Initial analysis of a film opening

Coach Carter (2005)

Budget: $30,000,000
Opening weekend profit (US) $29,000,000
Overall turnover $67,200,000
A Listers: Samuel L .Jackson and Ashanti
Production Company: MTV Films Distribution Company: paramount pictures
Filming Location: California

Black hip hop music a signifier of the black area and sport the film is filmed at.
Opening scene sees the protagonist (Samuel l. Jackson) on the left hand side of the screen.
Working class area, rundown, shown by shutters on the shop window typical of down town LA where the film was shot.
Credits pause on the big names to draw your attention to them.
Late teens playing basketball suggests what the films about.
News camera talks to Ty crane, this creates a realism affect for the audience because the news is factual.
Camera tracks coach carter then pans upwards to the sign, this is information of where he is and what he is doing there.
Mixed race basketball team getting agitated creates tension and is representation of California’s mixed ethnicity.

Police guarding the gym door shows it’s a tough school (possible rags to riches storyline)
There is an over the shoulder shot of Ty crane then a shot reverse shot from Coach Carter to Ty crane. The mid shot of coach carter to shows his impressed expression.
Coach Carter taps a boy on the shoulder and says “hey son” this is information that he has a son and a possible reason for him being at the game.

The ball goes out of play and there is a mid shot of the Richmond team slumping in there chairs this shows the way the game is going.
More bickering shows poor teamwork and a lack of respect the players have for each other. This shows they are troubled young men, fits in with their area.
Coach carter puts his arm around a woman, this is more information that he has a wife.