Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1538148
Robert Shaw's son, Ian Shaw, brought to Broadway the production of The Shark Is Broken, in 2023, which chronicles the making of the film in Martha's Vineyard. The setting was the boat the Orca I couldn't believe how much Ian looked and sounded like his father, as "Quint," and the play is still continuing to entertain audiences who are fascinated with the film, and the behind-the- scenes drama between the three principal actors: Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss. However, I leave the production sound connection for last, which, for me, is the "motherlode." Last year, I was texting with Re-recording Mixer Jon Taylor, inquiring if he knew anyone I could contact at Universal regarding the equipment used on set. His response was epic: He said my Mix Tech, Bill Meadows' father, was the Boom Operator on the film. You can imagine how elated I was. I called Bill, and sure enough, he told me that his dad, Frank Meadows, worked on the film and that he himself had worked on several restorations. A meeting was set up with both of them, and I can honestly say it felt like a full- circle moment. on Jaws, I couldn't believe it. It was Re-recording Mixer Robert Hoyt, and through this connection, I was able to meet Robert's widow, Judie. This meeting, in turn, led to the Cinema Audio Society displaying Hoyt's Oscar at the 50th CAS Awards in 2024. Robert Hoyt was one of the original CAS founders and its first CAS President. Now you see the interweaving connection here. Judie said originally, Robert was not going to attend the Oscars, as he believed the award would not go to a film whose soundtrack was in mono.The other nominated films were The Hindenburg, Funny Lady, The Wind and the Lion, and Bite the Bullet. He believed that the frontrunner was The Hindenburg, especially given its six-track 70mm release. Fortunately, he was persuaded by his family to attend the Oscars, and he went up on stage to receive his Academy Award alongside his fellow team member Roger Herman, Earl Madery, and John Carter. In 2023, the Academy Museum hosted Jaws Production Designer Joe Alves. He was kind enough to sign my original Jaws soundtrack album with the most amazing signature and illustration. Joe captivated the audience as he shared his memories from 1974 in Martha's Vineyard, connecting me once again to the film. Jaws behind the scene photos are courtesy of the following: Flickr/Pinterest/Britannica/Wikimedia Commons/IMDb https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/jaws-behind-the-scene-photos/ https://www.moviestillsdb.com/movies/jaws-i73195 Steven Spielberg and Bruce in Jaws (1975) Photo by mptvimages.com Image courtesy mptvimages.com