The Jaws Log - (Shooting Script) by Carl Gottlieb (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The expanded edition of the acclaimed bestseller (with over 2,000,000 copies sold) - the only book on the making of the landmark Steven Spielberg movie, timed to coincide with the film's Blu-Ray release August 14th, digitally remastered and fully restored in honor of Universal's 100th Anniversary Celebration.

Winner of three Oscars(R) and the highest grossing film of its time, Jaws was a phenomenon, and this is the story of how, in 1974, 26-year-old Steven Spielberg transformed Peter Benchley's #1 bestselling novel into the classic film it became. Hired by Spielberg as a co-screenwriter (with Benchley), Carl Gottlieb was on the set with the director throughout the often frantic production. Soon after, with Spielberg's and Benchley's cooperation, he chronicled the extraordinary adventure in The Jaws Log, beginning in 1971 when Doubleday signed up Benchley's novel for $7,500 from a four-page outline, its pre-publication monster paperback sale to Bantam two years later, which immediately triggered the sale to Hollywood producers, the adaptation process, pre-production, casting, principle photography on location in Martha's Vineyard, editing and post-production in Hollywood, and its Universal Studios launch.

Fast-paced, eye-opening, even comedic at times, Gottlieb describes in detail such crucial aspects as the never-before-seen special effects, the creation and secrecy surrounding the mechanical sharks, the filming of the hair-raising real shark footage, the pressures from the studio, the townspeople, the impact of the weather and the frigid Atlantic ocean waters, the early screenings and reactions, and the unexpected unprecedented results.

A fascinating look at people passionately committed to their craft, Gottlieb has created a riveting portrait of a book-to-movie in process, of the writers, producers, cast and crew, including actors Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfus--and, most of all, of young director Spielberg at work on the second feature film of his career.

Steven Soderbergh, Bryan Singer, Rod Lurie, John Landis, Steve Martin, John Krasinski, and Rob Reiner are among today's top filmmakers who rave about The Jaws Log, calling it a must-read of anyone interested in how movies are made and the people who make them.

This expanded edition includes introductions by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb, with endnotes added by Gottlieb on events and people involved in Jaws twenty-five years later. Also included a 22-page Photo Album.

From the Back Cover

Winner of three Oscars and the highest-grossing film of its time, Jaws was a phenomenon, and this is the only book on how twenty-six-year-old Steven Spielberg transformed Peter Benchley's number-one bestselling novel into the classic film it became.

Hired by Spielberg as a screenwriter to work with him on the set while the movie was being made, Carl Gottlieb, an actor and writer, was there throughout the production that starred Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss. After filming was over, with Spielberg's cooperation, Gottlieb chronicled the extraordinary yearlong adventure in The Jaws Log, which was first published in 1975 and has sold more than two million copies. This expanded edition includes a photo section, an introduction by Benchley, and an afterword by Gottlieb that gives updates about the people and events involved in the film, ultimately providing a singular portrait of a famous movie and inspired moviemaking.

Review Quotes

"The Jaws Log is like a little movie director bible. Whenever I'm having a bad day at work, I got back and read a chapter...and thank the Lord I'm not shooting on the ocean." - --Bryan Singer, Director, The Usual Suspects, X-Men

"Since The Jaws Log was first published, we've seen countless behind-the-scenes accounts of the making of movies, but none come close to Carl Gottlieb's artful, detailed, and very funny account of the making of this motion picture phenomenon. It's not only entertaining and insightful, but also truly enhances one's appreciation of a remarkable filmmaker's achievement." - --Rob Reiner, Director, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally

"Carl Gottlieb's work is as entertaining as the movie it is about. In fact, you have not had the full Jaws experience until you have read, make that devoured, this wonderful book." - -Rod Lurie, Director, The Contender

"Like Jonah writing from the belly of the whale, Carl Gottlieb's journal of the process of making Jaws comes from the unique perspective of one of the major players in the collaboration that resulted in Spielberg's classic movie." - --John Landis, Director, The Blues Brothers

"This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest books about making movies. Gottlieb, who wrote the screenplay for Jaws, gives a day-to-day account of the process of making the film, from choosing the location to building the shark...or rather, sharks! You get to see the magic-and madness-of moviemaking from the crazy shoot to the blockbuster hit." - --John Krasinski, Actor, "The Office"