The document analyzes the opening of the comedy film Step Brothers. It examines the film's mise-en-scene, including costumes, lighting, actors, makeup, props, and setting. It also analyzes editing, camera work, sound, and how the opening establishes conventions and genre. The analysis finds that the opening effectively uses these techniques to introduce the characters and slapstick comedy genre in a way that draws in audiences.

1. Analysing a film opening-
Step Brothers
BY CHLOE GREIG

2. INTRO
 In this presentation I am going to be analysing a film opening. The film I am
analysing is ‘Step Brothers’. I will be analysing the mise-en-scene, editing,
lighting, camera, sound, and also looking at the conventions you would
stereotypically see in a film opening and whether Step Brothers meets
them or not. I will also be analysing the genre and how the film goes about
establishing it.
 Step Brothers (2008) is an American buddy slapstick comedy film Starting
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as the main characters. It is produced by Will
Ferrell and Adam McKay.

3. https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=Sczh_KjjFNU
This is a link to the
opening of the
film

4. Mise-en-scene, Costume
 In the opening the characters are dressed fairly regularly to suit their
jobs/personalities. This shows the audience that they are just ‘normal’
people living ‘normal’ lives, and gives a state of equilibrium and normality.
It can also help you relate to the characters more. The 2 main characters
Dale and Brendan are dressed casually to represent their lazy attitude and
stay at home lives, whereas the parents are dressed smartly as they are
going to work. This can also give them a higher status as they are out
working making money for their children.
As you can see from this image from the film, the
son is dressed very casually to represent his lazy
behaviour and the mum is dressed in smart work
clothes. This shows us she is going to go out and
she isn't lazy and actually has a job and gets out of
the house.

5. Mise-en-scene, Lighting
 All the way through the opening of Step Brothers there is a high key
lighting. This creates a happy feel good mood about it. It can let the
audience know that the film is going to be a fun, light-hearted film. When
Robert (the dad) is doing his meeting and he sees Nancy (the mum) the
lighting is all on her. The background and other people are in low key
lighting but she is in high key lighting. This shows to us that to Robert she
stands out from the crowd and he thinks she is the most beautiful person in
the room.
You can see the lighting effect
at 1min 24 secs:

6. Mise-en-scene,
Actors
There is a contrast between characters in
the opening of the film. The 2 main
characters Dale and Brendan act like lazy
slouchy teenagers, even though they're
40! They sit at home eating food and
playing video games for the whole of the
opening. This contrasts with the 2 parents
Nancy and Robert. They go out and work
for the whole of the opening. This helps
the target audience relate to the
characters. If you are watching it and you
are a teenager you can relate to Dale
and Brendan, but if you are an employed
person you can relate to Nancy and
Robert.
Also when you first see the 4 main
characters they are usually in the middle
of the screen. This can connote that thy
are going to be the main characters and
the film is going to revolve around them
throughout the film.

7. Mise-en-scene, Make-up
 In the opening of Step Brothers and mainly the whole film, there is subtle
makeup used. The only type of make-up is some minimal makeup on the
mum (Nancy). As there isn’t much makeup it gives a realistic effect to the
film. It can show us that Nancy cares about her appearance and needs to
look good for her job. The fact she has makeup on can make her look
more attractive, and this can attract a wider range of people to watch
the film as some older men may be attracted to her, so want to watch the
film.

8. Mise-en-scene, Props
 There is a few props used in the opening scene and example of some is
nachos and a toy guitar, these are used by Dale and Brendan. This shows
the immaturity of the characters as they are 40 years old but still lounging
at home eating nachos and playing with toy guitars! This brings humour to
the audience and this is very effective, as you are instantly laughing even
in the first few minutes of the film.

9. Mise-en-scene, Setting
 The setting of the opening and mainly the whole film is in a house. The
house is a traditional American style house :
As the house is a traditional house, it
brings a sense of reality so when you
watch the film you feel like you’re
watching something that’s happened in
real life! The colours of the house are
warm and welcoming. This fits in with the
genre, as you would expect the house
to be nice and happy as the film is a
fun, enjoyable film.

10. Editing
 In the opening there is a lot of cross cuts between the 2 main characters
(Dale and Brendan). This shows us an intro to the 2 characters, and lets the
audience know that the film is mainly going to revolve around the 2
characters. It can also signify unconventional home life. This could be
because the parents from both family's have split up, so Dale and Brendan
haven't had a ‘normal’ child hood. It also sets the tone and theme of the
film as the film is about the 2 family's coming together. It could also reflect
the parents feelings. They have very hard rushed lives of running about,
going to work and making money for them and their child, when the
‘children’ (Dale and Brendan) just stay at home all day, and the cross cuts
can connote their frantic lives.

11. Camera
 At the opening of the film there isnt an establishing shot straight away, and
this is rare for a film opening. This could create enigma and questions in the
audience’s mind like ‘Where are they?’ ‘Where is the house set?’. This
makes you want to carry on watching to find out the answers!
 There is also a lot of mid shots, here is an example of one:
The mid shots help us be introduced to the
characters and so we can get an understanding of
what the characters are like. It can also help us to
relate to the characters and so we empathise with
each of the characters.
There is also shot reverse shot when Robert and
Nancy are in the meeting together. This is to show
what Robert is saying and so we can see Nancy's
reaction.

12. Sound
 In the opening of Step Brothers there is no dialogue for quite a while and the
only sound you hear is non-diegetic sound of the song A Punk by Vampire
Weekend. This song Is very upbeat and very catchy. It draws you into the film
and catches your attention which makes you want to keep watching, it is also
a song well known by a lot of people so when the audience hears the song
they might recognise it. It has a feel-good tone about it and this fits in with the
tone of the film, so lets the audience know the film they are about to watch is
going to be a decent joyous film that you are going to enjoy.
 After you hear the song for abit you then start to hear the first diegetic sound
of the film, with the non-diegetic music quietly in the background. The first
conversation is between Nancy and Brendan (Mum and Son). Nancy says “I'm
leaving and I’ll be home about 11”. When she says this its like she's talking to a
child. This is because even though her son is 40 years old, he still acts and has a
mental brain of a child! This creates humour as you don’t stereotypically see a
40 year old man lounging around at home whilst his mum goes out and works.

13. Conventions in a film opening
 In a film there is stereotypical conventions that appear in the opening,
here is an example of some conventions you usually see at the beginning
of a film:
Film Title
Main Actor names
Director names
Enigma
Equilibrium Conventions= the ‘ingredients’
you expect to see in a media
form or genre, in this case a
film opening.

14. Does the film meet the conventions?
 Film Title- Step Brothers does meet this convention, however the title doesn’t appear for
about 5 minutes! This almost creates suspense as you are waiting for the film title to come
up. This can encourage the audience to keep watching the film and be drawn in as they
are intrigued as to when the film title to appear.
 Main Actor names- The Main actor names comes up almost instantly on the opening of
Step Brothers. This is effective as it can catch the audience’s attention if they see an actor
they enjoy watching or who is famous, so therefore they keep watching the film and are
instantly drawn into it.
 Director names- There is also the Directors name at the start of the film. This is very
effective as it can catch the audiences attention. If you recognise a director that has
made very successful film it can make you want to watch the film as you know it should
be very good. The director name and titles are arty and childish. This reflects the
protagonist of the film; two 40 year old men who act like children.

15. Does the film meet the conventions?
Continued…
 Enigma- The opening of Step Brothers has a developed enigma. The main mysteries you
will get from the opening is the usual ‘who is that character?’ and another may be ‘why
are Dale and Brendan 40 years old but still living at home with no job?’. These
unanswered questions the audience has will cause them to keep watching the film to find
out the answers. I think that the film hasn’t got a massive amount of enigma because of
its genre. The film is a light hearted comedy, so they don’t want too much mystery as it
may take the comic effect away from it, and you usually see most enigma in
horror/thriller/action films, and Step Brothers isn’t any of these.
 Equilibrium- Step Brothers definitely has an equilibrium at the start of the film. Each of the 2
families are going about their lives and everything is calm. You also get this feeling from
the lighting. The lighting is very high key in the opening and this gives it a calm feeling and
a sense of normality.
 Title Fonts- The Title fonts has been used in a particular way in Step Brothers to fit the genre
and tone of the film. The opening credits are very childish and silly, this then fits in with the
whole theme of the film as the 40 year old men act like kids!

16. Genre
 The genre of Step Brothers is a slapstick comedy.
This is a genre that attracts a lot of people and is
generally a funny, feel good type of genre. The
film establishes this genre in many ways. For
example the characters of Dale and Brendan.
They are 40 year old men but they still live at
home and do nothing all day except eat and
watch TV. They also have a very immature
personality. This creates a comic effect as you
stereotypically don’t see 40 year old men doing
this. Genre is also established from the sounds.
Non- Diegetic music used throughout the film is all
up beat catchy songs. This instantly gives a good
feeling to the film and creates a comic feeling.
Especially one song in the film that’s called ‘Boats
and Hoes’. This song is made up and is very suited
to the genre of the film as the lyrics are silly and
comical. Also in the opening of the film the word
‘Breast’ is used! This word is very immature and
funny and this brings a comic effect to the film.

17. Conclusion
 In conclusion I think that Step Brothers is a great film and
I especially like the opening. However I think some of
the comedy in the start is a bit cliché so it could come
across as not funny. However It effectively establishes its
genre and creates a high quality film through mise-en-scene,
camera, sound, editing. It also meets a lot of film
conventions. I think that all of these media concepts
have helped make it an effective film opening and an
excellent film, attracting a wide target audience.