Read The Hunger Games Tribute Guide Online
Authors: Emily Seife
Tags: #Juvenile Fiction, #Media Tie-In
The Hunger Games Tribute Guide (6 page)
What will Cinna and Portia come up with for tributes Katniss and Peeta? Traditionally, District 12 tributes have appeared in the tribute parade as some interpretation of coal miners. One year, the tributes emerged stark naked and covered in coal dust. We’ll have to wait and see what the stylists create this year!
P
resident Snow, our noble leader, has helped our country become prosperous and secure. He watches over all the districts and metes out justice with a firm hand. He traditionally makes a short speech welcoming the tributes during the opening ceremonies, but leaves most of the running of the Games to the Head Gamemaker, and to the announcer, Claudius Templesmith.
Still, just because you don’t see President Snow, it doesn’t mean he’s not watching every minute of the action. To our president, the Games are the heart of Panem.
S
eneca Crane is the Head Gamemaker of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games. A consummate showman and a true entertainer, Seneca is sure to make this one of the most breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat Hunger Games yet! Plus, he’s known in fashion circles for his unique beard.
But what does it really mean to be Head Gamemaker? Seneca Crane’s responsibilities include supervising the construction of the arena, making sure the opening ceremonies run smoothly, assessing the talents of the various tributes, and adjusting the features of the arena to fit their strengths and weaknesses. Once the Games begin, the Gamemakers retreat to their Games Center, which is a virtual center where they control all aspects of the Hunger Games: the weather, the environment, and the action.
O
nce their prep teams and stylists have put on the finishing touches, the opening ceremonies are ready to begin!
One by one, each pair rides a horse-drawn chariot down the Avenue of the Tributes, past President Snow and other government officials. The streets are packed with people, and the crowds go wild when they see the first tributes emerge. The costumes are spectacular!
First out are Glimmer and Marvel from District 1. Their district’s specialty is luxury goods — and doesn’t that show in their fabulous getups! Tall, regal Glimmer looks magnificent with a pink feather headdress and a full-length gown. Note the feathery shoulder treatment. Exquisite! Next to her, Marvel is looking
marvelous
in black leather boots and a fuchsia cape. We think these two will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Games!
Wow! Next out are Clove and Cato from District 2, and they are truly stunning. In traditional-style garb, like ancient Greek gods, the two look positively divine. Clove’s golden helmet emphasizes her beautiful bone structure. We can’t help but wonder if her stylists are trying to foreshadow another golden crown — the victor’s crown, which would look spectacular on Clove’s dark hair. Cato’s sleeveless costume shows off his arms to good effect — wouldn’t want to wrestle with him in the arena! These two look like the serious contenders that they are.
From the technology district, District 3, emerge two tributes in silver mesh. They wear sculpted silver headdresses that resemble the intricate inner workings of electronics.
Next comes another beautifully dressed duo. With starfish pins on their shoulders and luminous pearls in their hair, it is clearly the chariot from District 4, our fishing district. This male tribute is a young one. He looks to be straight from his first reaping; can’t be more than twelve years old there.
From District 5 we have two young contestants in glittering silver from head to toe — it’s clear they are power-plant workers. Their costumes reflect and refract the light every time they move. Very striking! But the female tribute from this district has something a little sly in her eyes. Don’t turn your back on her in the arena!
District 6, transportation, always keeps our country moving. Let’s wish those two tributes the best of luck as they go by.
The folded fan headdresses, the carefully curled and pleated sleeves . . . In all white, clean and pure as a new sheet of paper, our tributes from lumber and paper-producing District 7! We wonder what stories will be written on these blank slates.
Now please turn your attention — and your applause — to the next chariot. The tributes wear serious expressions, framed by such playful costumes! With a variety of colors, textures, and materials in their outfits, they must be the tributes from District 8, textiles!
The District 9 tributes look elegant and determined. We love the gold and silver outfits they’re wearing. Could the decorative rows on his costume symbolize rows of grain? Or are their stylists simply using those reflective materials to catch the audience’s attention?
From District 10, livestock, we have a modern take on the classic cowboy outfit — hats and plaid and all. Gold is a popular color this year! Take note, Capitol fashionistas.
And nearing the end, District 11 is a study in contrasts! The female tribute, Rue, looks to be just twelve years old, and well under five feet; the male tribute, Thresh, must be at least six feet tall and solid muscle! The two do make a nice pair, though, in their agriculture-themed overalls and leafy crowns.
But what’s that back there? Ladies and gentleman, there’s something brand-new and exciting this year — the tributes from District 12 are . . . on fire!
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark stand tall and proud, hand in hand, trailing fire as their chariot moves down the avenue. Two coal-black horses lead them forward. Flames flicker off their bodies and reflect in their sparkling eyes. When Katniss picks up a rose, she wins a lot of hearts — and maybe even some sponsors. Katniss Everdeen captured the nation’s attention when she volunteered to take her sister’s place, and she’s certainly doing a good job of keeping it. Though they’ve been on a long losing streak, District 12 might just have a fighting chance in this year’s Games.
“Portia and I think that coal miner thing’s very overdone. No one will remember you in that. And we both see it as our job to make the District Twelve tributes unforgettable,” says Cinna. . . . “So rather than focus on the coal mining itself, we’re going to focus on the coal. . . . And what do we do with coal? We burn it.”
Once all the tributes have reached the street, attention turns to President Snow. He stands at the podium at the head of the avenue and delivers his address.
“Welcome.”
His voice is greeted with enormous cheers from the masses in attendance.
“Tributes! We welcome you. We salute your courage and your sacrifice and we wish you all . . . Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.”
The crowd roars in appreciation. They are standing now, stomping and clapping — and as the sound swells to a fever pitch, the tributes disappear into the Training Center. The doors shut behind them with a resounding clang.
Now the people of the Capitol will have some time to mull over what they’ve seen. Who looked strong, and who looked clever? Whose entrance seemed a little dull — and whose was fiery? The next the audience will see of the tributes will be the interviews with Caesar Flickerman. But before that, we’re pleased to be able to take you on an exclusive backstage tour of the Training Center, where we’ll show you what the tributes themselves are experiencing.
After the procession, everyone was buzzing about the Girl on Fire. How was it that the two tributes, Katniss and Peeta, were in flames, but never burned? Cinna divulges that he and partner, Portia, dressed the tributes in black leather from neck to ankle, and used a synthetic fire to create the striking effect. He tells us that he used very little makeup on the two (naturally attractive) tributes, just adding a little highlighting here and there.