OPENING SCENE OF HUNGER GAMES

By Melanie Ashton

CHARACTER INTRODUCTIONS

Katniss – We see Katniss comforting her sister after a nightmare, this tells us

that she is maternal over her. She has taken the role of a mother showing she is

strong and independent. She takes care of the family and we can see they are

living in poor conditions by the dank and dim house with poorly painted walls

and little light.

Prim – We see that she is young and vulnerable from

her nightmare and need to be looked after. Clearly she

idolises her sister shown by the way she looks at her.

TEXTUAL ANALYSISThe scene starts with an interview at the Capitol between

the Host of the Hunger Games and the Producer. The interview

takes place in a bright and colourful studio We see the odd and

extravagant style of the Capitol, Caser has bright blue hair and

eyebrows with a sparkly blue suit and Seneca Crane has an elaborately crafted

beard which shows image is of the upmost importance in

the Capitol. A lot of varied camera angles are used which shows that it’s

in a studio and the men talk about the Hunger Games openly showing that it is not something they see as wrong.

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

The abrupt cut to Prim’s scream brings the audience to the reality of

District 12, the establishing shot shows a run down village with much

dimmer and duller colours than previously seen in the studio of the Capitol.

The camera work in Katniss’

house is handheld and shaky

which shows how raw and real

District 12 is compared to the

polished, bright lights of the

Capitol.

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

Mise en scene is used in costume primarily, we see Katniss and Prim in ill fitting

clothes which look dull and over worn. She is wearing no make up and has not made

an effort with her appearance which shows that in District 12 appearance is the last

thing on their mind.

As Katniss is on her way to hunt, we see the

true poverty District 12 is facing. All the people

look thin and frail, we see a man hungrily eating

some kind of meat from the bone. A close up of a sign

on the fence implies that they are trapped in and can’t

escape.

WHY I LIKE THE OPENING

I like the opening to Hunger Games because it is

very simple but really effective. The contrast

between the Capitol and District 12 is clearly

demonstrated in just 3 minutes.

Every detail has been thought about and has a

crucial effect on the story. It hooks the audience

because we want to know the fate of Prim and see

how such a horrific competition can be publically

televised as some sort of game.