How do you turn a bestselling book like The Hunger Games into a movie? In this 5 for 5 interview, screenwriter Billy Ray shares how screenplays work, how stories move from page to screen, and why he wrote his first novel, Burn the Water.
This conversation is perfect for middle school ELA classrooms, school libraries, and career exploration lessons. Students will get a behind-the-scenes look at storytelling, filmmaking, and the many careers that help bring movies to life.
In this episode:
5 Fast Facts about Billy Ray
5 Interview ?'s about The Hunger Games, screenwriting, and novel writing
5 Scenes - “Show It or Say It?” Game
5-word trailer describing Billy Ray's new novel Burn the Water
5 Parts of a Screenplay w(ith examples from The Hunger Games script)
Topics explored in this video:
How books are adapted into movies
The role of a screenwriter during filmmaking
Differences between screenplays and novels
Visual storytelling vs. dialogue in movies
Lessons about storytelling, creativity, and perseverance
Great for:
📚 Middle school ELA lessons
🎬 Media literacy and storytelling units
🎭 Creative writing inspiration
🎥 Career exploration (film, writing, entertainment industry)
📖 Author and screenwriter studies
If your students love The Hunger Games, movies, storytelling, or creative careers, this interview offers a fascinating look behind the scenes.
Subscribe for more author interviews, First Chapter Friday videos, and engaging literacy content for middle school readers.
Get the companion worksheets here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5-for-5-with-the-Word-Nerd-Interviews-on-Creative-Careers-in-Communication-15567014
Take a look at the full Hunger Games Screenplay here: https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-hunger-games-2012.pdf?v=1729115022
Music Credit: Created by Amanda Zieba and Suno Pro (2026)
Slides desiged by Amanda Zieba using Canva Pro (2026)
#BillyRay #TheHungerGames #Screenwriting #AuthorInterview #BurnTheWater #MiddleSchoolELA #ELATeacher #SchoolLibrarian #CreativeWriting #MediaLiteracy #StudentEngagement #CareerExploration #WritingForFilm #WordNerd #Storytelling #5for5 #creativecareers #amandazieba
This conversation is perfect for middle school ELA classrooms, school libraries, and career exploration lessons. Students will get a behind-the-scenes look at storytelling, filmmaking, and the many careers that help bring movies to life.
In this episode:
5 Fast Facts about Billy Ray
5 Interview ?'s about The Hunger Games, screenwriting, and novel writing
5 Scenes - “Show It or Say It?” Game
5-word trailer describing Billy Ray's new novel Burn the Water
5 Parts of a Screenplay w(ith examples from The Hunger Games script)
Topics explored in this video:
How books are adapted into movies
The role of a screenwriter during filmmaking
Differences between screenplays and novels
Visual storytelling vs. dialogue in movies
Lessons about storytelling, creativity, and perseverance
Great for:
📚 Middle school ELA lessons
🎬 Media literacy and storytelling units
🎭 Creative writing inspiration
🎥 Career exploration (film, writing, entertainment industry)
📖 Author and screenwriter studies
If your students love The Hunger Games, movies, storytelling, or creative careers, this interview offers a fascinating look behind the scenes.
Subscribe for more author interviews, First Chapter Friday videos, and engaging literacy content for middle school readers.
Get the companion worksheets here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5-for-5-with-the-Word-Nerd-Interviews-on-Creative-Careers-in-Communication-15567014
Take a look at the full Hunger Games Screenplay here: https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-hunger-games-2012.pdf?v=1729115022
Music Credit: Created by Amanda Zieba and Suno Pro (2026)
Slides desiged by Amanda Zieba using Canva Pro (2026)
#BillyRay #TheHungerGames #Screenwriting #AuthorInterview #BurnTheWater #MiddleSchoolELA #ELATeacher #SchoolLibrarian #CreativeWriting #MediaLiteracy #StudentEngagement #CareerExploration #WritingForFilm #WordNerd #Storytelling #5for5 #creativecareers #amandazieba