Hunger Games Workshop #2 - Angles, Movement & Shots

 Brainstorm:

- What is happening in this shot

- What theme does it link to

- Angle/Shots used

- How does the viewer feel?

- Why did the director do this?

- Additional info- music/lighting/colour

Low angle shot - used to make the subject feel bigger or more powerful

Dutch tilt - used to show Katniss's emotion/something is not right (dizzy)

Mid shot - used to show the subject's face, some of their body/body language, background/setting

Katniss Everdeen has just volunteered as tribute for the Hunger Games, where she will fight to the death with (and most likely die to) 23 other tributes. She volunteered because her sister, Primrose Everdeen, was reaped. (selected as tribute)

Themes - this scene shows the theme of struggle for power because the 12 districts are helpless against the reaping, and Katniss must volunteer herself to protect her sister. This scene also shows the theme of rich vs poor because Effie Trinket (seen behind) is dressed up in bright, exotic clothing, whereas Katniss is in a dull, faded blue dress. The two character's outfits display the opportunities and privileges that citizens of the Capitol have, and which District 12 do not. These privileges include (while not shown in the shot): living conditions, food & water/rations, entertainment, and eligibility for the reaping. Katniss is shown as dizzy and frightened because she has just volunteered to enter an arena in which her chances of survival are slim, whereas Effie is immune to the Reaping because she was born in the Capitol. This scene also shows the theme of hope & rebellion, as after Katniss volunteers and is introduced instead of appluading her, the citizens of District 12 raise the three finger salute, which is a symbol of hope within the districts. The three finger salute is also used after district representatives perish in the hunger games, which means that District 12 were also sort-of mourning Katniss before she even left.

Viewer - feels dizzy, sad/worried/anxious for Katniss's (low) chances of survival in the games.

Director's purpose - Katniss knows how to hunt/use a bow- important because it increases her chance of surviving: makes viewer support/root for Katniss, volunteers to save her sister, shows Katniss's selflessness

Paragraph:

In the reaping scene, camera nagles and shots are used effectively to show one of the many ways the theme of rich vs poor is communicated in the Hunger Games. In this scene, Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute, in place of her sister Primrose, to fight for her life in the Hunger Games. A low angle, dutch tilt is used to show Katniss and Effie standing on the stage after Katniss volunteers. This is used to make the viwer feel dizzy like Katniss who has just risked her life for her family. The low angle shot makes the viwer feel weak and vulnerable like the children watching from District 12. The director did this to help the audience form a bond with Katniss and understand why she will make the choices she does further in the film. It also shows the theme of rich vs poor because people of the Districts have to struggle with the realities of being reaped for the games, whereas Capitol citizens like Effie are immune see it as honour and entertainment. Combined with this is the use of costumes. We see the privilege of Capitol citizens in the bright, exotic, and colourful clothing worn by Effie, which contrasted to the worn, and faded outfits of those in District 12. Overall, the reaping scene shows us 'rich vs poor' because it emphasises the privileges of the Capitol and the power they have over the districts.