Paid in Full - Opening Scene - Sound

Paid in Full - Opening Scene - Sound

After Wood Harris' character (being the protagonist) narrates the scene then dissolves to Cam'ron, Mekhi Phifer and Wood Harris sitting down having Chinese Carry-Out.

You hear eating over Cam'ron telling a story. Letting you know of course the sound accompanies what's going on in the movie. 

Then Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and Ace Boogie (Wood Harris) have an argument about Soya Sauce, characterising both, letting you know they are friends and both hustlers arguing over something petty like Soya Sauce. Rico (Cam'ron) has to calm Mitch down, which had me thinking 'woah Mitch was really mad over some Soya Sauce huh'

Rico proceeds to tell his lame story. Mitch and Ace both tell Rico 'He's bugging' characterising Ace, letting the audience know he is the conscious one of the group being the protagonist. And Rico being the hot head without home training, eating with his mouth snapping. Mitch continues to moan at Rico for his callous acts, while eating ribs or something, you can hear him doing both, thus characterising Mitch. Personally the sound here made me laugh as they are having such a stupid conversation: Arguing over soya sauce, birthday cake and life rules at the same time over chinese carry out.

Ace realises how stupid and pointless arguing with Rico is so he scrunches up the take out holder and throws it in the bin, sparking a game of male egos, basketball with paper.

Rico then asks Ace to make the basketball shot again for 5 thousand dollars. Ace replies bragging about he doesn't need 5 thousand over basketball with paper. The sound here both characterises Rico and Ace again.

Rico moans at Ace for being to cautious, saving his money opposed to living the great hustler life, Mitch cuts in throwing a band of money on the table. The whole sound here, being dialogue, excites me as it's one of my favourite actors and rap personalities going toe-to-toe over basketball with paper.

Rico then taunts Mitch, Mitch responses like it's a real free-throw from Michael Jordan, hitting the bag in preparation, Rico cheering, sound indicating that Ace isn't bothered about this alpha male game.

Mitch makes the shot and silences Rico. Rico is left insulting Mitch whilst Mitch and Ace dap up in celebration of Mitch making 5 thousand. Then comes ad-libs/quotes from Rico which contain swearing so I can't quote myself. All the sound used here makes it authentic, makes me really feel like i'm there, like i'm one of Ace's confidants having Chinese with them, betting money over folly. 

Rico continues to taunt Mitch, throwing another 'band' on the table, saying "Double up, double up" This actually creates tension despite it not being a scene with any real gritty, grimy actions just a bet between fellow Harlem hustlers.

The sound coinciding with the visuals show that Mitch rimmed the shot. Creating a sense of sympathy for Mitch knowing he just lost 20 Grand or something over paper bag basketball. The sound here characterises all in that it shows the hot head Rico trying to punk Mitch, Ace not caring at all, and Rico in triumph over winning 20 grand.

The silence from everyone is evident as the background music, being rap from the era, booms over with only Rico taunting Mitch to be heard alongside. The sound here sets the sombre moment of the scene.

Then the funniest part of the whole sequence changes the pace and tone of the scene in Rico taking Mitch's food away in probably the second best quote from the movie behind "What's popping Kermit?"... "No ribs, no rice, no champagne... You don't eat nothing." This makes me laugh every time I see the movie, the sound in the form of dialogue makes this scene a classic.

Skipping a bit of Rico's taunts, snapping while eating and Mitch whining about being in debt, Ace states "I'm not paying for your paper bag games" characterising all three characters at the same time.

The scene ends with a phone call for Ace which at this time the audience don't know what is for, however when the story unfolds we know this was in fact foreshadowing what is yet to come. 

Overall, the sound from Paid in Full's classic opening sequence made me laugh, while at the same time made me know the characters before the movie started and worked as a weird deterrence and contradict to the glamour of a hustler's life.