The film I obtained is Gold Diggers of 1933, a musical from the pre-Hays Code era in America, directed by Mervyn LeRoy, with songs by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics). The production’s numerous captivating compositions and operatic creations vividly capture the splendour of the Broadway era. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the film ostensibly follows four aspiring actresses pursuing fame at the American Opera House, each ultimately marrying into wealth. Yet the final scene starkly reveals the poverty of the Depression era, creating a jarring contrast with the earlier opulence and revelry that abruptly snaps the audience back to sobering reality. The soldiers in the final scene reference the 1932 March on Washington by veterans, genuinely highlighting the forgotten masses.

Thus, in my design, I not only studied the film’s framing techniques but also placed the final scene—the film’s subtext—behind the four girls. My production process involved initial digital painting, followed by layer separation using Spectrolite and Photoshop. Three halftone-formatted print proofs were generated and assembled. Employing three colours—pink, gold, and black—I aimed to evoke the opulent decadence of the upper classes while subtly incorporating the forgotten American servicemen within the background.