The filming of the blockbuster film Jaws is regarded as a landmark event in both the history of motion pictures and the quaint New England island of Martha's Vineyard, where the geographic isolation necessitated the hiring of hundreds of locals to work as actors and laborers.
Among this virtual army of hometown participants were numerous professional and amateur photographers, each with full access to the production's inner workings--for the first time ever this compiles their behind-the-scenes photographs and stories into a treasure trove of Jaws rarities.
Included are a foreword by director Steven Spielberg, interviews with production designer Joe Alves, screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, location casting director Shari Rhodes, and more, providing an unprecedented all-access pass to the creation of some of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in film history. This unique compendium is the first to focus on the production's local participants, telling their stories at last.
“One of the most wonderful celebrations of one of the most wonderful films.” – J.J. Abrams
"There are bookshelves stuffed with behind-the-scenes memoirs and photos from the making of movies, but few are as comprehensive (and interesting) as Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard. The oversized book, packed with thousands of images, tidbits of trivia, and interviews, tells the story behind the making of one of the 20th century’s most iconic movies, but, in a unique twist, from the perspective of the locals." – Wired Magazine
"The volume is so impressive that Spielberg himself penned the foreword, in which he seems truly grateful for the anecdotal history provided by Taylor." – Kirkus
"The book is chock full of anecdotes and is bursting with more than 1000 pix shot by residents that have never been seen before. If you’re a JAWS nut, then you’re going to need a bigger book shelf, because this behind-the-scenes beauty is an absolute must have. I’ve got the paperback edition, but there’s also a killer deluxe boxed Limited Edition hardcover with a DVD containing 8mm behind -the-scenes footage of the JAWS production, which was shot and narrated by Islander Carol Fligor, plus a 1″x1″ piece of the fiberglass hull of the Orca II (a.k.a., sinking Orca) used in the movie with a note of authenticity from owners Lynn and Susan Murphy (how freaking cool is that!)." – Library Journal
"It’s a treasure trove of riches for those of us who love the movie Jaws, and the many stories told by the people who were there make for a brilliant package – gorgeous to look at, informative and enlightening to read, and surely a pleasure to revisit in the years to come." – Film Score Monthly
"this fantastic book provides an unprecedented all-access pass to the creation of some of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in film history!" – Nerd Locker
"This is by far the best film book in the Guide this year...the way this book is laid out is incredible. It details an almost day to day accounting of the famously troubled production and has some of the most incredible on-set photographs ever. It’s a brilliant book for a brilliant film" – aintitcool.com
"The wealth of behind the scenes photos is astonishing and the level of detail still blows my mind. An amazing making of book." - Ain’t It Cool Holiday Gift Guide
Matt Taylor is a fifteenth-generation resident of Matha's Vineyard. Jaws: Memories from Martha's Vineyard, his first publication, is the culmination of a lifelong passion for art, film and New England history.
The filming of the blockbuster film Jaws is regarded as a landmark event in both the history of motion pictures and the quaint New England island of Martha's Vineyard, where the geographic isolation necessitated the hiring of hundreds of locals to work as actors and laborers.
Among this virtual army of hometown participants were numerous professional and amateur photographers, each with full access to the production's inner workings--for the first time ever this compiles their behind-the-scenes photographs and stories into a treasure trove of Jaws rarities.
Included are a foreword by director Steven Spielberg, interviews with production designer Joe Alves, screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, location casting director Shari Rhodes, and more, providing an unprecedented all-access pass to the creation of some of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in film history. This unique compendium is the first to focus on the production's local participants, telling their stories at last.
Praise
“One of the most wonderful celebrations of one of the most wonderful films.” – J.J. Abrams
"There are bookshelves stuffed with behind-the-scenes memoirs and photos from the making of movies, but few are as comprehensive (and interesting) as Jaws: Memories from Martha’s Vineyard. The oversized book, packed with thousands of images, tidbits of trivia, and interviews, tells the story behind the making of one of the 20th century’s most iconic movies, but, in a unique twist, from the perspective of the locals." – Wired Magazine
"The volume is so impressive that Spielberg himself penned the foreword, in which he seems truly grateful for the anecdotal history provided by Taylor." – Kirkus
"The book is chock full of anecdotes and is bursting with more than 1000 pix shot by residents that have never been seen before. If you’re a JAWS nut, then you’re going to need a bigger book shelf, because this behind-the-scenes beauty is an absolute must have. I’ve got the paperback edition, but there’s also a killer deluxe boxed Limited Edition hardcover with a DVD containing 8mm behind -the-scenes footage of the JAWS production, which was shot and narrated by Islander Carol Fligor, plus a 1″x1″ piece of the fiberglass hull of the Orca II (a.k.a., sinking Orca) used in the movie with a note of authenticity from owners Lynn and Susan Murphy (how freaking cool is that!)." – Library Journal
"It’s a treasure trove of riches for those of us who love the movie Jaws, and the many stories told by the people who were there make for a brilliant package – gorgeous to look at, informative and enlightening to read, and surely a pleasure to revisit in the years to come." – Film Score Monthly
"this fantastic book provides an unprecedented all-access pass to the creation of some of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in film history!" – Nerd Locker
"This is by far the best film book in the Guide this year...the way this book is laid out is incredible. It details an almost day to day accounting of the famously troubled production and has some of the most incredible on-set photographs ever. It’s a brilliant book for a brilliant film" – aintitcool.com
"The wealth of behind the scenes photos is astonishing and the level of detail still blows my mind. An amazing making of book." - Ain’t It Cool Holiday Gift Guide
Author
Matt Taylor is a fifteenth-generation resident of Matha's Vineyard. Jaws: Memories from Martha's Vineyard, his first publication, is the culmination of a lifelong passion for art, film and New England history.
