May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

The Hunger Games. Gary Ross. PG-13. 2012


In the remains of North America, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) must compete in a fight with other teenagers to the death in a yearly competition known as the Hunger Games.

This trailer is exemplary because it conveys many aspects of the dystopia while creating suspense and curiosity.  The director establishes the premise of the movie by showing a scene of the reaping, intercut with scenes of Katniss consoling her sister, promising her that she won't be picked. When she is picked, the conflict is instantly created, and Katniss volunteers in her place.  The trailer focuses on the protagonist, not the society itself, but it is clear that the people of district twelve live in vastly different conditions then the people of the capital.  Cooler, greyer hues are used in the filming of the District Twelve scenes, to convey the poverty and unhappiness there, where as bright warm colors are used in the Capital. The music crescendos, becoming more and more intense towards the end, until it climaxes with a countdown.  There are also a lot of quick shots, giving the feeling of a fast pace.  This trailer is successful in establishing the premise of the Hunger Games, and what it is, mainly through the use of a voice over, but also creates intrigue about why they are happening.
I think we will use the same technique of focusing on the protagonist, in order to give the trailer a more emotional and personal undertone.  This trailer created tension, especially through the use of music.  We will try to replicate this by using music that best captures the spirit of our dystopia.