Analysis of opening sequence: Jaws Chrissies Death

First we see the camera tracking the two characters movement along the beach, whilst this movement is going on the camera is tilted low at a low angle, this shows their inferiority within the film. Whilst the camera was showing them running we could hear the diegetic sound of people talking in the background  this implies that they have left a busy, exciting enviroment. There was also diegetic speech of the two significant characters shouting as they are running. The background diegetic sound effects of the sea an the wind, create a relaxed smooth enviroment, this contrasts with the hectic enviroment we can hear in the background.

Next a long shot occurs showing the young man tripping as he runs towards the girl, this may resemble future refrence of someone gettig hurt. The fast pace editing throughout this scene causes a build up of tension, to add to this the  incudes continuous change in tracking movements. Mid camera shot then shows the young woman undressing herself, this displays her as vunerable, she is placed in the centre of the camera which suggests she is centre of attention and the main action will possibly take place on her. A cross cut switches to a diferent shot of the young man, the shot is placed at a low angle, this is showing him falling from a significant height. The camera then tracks the young girl diving into the sea, whilst this is happening there is no sound which signifies the tension, however she is also fully undressed which is adding to her vulnerability, the low key lighting also sets an eery mood which adds to the atmosphere.

As we see the narrative move forward, the camera cuts to a long wide shot of her swimming, this shows how far out she is emphasising her loneliness, suggesting she can be over powered easily. The way she is swimming is elegant and sexualized, this reinforces the typical gender stereotype of a female which suggests her as being weak and timid. 

The camera cuts and changes scene to underwater, a low angle shot is presented to reinforce that the girl is unprotected, and accessible to all danger, the low key lighting in this shot starts the gradual build up of tension. We as viewers here the quiet diegetic sound of peaceful wave in the background this is contrasted with the reality of her significant danger. The lighting suddenly changes to high key shining in central on the young female, this is showing her as fundamental and suggesting that the main action will take place on her. The tracking movement shows the girl moving away from the spotlight, this implies she is moving away from being inferior to her being jeopardy. A long shot occurs showing the young girl moving away from the signified safety, she is now presented as a black silhouette suggesting a loss of identity. The diegetic background music is slow pace using high note instruments building up suspense. The camera cross cuts to underneath the water. It is positioned at a low angle signifying the girls exposed body, the camera then zooms in towards her body this signifies the danger getting closer to her. The sudden change in non diegetic music sound is high key and has a repetitive beat, this causes a dramatic change in atmosphere. The diegetic dialog of the young girl over the top of this music signifies her as being in panic, her facial expressions seen by her reation shot adds to the sense of panic.

A jump cut then shows the camera tracking the girl being energetically chucked around in the water, showing she has lost control of herself and has been over powered. The danger is now represented through the fast pace editing in which the shark is now controlling, this is made by continous short take editing. The camera then makes a quick transition to a mid shot, then instantly to a close up, showing chaotic disorded enviroment. The sound is synchronous to the disorganised steady cam camera movement and the editing. Cross cut then occurs to a scene where the boy that is left on the beach is laying on the beach asleep, this contrast the two enviroments, however he has no control or power.