How Do Films Reveal Character Traits?

Films reveal character traits through the arrangement of all the visual elements within the frame of a movie screen.

We know that "the dominant is often movement itself". Here, Quint is the one moving. Thus, the audience is under the impression that this experienced shark hunter is here to save the day. The other two men stop moving and give way to Quint the moment he enters the picture. We follow him with our eyes, fascinated by his fearlessness. 

Although Brody is definitely not dominant in this social group after everything that happened during the day, where Quint was the bravest and most experienced man, the nighttime scene opens with a close-up of Brody. "The amount of space taken up by a character doesn't necessarily relate to that person's actual social dominance, but to his/her dramatic importance." This is exactly what we see in this shot; Spielberg emphasizes the concern of Brody, thus revealing his character. While the other two men look quite relaxed in the background, Brody gives us a feeling of tension- he is still thinking about the shark. 

Three-quarter turn suggests rejection and unfriendliness. He is not willing to join in on the fun that the other two men are having. 

When Quint launches into a heartfelt monologue, sharing the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the camera doesn't move. "The frame selects and delimits the subject, presenting us with only a "piece" of reality. It can also function as a metaphor, a window through which the audience peeps into characters' lives." Here, like in many other shots of the movie, Quint is the main character. Hooper is listening with his mouth open, suggesting that we should do the same. 

Since quarter turn is intimate, the audience gets even more attached to Quint. Spielberg clearly devotes close attention to characters, instead of hurrying past them to the shark. 

The camera moves closer and closer, making the audience emotionally attached to Quint. 

"The central portions of the screen are reserved for the most important visual elements." This shot is an example of a profile position (looking off frame suggests being unaware of being observed). Since the characters are really into what they are doing, their characters get revealed even more. Skin contact suggests intimacy- the more time the two men spend together, the closer they get. 

After having observed Quint for the past shots (during his storytelling), we now listen to the dialogue between the two men. Here, we see the fun and playful nature of their characters. They are an arm-length away from each other- they are obviously getting attached to each other and the audience gets attached to their relationship, too.