Relationships Between Shots

This scene is from The Hunger Games. The characters are about to sacrifice their lives to challenge the ruthless system and concept of this vicious game until they are both crowned the victors. Based on the context, it is a scene packed with emotion and tension, which is conveyed through both continuity and montage editing. For the first 30 seconds, we see how the shots switch between mostly CU shots and follow the 180-degree line. Elements of montage editing are shown when the CU shots switch between the two characters, with the other in the background. This emphasizes the internal conflict inside both the characters’ minds and the audience understands this better with the voiceover of another character saying there can only be one winner. However, the editing still maintains continuity because the shot did not cross the 180-degree line. Around the 43 second mark, the camera crosses the original 180-degree line but it does not look awkward because there was a MCU shot of her walking towards him, which continues when she walks into the frame of the next shot. The later montage shots of the other citizens watching them heighten the emotion of what Katniss and Peeta are about to do for each other and create the suspense that places the viewer in the same position as the citizens. When they are about to consume the poisonous berries, the announcer yells “stop!” and it cuts to a ELS, this 20mm, 30-degree technique helps the camera switch to another position on the opposite side of the 180-degree line without making the shift awkward.

There are more subtle yet vital elements that make a large difference in the continuity of this scene. The setting is a vast area of grass with nothing but the characters, the dense forest background, and the cornucopia, so changes in the setting would not be easily seen. Although it is daytime, the lighting seems rather dark but it is consistent. We later see that they are standing in the shadow of the cornucopia (1:44), which justifies the lighting choice. However, Katniss’s braid remains on the right side of her face throughout this scene and Peeta’s scars are also in the same location. Around 1:45 the bow and arrow she threw onto the ground is still there but is slightly behind her because she walked forward. Overall, the meticulous editing using methods of continuity editing and montage editing exude the emotion that this scene meant to convey while maintaining the professional film look.