INTERVIEW: MATT TAYLOR AUTHOR 'JAWS: MEMORIES FROM MARTHA'S VINEYARD'
JAWS: Memories From Martha’s Vineyard is THE book on Jaws. Packed with previously unseen photographs, and complete with a Foreword by Steven Spielberg, Jaws: Memories from Marthas Vineyard is one of the most impressive behind the scenes books ever produced, and is a must-have for the worldwide legions of Jaws fans who just cant get enough of the greatest action-adventure picture of all time. Warning: Youre gonna need a bigger coffee table.
Author Matt Taylor is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, where he studied early American history. Jaws: Memories From Martha’s Vineyard, his first publication, is the culmination of a lifelong passion for art, film and New England history. He is a fifteenth generation resident of Marthas Vineyard, where he lives with his wife and children.
Interview
THE DAILY JAWS (TDJ): What do you remember about the first time you saw Jaws?
MATT: I saw Jaws for the first time at the Capawock Theater on Martha's Vineyard, in August 1979. I was 7 years old. The movie was 4 years old at that time, but I remember the line of people waiting in line to buy tickets -- the line extended from the lobby, outside, down the side of the building, then out to the back. What I recall about seeing the movie that night was my heart racing pretty much all the way through. As soon as the theater dimmed, and the Universal logo appeared onscreen, and the underwater sounds began, my heart was thumping. That was because I had heard about the movie for several years and knew what to expect. That was the greatest movie-going experience of my life. I haven't felt that level of fear and excitement since.
TDJ: If you had to describe Jaws in three words......
MATT: There's only one word: Masterpiece.
TDJ: What is your favourite moment in the movie and why?
MATT: I can't pin-point a favorite moment. Pretty much the entire 3rd act...any scene with Robert Shaw, really. I love when he says "He can't go down with three barrels on him...not with three he can't." And then swoosh. The barrels go under and Quint looks around, then says, "It's incredible."
TDJ: Why is Jaws such a phenomenon?
MATT: For the same reason the Mona Lisa is...or the Sistine Chapel. It's the directing, the acting, the story, the musical score. Zanuck and Brown couldn't have planned it, it just happened. All the stars aligned, I guess.
JAWS Memories From Martha’s Vineyard authors Jim Beller (back) and Matt Taylor (right) with Jaws Production Designer Joe Alves holding a copy of the book.
TDJ: What's it like being a resident of Martha's Vineyard? Does Jaws still play a big part in Vineyard life?
MATT: No comment, and I'm not sure!
TDJ: When did the idea for the book come about?
MATT: 2005.
TDJ: How did you go about putting the book together?
MATT: I spoke with everyone I could who worked on the movie, and followed every possible lead in the search for photos. I sketched most of the pages in pencil much like storyboards, then every weekend would sit with my sister who is a graphic designer, and implement the sketches into her design program.
Matt combing through proofs, February 2011.
TDJ: How long did it take to compile the book?
MATT: Fall 2007, to Fall 2010...exactly three years.
TDJ: What did your publisher Titan Books think when they first heard your pitch?
MATT: I self-published the book. Titan picked up the rights a while after we had been selling the book through our website, and Independent Publishers' Group.
TDJ: How does it feel to be celebrating 10 years of 'Memories'?
MATT: I can't believe it's been ten years.
TDJ: What is your favourite fact / story that you discovered while compiling the book?
MATT: Hard to say; the Lynn Murphy stories stand out.
TDJ: What is your favourite image in the book?
MATT: The cameraman filming the shark surging through the water toward the Orca.
TDJ: What were your expectations for the book before release?
MATT: I just hoped we'd make our money back.
TDJ: Was there anything left out you wish you could have included in the finished book?
MATT: Yes, I wish I could have spoken with Set designer John Dwyer, and also Tom Joyner who was the AD.
TDJ: What has the response to the book been like over the years?
MATT: Overwhelmingly positive.
TDJ: Any plans for a follow up book?
MATT: Jaws-related? No.
