Abstract

The Hunger Games film was released on March 23rd, 2012, and cinematically visualized a distinct science-fiction world to immerse viewers into a dystopian society and alternate reality. The movie is part of the action/adventure genre. Prominent actors such as Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Woody Harrelson, and more boosted the film's popularity by appealing to a wide demographic of fans. The superb cast did an excellent job at realistically portraying the characters written by Suzanne Collins. Lionsgate Entertainment and Color Force produced the movie. Hunger Games became a global success due to its advanced CGI technology and realistic film sets, videography, and acting, which captured the attention of millions.

How The Hunger Games (2012) Film Creates A Specific World

The Hunger Games, released in March of 2012, completed an incredible feat of visualizing an alternate reality and showing viewers what a dystopian society would look like. It was a cinematic masterpiece in terms of film sets, production, CGI techniques, novel-accurate costumes for all characters, and scenic videography. The film was entirely filmed in North Carolina within four months in 2011 (Movie Locations, 2013). Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games series, co-wrote the screenplay for the movie edition (Fleury, 2024). The audience is vividly immersed into the fictional, specific world of Panem through the depressing music, heroic actions of bravery, rebellious acts by characters, unique costumes, violence enforced by Panem Peacekeepers (soldiers/military), community banding together to support Tributes in the Games (sending them presents via helicopter drop-ins), and realistic CGI. 

“Monument Valley is an easily identifiable setting and is recognizable from film to film despite representing different diegetic spaces in each film” (Wilson, 2020) unveils how pertinent a distinctive, recognizable setting is to a film. Film sets are important because they help tell the narrative of a story. Viewers see the set and identify with that specific world. The audience empathizes with characters because they believe it is real. “Monument Valley typically signifies the American West or even America in general” (Wilson, 2020) supplies an example of a film’s specific world solidifying a popular stereotype about the Wild West.

The film sets of the first Hunger Games movie were created by utilizing extensive visual effects, real locations such as a former Philip Morris plant, videography of the forests to represent District 12, an abandoned village, and small towns throughout North Carolina (Fleury, 2024). The first film was shot entirely on film, not digital. The CGI created an authentic Panem, as described in the book (Stromberg, 2012). Details of the poor coal-mining District 12 were visually highlighted. The Capitol Arena looked authentic– extremely luxurious, luscious gardens and beautiful buildings. CGI was utilized to generate most weapons in the Training Room, where Tributes practiced fighting for the Games (Stromberg, 2012). CGI blended holograms, wild animals, crowd simulations, animating European architectural style, and raw video footage (Stromberg, 2012). The seamless editing of the entire film required extensive expertise, time, and a team’s effort.

The costume department spent a large amount to procure over 500 wigs for the cast and extras during the Capitol scenes that were all filmed at the former Philip Morris plant, creating scene-specific clothing, accessories, fake weapons, and dramatic makeup effects on actors to immerse the audience into believing this universe is Panem. Wealthy characters from the Capitol dressed in extravagant outfits while poor people from various Districts wore grayish, worn/tattered clothing every day (Fleury, 2024). For example, Effie from the Capitol wore a fuchsia ruffled dress when she stood next to Katniss Everdeen at the Reaping (Pearl, 2015), where Katniss volunteered to be a Tribute in the Hunger Games to save her little sister from that tragic fate. Katniss wore a light blue, likely cotton shirtdress with a tie, while Effie’s purplish fuchsia dress had giant puffy sleeves, a peplum-shaped top, and a ruched midi skirt, paired with high heels, a curly wig, and a full face of makeup (Pearl, 2015). Katniss had no makeup on because people in her district are so poor they barely have food to eat, much less makeup. 

The wealth disparity and difference in quality of life are depicted through the costumes, reflecting on actual societal issues. Science fiction films combine several aspects to present a false reality as genuine. The costumes were a giant aspect of how The Hunger Games film convinced viewers this was a specific world. Katniss wears edgy, leather pantsuits and dresses that light up on fire after she becomes a Tribute. Her expensive, one-of-a-kind outfits showcase her ascension into the wealthy lifestyle. Her life dramatically changes once she becomes a Tribute. Katniss’s smart intuition saves her and Peeta from dying. She and Peeta are the last 2 Tributes alive out of 24 total Tributes at the end of The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games film, 2012). 

As it is an action movie, there were some fight scenes. The stunts appeared to be natural and real. The viewer cannot see the stunt actors’ faces, as the cameras do a fantastic job at hiding how the stunt actors are different people from the actors who played the characters (Fleury, 2024). This benefits the fictional story’s ability to resemble real life. The all-star cast portrayed the characters well, staying true to the novel’s depiction of their personalities. The actors and actresses trained in real life to simulate some action scenes (Fleury, 2024). The stunt actors did not do all of the stunts. The cast appeared to be fit, athletic, and strong. They displayed powerful strength, wisdom, and charisma. The cast became as endearing as the book characters. 

The first movie’s budget was $78 million. It grossed over $677.9 million worldwide. The Hunger Games made $408 million in the United States alone (Corollo, 2024). The first film was the second highest-grossing movie within The Hunger Games franchise (5 total films as of 2025). The Hunger Games’ financial success reflects on the production’s talent and work ethic to manufacture, fabricate, and devise a film that truly engulfs viewers into the world of Panem. The phenomenal acting, film sets, forest filming, videography, CGI editing, special effects, violence, brutality of Snow’s totalitarian regime, and essential storyline themes of loyalty and compassion accentuated the film’s specific world. 

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