Recording Commentary

Today, we finalised our commentary, making any last minute changes to the writing. We added in some more description and here is the final script for it. As Darren is the only person talking, we just typed out each sentence as it is with descriptions of the shot that will be accompany them next to it in brackets. This will help us during editing so we know when to add the commentary at certain points in the edit. Like the script, we wanted the commentary to be quite formal but friendly and inviting at the same time so that the audience would engage in the documentary. Today we recorded the commentary with Darren in the studio using the Pro tools 10 software to do so. This is a piece of advanced recording equipment which was necessary to get good quality sound so that the commentary would be clear and uninterrupted. The recording went well, we took several takes to get a variety of options to choose from when editing and to get the best possible quality. We took it in turns to listen with the headphones to assess volume and interruption. 

- Welcome to Doddington Place Gardens in Kent - (Wide shot of lake)

- I’m here today to meet some fascinating birds of prey - (Darren walks into frame) 

- The picturesque landscape at Doddington is set in the grounds of a Victorian mansion, abundant with many plants and wildlife that stretches 10 acres of land (House shot)

- The Hawking Centre is the main attraction here at Doddington with the falconry experiences proving to be a hit with the public - (sign and hawking centre)

- Home to many birds including owls, falcons and vultures - (clips of birds) 

- I will be meeting Jo, the owner, to find out about what goes on here at the Hawking Centre - (action gvs)

- Here at the Hawking centre they train all of the birds to fly for the falconry experiences. I’ve been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to be the first person to see Irena fly.  (Shot of Irena) 

- Julie is a falconer here at the Hawking Centre, she takes care of many different birds of prey. I’m about to meet the youngest vulture. (Julie’s intro) 

- I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to hold Morticia - (flying shot)

- The birds are all fed dependant on their weight. Morticia here, gets three chicks a day - (Morticia wandering around)

- The chicks come from an egg farming company that donates them to the Hawking Centre instead of disposing of them - (Morticia feeding) 

- Vultures aren’t always able to get a regular supply of food in the wild, we spoke to Julie about the common threats they are facing - (Morticia feeding) 

- Vulpro, a vulture conservation charity based in Africa are working hard to educate local farmers about these endangered creatures. - (Vulpro website) 

- In order to support the charity, people are able to purchase wristbands, t-shirts and other merchandise to raise money and spread awareness. (Wristband shot) 

- Vultures were critically endangered in the wild, however, with the good work Vulpro have been carrying out through education and captive breeding programmes, the vultures numbers that were so badly hit are now slowly turning around (gvs)