The Story of India

The Story of India is a 6 part documentary written and presented by Michael Wood, it originally on the BBC in August 2007. Each episode of the six part series explores different parts of India's past

• Beginnings
• The Power of Ideas
• Spice Routes and Silk Roads Ages Of Gold
• The Meeting of Two Oceans
• Freedom and Liberation

The Story of India resembles our documentary in many key ways, one of the most important way in which this documentary is similar to ours is with how it depicts the place that it is looking at, for example the Story of India looks at India, that has many negative stereotypes and connotations, but instead decides to show India in a different better light, it goes on to explore many different cultures and landscapes that India has to offer. In our documentary we look at Barnsley which like India also has negative stereotypes and connotations, and like this documentary we look on the brighter side and we show how Barnsley is improving along with modernising.

Another area in which The Story of India can be compared to our documentary is with the camera angles and shots that were used. Throughout the documentary of India many extreme long shots and normal long shots are used, they are used to establish the shot and to get a sense of the scale of the location they are filming at. In our documentary we also had an extreme long shot of Barnsley town centre from above, which gives Barnsley more detail to the viewer. Many of the new modern buildings we feature in the documentary are shown in a long shot, which helps the viewer understand the scale of several of the buildings which make them more impressive looking, for example The Gateway Plaza, it is a very tall building that looks over Barnsley and we tried to capture that image for our documentary. The Story of India has many impressive landscapes that are shown on screen which is one thing that was difficult for us to do.

The Story of India has a quite distinctive sequence of editing, at the start of the program there are many fast edits, the quick edits are used as a preview for the series has they show many different locations and many different people which then intrigues the audience even further, also when you look at most T.V shows there are quick edits at the start of the program as it subliminally adds tempo and excitement for the audience. As the program progresses and the shots have already been established they editing shots slow down considerably, this gives the program more of a chance to delve deeper into detail about the locations, culture and people. Our documentary features mostly slower edits as a large amount of our documentary is exploring modern day buildings and interviews.

Analysis of similar documentary: The Building Inspector Is Coming

The Building Inspector Is Coming is a Channel 4 documentary that was released in 2009. Set in Birmingham, it follows the daily work routine of building inspectors, who make sure houses under construction are following regulations and are safe. Although it looks at housing whereas my production looks at regional regeneration, The Building Inspector Is Coming follows conventions that will be important for my production to include. The earliest and most obvious convention for a documentary of this genre is the use of camera work. The use of extreme long shots of buildings or cityscapes make a powerful shot to establish a location which is very important for a documentaries about specific areas. Each building or area is established by a wide shot that clearly shows the general location of the scene, and would then go into closer and more detailed shots.

The use of a presenter/narrator is very important in a documentary, and there are different ways in which a presenter can appear. Documentaries usually use an on screen presenter, a voice over narration, or a mixture of the two. Similarly to our production, The Building Inspector Is Coming uses the mixture of the on screen presenter with voice over narration. This allows the narration to elaborate on what can be seen in the shots and vice versa. The use of a presenter on the screen gives the audience a character to relate to, who would appear to relay the information to them, but the use of a voice over means that a variety of different shots can be used which wouldn't include the presenter, for example, an extreme long shot of a cityscape or a close up of a building window.

The use of interviews is another important convention for documentaries. Interviews give a chance for extra information to be included and the information can be portrayed clearer when told by a professional in the topic, which both The Building Inspector Is Coming and our own production use. Interviews ensure that information is broadcasted through a production which is the most important factor of a production made to be informational/educational.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-building-inspector-is-coming/4od#2931427

Analysis of a similar documentary: Extreme Engineering; Bridging the Bering Strait

Extreme Engineering is a documentary series which is on the Discovery Channel. This program featured futuristic and ongoing engineering projects such as Transatlantic tunnel. First broadcasting on the 1st April 2003, this program is on it's ninth season and it's narrated by Danny Forster. It is related to our project by the fact that we are both looking at projects which are new and the development of certain sites to improve them. In our documentary we look at buildings which are taking shape or are already there with an overview of a building. Extreme Engineering focuses on one building project and explore it in detail  for 42 minutes. The episode I'm going to analysis is the one which focuses on the proposal of bridging the Bering Strait.

With a documentary like this one, you normally have a narrator/presenter introducing you to the point of the epsiode, like in this one which is about if it's possible to build a bridge on the Bering Strait. In this set of documentaries you don't see the narrator appear, as the presenter as it wouldn't be possible for that narrator to travel to all the places that he goes in one episode. Normally if it's a documentary based in one place where you can get all of your contacts as close as that place is, you would have a presenter. Also if it's a suitable topic for someone to host such as things have have revolutionised the 20th century, like the James May's program called  James May's 20th Century, it would be ideal for someone to host it. Also if they have fame from other types of TV shows, it might be a good idea to bring them into to get viewers. The extreme long shots of the bridges which are used as examples and the Bering Strait also is a trait for documentary such as this one. They use them to show the viewer everything whilst the narrator talks about the topic in hand for example how they would build that bridge of the Bering Strait.

Interviews are important in documentaries. This documentary is no different as they talk to experts who give their opinion on the issue. In this, there is people who say that this is possible and other who disagree saying it wouldn't work. Both of these people give extra information that the narrator couldn't be able to give as they don't have that amount of knowledge and also would ruin the documentary, if he was talking all way through. Interview as an essential thing if people would want to educated and informed.

Big Bigger Biggest

Big, Bigger, Biggest is a national geographic documentary which began in 2008. It is narrated  by John Michie, and has a  total of 14 episodes across 2 seasons. Each episode explores the engineering breakthroughs that have made it possible to develop the structures of today.
 Through  the episodes, viewers are introduced to six landmark inventions that have enabled the engineers of today to construct the world's biggest structures. Footage of the construction is accompanied in all cases by computer generated imagery.
The website for the documentary says that it "reveals the engineering leaps that enabled massive structures, like skyscrapers, to be built."

This episode is about the creation of the Burj Dubai ,and charts how other innovations  have helped in its conception and construction.

The documentary also includes interviews with people involved in developing the building. This is  similar to the interview we will be arranging  with councillor Mike Stokes. It focuses on past skyscraper development  with examples, such as the Fuller building in New York, the Sears tower in Chicago, and the Taipei 101 in Taiwan. It then compares the development of these buildings, to the development of Burj Dubai ,and how  technology and ideas taken from them, has helped the Burj Dubai’s creation.
It also uses cinematic effects, and CGI, to show us how the building was constructed. Though in our documentary ,we will not be able to create such effects due to the lack of  access to such technology .
We will be using cinematic effects such as a time lapse ,and saturation to give the effect of atmosphere in the documentary, but also a to give a futuristic feel.  Much like another documentary I have viewed ,"Koyaanisqatsi"  which also featured time lapses to give the effect of the chaotic feel of modern life in a metropolis. Although our documentary is not on such a scale, it does share some of same cinematic scope. 

The documentary is an education for the audience, by showing them the history of the building projects, and how they were built.

This is similar to the introduction for our documentary ,which shows the history of the Barnsley area, and how it has suffered a  decline from a  town which was centred on the coal mining industry, to one which is now attempting to reinvent itself.
It begins with Film of present day Barnsley, with its new developments and regeneration .
There are many different shots of the buildings, from different angles in a short space of time ,this ties into the narration describing  the buildings, and gives the audience a good over view of the construction . The documentary has many time lapses , this is similar to our documentary in that it also contains  a number of these.

The documentary  has many similar attributes to the film we are making.
First the use of camera shots and narration, as well as the way the information  is presented across the documentary through narration.
 Both documentary's will present accurate information, and make it interesting for the viewer, drawing them in with models of buildings, and interviews with important people, who have played a part in the construction. Such as foremen and manages as well as designers, who have a part  in the creation of the buildings.
Our documentary will also contain these elements , interviews with councillors , the public, but also interesting shots of the buildings, that show the development and design of the different projects.

Building the Burj Dubai: Building the Burj Dubai

This documentary is similar to our own, and covers the same subjects,(construction and regeneration), It also includes narration ,much like our own ,and has interviews with people who are constructing  the building .It gives an overview and history  of the construction of the Burj Dubai and similar buildings.

Character Profile - Mica Sheldon (narrator)

Mica Sheldon is a student at Barnsley College. Currently studying A level drama and media, she makes a great presenter/narrator for our production. She has also previously been involved with radio, being a presenter for a Penistone based radio show. Her experience with remembering lines and presenting makes her the obvious person to choose for our production.

Character profiles

Mike Stokes
Mike was born in Tune Street Barnsley and attended the local schools and Barnsley Mining and Technical College where he gained an ONC qualification before going on to get an HNC in Electrical Engineering at Darlington College. Over the years Mike has continued his studies, attending colleges and universities throughout the UK. He currently holds a; Teaching Certificate, BA (Politics and Modern History) and MSc (Local Governance) MA (Modernisation of Local Government).

A committed trade unionist and Labour Party activist for over 40 years Mike has held office, locally and nationally, throughout including; Secretary, member of the executive and national delegate for the South Yorkshire Association of Trade Union Councils; Labour Party agent, Elected member BMBC 1978-79, Elected member on South Yorkshire County Council (1981-85), re-elected to BMBC 2002 to present day.

After National Service Mike worked for the ‘Forces’ in a civilian capacity as an instructor. He later worked for Barnsley College as a lecturer in Electronics/Electrical Engineering and before retiring was, for many years, Area Officer/Education Officer for the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE).

As well as being a devoted family man Mike has a passion for arm chair cricket, reading and research and people watching of which he says "there is nothing more fascinating – the games people play".

Shooting Script

Shot 1: Extreme long shot of Barnsley town. Pan right.
Shot 2: Extreme long shot of road. Time lapse.
Shot 3: Long shot of tree sculpture in park. Zoom in.
Shot 4: Long shot of entrance to council building.
Shot 5: Long shot of entrance to media center.
Shot 6: Medium shot of entrance to bus station. Zoom out to long shot.
Shot 7: Medium shot of Miners statue. Tilt upwards.
Shot 8: Extreme long shot of Gateway Plaza.
Shot 9: Extreme close up of sign, zoom out to extreme long shot of college building.
Shot 10: Extreme long shot of college building. Time lapse.
Shot 11:Extreme long shot of town hall. Pan left/tilt upwards.
Shot 12: Extreme long shot of college building from down the hill.
Shot 13: Long shot of construction workers.
Shot 14: Long shot of people entering/exiting building.
Shot 15: Long shot of builders leaving site.
Shot 16: Medium long shot of presenter in front of building reception.
Shot 17: Long shot of courtyard. Pan left.
Shot 18: Extreme long shot of top of flats. Pan right.
Shot 19: Long shot of stairwell. Tilt upwards.
Shot 20: Long shot of entrance to restaurant.
Shot 21: Long shot of table area in restaurant.
Shot 22: Long shot of Christmas tree.
Shot 23: Medium Long shot of hotel lobby. Pan right.
Shot 24: Long shot of car park. Pan right.
Shot 25: Medium long shot of presenter outside NHS building.
Shot 26: Medium long shot of presenter outside Digital Media Centre.
Shot 27: Medium shot of presenter/interviewer sat down.
Shot 28: Close up of councilor sat down.

Photo Storyboard

Location Photos

Storyboard

Topic Research

Barnsley Receives £15m To Regenerate Area

Future plans to regenerate the Dearne area of Barnsley have received a significant boost this week with the news that the Barnsley Housing Market Renewal Programme will receive almost £15 million between 2008 and 2011. Cabinet Spokesperson for Development Cllr Bill Newman, said: "This sustained level of funding demonstrates our commitment to the regeneration of the Dearne. We recognise that many public and private organisations have already been working hard with residents to lay the foundations for change.

New Barnsley Bus Station

Barnsley Bus Station was renamed and renovated in 2007, it was re-opened with a modern new look and an increase in size. It re-opened with many extras, it had newsagents such as GT News and places to eat such as Subway. It was also much more visually attractive when it re-opened and has a very colourful interior and exterior.

Types Of Documentary

Many different types of documentary's  tackle certain issues each within their own format. 
 

Fly on the wall documentary.
This medium is where the camera follows  people  around in there daily lives, giving the effect that you are actually with that person ,and the job they do daily for example Police officer, vet, doctor, airport worker and  solider. Seeing the difficulties they deal with on a daily basis.

Docu soap.
Another type of documentary which is similar to fly on the wall, but generally revolves around  following  an individual usually a celebrity. It is normally a part of a series with each episode showing the developments of the individual , and day to day incidents within their life or areas of expertise. For example Big Brother, Get Me Out Of Here,The Apprentice and Hells Kitchen. Some times referred to as reality TV.

Factual documentary.
This is about real events that are happening or that have happened giving detailed analysis and using a mix of old and new footage for example the world at war a documentary about the second world war using old clips and narration.

Docudrama.
A dramatised version of events that are real. The documentary may over exaggerate certain events especially if the events lack in evidence. The documentary itself will be based on real facts and will seek to expand on them for dramatisation. It may be set in a historical setting and involve real and fictional characters that have been put in to give the story more depth ,and edge. For example Band of Brothers, The Tudors and Seven Wonders of the Industrial World. e.g this documentary is based on real events.

                 

Gateway Plaza

The Gateway Plaza is located in the middle of Barnsley town centre, it was developed to help Barnsley evolve into a "new" city with modern day buildings and accommodations. The Gateway Plaza as a very unique modern look and would not look out of place in a modern day city. The building itself is very large and can be seen from miles away if not obstructed by anything else. Due to its large size it is able to house many different things within it, the Gateway Plaza features 188 luxury apartments, a Premier Inn Hotel, and an Health Centre

Barnsley College project

Transformed into

Funding for this project was delayed when the recession hit the country in 2008. After losing a few employees and college received the funding to complete the building. It was last project to be allowed before the Conservatives stopped the funds.

Topic Research: future development plans for Barnsley

This is the computer image of the planned development to take place at the location of the County Way car parks in the Barnsley town centre. The planned site includes a park, shops, flats and office space - providing work and housing for up to 200 people.


This is the virtual image for the planned development for the town precinct. The plan is to replace the market and most of the main street shops with a modern shopping centre with a wide ranger of shops and cafes. It will even have a car park.