“Catching Fire” extras include two Georgia State roommates

Roommates Karina Almazan and Yemimah King were chosen to be a part of the “Hunger Games” sequel, “Catching Fire.” The psychology majors bonded over their mutual love for acting by signing up to be extras in a high-tension scene.

As an aspiring actress, Almazan made sure to soak in all the details.

“I really enjoyed it,” she said. “I learned a lot because I got to see what goes on before they film and how the director interacts with the actors and extras. It made me want to be an actress even more.”

Both Almazan and King were casted as citizens for District 11, a poor agricultural sector of Panem, the fictional country of the “Hunger Games.” In the scene, the citizens of District 11 are crowded together to listen to speeches given by the Hunger Games victors, Katniss and Peeta.

“We were part of the District 11 crows so we were dressed as workers,” Almazan said. “It was a pretty dramatic scene.”

Soon enough the rebels in the crowd make themselves known and the scene becomes violent, leaving the crowd—including Almazan and King—protesting.

“It was fun to do that part,” King said. “We had to clap at parts or start screaming. It was exciting.”

Almazan and King managed to snag the part through a Facebook page for CL Casting Atlanta.

“We knew they were filming in Atlanta so we started looking up information.” King said. Despite signing up last minute, they both got a call and were asked to submit three photos of themselves.

“I was standing right up front next to a peacekeeper, so I hope I’m visible in the movie,” Almazan said.

Almazan and King were also able to see the movie’s stars, Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark), and Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket).

“They said hello to our group before we started,” Almazan said. “They were playing around and joking with each other and the director like normal people.”

Almazan listed her role in “Catching Fire” as a learning experience.

“I think it made me realize there are a lot of options out there,” she said. “I have that experience and it opened my eyes to a lot that’s out there.”

Almazan said she plans to build her experience by auditioning for other roles in TV shows such as MTV’s True Life, The Vampire Diaries, and The Walking Dead.

And while acting is just a hobby for King, she values the time spent with her roommate.

“It was one of the best roommate experiences,” King said. “I’m going to remember forever that I was with her.”