From Panic Attacks to Nightmares: Steven Spielberg's Haunting 'Jaws' Experience
Film production causing anxiety attacks and haunting dreams post-shoot - Anxiety and disturbing dreams following film productions
Hollywood's heavyweight, Steven Spielberg, (78) found himself in the eye of a storm while filming the iconic "Jaws" on Martha's Vineyard in 1975. His first major feature film offer after a successful stint in television brought a mountain of expectations. As rumors swirled in Hollywood about his future after the shoot, the pressure weighed heavy on the 26-year-old director, as reported by "Entertainment Weekly".
The making of "Jaws" was a tumultuous journey, with mechanical sharks refusing to behave, clashing cast members, and challenging shoots on the water's edge. The logistical hurdles piled up like sandbags, suffocating Spielberg within an inch of compromise. It was these relentless trials that left the young director on the brink of mental collapse.
Recounting the experience in the new documentary "Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story", Spielberg revealed a harrowing ordeal. "When the film was wrapped on Martha's Vineyard, I felt like I was having a heart attack," he admitted. "A full-blown panic attack, I couldn't get my breath. I kept rushing to the bathroom, splashing water on my face, shaking... It was everything I had experienced on the island, trying to hold the team together - I felt responsible for keeping them there as long as we had to."
Demons From the Deep
The wild success of "Jaws" didn't manage to exorcise the demons that haunted Spielberg for years. He grappled with recurring nightmares, describing them as a relentless specter that lingered even after the film became a global box office sensation. Back in the '70s, the term PTSD wasn’t in vogue yet, but Spielberg was living its nightmare.
Strangely comforting, the film's boat, "Orca", became his solace. Spielberg confessed that he would find himself sneaking onto the backlot's vessel at Universal Studios, seeking solitude to weep. "I had nothing to cry about," he said candidly. "The film was a phenomenon, and yet here I was, crumbling under the weight of it all. I couldn't let go... The boat was my therapeutic companion for several years after 'Jaws' was released."
The documentary "Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story" delves deep into the treacherous waters of the making of "Jaws". Premiering on Disney+ from July 11, it promises to unveil the untold stories behind Hollywood's most iconic shark-infested tale.
- Steven Spielberg
- Panic attack
- Film work
- Pressure
- Shooting
- Nightmare
- Successful film
- Martha's Vineyard
- James Cameron
- Hollywood
- Entertainment Weekly
Insights:
Filming "Jaws" on Martha's Vineyard took a heavy toll on Spielberg's mental health. The mechanical sharks used in the film frequently malfunctioned, fueling mounting frustration, and leading to production delays and a bloated budget. Cast members often clashed on set, and filming on water, known for its complexity, further hindered the production. Despite the eventual triumph of "Jaws," Spielberg grappled with crippling panic attacks and recurring nightmares for years. As solace, the film's boat, "Orca," became his sanctuary, and he occasionally sought comfort by playing video games and calling his mother during trying times.
- Despite the success of "Jaws," Steven Spielberg confessed that he struggled with panic attacks and nightmares for years, finding solace in the film's boat, "Orca."
- The challenging filming conditions for "Jaws" on Martha's Vineyard in 1975, marked by mechanical sharks malfunctioning, clashing cast members, and complicated shoots on the water's edge, significantly affected Spielberg's mental health.
- "Jaws" was a milestone film for director Steven Spielberg, but the grueling production process and pressure of high expectations left him on the brink of mental collapse, leading to sleepless nights and health-and-wellness concerns.
