Opening Title Sequence - Grown Ups 2

How does the director use media techniques to make the “Grown Ups 2” Opening Sequence effective? 

The Sequence begins with non-diegetic asynchronous music, whilst the Production Company (Columbia) appears on screen. As Columbia is such a well known Media Company, the music which was used along with this would automatically capture the viewers attention, drawing them in with the familiar sound effects. 

The second production company appears moments later on a golf ball, where it is hit by a golf club into the ‘screen’. At this moment in time, the Director uses synchronous music and a computer-generated sound effect, in order to make it seem as though the ball has hit the screen and smashed it. This technique was effective, as the sound was unexpected, and draws the audience in for more surprises. 

We are then presented with several birds eye view shots of the area in which we are about to visit - home of the cast Adam Sandler and his family. There is not much content to the shots which portray  several houses, an empty road and multiple trees scattered across acres. Despite this, the director is able to connote a peaceful neighbourhood, one in which people desire to live in. Talk about target audience. 

Officially moving into the house, we’re presented with a close-up shot of Adam Sandler and then his wife. The fact Mr Sandler is so well known for his humorous nature in films which he has previously starred in, suggests to the audience that the film is due to be great, as a result of his popularity in the public eye. This also implies that a large sum of money was spent on him as being part of the cast, due to this fame. 

In regards to mise-en-scene, the director presents a shot-reverse shot of the two characters in bed with each other, connoting that they slept together last night. The female appears to be wearing little to no clothes, which keeps the adult audience enticed for any future action that may occur. This fantasy is almost disrupted not long after, by a dear wearing a bra on one of its antlers. The sight of seeing a deer in their home is very shocking, however the fact that it is wearing a bra sparks a bit of humour to the potentially dangerous situation. 

The continuity editing begins to speed up by this point, however it is still relatively slow; enabling the director to capture the expressions of the characters. It isn't until the deer is frightened by the scream of the female, to which the editing begins to speed up, as it gets scared and begins to urinate all over Lenny’s (Adam) face, and run around the house. The fact that such a creature is in their home in the first place is a hilarious nightmare, making the scene that much more humorous. 

The props which were used in the production of the Opening Sequence, mainly in Lenny’s home, work together harmoniously to portray a beautiful family home - exactly what was suggested by the shots of the area surrounding the house at the beginning. The colours, although very different add a modern touch to the house, despite some of the more older looking furniture. 

Overall the media techniques that were used in the production of the Opening Sequence were effective. I believe the mise-en-scene of the film played a very contributing role, as the characters/ animals assisted with the comedy genre in which the director intended to portray. The fact that a dear made its way into the house seemed possible due to the characters’ location, however people that do not live in the country wouldn't expect to experience such events, allowing them to see the humorous side of things as opposed to the dangers.