the music being so epic and asome it seems like with out it the scene would not be complete.
Ross you are right he was trying to beat out Disney and I think he did. Andrew you are right the opening scene does give a spooky feeling but, to me it brings some curiosity to me because as a kid I wanted to know if there were such a thing as aliens in the world and I think that Spielberg portrayed both of them amazingly through out the movie. I also like how he kept the lighting relatively the same in all the movies.
This is my seventh year teaching film, and ninth overall. I got my B.A. in journalism in 1998 from the University of Minnesota, then worked as a sports writer at The Star Tribune for awhile. I eventually went back to the U for my master's degree in English education, and started teaching in 2001.
I live in Minneapolis with Susan (wife, works at General Mills), Jack (son, born in August '08), and Gunnar (dog, a PBGV -- look it up).
26 comments:
i want to talk about the scene in jaws when we first see the shark. the music is suspencful and out of no where we see this massive shark pop its head out of the water!we ahve not had a good look at the shark before this point, i used to think that was the genius of spielberg to keep us guessing as to how big the shark is and all that but i later found out that the only reason we hadnt seen it get is because the mechanical shark they used in the movie broke down and they needed time to fix it. Funny how things work out because this movie is so famous mostly for that one scene that turns out was only super intence by aciendent.
yes, i agree with what burley said about the music and how suspenceful it can make the scene. I think what makes this movie so great is the who build up that leads to such a great climax in the film. It gives you a feel like your in the victim's position and dealing with an unstoppable force. Which makes you feel helpless and cripled. it makes each assault that much better because the build up is slow then it goes fast.
The very essence of jaws is fear of the unknown, this scene exemplify this by not showing the audience clearly how big the shark actually is, this mixed with the perforce by Roy Scheider lets ur imagination fill in the blanks which in my opinion is actually scarier. Wow tom had no idea that the reason you don’t see the shark till later was because it wasn’t ready yet, its so interesting to think how a snafu like that can actually add depth (no pun intended) to a movie, while the audience is oblivious to it.
I completely agree with tom, and the rest of the group, this scene is so suspenseful because all we see is the head and after we see it then we hear the infamous music that goes along with the movie like was said before but as some one from the audience when you hear the music you know that something is going happen. “We need a bigger boat” the most famous line from the movie shows how big the shark really is and again as some one from the audience it really ticks with you that when one of the main characters in the movie says that we need something like that it really makes you think that they are not going to make it out alive. A Question I have for the group is any body else creped out by Sam Quint, the crazy guy who owns the boat they are on, or is it just me?
Naturally, i agree with the group but one thing i would like to point out is that the music doesn't kick in untill after the shark first appears. The fact that there was no music playing before it appeared made it much more suprising. There wasn't any music to hint that the shark was going to pop up untill after it showed in menacing face.
yes, brett made a valid point about the starting of the music. i think it made a big difference to start the music once you can see the shark rather then before. If the music were to start before it would set up for the sharks appearance and make it alot less surprising and suspenceful. also you would know when at each time it would be coming rather than hearing the music when it's already there. this then creates the feeling that the way of escaping would be that much harder and way more intence.
yeah brett is right, when there is no music before the shark comes out it definatly adds to the shock and aw postion of this movie. This scene wouldnt be have as famous or startling if there was a big build up to it...the fact that we are just wathcing the men on the boat and then all of a sudden this huge shark come out of now where is really the main reason this scene is so famous in my opion, the fact that there is such an awsome-ly calm line right after does help tho haha.."we need a bigger boat"
Yes I agree with the rest of the group. I like the music played during the scene and I think that it creates suspense in any types of movie. Suspense is what makes this movie so great, in my opinion. Every movie has suspense, but nothing like the suspense in this movie. Overall it is a great movie by a great director.
I agree with everyone about Jaws being a classic suspence movie. The characters of stubborn flint who doesn't want any help and the naive sherrif Brody complement each other in creating fear. He always thinks they are going to die. But I think the musci makes it the best.
I also agree with everyone, and I went back and looked at the scene because I thought there was music but Brett was right, there is no music. I thought that was really smart for Spielberg to do because instead of giving it a way with the famous music it just pops out and catches everyone off guard. Also I like how when I the shark goes back down in the water you then see it again swimming by the boat with the music, almost like the shark is toying with them. So I take it that I was the only one who did not like Sam Quint the boat owner.
Yea Hunter I agree with you on not liking Sam Quint he seems a little arrogant, but the real villain(other than the 25 foot man eating shark) is Mayor Vaughn played by Murray Hamilton, who seems to be more concerned about the economy of the town than the safety of the residents. Larry ignores the chief's suggestions and keeps the beach open leading to another attack on a young kid.
The opening scene of radiers of the lost ark is sort of an intro to who Idaina Jones is. In this scene we see indain jones being the fearless adverurer when he leades his partner into the caves that "No one has every returned" from and shows his inteligence by disarming all the booby-traps before they even go off and shows his agility with his mad dash out of the caves when he sets off a trap by acciedent. but at the very end of the scene we see he is also volnerable because w find out that he "hate snakes!!" haha
Burley I completely agree with you I think this was a great scene to pick because as you said it sets up for the rest of the movie, and it shows the life of Indiana Jones, and that you never know what is gonna happen and you cant trust anyone. Also has a mood to it where you have no idea what is gonna happen. Also I like how Spielberg uses sound in this scene, it is not loud but it is played loud enough for the viewers to notice it and to react to it. The sound helps build the suspense of the cave not knowing what he is gonna run in to. I mean I have seen this movie so many times and every time I see this scene I still get the feeling that something bad is gonna happen to Indiana, even thought I have seen the movie over a dozen times. Another thing I like about this scene is how there is not a lot of light in almost all of the shots, but just enough to see what’s going on. When there is a lot of light it is when Indiana is escaping on the plane. But there are a lot of similarities between this film and jaws though, for example the use of sound. I know there is not a lot of sound in the beginning of our jaws scene but when there is it builds so much suspense for the rest of the movie, and in my opinion he does the same here with Indiana Jones. Also I like how Spielberg uses the high angle shot in his films, like when Indiana is running form the Indians (I forgot what they are called) chasing him, and in jaws when you see the shark swim by the boat. I know that they show to different things but that’s what’s cool about Spielberg he can do that in his films. Also the main characters in both are nice guys that the audience can attach to. What did anyone else think of the music in the background when he’s in the cave?
sorry it is so long guys.
wow that coula been 2 comments...anyways i like the scene in raiders of the lost arc when indiana jones is walking through the cave trying to get the ark. This scene is really suspenceful with the darkness, and the really slow and almost peaceful music. You get the feeling like your indiana jones and you have to watch your every step and avoid every trap. The greatness of the whole thing is you don't know what he's getting into and have no idea how he's gonna get out of the cave.
Haha nice novel Hunter, what i really liked about the opening scene is the suspenese and feeling of danger right around the corner at all times. It's unrelenting throughout the scene with the booby-traps and then the intense mad dash out of the cave running from the boulder only to run into the indiginous people who he has to run away from while dodging their poisonous darts.
I liked how the opeaning scene starts out with action right away, it realy draws you into the film and grabs your attention. My favorate part of ot is when they reach the treasure he tries to switch the golden head with the bag of sand and there is that split second where you don't know if it worked or not, then the cement block drops and the place starts to fall apart.
Again sorry guys that the last comment was so long. Like I said before this scene shows so much about Spielberg and it shows a lot about the rest of the movie. This scene in some ways can be looked as a foreshadowing device, this scene also sets up on how some scenes in the movie are gonna be shot. For example the famous scene where Indiana and Marion Ravenwood (played by Karen Allen) are trapped in the tomb and all the snakes come out to attack them. This scene is shot in similar ways because the both are shot in an area where there is not a lot of light and it also there is impending doom every where, just like our first scene. Another example is the scene where they open the ark of the Covent, this scene is similar because it again is shot at night but there is still not a lot of light around, and instead of booby traps or tons of poisonous snakes in a tomb, but they opened a box and you have no idea what is gonna happen.
Yea Andrew that may be one of my favorite scenes in a movie. When Indy makes the Peruvian idol and the sand bag swap with non-diegetic sound scored by John Williams it really adds to the suspense as indy gets ready to make the switch, i always love the cut to indys noob-partners relived face right before the button goes down, followed by the iconic run from the bolder. Spielberg is a genius when it comes to putting the audience at the edge of there seat in the opening scenes of his movies. ahh and Hunter I almost forgot to mention how much I also enjoyed the scene with Indy stuck in the pit with the snakes, I like the camera angles he went with alot and the use of diegetic sound with the flames of his torch, that scene gave me nightmares as a child haha
For the third movie we watched E.T. i wanted to comment on the opening scene. in this scene it shows a high angle of the space ship as it first lands in the woods. the camera then pans through the trees to open up the setting and the whole space ship. I like this scene because the music is very slow and epic sounding which really makes the scene a huge moment. Then after following the creatures through the woods it shows an extreme longshot on the city which sets up for whats gonna happen further on.
ok, i wanted to talk a little bit about the bike/moon scene in e.t. personally, i love this scene just because i find it a little funny when they have the close up on e.t. and also because the music being played is so epic and awsome. I also like the part when it shows the ground below from their point of view. i remember watching it as a kid and find it very mesmerizing. The combination of long shots and close ups in this scene along with the music makes it a very cool scene and its no wonder why this scene is a classic.
I enjoy that both travis and brett commented on the music in this movie. I feel like spielberg the king of memerable music in movies...think about it ...you could hum the idaina jones them song and instantly everybody knows what tune that is, same with the music when the shrak in jaws is approaching one of its victoms and again in e.t. that famous music when they ride that bike over the moon! If spielberg wasnt a director i would tell him to think about becomeing a music critic or something.
Travis I completely agree with you I love the opening scene, it makes you feel like you are there. Also it makes the ship look so cool and to me I want to pop my head in and look around. Also Brett I am glad you brought this scene up because this is probably one of the most famous scenes that Spielberg has directed, in my option of course. But I love it how you see them from far away and then you see them in kind of a close up then you see it from them looking down, basically what you just said. But I also like the scene where the little girl walks in the room and she starts to scream and then E.T. the older brother. No matter how many times I see this scene I always laugh even when I know it is coming. I also like how it was shot where it is jut close up’s of everyone there it adds to the humor in my opinion.
To watch ET without having large amounts of nostalgia is almost impossible. The music, the atmosphere even the waist high camera angles all just bring you back to a time of childhood innocence. You can tell Spielberg was trying to beat Disney at there own game, out Disney Disney in a way. There are so many classic moments and Hunter touched upon one of them, the scene when Gertie first meets ET is a favorite of mine.
In the opeaning scene of E.T it kind of gives you that spooky feeling the way they use the lighting and camera angles.When the camera focuses on the craft that has temporarily landed in a wooded clearing, the mood is almost ominous. Which leads to a great attention graber. I also agree with all you guys about the music being so epic and asome it seems like with out it the scene would not be complete.
Ross you are right he was trying to beat out Disney and I think he did. Andrew you are right the opening scene does give a spooky feeling but, to me it brings some curiosity to me because as a kid I wanted to know if there were such a thing as aliens in the world and I think that Spielberg portrayed both of them amazingly through out the movie. I also like how he kept the lighting relatively the same in all the movies.
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