Lights, Camera, Makeup for Three Hours

  While most teenagers were out and about all summer, freshman Austin Spero spent his summer days in Shelby, North Carolina on the set of the new movie, “The Hunger Games.” 
    Spero was featured as an extra in this movie, which is the first in a three book series by Suzanne Collins.
    “It was so surreal to see one of my favorite books come to life,” Spero said.
This book is about a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen, living in a very poor district in the remains of what used to be North America. Every year, the government leaders hold a competition forcing one of the 12 districts to send out two 12-18 year olds to compete in what they named “The Hunger Games.” The winner becomes famous, but only by killing the other 23.   
    Although the movie sounds like all fun and games, it was made up of a lot of tough work. Before filming, the cast and crew had to wake up at 4 a.m. and go to set. After set, the cast went through costume fittings, hair, and makeup for three hours. Then, they filmed for the rest of the day.
   But with all hard work comes great reward. Spero and other castmates get to attend the premiere of “The Hunger Games” together for no cost.
“I made lots of amazing friends that I can’t wait to see at the premiere,” Spero said.
    After all this hard work, Spero finds a desirable career path for himself.
“After filming this movie and going through the process, I’m really inspired to start a career in film making,” Spero said.
   The movie premieres March 23, 2012.

Watch the trailer


By Casey Speer