Making The Daniel Project - pt 2
Further information and responses to misinformation.
What is The Daniel Project?
Overview
The Daniel Project is a 90 minute feature length television documentary that was developed by Scottish film production company Studio Scotland Ltd starting in 2001 completed in 2010 and released in 2011. The main theme of the documentary is an investigation into claims that the Bible contains information that foretells future events (prophecy) and, in particular, centred in and around the nation of Israel.
As the documentary was being developed, over several years it garnered interest from a number of television networks and distributors at various television festivals. However, financial support and co-production was offered only if the production company making the documentary (Studio Scotland Ltd) agreed to alterations and additions to the storyline. The producers (Stewart & Deborah Menelaws) rejected interference that would change the purpose of the documentary's message.
At a meeting with Deborah (Producer) in England in 2008, CEO Tim Sparke of Mercury Media International, agreed to acquire and distribute the documentary without interference to the storyline, although disagreements would later arise as the film drew attention from a number of networks wanting changes made before agreeing to lease it - NB You don't actually sell a film, it is licensed to a broadcaster for 2 or 3 years - although the expression used amongst professionals is that you 'sold' it.
Whilst a re-edit would bring greater financial rewards, the producers would not agree to the changes as this would alter its storyline. As the film could not get financial support without this interference, the production was fully and personally funded by Stewart and Deborah Menelaws and their media company, Studio Scotland Ltd. There was no external funding from any other parties.
Who Produced The Daniel Project?
Stewart and Deborah Menelaws began the ground work for The Daniel Project documentary around 2001 which was finally completed by the end of 2010 and was based on their previous work, Cup of Trembling - countdown to Armageddon (1996).
Director / Producer / Camera / Writer / Editor: Stewart Menelaws
Producer / Researcher / Writer / Interviewer: Deborah Forrest-Menelaws
Audio Recorder / Assistant Camera: Keith Elman
Second Camera (Extras DVD interview): Andrew Graham
Distributor: Mercury Media International (2010-2015)
Distributor: Journeyman Pictures (2015 onwards)
Media Lawyers: Gateley International
Media Insurance: Allan Chapman & James / QEB Insurance (Europe)
Content license agreements: Various
Who Conceived and Created The Daniel Project?
The storyline was created by Stewart and Deborah to follow an overview of biblical eschatological or end-time events following television network formatting and protocol at that time. There was no outside collaboration with any other individuals or organisations other than the completed work was academically reviewed by a notable scholar, at Exeter University, to inspect for inaccuracies regarding theological and historical content.
Who Financed The Daniel Project?
As the film could not get financial support from broadcasters or co-production without interference of the storyline, the production was personally and fully funded by Stewart and Deborah Menelaws and their Media Company Studio Scotland Ltd. There was no outside funding from any other parties.
Who Distributes The Daniel Project?
The film was initially picked-up around 2008 by CEO Tim Sparke of Mercury Media International, a distribution company specialising in documentaries whom Deborah met on several occasions at film festivals in Toronto, Cannes and the UK. When the film was completed around the end of 2010, a formal contract was signed and the distributor began presenting the documentary to international outlets from 2011.
Around 2015, the CEO of Mercury Media International became terminally ill and the company went into receivership, owing royalty payments to a large number of production companies. Journeyman Pictures took over some of the assets of Mercury Media International and, in keeping with previous contractual agreements, acquired The Daniel Project.
Where Was The Daniel Project Filmed?
For the first section of shooting, presenter Jeremy Hitchen was filmed in the voice-over booth around 2006 at Studio Scotland in the UK. All the scenes in Israel were filmed on location by Studio Scotland in 2009 covering Jerusalem and the Negev desert. An Israeli official spent time interviewing Deborah in London and was pleased with what he learned, opening many doors in that country to gain access to some difficult places and arranged interviews with both the PM and President.
A number of other interviews were conducted in London where a suite was hired and converted into a studio over a period of days. Presenter Jeremy Hitchen was finally filmed in a relaxed atmosphere at the home of Stewart and Deborah Menelaws, which included asking questions of the Bible contributor to be included in the Extras.
The Daniel Project and Misinformation
In the world of film making, stories and myths arise for all kinds of reasons and to quote: "if you repeat a lie often enough - people will believe it is true." Since the release of this TV documentary, the unregulated world of social media has become rich in mis- and dis- information. Here are a few facts about this film and the people who made it.
The Daniel Project is a Religious Film (True or False)
False: The Daniel Project is a television documentary, its promotional trailer was first shown at the Cannes Film Festival (from 2006) in a bid to attract an international distributor. The film's message is simply to ask, "Are we here by chance or design and does the Biblical record hold information that claims to outline our beginning and end?" or put more simply Are we living in the "end times"?
The Daniel Project is a Christian DVD (True or False)
False: The production is not a 'DVD' but a documentary film made for TV. In accordance with the contract signed with Mercury Media International, Studio Scotland were allowed to self-finance a short run of DVDs to help promote the film within faith based groups since it highlighted biblical topics of importance.
The actual film itself never became a commercial DVD sold by secular retailers. However, a leading DVD distribution outlet did want it but asked for it to be edited to suit a wider market. This would have compromised the storyline and therefore the directors, Stewart and Deborah Menelaws refused which, in turn, caused the talks with Mercury Media International and the DVD distributor to break down.
The limited edition DVD (special cut) version was financed solely by Stewart and Deborah Menelaws and Studio Scotland Ltd which would include the production of DVDs in other language versions - a very expensive exercise - and giveaways for various Christian charities.
The Daniel Project was financed by Religious Organisations (True or False)
False: All legal records show that Stewart & Deborah Menelaws personally funded the production of this documentary in its entirety. This includes all DVD products and marketing materials.
Did someone else write The Daniel Project? (True or False)
False: Misguided followers of one of the contributors interviewed for the film (James Aloysius Prasch who calls himself 'Jacob' Prasch) have erroneously promoted the documentary as something written and produced by Mr Prasch himself. This, of course, is false. Mr Prasch was a contributor and came to Israel to be filmed on location whilst visiting his son there. Production records are clear regarding the producers and writers which is a legal requirement. That is Stewart and Deborah Menelaws.
Film and television production is a regulated industry that requires a full record of production content and includes release forms, various contract agreements and licenses, permits, insurance, clearances and financial information. Studio Scotland Ltd has a complete record from development through to final edit and production delivery masters. Under no circumstances was any third party involved in the writing of this documentary.
The Daniel Project was not filmed on location (True or False)
False: As can be clearly seen from within the film and outlined in its credits, the production team spent ten days in Israel filming from Jerusalem to the Negev Dessert in the south.
The Daniel Project does not give a full account of the Bible (True or False)
True: Yes, but it’s not intended to! The best way to understand this film is to understand it in the light of why it was made, to ask questions, to provoke discussion about our origins and explore whether the Bible holds answers to life’s deepest questions. In short the film, at the time of production, had to meet the rules and regulations set out for broadcast production which had a bearing on what could and could not be presented.
The Daniel Project was only made to make money (True or False)
False: This is a misleading statement. Whilst the directors financed the project themselves, the film was made from a passion to share Biblical accounts regarding our existence. Here is a quote given by director Stewart Menelaws -
“We didn’t make it for financial reasons although, clearly, we need to see some return to recoup costs and also to be honourable to the organisations who supported us to go to Cannes and other events to meet distributors thereby bringing tax revenue into the country (UK). While a worker is worth his wages, we funded this project because it means something to us personally. If your project can pay for itself, that’s great, if it can actually turn a profit, that’s even better because then you can invest in another project you are passionate about. Only misguided, stupid people could ever think the goal could be about making money. How ridiculous! The topics that make money are in another camp altogether…”
The Daniel Project does not give the gospel salvation message (True or False)
True: It’s a television documentary about some of the claims regarding Bible prophecy. When the production was made, there were strict guidelines in regard to religious proselytisation which it had to abide by. This is the reason the producers managed to procure an agreement with the distributor, allowing them to make a special cut DVD with further information (extras) to help people in regard to Christian faith and the Gospel message. This extras content has been freely aired on internet based sites and at least one cable television channel. Secular TV networks have no interest in the extra content.
It was sold to Hollywood and China to stop the gospel from being preached (True or False)
False: NO...it was not made at Paramount Studios or in Hollywood or sold to either of them or to China. It's easy to despair at the complete lack of common sense shown by gullible individuals. The Daniel Project was produced by a Scottish production company and distributed by an English distribution company and can be seen internationally on numerous digital channels including Amazon Prime TV.
If you have a question or are looking for clarification on this production then do Just drop us an email