Getting Ready For Pack- Film Fandom (The Hunger Games)

Film Fandom (Research Notes)- The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games – Tracker Jacker scene 

PLOT of film:

In attempt to save her younger sister from competing in the hunger games- a government televised event where two tributes from twelve districts fight to the death as a result for one victor to be crowned—Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her sister’s place. To many this is seen as an act of bravery but to the harsh rule of the government this is seen as an act of rebellion. Katniss must struggle to survive in the arena facing many deadly obstacles and opposing tributes in order to get home to her family. 

What is the SCENE about? :

In the scene Katniss Everdeen is being hunted by the leading and most deadly group of the games called the Careers. Whilst the careers are waiting on Katniss to give up her advantageous position in a tree, Katniss makes an attempt- using her knife- to cut down a nearby wasp’s nest. Unknown to Katniss the nest holds thousands of mutated wasps called ‘Tracker Jackers’ which can cause hallucinations and sometimes death. After succeeding by scaring off the other tributes as well as the wasps taking their first victim Katniss suffers from hallucinations- a side effect of getting stung by the mutated wasps. 

WHY did I choose this scene? :

In this scene, the camera positioning and angles are used specifically to build tension and apprehension. As Katniss begins to hallucinate the editing of the scene captures and reflects the confusion and disorientation in which she is feeling, making the audience feel as if they are experiencing this too. In part of the scene Katniss rips the bow and arrows from the victim of the wasp attack. I believe this is significant as it shows how in order for one person to survive another has to die. As Katniss takes the bow and arrows it represents how her chances of winning have increased but at the cost of another person’s life which she is ultimately responsible for, which adds to the confusion of discomfort of the scene. 

CINAMETOGRAPHY used in the scene:

Camera position:

• Camera moves between Katniss’ movements and those sleeping on the floor, emphasising the anticipation as if it were on a time limit- Life or death situation.
• Camera positioned on ground level as well as high up in tree where main character is. The height of Katniss shows her strategical position and her advantage over those on the floor. 
• Changes focus from Katniss and wasp nest- each time camera getting closer building up the tension, telling the audience it’s building up to a significant event.
• Camera not in set positon- camera follows and moves along with characters at eye level- as if you are also living the events along-side characters. 
• Camera changes angles more frequently and become blurred to mimic hallucination as scene progresses- shows Katniss stumbling, suggesting confusion, disorientation and dizziness.

Lighting:

• Natural bright lighting from forest- contrast to dark, sinister topic of scene.
• Natural green, blue and brow colours from forest setting.

MES EN SCENE:

Setting:

• Forest- surrounded by tress, leaves/dirt on ground. 
• Main character in tree to show more importance and focuses attention on Katniss- while other characters lying on floor asleep.
• Trees act as a maze/obstacles – more confusing as hallucination begins.  
• Wasp nest just out of Katniss’ reach- builds apprehension. 

Costumes:

• Every character in same clothes.
• Black/dark brown uniform- stands out in front of bright and colourful setting.
• Characters dressed in uniform- shows governments control over them.
• In reality, they are the other clothes they have- having to survive off very little.

SOUND:

·     At beginning- Nature sounds, wind in trees and birds (diegetic sound).

·     Constant background tension music which builds and increases in volume and pitch making the audience feel apprehensive. (Non-diegetic sound).

·     Buzzing of wasps increases and becomes more violent – acts as a warning to the audience.

·     As wasp nest falls there is an explosion of sound. All sounds blend together in an eruption of chaos.

·     Heavy breathing from Katniss gets more frequent during scene- sound is muffled/ controlled as character experiences pain from sting.

·     At main event screaming takes over as all sound of nature disappears, followed by overpowering tension music. (Mix of diegetic and non-diegetic sound- represents confusion).

·     Fast pace of music shows running pace- mutes sounds of screaming.

·     No dialogue in scene- only heavy breathing and loud screaming. Everything heard in fine detail- reflects what’s happening inside the character’s head.

PERFORMANCE of characters:

·     No dialogue in the scene- Unrest shown by character experiencing pain and struggle, as well as confusion whilst hallucinating.

·     Katniss keeps noticeable calmer than other characters who exit shouting and screaming.

·     As hallucinations begin Katniss starts to stumble and hold on to other objects, e.g trees, for support.

EDITING:

·     Blurred and magnified images reflect what Katniss is seeing through her own eyes and what she is feeling- makes audience feel as if they are also experiencing it as well.

·     Images have been doubled, repeated, and manipulate to mimic the hallucination on screen.

·     Quick/ swift changes from one image to the next- reflects the confusion and disorientation.