The greats in the filmmaking realm are known for going the extra mile that many won’t bother in order to attain perfection, and Steven Spielberg is no anomaly to this practice. With a resume full of critically and commercially successful gems that have stood the test of time and are still garnering a hefty amount of adoration from fans, his commitment to delivering the best movie possible is unreal.
And the crafting process behind his first major blockbuster, Jaws, one of the greatest movies ever made, showcases The Fabelmans director’s utter determination to craft the perfect output.
Steven Spielberg Was Adamant About Adding One More Bone-Chilling Scene in Jaws
Despite earning rave first reactions from fans upon its initial preview, unlike the studio execs, who were quite satisfied with the product, Steven Spielberg was determined to climb the extra step. Considering he wasn’t satisfied with the audience’s reaction to the scene, which involved Hooper coming across Ben Gardner’s severed head, he wanted to make the scene more scary.
“The audience loved the movie, we were all happy. But I was greedy, and I said, ‘There is one more scream we can get in this movie if I can figure out this thing with Ben Gardner’s head.’” Spielberg recalled.
However, considering the reactions were extremely great, Studio execs didn’t bother acknowledging Spielberg’s wants, but this didn’t stop the auteur from going the extra mile.
Steven Spielberg Spent From His Own Pocket to Make the Required Change
After not getting the screams from the audience he originally hoped for, Steven Spielberg decided to spend cash from his own pocket to ensure the changes. Roughly spending around 3 thousand bucks to build the side of Ben Gardner’s boat to match the one they shot before, they filmed the scene in his editor’s swimming pool by using a body double of Richard Dreyfuss. And after a rigorous process of shooting, adding sound effects, and dubbing, the director was eventually satisfied with the end product and was thrilled by the audience’s reaction to the Jumpscare.
“We put that cut into the film and took it for another preview in Long Beach at the Lakewood Theatre. That moment got a humongous scream, way bigger than the one with the shark coming out of the water in the Dallas preview. People came out of their seats even higher, and I was thrilled.” Spielberg recounted.
Spielberg’s extreme effort to perfect this particular scene didn’t go in vain, as the jump scare was truly effective. And this process further explains why he is considered one of the best ever to stand behind a camera.
Jaws is available to rent on Apple TV.
Source: Vanity Fair
