In 1997, film scholar Gordon Hitchens was in Saudi Arabia as a film consultant for the Saudi government on a series of six documentaries. He also assisted in the initial stages of production, including preliminary writing and stock footage research. These films, calculated to introduce Saudi Arabia abroad, were part of a 50-year plan for construction of a National Museum, archival and preservation facilities and a parks system. Hitchens commented, "I intend to assist for the entire 50 years."