Mise-en-scene- Opening scene of Jaws

 

• The first shot is the sharks point of view as it swims.
• We hear non-diegetic low, stringed music - associated with the shark.
• Camera tracks past kids around the campfire.
• Fire is source of light.
• Girl and boy on edge of the group - Outsiders.
• Medium close up of the girl, bars (fencing) behind her representing that she is trapped.
• High angle shot of the beach meaning they are vulnerable/weak.
• The boy and girl leave the fire (the heat/warmth, the light, the people) into the darkness all around them.
• Whilst they were running into darkness they were surrounded by bars.
• As they ran further the music slowly fades away only leaving the sound of their voices and the waves of the sea.
• When she goes into the water it's a long shot which is very calm in the moonlight and it seems peaceful.
• Sunset symbolises the sun is going down, the end of the day and the end of her life.
• There was a cut from a long shot to a close shot which brings the audience to her level.
• The music comes back, a long shot of the girl swimming from the sharks point.
• Sound stops because she dies.
• It goes back to being peaceful as if nothing had even happened.