Archaeological Documentaries from Scratch - Recording and Presentation of a Research Project

Till F. Sonnemann, University of Bamberg

The visual documentation of an archaeological research project is often not included in the project proposal’s finances. Data collection is focussed on, and mostly limited to, academic research. However, there is an urge by publicly backed projects to reflect and present the outcome, to address the non-scientific audience, and raising interest in the topic. The costs often prevent the archaeologists working with professional media specialists. In the here presented case of documenting archaeological surveys of the Nexus1492.eu project, data collection started, as so often randomly, with drone video shots, recorded for 3D-photogrammetry in 2014. Together with additional video recordings a set of short narrated videos were produced. The positive response from local screenings led to more sophisticated short films, new scripting and recording of footage, and interviews with team members and local stakeholders. A sensitive subject for filmmakers were topics such as looting or development threatening archaeological sites, raising questions regarding personal rights and source protection. A next step is to organize a seminar in which archaeology and communication students will together create short video clips on particular topics in archaeology. Questions to discuss in the talk are: Whom are we addressing with this video? What is the story we want to tell, and how can we achieve this? What should we record? What software provides the needed functions? What platforms are useful to give the public access to these stories? How can we reach a larger audience? What rights and laws need to be considered when presenting the film online?