Step Brothers

Genre, representation, audience and narrative

Due to high key lighting, dialogue and comical events shown in the trailer it is obvious to an audience that the film genre is “comedy”.

The narrative also creates an overall comical vibe as the two main characters are 40 year olds that are still living with their parents; this storyline also suggests a comedy genre to an audience.

People who like comedy films would instantly be attracted to this film especially younger people as the two main characters act immaturely and a younger audience are more likely to find their actions funny.

Overall the film is being represented in a stereotypical way in terms of them being “average” people, with jobs (the parents), a family home etc yet the fact that their 40 year old sons still live at home and are so childish creates an un-stereotypical aspect; which makes the film more interesting and comical.

Camera movements, shots and angles

At the beginning the two main characters are introduced in a wide shot whilst looking at eachother from a far. This creates the effect that they are going to fight and that due to the distance between them they are both reluctant to be nice to each other which stereotypically would be the care for step brothers at first.

An aerial shot is used to show the two step brothers sharing a room. This shot shows part of their bedroom, the room looks as if it should belong to a small child. This creates the effect that the room reflects their personalities and that they have never grown up (hence why they still live at home). This gives an audience an insight into what they are like and it creates a comical aspect. The fact that in the scene shown they are arguing and calling each other bad things also links into their surroundings/personality and the fact that it is a comedy.

A tracking movement is used to follow the movement of the spade when one of the brothers knocks his brother out. This creates the effect that a lot of force was put into hitting him and it really shows the full effect of the blow and as an audience you can feel the brothers pain.

A point of view shot is used to show one of the brothers burying the other alive. The shot shows an audience to see what he is doing to the other person and that persons reaction. The situation links to the genre even though realistically this situation would not make people laugh but due to the personalities of the characters mixed with dialogue it becomes very funny.

A zoom out movement changes into a wide shot when one of the brothers pushes the other into the sea. This shows the characters personality to an audience, it links with the genre and the fact that there is conflict between the two making the story seem more interesting which may encourage some people to watch the film because the way they treat each other is funny. The zoom out empahases the large drop into the sea and the fact that they are in the middle of nowhere again showing an audience their feelings towards each other and also trying to make an audience laugh.

Sound Editing and mise en sceneMatch on action is used when the two brothers say “This house is a prison” this creates the

effect that they are very angry and upset as the same shot is shown in two different positions which emphases their emotions. The dialogue used suggests that they have done bad and their parents are punishing them, this again creates the effect that even thought they’re 40 they still act like children; which relates to the genre.

Shot reverse shot is used a few times to shoot the conversations between the two brothers so that an audience can distinguish their relationship through their eye contact and facial expressions. The repetition also emphases their conflict between them. This editing technique makes an audience identify their feelings towards each other that makes the film humorous as they give each other childish “evils”.

A voice over is given throughout the film trailer giving the audience relevant information in order for them to understand the trailer and narrative of the film in the hope to catch their attention and encourage them to watch the film.

In regards to mise en scene there is high key lighting throughout making the film seem bright and upbeat to match with the cheerful comedy genre. Their costumes, make up and props are modern, making the film seem realistic; making it easier to relate to and connect to. Lastly, the main location is their family home which is stereotypically what you’d expect again making it realistic.