Academy Museum Isn't The First Time Jaws Has Made An Exhibition Of Itself
Jaws may have arrived at the Museum of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, but it isn't the first place to have ever have a Jaws exhibition.
Back in 2018 Catalina Island Museum, in Southern California. held the world’s first ever museum exhibition celebrating the making of Jaws.
It saw over 20,000 people devour the brilliant Jaws: The Art of Fear in Filmmaking, exhibition during its five month run.
It was the first such exhibition of its kind, with its unique display offering visitors a fantastic insight into the behind the scenes exploits of one of the most beloved and feared films of all time. Catalina Island was also one of the locations used in the shooting of Jaws 2.
The enthralling exhibition allowed you to lose yourself in the work of Jaws Production Designer Joe Alves through his original storyboards, location scouting photos, behind the scenes pictures of cast and crew and not forgetting a mass of original props and ephemera from the film. You could almost be back in Martha’s Vineyard in 1974.
And if that wasn’t enough you also got to ‘rub shoulders’ with Brody, Hooper and Quint, thanks to the amazing hyper-realistic life-size model work of Greg Nicotero, who is also behind Bruce at the Museum of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is also winner of four Primetime Emmys and perhaps best known for his special effects make-up on The Walking Dead, which he has also directed numerous episodes of, Hostel, Scream and The Evil Dead II.
Opening night was a very special occasion with Joe Alves (he was also Production Designer and Co-Producer on Jaws 2 and helmed Jaws 3D) and Dennis Prince (author of last year's new making of JAWS book) in attendance. The pair spoke and did a book signing.
And of course Catalina Island in Southern California also plays a small part in Jaws history as the famous point of view shot of Chrissie Watkins gliding above the shark was filmed in the clearer sea off Catalina, rather than Martha’s Vineyard where the rest of the film was shot.
Greg Nicotero and his team recreated Quint, Brody & Hooper in wax work.
At the time, Catalina Island Museum’s Executive Director Julie Perlin Lee said: “As the first-ever exhibition documenting the making of JAWS, we are proud to celebrate those involved in its making and to be a part of its continued history. A whole new generation of fans has been introduced to this classic film through the exhibition. People from all over the world have enjoyed the exhibition.”
You may be interested in reading:
Bruce The Shark From Jaws Finds New Home At The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Bruce took centre stage at the Catalina Museum back in 2018
And how was it best to get to the museum? By boat, of course.
There was also set to be another Jaws exhibition, this time on Martha's Vineyard itself earlier this year. Sadly, that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its 45th year since release, Jaws was expected to return home, to 'Amity Island' at the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
According to the Martha's Vineyard Museum website, it stated: In commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the premiere of Jaws, the Museum will present an in-depth look at the making of one of the most memorable movies in cinematic history. Through photographs, oral histories, and original movie props, this exhibit will explore Martha’s Vineyard transformation into Amity Island, the Islanders that helped shape the movie and its memorable characters, and the film’s enduring legacy.
It was set to run from June 26th - just six days after the original release date of the film in the US in 1975 - through to October 11th, 2020.
Hopefully he'll still have the opportunity to swim back into the island once restrictions have been lifted.
Words by Dean Newman
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