For the movie Jaws, the studio wanted to use a back lot lake or a studio tank for the ocean scenes. Spielberg wanted to film on the actual ocean.

“This was supposed be a thriller based on people like you and me that are out of their element having to fight something we have no comprehension how to deal with.” 

People like you and me, out of their element.

I think that is the essence of storytelling. Great storytelling. 

Because once you make the reader feel like these people are just like them, then you put the characters out of their element, the reader is there with you. They’re on for the ride.