Category: THE HUNGER GAMES

002 – Writing About Film

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Warm Up

What kind of person is Cinna? How do you know this? Write a paragraph explaining your answer; try and explain how costume and acting help establish his character.

Writing About Film

This involves a similar process to that used when writing about a novel. You are trying to explain why the director portrayed the characters and setting in the that he did. The difference with film is that you have to look for different things and use different language to describe what you see.  In Media this language is used to talk about the production and story elements of a film.

Production elements refer to elements that you can see on screen in a narrative.  Story elements refer to the aspects of a narrative that relate to the storyline

Let’s view The Reaping scenesof The Hunger Games. This will allow us to discuss one aspect of production elements called Mise-en-scene. Mise -en-scence refers to the artistic look and feel of a shot. It encompasses a range of elements, including lighting, costume, make up, camera techniques and the positioning and movement of actors.

There are a number of things involved in the proces of writing about a film:

  1. Watch film
  2. Note the production techniques that are most obvious (eg. camera, acting, lighting, editing or sound)
  3. Identify the purpose each production technique
  4. Analyse, making sure to move back and forth between describing the production technique and the purpose for its use
    1. Set the scene (What is going on at this point in the film?)
    2. Describe the use two or three production techniques and explain their purpose

The Reaping.

 

Analysis

Effie Trinket conducts The Reaping on stage in front of the District 12 residents, who look on somberly in their dull clothing as the brightly dressed, chirpy voiced Effie prattles on. Her clothing, make up and nails are extravagent, out of place and a bit absurd given the occasion. Effie’s appearence and patronising positivity highlight the difference in status between the citizens of The Capitol and those of District 12. This divide is further relfected by the silent salute the audience give Katnis. Effie tries to get the audience to applaud District 12′s ‘first volunteer’ but she is the only one who claps. The silent rasing a hands by the crowd is a defiant gesture; it shows solidarity and respect for Katniss, while being done in disregard of the request Effie made to applaud.

005 — The Hunger Games: Entering the Arena

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Warm Up

Film, music and software piracy is a very common thing in our society. Explain how you feel about it in a single paragraph.

Today

  1. We are going to watch the sequence where the Tributes enter the areana and note how the use of camera, acting, mise en scene, editing, lighting and sound all contribute to the suspense and drama.
  2. Get into groups of four and watch the clip below. Focus on sound and camera movement. How have they been used? What effect does this create?

CHARACTERS

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When thinking about The Hunger Games, it is important to consider which characters we are encouraged to sympathise with and how these characters are constructed using a range of cinematic techniques.

KATNISS EVERDEEN (JENNIFER LAWRENCE)

The Hunger Games’ protagonist, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to participate in the games after her younger sister Primrose is randomly selected during The Reaping. Katniss is headstrong and independent, stepping up to take care of her family after the death of her father. In the opening sequence of the film, she defies the order of The Capitol by venturing into the woods to hunt with her close friend Gale Hawthorne. Although Gale suggests running away and defying The Capitol, she is far more pragmatic and says they wouldn’t make it five miles before the government caught them and cut out their tongues. Katniss cares deeply for her younger sister Primrose, comforting her when she wakes from a nightmare, helping her to dress for The Reaping and, ultimately, offering herself as tribute when Primrose’s name is drawn. Before she leaves for The Capitol, Katniss implores her mother to take care of Prim.  “You can’t tune out again,” she says. “Not like when Dad died. I won’t be here anymore. You’re all she has. No matter what you feel, you will be there for her.” When she arrives at The Capitol, Katniss is overwhelmed by its opulence after living our her entire life in District 12. She is openly defiant, firing an arrow at the judges when they’re not paying attention to her. When The Hunger Games start, her skill with a bow helps her to survive but she refuses to adopt the ruthless behaviour of the career tributes, instead choosing to help Rue and Peeta.

PEETA MELARK (JOSH HUTCHERSON)

Peeta Melark is a compassionate and caring tribute from District 12. Peeta’s compassion is demonstrated early in the film through a flashback which shows him throwing a loaf of bread to a starving Katniss. Before The Hunger Games commence, he admits to Katniss that he doesn’t want the games to change him and doesn’t want to be a “piece in their game”. Although he can see himself killing to survive, he wants to “find a way to show them at they don’t own me.” Although Peeta forms an alliance with some career tributes early in the games, it is obvious that he doesn’t agree with their cruelty and ruthlessness. When the group closes in on Katniss, Peeta looks on fearfully, urging her to flee when he gets the chance.

HAYMITCH ABERNATHY (WOODY HARRELSON)

Haymitch Abernathy is the only tribute from District 12 to survive The Hunger Games. In the film, Haymitch becomes a mentor to Katniss and Peeta.  “Embrace the probability of your immanent death,” he says when he is first introduced to them, “and know in your heart that there’s nothing I can do to save you.” Although he is an alcoholic, Haymitch offers Katniss and Peeta some useful advice and does what he can to support them throughout the barbarous tournament. He understands that The Hunger Games is more than just a fight to the death and that it requires political manoeuvring to win. “You really want to know how to stay alive?” Haymitch asks. “You get people to like you. Oh. Not what you were expecting. When you’re in the middle of the games and you’re starving or freezing, some water, a knife or even some matches can even make the difference between life and death. And those things only come from sponsors. And to get sponsors, you have to make people like you.” Haymitch’s contempt for The Hunger Games is illustrated when he watches two children engaging in a mock battle. The scene begins with several shots of a board showing the odds that each tribute has of winning The Hunger Games. Director Gary Ross cuts to an over-the-shoulder shot of Haymitch watching two children unwrapping presents, then to a shot of Haymitch looking on in disgust. Later in the film, he encourages Seneca Crane not to kill Katniss. You’ll just create a martyr,” he says. “I hear these rumours out of District 11. This could get away from you.”

RUE (AMANDA STENBERG)

Rue is a tribute from District 11. Although she lacks the strength of other tributes, she manages to survive using her speed and stealth. During training for the games, an argument breaks out between two tributes over a missing knife, director Gary Ross cuts to a shot of Katniss who looks up. The audience sees Rue hanging from the ceiling, grinning. Rue helps Katniss evade the career tributes by pointing out the nest of tracker jackers. When Katniss is incapacitated by the tracker jackers, Rue protects her and helps her to recover. Rue’s death is an important part of the film, helping to demonstrate how cruel and unjust The Hunger Games are. After being impaled by a spear, Rue collapses into Katniss’ arms. Ross cuts between several extreme close ups of the fatal wounds and Katniss’ distraught expression. “It’s okay,” she says, crying. “You’re okay. You’re okay.” Sorrowful music rises as Rue implores her to win. A point of view shot from the perspective of Rue pulls in and out of focus as Katniss sings to her, gradually fading to white. In this sequence, the audience is clearly encouraged to feel sympathy for Katniss and Rue as well as a deep sense of antipathy towards the brutality of the career tributes and the uncaring Capitol. Ross lingers on a close up of Rue’s motionless face as Katniss closes her eyes. He cuts to a close up of Katniss who cries uncontrollably. The sound fades out and the music rises as Katniss screams, throwing the spear away. A montage of shots shows Katniss picking flowers and laying them on Rue’s body. Throughout this sequence, the use of acting, music, shot size, focus and editing in this sequence all combine to create sympathy for these characters and their plight.

EFFIE TRINKET (ELIZABETH BANKS)

Effie Trinket is responsible for drawing the tributes from District 12 and escorting them to The Capitol. When she arrives in District 12, she is wearing an expensive, ruffled pink dress which immediately makes her stand out in the impoverished surroundings. Effie seems to represent the attitudes of The Capitol. Despite the fact that Katniss and Peeta will likely die, she remains optimistic and encourages them to take advantage of the opportunity and tries to convince them they’re “in for a treat”.

CINNA (LENNY KRAVITZ)

Cinna is the kindest character that Katniss encounters in The Capitol. “I’m sorry that this happened to you,” he says, “but I’m here to help you in any way that I can.” Cinna helps to prepare Katniss for The Hunger Games, conceiving the costume that attracts so much attention during the opening of the games and comforting her before she is plunged into the arena.

PRESIDENT CORIOLANUS SNOW (DONALD SUTHERLAND)

President Coriolanus Snow is the tyrannical leader of Panem. Snow is concerned when Katniss openly defies the judges of The Hunger Games, shooting an arrow at them. He explains that The Hunger Games has a winner to give the districts hope and keep them in line. “It is the only thing stronger than fear,” he explains. “A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it’s contained.” He attempts to maintain control over the districts because The Capitol needs their coal, crops and minerals. At the end of the film, he orders Seneca Crane to be executed for allowing Katniss and Peeta to live. The film ends with a shot of President Snow watching on as the victors return to District 12.

SENECA CRANE (WES BENTLEY)

The Head Gamemaker, Seneca Crane is responsible for organising and coordinating The Hunger Games. Crane appears in the opening scene of the film, discussing how The Hunger Games has become something that “nets us all together”. Like the majority of those living in The Capitol, Seneca sees The Hunger Games in a positive light. When it becomes apparent that Katniss is causing civil unrest in the districts, President Snow instructs him to contain the situation. At the end of the film, he is executed for allowing Katniss and Peeta to survive.

GALE HAWTHORN (LIAM HEMSWORTH)

Although Gale only appears in the film briefly, he is a major character who more strongly criticises The Capitol and The Hunger Games than his friend Katniss, suggesting that people should stop watching. “You root for your favourite,” he says. “You cry. When they get killed. It’s sick.” He suggests that if everyone boycotts it “they don’t have a game”. He also suggests that they could simply run away and live in the woods. Katniss is more pragmatic and says they wouldn’t make it five miles before the government caught them and “cut out our tongues or worse”.

[SOURCE]

005 — The Hunger Games: Test, The Social Context & Themes

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Test your knowledge of the film by completing this online quiz. Do yourself a favour and don’t ask anyone for help – you’ll get a much better idea of what you know.

There are a number of ways in which you could ‘read’ the film and the novel in order to link its themes and ideas to particular moments in history, or to aspects of contemporary culture. Choose one of the following aspects of contemporary society and, working in small groups, create a short presentation explaining how the film relates to and can be compared with the issues and ideas associated with it:

 

  • Competitive reality TV shows of recent years (think about the way that ‘stars’ of some of these shows are created as a ‘product’ for sale, where they have a commercial value).
  • TV coverage of the Olympics and particularly the creation of champions and stars (think about the way in which success is celebrated).
  • Riots and social unrest and the way these are portrayed in the media (particularly consider Rue’s death and her district’s response to this).

Check out Schmoop for a good overview of the key themes in The Hunger Games. The explanations refer to the novel; don’t worry, the themes and exactly in the same in the film. Read the themes covered on this site and choose the one that you think is explored the most.  Answer the questions on the theme you decided was the most important. This is a HAND WRITTEN task. Answer the questions individually in you work book.

 

 

004 – The Hunger Games: Trailer and Set Design

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The trailer for The Hunger Games was criticised by some quarters of the press, saying that it gave little away about the possible violence the film might contain. Now that you have seen the whole film, watch the trailer below.  What aspects of the film does the trailer concentrate on? What aspects of the film does it leave out? Please complete this task in groups of three on a spreadsheet that you collaborate on together. Make sure that each group member places the completed spreadsheet in their 10 ANI.1 shared folder.

 

Designing The World of The Film

The first section of the film sets up clear contrasts between the life Katniss has led in District 12, and the world she is introduced to when she volunteers for the Games. It was essential that we get a very clear impression of District 12 and Panem in particular. Watch the opening section of the film from the moment Katniss leaves her sister Prim, until she enters the woods. We see the world she inhabits from her point of view. Try list all the things that stand out about District 12 and all the things you notice about the capital. Thinking particularly about costume and set design in the film, use two or three key examples from the opening sequence to explain how the film makers set up a visual distinction between life for inhabitants of the capital and those from the districts. Please complete this task in groups of three on a spreadsheet that you collaborate on together. Make sure that each group member places the completed spreadsheet in their 10 ANI.1 shared folder.

Katniss’ journey

In the production notes for The Hunger Games, the following view of the story’s protagonist appears: ‘…Few who have encountered Katniss have been able to resist the visceral excitement of watching her find her strength, resolve and heart while under the most extreme pressure a teenager could imagine. This was certainly true for the production executives at Lionsgate Entertainment. For them, Katniss’ journey jumped off the pages of Suzanne Collins’ literary sensation…with such beauty and force, they felt instantly it deserved to be captured on screen.’ Take this statement apart and work out precisely what you understand the character Katniss’ journey in the film to be. Please complete this task in groups of three on a GoogleDoc that you collaborate on together. Make sure that each group member places the completed spreadsheet in their 10 ANI.1 shared folder.

003 – Thinking about The Hunger Games

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Synopsis

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in The Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which ‘tributes’ must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly trained tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

In the press pack for the film, author Suzanne Collins is quoted as saying:

‘Not all the characters are going to make it to the screen…it was hard to let them go but I don’t think that the choices damaged the emotional arc of the story.’

  • What do you understand by this statement? What conclusions might you draw about the author’s view of the film version?
  • Suzanne Collin’s comment above suggests that she is attached to her characters – ‘It was hard to let them go’. When creating a character for a novel, one of the first things an author will consider is what they will be called. Think about the name of the heroine Katniss Everdeen. What does the name sound like to you? Thinking about the sounds that make up the name, what ideas and associations does the name suggest?
  • Gale nicknames Katniss ‘Catnip’. You can research the plant at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepeta_cataria – in what ways does it link with the character in the film and book; her context and impact on other people?
  • Have a look at the rest of the cast list, for example on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). What associations come to mind as you look at the other characters’ names? In some cases you will be able to find out more by looking up the names in a dictionary or thesaurus.