Coach Carter and Hoosiers

Coach Carter and Hoosiers

Both Coach Carter and Hoosiers are two films under the same theme but shot and produced and two completely different times. The two films are similar in numerous ways since they both focus on the same subject, basketball coaches who are so determined to attain success with their teams. Also, the two leading characters in the films are criticized by their immediate people, for example, Samuel L. Jackson acting as Ken Carter is criticized by his players and their parents while Gene Hackman acting as Norman Dale is criticized by the community but remains dedicated to winning. However, the fact that the two films have been shot at two completely different times 2005 for Coach Carter and 1986 for Hoosiers means that there are significant changes in the movie. All the elements, though might have similarity, they will have variations as a change in time brings with it change in socio-political culture, technology and attitude.

How the socio-political culture of the time influenced the film’s Mise en Scene

There are similarities and differences between mise en scene of the two films. In both films, mise en scene has been used to depict the socio-political culture during the time of their production. In Coach Carter, it has been used to describe the differences between age groups in the society. Even though all the characters in the cast as per the film come from the same neighborhood, it is clear that they are completely different in things like clothes, talking, walking and even thinking. In the movie, Carter wears a suit. By wearing a suit, he is trying to signify that he is a higher class as compared to the others. On the other hand, the others are wearing very baggy jerseys and jeans (Potrac 45). This has been used to signify that the society of the time distinguishes the elderly from the young by how they dress. There is a possibility that Carter could have worn the same baggy jerseys and jeans when he was their age. On the contract that he signs, he clearly points it out that all the players will have to dress up in suits on a game day. By doing this, he is trying to make the young players looking distinguished like him. On the other hand, in Hoosier, the same notion of difference in clothes or rather costumes has been depicted among the band members. In the film, the band members clearly point out that they could look modern by wearing chinos. However, it is clearly noted that wearing chinos will be impossible for them as they do not have access to such kind of clothes (Sutherland and Kathryn 84). Eventually, they chose on jeans and t-shirts which implied simplicity. From this depiction, it can be clearly seen that the production industries and societies of the two times were different in time of capital. In Coach Carter, which was produced in 2005, wearing any clothes is not hard and its personal choice while in Hoosiers, the choice relies on their financial capability.

How the socio-political culture of the time influenced the film’s Editing

Both films have been well edited. In both films, editing has been used to effect the different scenes. However, there are several differences between the two films. First, there are numerous editing techniques used in Hoosier while there are few editing techniques used in Coach Carter (Sutherland and Kathryn 84). This portrays that the difference in time has brought up simplicity. Even though technology advances, producers are beginning to be simple and only use essential editing techniques unlike the producers of the past such as in Hoosier. In Coach Carter, the most common used method is straight cuts while in Hoosier, it has been edited using both straight cuts, cross cut and dissolve cutting. Moreover, in many scenes in Coach Carter, very straight and sharp cuts are used especially in the scene whereby Carter and Cruz are conversing (Potrac 45). This has been employed to show realism while when Dale is speaking to the team members, dissolve cutting is used which does not demonstrate any form of realism.

How the socio-political culture of the time influenced the film’s Camera Shots

Most of the camera shots in the two films are similar. In Coach Carter, the director heavily relies on over shoulder shot. He has lied on this shot mostly when Carter speaks to Cruz. The use of this kind of shot has been used to give the sense of realism. The shot gives the reader a feeling that they are together with the characters in the situation and the cast. On the other hand, when Dale is speaking to the team members, an over shoulder shot is used to show realism, making the audience feel like they are part of the conversation. Even though there are many similarities in camera shots between the two films, there are also differences that can be noted (Potrac 45). Each time during the basketball game when a shot was made, the camera shot taken in Coach Carter was an aerial shot. On the other hand, in Hoosier, when a shot was about to be made, the camera was tilted upwards to take the short. Moreover, when Hoosier’s starts, extreme long shots are taken to show the location of the movies. On the other hand, long shots but not extreme ones together with aerial shots have been used to show the location of Coach Carter. These differences indicate that when Hoosier was being shot, aerial shots could be taken, but they can now be taken as seen in Coach Carter. The difference in the shots is an indication that there is an advancement in technology in between the years. Now, planes are readily available in taking aerial shots, but in the past, they were not available.

How the socio-political culture of the time influenced the film’s theme

In coach Carter the theme of ‘rags to riches’ is very evident. The social-political culture of the time affects the film in a great way. The film portrays how the black people are viewed in the society. Carter shows how he has struggled through all odds to become successful. He emphasizes that the players in his team must make sure they pass above average in their class work for them to remain in the team. People from poor social class are seen as an issue to the society. In the film, it is portrayed that teen pregnancies are a major problem in more impoverished communities. The black people also seem to be viewed in a bad manner in the society. Gangs and violence are associated with people from low social class. The situation is no different in Hoosier film where the coach trains in a school in remote Indiana where a teacher says the place does not even appear on most state maps. This shows that the social class in the region is very small and the state even fails to recognize they exist. The film also portrays a man who happens to be a drunkard. This makes it seem like people from low social class are good for nothing drunkards. The theme of poverty in both films is portrayed due to the social-political culture of the time (Potrac 45).

How the socio-political culture of the time influenced the film’s acting

The social-political culture in both films affects how the films are acted. Dennis Hopper is acting like a drunkard because the culture portrays people from low social class as so. The Hickory team seems amazed when they go to the city and see a big stadium where they will be playing. Their social class had not allowed them to be in the city before and what they see surprises them (Sutherland and Kathryn 84).  The social class where the team comes from is very low hence their acting is influenced by what they are used to versus what they come to see in the city. In Carter film, the blacks are subjected to acting as bad people in the society. They are the people who make up the gangs in the streets. The culture views the blacks as bad people. The black kids seem to struggle from the factors surrounding them to survive. The culture appears to keep reminding the black kids that they are lesser in social status compared to other people.

How the socio-political culture of the time influenced the film’s perpetuated myths

The perpetuated themes on the people from low social class are enhanced in the Hoosier and Carter movies. The myth that blacks are of the less social class is well shown in Carter film through their clothing, language and behavior of the boys in the film. The whites seem to enjoy class privilege where we even see one of the black players being compared to a white basketball player. It is also very evident that the black are discriminated and the myth of blacks not having brains is obvious where there is a stereotype that black children cannot have both brain and brawn as their white counterpart (Sutherland and Kathryn 84).  Also, the myth that blacks are associated with drug-dealing is well shown when Tim Cruz gets into the gang and drug-dealing after quitting playing. In Hoosiers’ film, the myth that the low social class people get the rejects of the society is evident where Coach Norman Dale is seen to have the last chance in life as he cannot be employed anywhere else.

Lighting

There is an advanced use of light in Coach Carter than in Hoosier. For example, in Hoosier, the director has only used high key lighting in the basketball games and other scenes. This has only been used to show the basketball players and their spectators in the basketball court. On the other hand, various kinds of lighting have been used to add effect to a scene. The first shot whereby Coach Carter is depicted walking into the gym area, a medium shot that employs backlighting has been used to establish a silhouette of the Coach. This portrays an advancement in technology and also depicting a jovial attitude (Potrac 45).

Sound

There is the use of sound in both films. However, the sound has been minimally used in both films, but instead, music has been used. In the film, Coach Carter sound has not been used so much, but instead, music has been used to the evocative music. When the coach is going through the record with his name on it, sound is there. On the other hand, it is removed when he is talking to provide the film with to effect his voice and show that he is talking something meaningful (Sutherland and Kathryn 84). On the other hand, in the film Hoosiers, music has been used instead of sound to emphasize more on the theme of the movie. Through the music, they manage to show that the modern depicted things in the film might have been shot at a time earlier than the moment during the production.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the two films are both good and have two good stories under similar themes. The analysis has clearly shown that the difference in time has made the two movies have different film techniques incorporated in them. Throughout the movies, the socio-political culture of e different times influenced their production and even the story. Also, the advancement in technology has also brought up changes that are evident in the two films. Summing, the two films under a basketball orientation has been well set and produced. Through these films, learners can effectively learn the differences between the different technical elements in film and how they have advanced with time bringing in more change in filming techniques. 

Works Cited

Potrac, Paul, Wade Gilbert, and Jim Denison. Routledge Handbook of Sports Coaching. London: Routledge, 2013. Print.

Sutherland, Jean-Anne, and Kathryn Feltey. Cinematic Sociology: Social Life in Film. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications, 2013. Print.