Jeepers Creepers

Mise-en-scene

Setting

The first scene of this film is set on a country road, which looks quite remote and distant from urban towns. This creates a relaxed and calm atmosphere as it feels like an ordinary car journey. Although the feeling of vulnerability and desertedness may make the audience feel on edge. The two main characters seem relaxed as they drive along the road. This may suggest to the audience that something is about to happen.

Body language

At the beginning of the scene the two main characters seem unperturbed and carefree. This is contrasted with the emotion and terror the audience sees in the middle of the scene. This makes the fear all the more scary as their body language is very different. At the beginning the two characters seem quite relaxed as they lean back and talk in a carefree manner. However in the middle of the scene when the van is close behind them you see them become a lot more uptight and panic-stricken. This is striking as the two emotions are so opposite.  

When the audience first sees the villain he seems mysterious as he is so covered up. Since he is not moving and is staring forward at the camera the audience, who are in the position of the two main characters, feels uncomfortable and disturbed by his body language.

Lighting

As the two characters are driving along a wide empty road the light is bright and sunny. This causes the film to seem so innocent and normal that, as it is a horror film the audience are suspicious that something ominous is about to happen. This builds anxiety and causes the audience to feel fearful in anticipation of what might happen.

When the van comes very close to the car the light from the sky seems to get darker. This fits the mood of the scene as the characters are fearful of the van which is close behind them. The lighting on the characters’ faces is very clear as the audience needs to be able to see their scared facial expressions.

Costume

The two main characters are dressed in normal teenager clothes which makes the beginning scene seem all the more ordinary. This also adds to the surprise of the van which comes up behind them. The clothes that they are wearing seem so ordinary that the audience feels that nothing could happen to them.

The evil villain in the film is dressed all in black and is wearing a wide coat and hat which make him seem bigger and even more threatening. The mask which covers his face makes it scary as the audience doesn’t know who he is or what he looks like.  It insinuates that he has something to hide as he is so covered up. His clothes seem travel worn and weathered which intimate he is separate from society and tough.

Camera shots

The first shot seen in this film is an establishing shot of the countryside around the road on which the two main characters are travelling. This tells the audience that it is set in a rural isolated area.

The wide shot of the caravan turning right in the background shows that the two main characters are ignorant as they don’t know what is going on. Their innocence suggests that something may be about to happen. This shot gives the audience the indication that they are completely alone and secluded. This event then draws the audience’s attention to the background as the film makers want them to be focused on what’s coming up behind the car.

The close up of Darry’s face illustrates the confusion and fear that he feels towards the van that continues to drive on his tail. This is effective as it causes the audience to feel the same way as, like Darry, they don’t understand what’s happening.

The wide angle shot from the back window of the car shows the out of control van. This adds to the tension and terror that the audience is feeling as the suspense and trepidation is building.

Editing

The first editing technique seen is the countryside fading into the picture with the title of the film over the top. This gradually shows the audience the setting and increases the feeling of calm.

The first two minutes of the film is the same scene which means there is no switching between scenes. This makes it continuous and smooth as it is staying with the same characters throughout. This also means that the scene runs quite quickly as the camera is focusing purely on two characters.

Sound

Whilst driving along the empty road one of the main characters says 'I haven't seen a car in 50 miles'. This adds to the seclusion of the area and implies to the audience that something may happen to them as they have no one to help them.

There is one instance when non diegetic music is heard through the first few scenes of the film. This means that the quietness builds tension as the audience is waiting for something exciting to happen. The only time in which the audience hears non diegetic music is when the villain is seen to be putting what looks like bodies covered with bloodstained sheets down a large pipe into the ground. This increases the fear which the audience feels towards the villain and the high pitched sharp noises of the music add to the atmosphere. It also suggests to the audience that when he is around it’s not quiet, but dangerous.

At this point in the film the synchronous noise of the van seems even louder. This is because the ominous silence and peacefulness of the surroundings increase the noise of the van which comes up behind them.