Discovery Journey -- The End of an Ancient City

Author: CCTV Discovery Column Team
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: "Discovery Journey" reveals various scientific contents with a scientific attitude and perspective. The term "discovery" does not mean a superficial or fleeting presentation of new scenes or ideas, but rather an objective and in-depth exploration of the scientific significance behind the surface, allowing readers not only to know one aspect but also the other, truly experiencing the charm of discovery. Discovery itself is a process, and this book will use a combination of real records and recreations to let the audience feel the rigor and joy of pursuing and exploring the unknown world. Over the past two years, "Discovery Journey" has won more than 30 domestic and international awards, nearly all the major domestic documentary awards. The documentary model pioneered by "Discovery Journey" has become the imitation target for many domestic documentary columns, and some peers have even called this phenomenon "the Science-Entertainment Phenomenon." As the mother program, Beijing Science Education Film Studio has a 45-year history of producing science and education films, having produced over 1,400 such films, with more than 100 of them winning domestic and international awards. Today, the studio has over 300 science and education film production staff with intermediate and senior professional titles, providing more than 300 hours of science and education programs to CCTV each year, with excellent works continuously entering international mainstream markets for distribution and broadcast. All of this proves that the success of a program is not accidental. In today's highly competitive media landscape with ever-changing formats, "Discovery Journey" has taken a unique path to success—it is the perfect combination of the right team + passion + effort. Let's call this a secret for now. This book is one of them.
"Discovery Journey" reveals various scientific contents with a scientific attitude and perspective. The term "discovery" does not mean a superficial or fleeting presentation of new scenes or ideas, but rather an objective and in-depth exploration of the scientific significance behind the surface, allowing readers not only to know one aspect but also the other, truly experiencing the charm of discovery. Discovery itself is a process, and this book will use a combination of real records and recreations to let the audience feel the rigor and joy of pursuing and exploring the unknown world.
What kind of program is "Discovery Journey," or where does its value lie? First and foremost, a program should realize its artistic value. Compared to other programs, "Discovery Journey" has very distinct characteristics. Its appeal lies in its emphasis on storytelling. It starts with a story, then connects the events leading up to it, and finally reveals the scientific key to solving the mystery. Here, knowledge is pushed into the background, with stories driving the knowledge and science being integrated into the plot to achieve the goal of education through entertainment. This entertaining creative approach is not our invention, but we were indeed pioneers in science programs in China.
Second, the media value of the program. A good program, one with artistic value, inevitably carries the role of education and publicity. Education and publicity can take many forms—shouting loudly and directly, or calmly and objectively spreading the spirit of science. We chose the latter.
Third, the social value of the program. At this level, it reflects more of a cognitive value. Science itself is a clearly stated attitude—seeking truth, being practical, and being realistic. It gradually imparts the spirit and attitude of science to the audience, naturally leading to the of social value. And this, I believe, is precisely what is missing in our national spirit today.