Sharks (superorder Selachimorpha) are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago.

1. Where did the idea for Jaws originate? How did it become a film? Who contributed to the screenplay?
The movie 'Jaws' was originated from the gigantic 450 pound shark from Long Island. But the main origin was based off the best-selling novel 'Jaws'.

2. Why were particular scenes removed from the film?
Some scenes of the movie were removed because they were not necessary and because they were too gory and violent.

3. During the pre-production stage what sort of footage did the producers commission in preparation for the film? How was the script changed as a result of this footage?
The Production Commissioners went down to Australia to shoot live footage of the sharks. But because the sharks were only 16 feet long when in the script they were 24 feet long, they hired a small person and put him inside a miniature cage. Even then, the shark didn't attack the cage, but one of the sharks nose got caught on the cage's chain. The shark went crazy, but because the cage was empty, they changed the script of having no one inside the cage.

4. What was involved during the casting process?
Richard Dreyfuss who played the role of Matt Hooper denied the request from Spielberg to be in the film because he thought it would be a bitch to shoot. Soon Richard called up Spielberg and accepted the job because he needed a job. Ray Schieder who overheard a conversation regarding Jaws volunteered to act as Chief Brody.

5. What is location scouting? Why did Steven Spielberg choose the locations for the film?
Location scouting is a very important pre-production part of filming. Spielberg chose an ocean in Martha's Vineyard for the town of 'Amity'. Spielberg shot parts of the ocean so it would look like the cast were in the middle of the sea and couldn't escape. But actually the filming crew and cast were just a few metres from shore. The production film also shot footage of real life sharks in Australia before they started to film there mechanic sharks.

6. Describe how actors contributed to the production of Jaws.
Because of the lack of footage they could get from the shark, actors contributed to the film by giving a great understanding, improvising and even improving the role of the characters. This is how they came up with one of their well-known quotes "We're gonna need a bigger boat".

7. What does a composer do? What considerations were taken into account when writing the music for Jaws?
A composer writes various music and theatre music for the film. John Williams knew that he needed to compose a type of piece that would portray the suspense and tension of the shark. They came up with a famous piece of low and high notes getting louder and louder.





8. What did Spielberg do as a result of test screenings?
After the first test screening, Dick Zanuck and Spielberg were nervous to see the audiences reactions and if they would think of it as a success or just another movie. Spielberg decided to reshoot the Bed Gardner head in the boat scene. With the new shot he received louder screams then before but then only half screams from the next shark appearance because of the first surprise; they were ready for something to happen when the second scream came along.

9. What is a director of photography? How was the director of photography involved in the production of Jaws?
The director of photography or D.O.P for short manages and supervises the filming of a movie. Bill Butler; who was the D.O.P for Jaws, wanted to do a handheld shot of a certain scene. Spielberg thought it wouldn't work but turned out good.

10. What does an editor do? Who was the editor on Jaws and what was her responsibility?
An editor puts frames together to make a shot. Verna Field, who was the editor of Jaws rearranged parts of the film to create a better result.

11. Based on the documentary, what are the responsibilities of a producer?
A film producer is someone who creates the conditions for making movies. The producer initiates, co-ordinates, supervises and controls matters such as fund-raising, hiring key personnel and arranging for distributors. The producer is involved throughout all phases of the film-making process from development to completion of a project.

12. What does the producer do once principal photography has finished?
The producer's job is to watch the final version of the film and make any necessary rearrangements until it is distributed. 

13. What did the production designer do on the film?
Joe Alves, who was the production designer of Jaws, had the job of the overall look on Jaws.