The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Trailer Analysis

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 is a 2014 American dystopian science fiction adventure film directed by Francis Lawrence. It is the first of two films based on Suzanne Collins' novel Mockingjay, the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy, and the third instalment in The Hunger Games film series, produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik and distributed by Lionsgate. It is the sequel to The Hunger Games Catching Fire and was followed by the concluding entry, The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2. The film had garnered a nomination for Best Science Fiction Film at the 41st Saturn Awards. For her performance, Lawrence received a nomination for Best Actress in an Action Movie at the 20th Critics' Choice Awards and a Saturn Award nomination. The song "Yellow Flicker Beat" also received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards and Critics' Choice Awards.

A bird’s eye establishing shot is used at the start of the trailer to set the location and it also creates a sense of anticipation because the audience will want to know where the action will take place. An over the shoulder shot is used when Katniss is talking by video to President Snow of the Capitol, this shows that the president has more authority over her as he is the president of Panem. An extreme high angle shot is used to show president Coin on a balcony looking down at everyone else, this emphasises the power she has as the leader of district 13.

This trailer uses a mixture of slow cuts and continuity editing. Superimposition of text on the screen adds information of the film’s release date, this creates audience anticipation. A mixture of montage, action matches and jump cuts are used to create the battle scene. At that point the pace of the editing quickens to build tension to the final of the trailer where the ident is shown.

The bow and arrow is used frequently throughout the film as it is the weapon of choice for Katniss and is also the symbol of the rebellion. This film is set in the future after a war or a battle, this emphasises the sci-fi genre. The Mockingjay symbol is also shown frequently because it is a symbol of rebellion and is also used as the logo of the film.