Blockbuster ‘Hunger Games’ has local flavor
Jennifer Lawrence stars in the blockbuster "Hunger Games." Two local girls traveled to North Carolina to take part in shooting.
One of two local actresses seen in the blockbuster “Hunger Games” is 24-year-old April Black of Smithfield (at left). On the cover and above, Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen in the film.
Millions of people around the world flocked to the theaters this past weekend to see “The Hunger Games,” which broke numerous box office records and grossed over $150 million dollars.
For Fayette County residents, 16-year-old Dayna Kutek of Uniontown and 24-year-old April Black of Smithfield, this release was extra special — because they were a part of the film.
“The Hunger Games” is based on the book of the same name, which is set in the future where society is divided into 12 districts plus the Capitol. Every year, the Capitol randomly selects a boy and girl from each of the districts to fight to the death on live television.
Kutek and Black were both fans of the iconic book series by Suzanne Collins, so naturally they had a dream of one day being a part of the film.
“I started reading the first book about two years ago before I knew they were casting the picture,” Black said “I always said if there was a movie based on this book I would go anywhere to be a part of it.”
So they did. The pair spent about four weeks in the North Carolina area shooting scenes for the film. While neither has any lines, it was exciting to be part of such a big film, they said.
Kutek appears on screen during the initial “reaping” scene — think of it as a public lottery you don’t want to win — playing one of the children in a dark blue dress with white dots, while Black has two featured roles on screen.
During one scene, Black plays a Capitol member in a bar with Woody Harrelson’s character, Haymitch. In her second scene, she is seated near Lenny Kravitz’ character, Cinna, during the interviews and is seen when the camera cuts to a reaction shot.
Black is no stranger to the screen, where she has appeared alongside Taylor Lautner in “Abduction” and had a speaking role in Steven Spielberg’s “Super 8.” She currently works in the Marcellus Shale gas industry.
Both Kutek and Black were able to rub elbows with a few stars who were very humble in between shooting.
“I got to meet Katniss [Jennifer Lawrence], Peeta [Josh Hutcherson], Prim [Willow Shields] and Effie [Elizabeth Banks],” said Kutek, who referred to the stars by their on-screen personas. “They were all so nice.”
“The best experience was seeing the humility of the celebrities in the scenes with us,” Black added. “Woody [Harrelson] was hugging people in the scenes and Lenny [Kravitz] was introducing himself to everyone. It says so much about them wanting to be there. They love what they are doing just like we love what we’re doing. It makes it so much more memorable.”
Being a part of the film is an amazing opportunity for any fan, but it comes with a price. Both girls went under extensive hair and make-up sessions to ensure their look was completely perfect. For Black, the sessions required long waits and crazy outfits because capital fashions had to be over the top.
“We had to be on set four hours early just to wait in line for hair and make-up,” Black said. “It could be nearly six hours before we even got called to the set because it was such a process. We were airbrushed through a machine, which was like a spray tan so we were all matte white. Then they painted on big lips with hearts and bright purple eye shadow. It’s really like how the books described.”
For Kutek, the downsides were well worth it.
“I enjoyed getting to meet new people and having the chance to be part of such a big film,” she said.
Kutek, who is a student at Albert Gallitan High School, missed the last week of school last year to be in the film — but the experience was well worth it.
“Everyone was excited about me being in the movie,” Kutek said.
“I saw the movie at midnight and I loved seeing the Capitol for the first time because it was really different.”