When creating the visuals for the black class the aim was to lower saturation, too add
more blacks and greys, but also mix it with touches of the 'scene' style and anarchy.
Characters of the black class are those of rebellion who live in the run down, tightly
populated parts of urban society. They put off a tough, I don't give a shit attitude which
comes across in their style, a mixture of punk accents and contrasts of black and white
colors. Even in their state of repression, images of hope and and freedom should also be
assoicated with them
The general aesthetic I was trying to capture in the gold class was that of vintage class,
power and grace of the monarchy, but with a modern twist. Warm tones are the obvious
choice here, one mainly being gold. Also, prominent pops of red were an addition to not
only outline the seductive allure of the gold class, but also have the hint of power come
across.The architecture will be modern with a twist of old world grace, a lot of open
spaces but with touches of classic royalty. The dress will be similar, one with couture like
dreaminess mixed with defined lines and luxiourious fabrics.
Preliminary Research:
Before writing the treatment for Golden, I had to look up more information about this
“golden ratio” theory. I simply looked it up on Wikipedia and skimmed the article.
While I writing the screenplay, I occasionally read over some other scripts just to get an
idea of how to write transitions between scenes and how to describe settings well without
overdoing the details. I thought movies like I, Robot and Minority Report while writing
the screenplay, because I liked how they incorporate some vintage and modernistic styles
in the world created for the films.
Treatmant:
It’s 2189. The global society is split into four social classes based on the Golden Ratio, a
law based on physical features of the face and height/weight proportion. Teenager
NATALIE is ranked in the superior Gold Class.
Natalie moves from Alberta, Canada to New York City to live with her single, Gold-
status AUNT FAM while she attends Columbia University. Adjusting to life in the city is
easy for her, but she isn’t used to living in a place where people from the Silver and
Bronze classes mingle with higher classes.
Natalie’s aunt Fam introduces her to HARRIS, Fam’s personal assistant who has been
placed in the Silver Class, but met Fam back in grad school. Natalie doesn’t like him.
Fam warns Natalie that she needs to get use to being around “The Others” and grateful
not to be a member of the Bronze Class.
A few months in New York and Natalie is accustomed to her new surroundings. At
school she befriends a Silver Class member named TOR. Tor has been working on a
political movement known as United Classes protesting the Separation Law, an
amendment to the Constitution forbidding marriage between members of different
classes.
Natalie attends a council meeting with Tor for the United Classes. At the meeting, Natalie
is shown images of the exploited members of the Silver and Bronze classes, and she is
horrified by testimonies of White Class members, people from the lowest class forced to
participate in scientific experiments. Natalie is stunned when she sees Fam at the
meeting.
Back at her aunt’s, Natalie confronts Harris about the meeting, asking him if he would
know anything about her aunt being in attendance. Harris refuses to give any information
to Natalie. Tor informs her that Fam is in fact working under cover for the United
Classes.
Back from the meeting, Fam is confronted by Natalie who is angry with her for risking
her status as a Gold Class member…the punishment for what is called Class Treason.
Fam tells Natalie she is going to take her to the suburbs that night. The neighborhoods
outside of NYC are where members of the Silver Class typically reside. Tor and a
member of the United Classes go with them to the suburbs.
In the suburbs, Natalie is taken to Harris’s sister JEMMA’s house. Natalie is introduced
to SMITH, a young boy approaching the Age of Ruling for the Golden Ratio. It is clear
from his face that he would be placed in the Bronze or White class. Harris tells Natalie
that Smith is her cousin; he and Fam are Smith’s parents. Smith has been hidden to avoid
being placed in the White Class. Members of the United Classes reveal to Natalie that
they are actually trying to abolish the Golden Ratio laws.
She’s informed that Smith has been kept hidden so that he may not be placed in the
White Class. Fam’s pregnancy was kept a secret so that the government would not be
able to keep track of her baby for classification, but someone ratted her out shortly after
giving birth. Smith has since been moved from suburb to suburb between different
members of the United Classes in an attempt to keep him hidden to avoid classification.
Overcome with sympathy, Natalie agrees to help the United Classes.
Here is our scouted area for scene 4. The location needed to be a college
classroom. The classroom needed to look futuristic, because the show is placed in the
future. That’s why I took one picture from behind the desk, to see all the technology that
was there. I wanted the room to seem blank, nothing special, just a classroom with no
personality. I also wanted to show that this classroom held both classes, Gold and Silver.
I had a thought about “separate but equal,” so the Gold sit on the side with the windows,
where light comes. Their side is clean and nice. The Silver side on the other hand, has
some trash on the floor and is in the darker side of the room. We can also see from the
teachers desk that it is easier to see the Gold side so they have preference. Even in this
“integrated” classroom, there are class separations.
Shot 1: Scene 1
City Skyline: Clear separations between
different class districts
Shot 2: Scene 1
Fast zoom through city, passing through
different districts
Shot 3: Scene 1
Wide shot, high angle of airport. Planes
taking off
Shot 4: Scene 2
Overhead Shot of Airport Interior.
Shot 5: Scene 2
Over the Shoulder Shot. Man holding
hologram. Slow zoom on name
on hologram
Shot 6: Scene 2
Close up of Harris looking down,
light pan up
Shot 7: Scene 2
Flight board, pan across.
Shot 8: Scene 2
Focus on “CanadAIR”
Shot 9: Scene 2
Harris looks around crowded airport
Shot 10: Scene 2
Crowd walking around airport
Shot 11: Scene 2
Harris sees Natalie
Shot 12: Scene 2
Overhead shot of Natalie and Harris
Shot 13: Scene 2
Harris grabs Natalie’s bags
Shot 14: Scene 3
Gold Subway Car passes
Shot 15: Scene 3
The two sit on subway
Shot 16: Scene 4
The subway is seen again in the tunnel
Shot 17: Scene 4
Dialogue between Harris and Natalie
Shot 18: Scene 4
Natalie Rolls her eyes
Shot 19: Scene 4
Outside of Subway, looking in on the two
talking
Shot 20: Scene 4
Harris and Natalie sit in the subway
Shot 21: Scene 4
Natalie turns and talks with Harris
Shot 22: Scene 4
Gold Subway Car passes as Natalie and Harris speak
Shot 23: Scene 4
Natalie rolls her eyes
Shot 24: Scene 4
Harris and Natalie talk
Shot 25: Scene 5
Zoom in on Fam’s Apartment
Shot 26: Scene 6
Outside Fam’s Apartment door
Shot 27: Scene 6
Low angle as Natalie enters Fam’s apartment
Shot 28: Scene 6
Natalie speaks with Harris and Fam in Fam’s
living room
Shot 29: Scene 6
Pan around Natalie
Shot 30: Scene 6
Gold Subway Car passes as Natalie turns
Soundtrack – Snarky Productions: Golden 1. Black and Gold – By Sam Sparrow
a. The song Black and Gold is not only very seductive, but intimidating and
mysterious as well. It’s tune is perfect for an opening montage of intrigue. It
was an obvious choice due to the lyrics that explicitly state the classes,
“Black and Gold”
i. i looked up into the night sky
and see a thousand eyes staring back
and all around these golden beacons
i see nothing but black
i feel a way of something beyond them
i don't see what i can feel
if vision is the only validation
then most of my life isn't real
'cause if you're not really here
then the stars don't even matter
now i'm filled to the top with fear
that it's all just a bunch of matter
'cause if you're not really here
then i don't want to be either
i wanna be next to you
black and gold
black and gold
black and gold
b. It would be used as background to an opening montage to the film with
shots of the gold class being luxurious, getting ready, being powerful, etc.
with shots of the black class and their unfortunate circumstances but also
showing images of their planning for change and rebellion.
2. The Way You Look Tonight – By Frank Sinatra
a. This song would be used as background music to the third scene where
Natalie is first arriving in Fam’s apartment and setting up her room. Any
song with Frank Sinatra produces feelings of refinement as well as a
reminder of the ‘golden’ days of Hollywood. The gold class is a reference to
Hollywood celebrities of the day. They were seen as perfect, refined, and
graceful icons of the time. The throwback tune is also crucial to point out
the old world refinement present in the architecture and dress of the gold
class. I chose this song particular song by Frank Sinatra because its
references to not because its upbeat tune and well known status, but its
lyrical references to physical appearance.
i. Yes you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
And the way you look tonight.
With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart...
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
It touches my foolish heart.
Lovely ... Never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it ?
'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight.
3. Teeth – By Lady Gaga
a. This song would be used for scene 4 where Natalie is introduced to Tor and
they get in a heated debate on the Golden Rule and class structure. Natalie
still has the idea that those of the lower classes are inferior. She has much
confidence in not only her looks, but her political opinions. During their
argument, Natalie does not back down. She’s fierce in her explanations and
debates with efficiency. She radiates power. This song is perfect background
music. It’s intense, the tune is very sharp. It also shows the intimidation
Natalie is trying to show Tor, but also an undertone of attraction.
i. Don’t be scared
I’ve done this before
Show me your teeth
Don’t want no money (want your money)
That shit’s is ugly
Just want your sex (want your sex)
Take a bit of my bad girl meat (bad girl meat)
Take a bite my me
Show me your teeth
Let me see your mean
Show me your teeth
Just tell me when
Show me your teeth
Open your mouth boy
Show me your teeth
Show me whatcha got
Show me your teeth teeth teeth teeth
Got no salvation (no salvation)
Got no salvation
Got no religion (no religion)
My religion is you
Take a bite of my bad girl meat (bad girl meat)
Take a bite of me boy
Show me your teeth
4. Running Up That Hill – Placebo
a. This song would be used as foreground music in scene 12 where Natalie is
being prodded in the lab. It would be used as music to set the scene used in
the foreground. It would set the tone of the surroundings as the camera
shifts from the eerie syringes and medical tools. The songs eerie and
intimidating tune is perfect for the mood of this scene, it would induce fear
and the feel of the song is not only intimidating, but the lyrics provide a
feeling of isolation and no control.
i. It doesn't hurt me.
You wanna feel how it feels?
You wanna know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
You wanna hear about the deal I'm making?
You be running up that hill
You and me be running up that hill
And if I only could,
Make a deal with God,
And get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...
You don't wanna hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder.
There's a thunder in our hearts, baby.
So much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
5. Bad Things – Jace Everett
a. This song would be used in the closing scene of the movie. It would be an
acoustic version that the character Tor would be strumming on his guitar as
he collects money from the passerbys as the set changes from futuristic, to
common day New York. As he sings the song in a deep, intimidating voice the
camera would center in his on his dark, eerie smirk.
i. I wanna do bad things with you.
When you came in the air went out.
And every shadow filled up with doubt.
I don't know who you think you are,
But before the night is through,
I wanna do bad things with you.
I'm the kind to sit up in his room.
Heart sick an' eyes filled up with blue.
I don't know what you've done to me,
But I know this much is true:
I wanna do bad things with you.
T206: Shot List “GOLDEN”
Spencer Evans
Joe Hartman
Michelle Shelton
Vee Weitbrecht
SCENE
SHOT
DESCRIPTION
ELEMENTS
1 1 Wide Shot: City Skyline BG: Show the obvious separations of the class districts
1 2 FastZoom: Through City BG: Pass through each district starting at BRONZE through GOLD.
1 3 Wide Shot: High Angle of JFK International Airport
BG: Show planes landing and all roads packed with cars.
2 1 Overhead Shot: Airport Interior
BG: Crowded floor Char1: Harris: Focal Point of Shot Prop: “hologram” device small headset
2 2 OverShoulder Shot: Over Right Shoulder
BG: Show Harris holding hologram of girl and slow zoom on name
2 3 Close Up: Harris BG: Looking down then up, light pan upwards
2 4 Shot of Airport Flight Board
BG: Show all flights of airport
2 5 Close Up: Flight Board BG: Focus on “CanadAIR” pan right to blinking “LANDED” idicator
2 6 MediumShot: Harris BG: looking around crowded airport
2 7 Medium Shot: Crowd BG: Crowd walking towards cam as cam trucks back CHAR2: Natalie: Appears in crowd
2 8 Medium Shot: Harris on “phone”
BG: Harris sees Natalie and hangs up. Waves down Natalie
2 9 FullShot: Natalie BG: Walks towards camera then off Cam L
2 10 Overhead Shot: Natalie and Harris
BG: The two talking, switching shoulders for dynamics
2 11 Medium Shot: Both Characters
BG: Silence to show awkwardness shared Harris: Steps right and crouches low in shot to grab Nat’s bags
2 12 TrackShot: Two Walking L
BG: through doorway and into parking garage Both: talking
2 13 Downward Angle: down from Natalie to Harris
BG: Both pause as Natalie brings up difference in class.
2 14 Medium Shot: Nat as Harris Crosses Cam L
BG: Light zoom on Natalie’s expression as Harris passes
3 1 Long Shot: Silver Subway Tunnel
BG: showing S. Subway in motion through tunnel VFX: Green Screen behind sub capsule to add motion effects
4 1 Long Shot: Subway Car Int
BG: Natalie and Harris sitting on subway car across from Cam
4 2 Long Shot: Subway Car INT
BG: Gold Subway speeds past window
4 3 Medium Shot: Across Harris towards Natalie
BG: Focus shifts from Harris to Natalie as Conversation goes on
4 4 Close up: Subway Car INT
BG: Natalia rolls eyes
4 5 Medium Shot: Subway Car INT
BG: Natalia and Harris speaking to one another
5 1 Long Shot: Fam’s Apartment EXT
BG: Rich, clean looking building. CAM zooms on window
6 1 Medium Shot: Outside Apartment door
BG: Over shoulder shot Natalia facing door before it Opens CHAR3: Fam
7 1 Medium Shot: Apartment INT
BG: Low angle of Natalia entering
7 2 Medium Shot: Apartment INT
BG: Fam on couch
7 3 Medium Shot: Apartment INT
BG: Nat bust shot Cam: pan around her to focus on look
7 4 Medium Shot: In front of Window in Apartment
BG: Zoom to bust shot as Fam gestures to the city below
7 5 Medium Shot: Natalie standing from couch
BG: Zoom in and around so she is facing camera
7 6 Low-Angle Shot: Natalie unpacking
BG: zoom out from shoulder as Fam’s hand touches it and pan to low-angle to show Fam
7 7 Close up: Natalie shoulder
BG: Natalie shakes off Fam’s hand
7 8 Medium Shot: Natalie BG: Apartment in background as Cam slowly zooms out
7 9 OverShoulder Shot: Natalie facing Cam
BG: FullBody Shot: Fam staring in disbelief
7 10 Close up: Drawer BG: Natalia slams drawer shut
7 11 Long Shot: Bedroom door Natalia: stomps out in huff
7 12 Full Shot: Fam Slow Pan up for Slight Low Angle shot of Natalia
8 1 Long Shot: Apartment EXT
BG: Zoom out passed window Fam still in focal point of shot.
8 2 Long Shot: Apartment Complex
BG: Zoom out and pan towards college
8 3 Long Shot: New York College
BG: Zoom in window to Natalie in seat
9 1 Medium Shot: Natalie in Classroom
BG: Natalie taking notes
9 2 Long Shot: Over Shoulder
BG: Shows projection board and teacher over her shoulder.
9 3 Medium Shot: Teacher leaning on desk
BG: Slight Low angle shot of teacher as he addresses and dismisses class
9 4 Medium Shot: Classroom INT
BG: Shot of students leaving out the door
9 5 Close up: Natalie BG: Focus on her packing
packing bag then refocus on Student in desk across the room
9 6 Long Shot: Classroom INT facing towards back
Zoom on Student walking up to Natalie’s desk.
9 7 Medium Shot: Natalie Over Shoulder towards notes
BG: Natalie looks up as she is addressed, focus from notes to her face.
9 8 Medium Shot: Classroom INT, Tor talking
BG: Tor facing Cam
9 9 CS: High Angle shot of Natalie
BG: Natalie looks up from her notes at boy
9 10 Medium Shot: Across desk to Tor
BG: Chair pulled up and Tor sits into frame.
9 11 CS: Natalie BG: Closing eyes while packing up
9 12 Medium Shot: Tor in chair
BG: Tor holds out hand towards Cam
9 13 Medium Shot: Hand close up towards Natalie
BG: Focus on hand and refocuses to Natalie when she speaks
9 14 Medium Shot: Natalie and Tor talking
BG: Window showing gray sky with them at roughly same height (shows equally)
9 15 Long Shot: Natalie’s back
BG: Natalie stands to leave
9 16 OverShoulder: Natalie facing Cam
BG: She stands as Tor grabs her arm gently
9 17 Bust shot: Tor sitting in seat
BG: Talking to Natalie
9 18 Medium Shot: Natalie towards Right
BG: Natalie speaks.
10 1 High Angle Wide Shot: Neighborhood
BG: Car comes down the street
10 2 Low Angle Wide Shot: Car pulling up
BG: Car comes towards camera, stopping in left side of frame
10 3 Long Shot: Jemma BG: Jemma stands on front stoop waiting
10 4 Close Up: Natalie BG: Gets out of car, looks around. Fam gets out in background
10 5 Long Shot: Jemma BG: Jemma makes her way to the car
10 6 Long shot: Fam, BG: Jemma hugs Harris
Natalie, Harris, Woman 10 7 Bust Shot: Natalie,
Woman BG: Jemma shakes Natalie’s hand
10 8 Bust Shot: Natalie BG: Natalie converses 10 9 Bust Shot: Jemma BG: Jemma converses 10 10 Long Shot: Jemma and
Natalie BG: Natalie and Jemma talk, Harris speaks off screen
10 11 Long Shot: Fam, Harris, Smith
BG; Fam, Smith and Harris
10 12 Close Up: Smith BG: Smith is hugged by Fam 10 13 Bust Shot: Tor and
Natalie BG: Tor and Natalie Speak
10 14 Long Shot BG: Fam, Smith, Harris 10 15 Long Shot BG: Jemma, Tor, Natalie 10 16 Long Shot BG: Tor, Jemma, Harris,
Fam, Natalie, and Smith enter house
11 1 Wide Shot BG: Tor, Jemma, Harris, Fam, Natalie, and Smith sitting
11 2 Bust Shot: Fam BG: Fam 11 3 Long Shot: Natalie, tor
and Harris BG: Natalie Tor and Harris
11 4 High Angle Wide Shot BG: Smith playing 11 5 Wide Shot BG:Tor, Jemma, Harris,
Fam, Natalie, and Smith 11 6 Long Shot BG: Smith approaches
Natalie 11 7 Close Up: Smith BG: Smith speaks 11 8 Close Up: Natalie BG: Natalie spekas 11 9 Wide Shot BG:Tor, Jemma, Harris,
Fam, Natalie, and Smith 11 10 Long Shot: Smith BG: Smith runs from the
room 11 11 Close Up: Natalie BG: Natalie speaks
11 12 Bust Shot: Fam and Jemma
BG: Fam talks
11 13 Bust Shot: Natalie, Tor BG: Tor and Natalie who speaks
11 14 Bust Shot: Fam and Jeamma
BG: Fam who speaks and Jemma
11 15 Wide Shot:Tor, Jemma, Harris, Fam, Natalie, and Smith
BG:Tor, Jemma, Harris, Fam, Natalie, and Smith
11 16 Bust shot: Natalie, Fam, Tor
BG: Natalie, Fam, and Tor
11 17 Close UP: Harris BG: Harris 11 18 Close Up: Tor BG: Tor, Harris speaks off
scene 11 19 Bust shot: Fam, Jemma BG: Fam speaks and Jemma
11 20 Close Up: Natalie BG: Natalie 11 21 Wide Shot Track:
Pictures on Wall BG: Pictures
11 22 Close Up: Natalie BG: Natalie
11 23 Wide Shot: Tor, Jemma, Harris, Fam, and Natalie
BG:Tor, Jemma, Harris, Fam, and Natalie. Man heard off scene
11 24 Bust shot: Fam and Jemma
BG: Fam and Jemma
11 25 Bust shot: Tor, Harris, Natalie
BG: Tor, Harris, Natalie. Harris speaks
11 26 Close Up: Natalie BG: Natalie
12 1 Wide Shot BG: Lab, Scientists, Girl 12 2 High Angle Close Up:
Girls head Track down Girl’s body
BG: Girl hooked up to machiens
12 3 Close Up: Scientist’s hands on equipment
BG: Scientist pushes a button
12 4 Bust Shot: Scientists BG: Scientists talk 12 5 Track down monitors and
equipment BG: Scientists talk Off Scene
12 6 Bust shot track: Scientist 2
BG: Scientist 2 goes to unplug cords
12 7 Close Up: Scientist 1 BG: Scientist 1 speaks 12 18 Wide Shot Low Angle:
Lab BG: Girl, Scientists
12 19 Long angle: Scientist 1 refocus to Close Up: girl’s face
BG: Scientist, Girl
12 20 High Angle, Slow Spin and Zoom Out
BG: Scientist re-hooking cords to Girl
13 1 Wide Shot BG: Times Square NYC 13 2 Long Shot BG: People rushing around
Times Square 13 3 Bust Shot BG: People rush by 13 4 Low Angle BG: People rush by 13 5 Long Shot BG: Tor 13 6 Bust Shot: Tor BG: Tor
13 7 Long Shot: Side of Tor BG: People rush by, Tor plays, Jemma emerges from the crowd (subtle)
13 8 Close up: Hand puts money in guitar case, follow up the arm to Jemma’s face
BG: Jemma giving money
13 9 Wide Shot: Apartment Building
BG: People rush by
13 10 Long Shot: Front door opens
BG: Harris steps out followed by Fam and Smith
13 11 Bust Shot: Harris, fam BG: Harris kisses Fam 13 12
Close up: Newspaper under Harris’s arm
BG: Smith pulls news paper from under his father’s arm
13 13 Close Up: Smith BG: Smith talks 13 14 Long shot: Fam, Smith,
Harris BG: Fam, Smith, Harris walks off
13 15 Close up: Smith BG: Smith looks down 13 16 Close Up: Newspaper BG: NewsPaper 13 17 Close Up: Date of
Newspaper BG: Newspaper