The criteria for our ‘The Hunger Games’ film would have to be as follows: the characters will need to successfully avoid obstacles – including the rule of “no running” but only to be disappointed at the end of their journey. We were further tasked with setting the film in an art lesson initially before moving to the canteen whilst attempting to incorporate as many techniques as possible into the sequence.
Treatment
Our two main characters, Mia and Aaron speak indistinctly as they emerge from an art room, both clutching on to an open peanut butter jar in one hand and a packet of crushed crisps in the other. They both appear horrified by the food in their hands, seeming unwilling to eat the inexcusable mush contained within the packaging. Aaron, opening the peanut butter lid, proceeds to look inside at the spreads gloopy texture before saying “I can’t stand this stuff, there must be something better to eat”. “I know i just wish there was something more” Mia exclaims before the sound of a bell indicates to them both that lunch has just begun and the canteen will be opening. They both run frantically in opposite directions, Mia electing to take the stairs whilst Aaron chooses to instead jump over the balcony of the art block. Landing on his feet, Aaron pushes through the door as they both quick walk towards the main area of the school, with her heading on the outside route whilst he chooses to take the longer and more complicated route inside. The corridors are winding and disorientating. He continues to search his way through, heading one way before returning, lost and confused whereas Mia is in complete control, calmly strolling along an outside path towards a door leading to the canteen. Her happy appearance contrasts the worried and confused look of Aaron who has only just managed to find his way out of a long hallway, stumbling towards the door of the canteen. Mia, reaching for the door handle, pulls and pulls it frantically as she attempts to gain access to the canteen, only for it to be closed off, leaving her in dismay as Aaron walks past the door and approaches the canteen, confidently and nontionontly. ‘CANTEEN CLOSED’. Glaring at the sign, Aaron’s frustration becomes clear as he realises he is denied the food and must remain content with disgusting peanut butter that he had once turned his back on.
Aaron Bruce's Film Studies Blog 