JAWS legend Joe Alves enthralls fans at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
You can catch The Shark Is Broken from 25th July 2023 at the Golden Theater, New York, NYC.
One of the most compelling and iconic films of all time, Jaws (1975) continues to thrill new generations with its score, writing, and inventive design. Join the museum for a behind-the-scenes look with production designer Joe Alves through his book, Joe Alves: Designing Jaws.
This conversation focused on Alves’s development of this celebrated film, including preproduction illustrations; handwritten location and production notes; on-set photographs; blueprints of the shark's design; and first-time publication of his complete catalog of storyboards.
The sold-out intimate presentation was intended for about 80 people yet ended up drawing nearly 200, each of whom had their copies of Joe Alves: Designing JAWS signed.
“There was such a wonderful crowd there; so many more than I expected. Everyone was so pleasant. I really enjoyed it. I’m so thankful to the Academy Museum and its staff for arranging this event. I was happy to be here to support the Academy and this amazing museum.”
Following the event, Alves and Prince made their way to the upper floors to visit the full-sized shark, the last genuine shark made from the original mold and restored by Greg Nicotero’s KNB EFX Group in 2019. The shark is an important piece of movie history and is now a permanent fixture at the museum.
“Yes, the event was wonderful. The team at the Academy Museum provided an amazing setting for us. And the folks in attendance were so excited, for JAWS and, of course, for their opportunity to meet Joe.”
JAWS mega fan James Lovato added
“Today was Great day meeting the creator of our favorite shark Bruce. Hereing Joes stories and being amongst others big Jaws fans was the best . Thank God Joe kept all his drawings to make a Jawsome book for us fans. Was my first time going the Museum. Seeing Bruce and Joe all on the same day was simply epic.
James Lovato with Joe Alves and Denis Prince
James continues….. “It’s a shame it took so long to get Bruce a good home but glad he's got one now where Jaws fans from every where can go see him. Thank you Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for the Jaws experience of a lifetime.”
Photo credit James Lovato
Another JAWS fan who attended was Thomas Jung…
“It was amazing to hear Mr. Alves behind the scenes stories about brining this iconic film to life and I can’t wait to read more about them in “Designing Jaws.” It was also so incredible to see his initial sketches of JAWS (Bruce) and then moments later be able to see the replica hanging at the Academy Museum. Thank you to Mr. Alves for sharing your creativity with the world!”
Photo credit Thomas Jung
JOE ALVES
Joe Alves is an American film production designer, best known for his work on three of the Jaws films.
After seeing An American in Paris (1951) at his local movie theater, Alves set his sights on production design. He majored in architecture and minored in drama in college, then attended LA's Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts) with a major in motion picture design.
After a couple of years, Alves decided he really wanted to work in live action production. He started designing sets for the Hollywood Playhouse, and worked at various studios (Ziv, MGM, Fox, Warner Bros.) as a junior set designer. He went on to Universal Studios' art department and moved through the ranks as set designer, art director, and production designer. In his early years at Universal, he had the opportunity to work with such legends as Stanley Kramer, Alfred Hitchcock (Torn Curtain), Rod Serling (Night Gallery), and a young Steven Spielberg.
Alves designed Spielberg's first three feature films: The Sugarland Express (1974), Jaws, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). In 1978, Alves worked on Jaws 2 as production designer, associate producer, and second unit director. In 1983, he directed Jaws 3-D.
By the late 1980s, Alves had established himself as an A-list production designer, designing Escape from New York (1981), Everybody's All-American (1988), Freejack (1992), Geronimo (1993), and Fire Down Below (1997).
He has been nominated for two Academy Awards (Special Effects for Jaws;Production Design for Close Encounters of the Third Kind) and won the British BAFTA award for production design for Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
DENNIS L. PRINCE
Dennis L. Prince is an accomplished author whose work spans business, technical, and entertainment-related subjects. Born in Sunnyvale, California, he began his professional writing career in 1998, and has since published more than twenty-five books and hundreds of print and digital articles. His lifetime love for movies and television led him to focus his writing on film, filmmakers, and popular culture. His favorite movie is Jaws.
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