Fan Fiction: ‘Hunger Games’ Extra Set Diary

While spying on the Hunger Games production down in North Carolina, we found these pages from a District 12 extra’s account of her time on the set.

Day 2. Hand cramp, ow. Would’ve been easier to type this on iPhone, but no electronics allowed. Want to say, “But this movie set in future.” Poor future. Hope the U.S.A. doesn’t end up like this. Depressed.

Day 2, later. OMG!! We get to shoot the reaping in a couple of days! That’s gonna be awesome. Haven’t actually seen Jennifer Lawrence or any of the famous actors yet, but looking forward to seeing if her blue dress matches the books.

Director tells us not to shower? Because we’ll look more authentic? Hmm, don’t want to be standing in group of unwashed people for several hours.

Day 3. Casually tell director that it might make Peeta’s character more sympathetic if he has a secret girlfriend that he grew up with but who dies tragically of starvation, which is why he doesn’t care that he gets reaped for the Games. You know, just a thought. He laughs, walks away.

Day 4. Not allowed to come directly to the set — they bring us from another town’s truck area. Being brought into abandoned town like cattle every day gives me the willies.

Preparing for the big reaping scene in two days. There’s one line that a District 12 person says after Katniss volunteers herself for Prim. It will be mine.

Grimy boy argues that it would sound better coming from a guy. I say line should go to a character with a name, instead of Townsperson #17. He says no extras have names. I say not technically, but I gave myself name of Lizmet to get more in-character. Am obviously more dedicated than these amateurs.

Day 6. Shoot at the Hob is taking forever… didn’t make it over to the craft services table beforehand. Between takes, sneak a taste of Greasy Sae’s soup.

Shit is vile. They call action on Hob scene, try to rub taste off tongue discreetly with sleeve of shirt. Sleeve rips off.

Day 6, later. So. Hungry. Need. Fooooooood. Nowhere to go in random town. Fake District 12 has more going on than this place.

Day 8. Reaping!

Woody Harrelson stumbling around fake-drunk. Loved him in 2012.

What. Is. Jennifer. Lawrence. Wearing.

Consider offering to switch dresses, even with torn sleeve.

Time for line! Open mouth to say “What a brave girl” when Townsperson #17 swoops in and takes it! Glare daggers at him through seven takes.

Everyone does two-finger salute. Cry like a baby. Dream come true.