Student film tells archaeological dig story

A student film offering a unique perspective of the Reading-led excavation of a lost Anglo-Saxon monastery will be presented by the University at a festival next month.

A joint project between our Film, Theatre and Television and Archaeology departments allowed Film students to capture footage during the latest Archaeology Field School in Cookham, Berkshire, in summer 2023.

The resulting film, titled ‘Thames at Cookham', will now be shown at the Cookham Cultural Festival on Sunday 5 May 2024. The archaeology showcase will also feature a panel discussion where Professor Gabor Thomas, Director of the Cookham excavations, and other members of the project team, will share findings form the dig and answer questions. Booking is required.

Find out more about what the Cookham Archaeology Field School is uncovering in our news story and on the Cookham excavations webpage.

Film explores community engagement

Two final year Film students – Charlie Severs and Kyle Johnson – joined last summer’s Field School dig, near Maidenhead, with the brief of showcasing how the excavation weaves together archaeological research, community engagement, and local geography and history.

Gabor said: “The impetus behind the film collaboration was to draw connections between our excavation and the flourishing cultural scene in Cookham, which builds on the legacy of Stanley Spencer and other artists who have been inspired by its natural beauty and rich heritage as an ancient crossing-point of the River Thames.”

The film project was run through our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP). The scheme allows undergraduate students to get involved in real research led by Reading academics to enhance their skills and experience, while simultaneously providing valuable support for the researchers leading the work.

Adam O’Brien, the Film, Theatre and Television lecturer supervising the film project, said: “From my perspective, I was keen for the students to apply their knowledge of experimental documentary to filming the dig.

“The students gained valuable experience not only in the technical production, but also the 'soft skills' required to communicate and collaborate with many different groups and individuals. This is a significant step in the students' career development, and a hugely impressive feature of their professional portfolios.”

Developing skills

The finished 17-minute film explores the theme of community within the Cookham area, covering both the archaeological excavation and the legacy of late Cookham-born painter Stanley Spencer.

The students spent time meeting Cookham locals, learning about the different jobs, people and facts that go into creating the community of an archaeological dig site, as well as exploring the Stanley Spencer Gallery and the local Cookham Arts Club.

Charlie said: “We found no trouble capturing Cookham's beauty and calm atmosphere as the river runs throughout the film’s narrative as it does through Cookham itself.

“It was not only an opportunity for us to develop our own documentary making skills in an experimental style, but we both had an amazing experience delving into all these different communities who embraced and constantly helped us along the way.”

Image 1: Stills from the student film, showing Cookham's modern day church and artistic scenes from the village.
Image 2: Charlie Severs filming at the excavation.
Image 3: Kyle Johnson captures footage during the filming.