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Spielberg Hides the Shark, Explained

Spielberg · 2017

Capítulo 1 de 10 · 2'09"

Spielberg explains why the barrels let him keep the shark off camera. "What you don't see is generally scarier than what you do see" is the whole argument: the script says shark everywhere, the film shows almost none, and the music does the threatening. A critic says other filmmakers would kill for that control.

StorytellingExplainingComplimentingB2mediumamerican

Key moments

Start here, then watch the full scene
  1. Barrels let Spielberg hide the shark

    0:02–1:17
    75s
  2. Technique others would kill for

    1:33–2:01
    28s

Spielberg Hides the Shark, explained

What happens

Spielberg says the barrels were a godsend: as long as they were around, he did not need to show the shark. The script was filled with shark, but the movie has very little of it. Williams explains that a few notes stay faint when the shark is far away and turn loud when it is about to attack. Someone calls the result a perfect exercise in suspense.

What's really going on

Spielberg calls the barrels "a godsend" because he "didn't need to show the shark as long as those barrels were around." The script was "filled with shark," yet "The movie doesn't have very much shark in it." His rule is quoted outright: "What you don't see is generally scarier than what you do see." Williams gives that gap a sound. Far away, the theme is faint; when the shark is "just about to attack" it is close and loud. "Just very few notes" advertise its presence and mood. One line says you are "in a state of anxiety" without seeing a shark. A critic calls it "a perfect exercise in suspense," technique "any other filmmaker would kill for" — envy, not a threat. Spielberg says he was "using an electric cattle prod" on the audience at every "pop-up surprise." No prod is in the story; the jolt is. Another line says he delivers the view "when he wants to deliver it."

Key lines & what they mean

“What you don't see is generally scarier than what you do see, and the script was filled with "shark."”
In this interview it defends hiding the shark. The script says shark constantly, but the unseen animal is the real scare, so the barrels can stand in for it.
“He doesn't show you what you want to see, and then he delivers it when he wants to deliver it.”
Phillips is describing the same trick from the audience's side. The view you came for is held back and given at the filmmaker's moment, not yours.

Theme

  • Philosophy — He says what you do not see is generally scarier, so barrels and a few notes replace the shark.
  • Power — He holds the shark back and delivers the view only when he chooses to shock the audience.

Qué aprendes en este capítulo

Puntos de enseñanza

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Mi nivel1/8

A1–C2 es la escala MCER. Las tarjetas por encima del nivel elegido se atenúan y la reproducción no se pausa en ellas.

Spielberg: tu progreso

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Preguntas frecuentes

La pregunta, luego la frase
Why does Spielberg call the barrels a godsend?

Because as long as the barrels were around, he did not need to show the shark. He says what you don't see is generally scarier, even though the script was filled with shark.

Why does the shark theme go from faint to loud?

When the shark is far away the music is very faint. When it is just about to attack, the music is very close and very loud. Williams says a few notes can advertise its presence and mood.

Does the movie show the shark as often as the script?

No. The script was filled with shark — shark here, shark there, shark everywhere — but the movie does not have very much shark in it.

Is would kill for a threat here?

No. The line praises technique that any other filmmaker would kill for. It means other directors would desperately want that suspense, not that anyone plans to harm someone.

What electric cattle prod is Spielberg talking about?

None in the story. He says he was using an electric cattle prod on the audience every time there was a pop-up surprise. The prod is his name for that jolt.