Thursday, February 23, 2012

Entertainment Media

The Hunger Games is broadcast and required for all the districts of Panem to see. Many aspects of the Hunger Games are controlled by the Gamemakers. What comparisons can you make between today's reality TV and the Hunger Games?

8 comments:

  1. Reality television is a VERY major part of the Hunger Games. It influences Katniss’ decisions greatly. She does many things to impress and ‘woo’ her sponsors. She kisses Peeta in order to appeal to the crowd of Panem, even though she doesn’t really develop feelings for him until later. This is an example of how reality TV can influence our lives.
    In our own society the people of reality TV are often pushed to impress the crowd by being people who are not themselves. These audience members could be sponsors of a sort- those who want to advertise on the show’s channel. These people- actors and actresses almost- do dumb stunts and basically are a completely different person in front of a crowd. Much like how Katniss pretends to “love” Peeta, the people of reality TV change for a crowd.
    These people (both of the Hunger Games and of reality TV in general) are controlled in a way. Controlled by people who can make them or break them. The Game makers can literally kill the competitors of the Games. The Producers of a show can kill your career, which can in a way kill you.
    But one thing you have think of is the audience that these shows are trying to appeal to. An audience that is forced to watch, or an audience that is watching out of free will. TV represents the society that made it. The Hunger Games doesn’t reflect well on Panem. Reality TV (in general) doesn’t reflect well on America.

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    Replies
    1. Samantha, this is the first student response to this blog that I've read in which the tributes are described as also behaving differently and pretending to be what they are not in order to cater to their audience. Yes, reality TV is not so realistic. Fantastic insight, Samantha!

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  2. Reality TV and The Hunger Games are similar in a lot of ways. Both are broadcasted for 1000s to see, some by force, some by their own need for entertainment. It is sickening that the Capitol people sit down and watch children murder each other for entertainment. Also, reality TV and Hunger games are controlled by someone, whether its game makers or a producer, to keep the program interesting and exciting. Game makers will hurl fireballs at frightened tributes, in an attempt to harm/kill them. Producers will make the people on their show do ridiculous things causing them to lose their friends or jobs and humiliating them in front of all of the viewers.
    There is also one major difference between the two. Lots of people apply to be on reality TV because they WANT to star on it. They may want to do it for fame or the possibility of getting rich, but for the Hunger Games most people are hoping that they aren’t selected, which is the right way to be. No one should be excited about being thrown in an unknown area to fight to the death against other kids your age. It’s absolutely barbaric. Although, there are those few people from Districts 1, 2, and 4 who train for this and try to make it into the arena, The “Career” tributes. I’m not sure why they would want to go. It could be for food but they seem pretty well fed. It could also a want to be known to all of Panem, but why would you want to be known as someone who murdered 23 other kids? They must do it to seem tough.

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  3. Some comparisons between today’s reality TV and the Hunger Games are that you aren’t required to watch reality TV that comes on television today. ALL of Panem is. Most reality television today is either based on trying to find love, money, trying to better you, or based on celebrities’ everyday life. I myself watch mainly reality television because I am interested in competitive types of television. I don’t think I would watch the Hunger Games if it came on television, because watching people die isn’t good television. In present day, it would be illegal.

    Reality TV is mainly made to attract young adults. During the Hunger Games, Katniss shows signs of rebellion by giving the silent salute to the camera and blowing kisses to the camera. Both the Hunger Games and reality TV today is controlled. The Hunger Games, by the capitol and reality TV, by the producers. If they don’t listen to exactly what they say, their lives could be ruined. Celebrities would lose everything, and tributes in the Hunger Games would DIE.

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  4. Reality TV and The Hunger Games are similar in a lot of ways. Everyone watches the two shows. The entire twelve districts watch The Hunger Games and most of the world watches reality TV shows. Both are controlled by someone. The Hunger Games is controlled by the Gamemakers and reality TV is controlled by a producer or director. Also, both are broadcasted for others entertainment. The Hunger Games is broadcasted for all of Panem to watch. They watch kids fight to death and enjoy it. Reality TV is broadcasted for the world to watch. We see TV shows with violence and most enjoy watching harsh shows. Also, both shows mostly include violence. The Hunger Games has people killing others or attempting to harm them. They fight until there is a winner. Reality TV also includes violence. People usually have a great amount of animosity towards one another and decide to fight. There is also many wrestling shows that show a great amount of violence.
    There are also some differences between The Hunger Games and reality TV. The Hunger Games is an event that you get chosen to do. You can’t get your way out of it at all. You will become popular unless you win. On reality TV, you want to be on so you can become popular. Most people become rich and like the fame.

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  5. After reading the comments, many of you agree that modern-day reality TV show producers and Panem's gamemakers control their casts by manipulating the circumstances and interactions in their shows. Some of you also mentioned how the gamemakers and producers would edit and cut out footage to create a more entertaining show, thereby demonstrating how reality TV is not so "realistic."

    How did the Hunger Games tributes behave in front of the cameras? Didn't they also use manipulation in order to win support from their people (districts)? In what ways were Katniss and Peeta manipulative in the games?

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  6. The hunger games compares to reality tv because since we have reality shows that are so fake people want something that is more realistic and every time they put something new the people reject it what do they want? Gore,blood real people killing each other and watching them scream or what? Is it pleasing for people to
    see others pain?

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  7. Comparison that I can make between todays reality tv and the hunger games are that in todays reality tv there are killings and murders.

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