0:00narrator talking head
Medium close-up shot of a mature Caucasian man with short, neatly combed grey hair, seated and speaking. He is looking slightly off-camera to the right, engaging in conversation. His facial expression is serious yet thoughtful, with subtle movements of his eyebrows and mouth as he articulates. He gestures occasionally with his right hand, which is visible in the lower right corner of the frame. The background is a modern office setting with warm wooden shelving units on the left, holding a small green plant in a pot. The right side of the background is a blurred light grey wall. The lighting is soft and even, suggesting professional studio lighting, with no harsh shadows. The overall color palette is muted, focusing on the dark blue of his sweater, the white of his shirt, and the natural wood tones of the background. Text overlay appears at the bottom of the screen: 'This was in the days when the Olympics were basically a competition between Russia and America.'
0:04los angeles 1984 skyline
A wide, cinematic shot of the downtown Los Angeles skyline at sunset, rendered with a vintage, slightly grainy film aesthetic. The camera is positioned at a distance, looking across the city. Numerous tall skyscrapers are silhouetted against a vibrant gradient sky, transitioning from deep orange and pink at the horizon to soft purple and pale blue overhead. Palm trees are visible in the foreground, their dark fronds contrasting with the colorful sky. The overall mood is nostalgic and grand. The lighting is natural, showing the warm glow of the setting sun. Text overlay in the center of the screen reads: 'Los Angeles 1984'.
0:05young nick wheeler portrait
A medium close-up shot of a young Caucasian man, appearing to be in his late teens or early twenties, looking directly into the camera with a direct and slightly intense gaze. He has thick, wavy brown hair that falls casually around his face. He is leaning forward, with his arms resting on an unseen surface in the foreground. The background consists of blurred dark green foliage, suggesting an outdoor setting like a balcony or rooftop garden. The lighting is bright and natural, indicating daylight. He wears a light blue and white striped collared shirt, unbuttoned at the top. The overall color palette is natural greens, blues, and skin tones, with a slight warm filter. Text overlay appears at the bottom: 'and I'd just left school.'
0:07narrator talking head
This scene is a re-establishment shot of the mature Caucasian man, Nick Wheeler, speaking. The framing, environment, lighting, and general appearance are identical to the first scene. He maintains a conversational posture, his gaze slightly off-camera. He appears to be continuing his narrative, with a contemplative expression. The background features the same modern office setting with warm wooden shelves and a green plant on the left, and a blurred light grey wall on the right. The soft, even professional lighting remains consistent. Text overlay is present at the bottom of the screen, stating: 'It happened to be the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.'
0:10olympic stadium ceremony
A wide, high-angle shot capturing a vast stadium filled with thousands of spectators and participants during what appears to be an Olympic opening or closing ceremony. The camera is positioned high above the track, looking down into the arena. The track itself is a reddish-brown, surrounding a bright green infield where a large gathering of people, many dressed in white, are arranged in formations. In the far background, a grand, classical-style stadium building with columns is visible, with a giant video screen displaying bright light. The stands are packed with a diverse crowd, creating a mosaic of colors. The lighting is bright and sunny, indicative of an outdoor event in broad daylight. The overall atmosphere is festive and grand.
0:11athlete crossing finish line
A medium shot of a male athlete running towards the camera, breaking through a finish line tape, with his arms dramatically outstretched in a clear gesture of victory. He is in the foreground, centered, wearing a bright red running singlet with 'USA 915' prominently displayed, and matching red shorts. His expression is one of triumphant joy and exhaustion. Behind him, other runners are visible further down the track, blurred by the shallow depth of field. The background shows blurred stadium stands filled with a cheering crowd, under a bright, sunny sky. The track is a reddish-brown color, contrasting with the white finish line tape. The scene is full of dynamic energy and celebration. Text overlay at the bottom reads: 'The great thing is that McDonald's'.
0:12burger assembly animation
An extreme close-up, dynamic shot showing the individual components of a hamburger assembling themselves from the bottom up, against a pure black background. The first item to appear is a vibrant green layer of lettuce, followed by a thick, dark brown beef patty, then a square slice of yellow cheese, a glossy red tomato slice, and finally, a thin white onion ring. The top bun, sprinkled with sesame seeds, descends to complete the burger. The movement is smooth and deliberate, highlighting each ingredient. The lighting is bright and focused, making the colors of the food pop vividly against the dark backdrop. The scene is presented as an animated sequence, emphasizing the product's construction. Text overlay at the bottom reads: 'had this promotion where every time'.
0:14mcdonalds olympic game card
An extreme close-up shot of a vintage 'McDonald's Olympic Medals Game' scratch card. The card has a white background with red, blue, and yellow graphics. A large gold wreath encircles a grey scratch-off area in the center. The title 'McDONALD'S® OLYMPIC MEDALS GAME' is at the top, and various instructions and details about the game ('When the U.S. wins-you win!', 'Rub off the gold circle above with the edge of a coin.') are printed below. The text is clear and readable, designed to mimic an old promotional item. The lighting is flat and even, highlighting the details of the printed card. The overall color palette is primary colors (red, blue, yellow) against white. Text overlay: 'America won a gold medal,' is centrally placed over the card.
0:16narrator talking head
This scene reverts to the medium close-up of the mature Caucasian man, Nick Wheeler, speaking. The framing, background, and lighting are identical to the previous interview segments. His expression is now more focused, as if recalling a specific detail or event. He maintains eye contact slightly off-camera. The office background with wooden shelves and a green plant on the left, and a blurred light wall on the right, remains consistent. The soft, even professional lighting continues to illuminate his face, minimizing harsh shadows. Text overlay at the bottom displays two phrases sequentially: 'you could win a Big Mac.' followed by 'And Russia pulled out of the Olympics just before.'
0:19time magazine cover
A close-up shot focused on the front cover of a vintage 'TIME' magazine, held by a hand. The cover features a dramatic illustration of a large, brown, aggressive bear, snarling with its teeth visible, wearing the iconic Olympic rings around its neck. The headline boldly declares 'OLYMPIC TURMOIL Why the Soviets Said Nyet.' A smaller inset photo of a man and 'EL SALVADOR' are visible in the top right corner. The colors are muted, consistent with older print media, dominated by reds, browns, and whites. The lighting is direct but soft, emphasizing the details of the cover. The background is softly blurred, hinting at the speaker from previous scenes. Text overlay appears at the bottom: 'And this was in the days when the'.
0:20newspaper clippings montage
A dynamic montage of several vintage newspaper clippings, layered and animated to appear sequentially over a blurred background (suggesting the speaker from the interview scenes). The first clipping shows a 'TIME' magazine cover from the previous scene, then quickly transitions to a close-up of 'THE GUARDIAN' newspaper headline: 'Russians cite threats for Games boycott.' This is followed by 'The Arizona Daily Star' headline: 'Soviets pull out of Olympics,' and then another generic newspaper clipping about the Olympics. Each clipping has black and white text and images, typical of newspaper print. The animation involves the clippings appearing, stacking, and partially obscuring each other, creating a visual collage of historical news. Text overlay at the bottom progresses: 'Olympics were basically a competition between Russia and America.'
0:24narrator talking head
This scene returns to the medium close-up of Nick Wheeler speaking, identical in framing, environment, and lighting to the previous interview segments. His expression is calm and confident as he makes his point. He occasionally uses subtle hand gestures to emphasize his words. The background, with its modern office aesthetic, wooden shelves, and green plant, remains constant. The soft, professional lighting continues to illuminate his face, minimizing harsh shadows. Text overlay at the bottom reads: 'So, America ended up winning pretty much every single gold medal.'
0:28athletes running in stadium
A high-angle, wide shot of two male athletes sprinting down a reddish-brown running track in a large, sun-drenched stadium. The camera is positioned high above the track, providing a broad view of the event. The athletes are distinct figures in the foreground, wearing dark colored running gear, their bodies tense in exertion. Behind them, the stadium seating is packed with thousands of spectators, creating a blurred, vibrant backdrop of human activity. The overall atmosphere is energetic and competitive. The lighting is bright and natural, casting subtle shadows on the track. Text overlay at the bottom reads: 'So I spent six weeks living on, big fries.'
0:29athlete celebrating medal
A medium shot, taken from behind and slightly to the left of a male athlete, who is standing on a running track and raising a gold medal above his head in celebration. The camera focuses on the athlete's upward-stretched arm and the gleaming medal. He is wearing a dark blue and white tracksuit. In the background, the stadium stands are filled with a blurred but dense crowd, under a bright sky. The scene is brightly lit by natural sunlight, highlighting the golden medal. The mood is one of triumph and public recognition. Text overlay at the bottom: 'So I spent six weeks living on, big fries.'
0:30young nick eating fries
A medium close-up shot of a young Caucasian man, identifiable as the younger Nick Wheeler, sitting in the bleachers of a stadium and eating french fries from a small paper container. The image is desaturated, almost black and white, giving it a vintage, documentary feel. He is wearing a simple white t-shirt and has short, brown, wavy hair. His gaze is focused downwards at his food. In the background, blurred stadium activity and parts of the crowd are visible, suggesting he is engrossed in his meal amidst the ongoing event. The lighting is natural but muted due to the desaturation. Text overlay: 'So I spent six weeks living on, big fries.'
0:31american flag waving
A vibrant, slightly grainy shot of a large American flag waving majestically against a clear, brilliant blue sky. The flag's red and white stripes are prominent, and the white stars on the blue field are clearly visible. The fabric billows gently in an unseen breeze, creating a sense of movement and patriotism. The camera is positioned at a low angle, looking up at the flag, which dominates the frame. The lighting is bright and natural, emphasizing the flag's colors and textures. The overall aesthetic has a vintage, almost nostalgic film quality. Text overlay at the bottom reads: 'It was a sort of Super Size Me moment.'
0:33young men on rocky coast
A medium wide shot capturing three young Caucasian men, including young Nick Wheeler (on the left), standing shirtless on a rugged, dark rocky coastline. The vast blue ocean with white foamy waves crashing on the rocks forms the background. The men are wearing light-colored shorts. The central figure has his arms outstretched, leaning back slightly, while the man on the left (Nick) is smiling. The lighting is bright and natural, indicating a sunny day. The image has a slightly retro, faded quality, consistent with an old photograph. The mood is carefree and adventurous. Text overlay: 'It was a sort of Super Size Me moment.'
0:34narrator talking head
This scene is another re-establishment shot of the mature Caucasian man, Nick Wheeler, speaking. The framing, environment, lighting, and general appearance are identical to previous interview segments. His expression is thoughtful, looking slightly off-camera as he recounts a memory. The background features the modern office setting with warm wooden shelves and a green plant on the left, and a blurred light grey wall on the right. The soft, even professional lighting continues to illuminate his face, maintaining a consistent visual style. Text overlay at the bottom reads: 'We decided we were going to do a road trip.'
0:35person walking past ship
A medium shot, taken at eye level, showing a person walking away from the camera on a paved area next to a dock or harbor. In the background, a large, vintage sailing ship with tall masts and intricate rigging is prominently featured. Several cars are parked along the street. The sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds, suggesting clear weather. The overall aesthetic is slightly aged, with a subtle film grain. The lighting is natural and bright, creating some shadows. Text overlay: 'We drove from Los Angeles to New York'.
0:36golden gate bridge
A striking medium-wide shot of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, seen from a slightly low angle, emphasizing its towering red-orange suspension towers. The camera is positioned to capture the bridge's grand scale against a backdrop of a clear, bright blue sky with sparse clouds. Cars are visible driving across the bridge, appearing small in comparison to the massive structure. The lighting is natural and vibrant, highlighting the bridge's distinctive color. The image possesses a slightly vintage, cinematic quality, evocative of classic Americana. Text overlay at the bottom: 'We drove from Los Angeles to New York'.
0:37monument valley landscape
A wide, majestic shot of a desert landscape dominated by towering, reddish-brown rock formations, characteristic of Monument Valley. The camera captures the vastness of the arid environment under a boundless, clear blue sky. The ground is a mix of sand and sparse vegetation. The lighting is bright and natural, creating sharp contrasts between the sunlit faces of the rocks and the shadowed crevices. The scene evokes a sense of rugged wilderness and iconic American scenery. The image has a slight vintage film look. Text overlay at the bottom: 'in a clapped out old Cadillac that I bought.'
0:38statue of liberty scaffolding
A long shot, captured with a grainy, vintage film effect, of the Statue of Liberty undergoing significant construction or renovation, shrouded in an intricate network of scaffolding. The camera is positioned across a body of water, offering a distant but clear view of the monument. The sky is overcast and hazy, giving the scene a muted, almost monochrome appearance. A dock or landmass is visible in the foreground. The lighting is diffused due to the overcast conditions, and the colors are subdued. Text overlay at the bottom: 'in a clapped out old Cadillac that I bought.'
0:39young men on cadillac
A medium-wide shot of three young Caucasian men, including young Nick Wheeler (far right), sitting on and around a vintage white Cadillac in a bright, outdoor setting that appears to be a desert or a dry, sandy area. All three men are shirtless, wearing cowboy hats and shorts. The central figure is lounging on the roof, while the other two are seated on the hood, facing the camera with relaxed expressions. The sky is a brilliant, cloudless blue, creating a strong contrast with the white car and the light-toned landscape. The lighting is bright and sunny, casting distinct shadows. The image has a nostalgic, adventurous feel. Text overlay at the bottom reads: 'I remember thinking America was just'.
0:40narrator talking head outro
This scene is the final re-establishment shot of the mature Caucasian man, Nick Wheeler, speaking. The framing, environment, and lighting are identical to all previous interview segments. He looks slightly off-camera with a warm, contented smile, reflecting on his positive memories. The background with its modern office aesthetic, wooden shelves, and green plant, remains consistent. The soft, professional lighting continues to illuminate his face, emphasizing his expression of fond recollection. Text overlay at the bottom first says: 'the most amazing place on Earth.' This is then replaced by animated white text: 'Nick Wheeler. Founder' with 'Nick Wheeler' in a handwritten script.
0:43text outro branding
A full-screen graphic on a solid, deep navy blue background. Initially, white text appears centrally, spelling out: 'Nick Charles Tyrwhitt Wheeler.' The name 'Nick Wheeler' is rendered in a stylish, handwritten script, while 'CHARLES TYRWHITT' is in a clean, sans-serif, uppercase font. After a few seconds, the 'Nick Wheeler' part fades out, leaving only 'CHARLES TYRWHITT' prominently displayed in white, centered on the dark blue screen. The lighting is uniform and soft, emphasizing the stark contrast of the white text against the dark background. The scene is clean, minimalist, and serves as an outro or branding segment.
