Project Environment:
The Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities commissioned KATAKORYFO SMPC to produce a digital documentary and a promotional spot within the framework of the project “Metallon Topoi – Crossroads of Culture in the Eastern Mediterranean”, with the acronym METALLON TOPOI, funded by the Interreg V-A Greece – Cyprus 2014-2020 Cross-Border Cooperation Programme.
The project aims to highlight cross-border cultural heritage, focusing on the archaeometallurgical activity of the Western Cyclades and the community of Asgata in Cyprus, areas of significant but little-known technological heritage over 3,500 years old. The project contributes to promoting sustainable cultural tourism, the protection and presentation of historical and technological remains, and strengthening the scientific documentation and cultural dissemination of these regions.
The project consortium includes the Lead Beneficiary, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, the Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities, the Municipality of Sifnos, the Archaeology Research Unit of the University of Cyprus, and the Community of Asgata, Cyprus. This composition ensures scientific expertise, local participation, and cross-border cooperation, enhancing the dissemination and implementation of best practices for preserving cultural heritage and creating sustainable tourism products.
The project was implemented with the goal of producing a digital documentary presenting geo-archaeological and archaeometallurgical sites and a promotional spot suitable for television and online distribution. The narration was in both Greek and English, with filming taking place in Serifos, Kythnos, Sifnos, and Asgata. The documentary includes reconstructions of ancient metal production techniques, personal testimonies of the last living miners, and ethnographic material, while the promotional spot focuses on promoting the Western Cyclades as a cultural and tourist destination.
Project Scope:
KATAKORYFO SMPC undertook the full implementation of the project, including scriptwriting, directing, filming, post-production, and delivery of the final outputs. Filming was conducted with cinema cameras and DSLRs with interchangeable lenses, battery-powered lighting for indoor shooting, and stabilization equipment such as sliders, 3-axis gimbals, and drones. Audio recording included wireless lavalier microphones and a directional boom pole with wind protection.
Post-production involved editing, color grading, image composition, special effects, integration of sound effects and music, as well as the creation of the promotional spot. The final outputs were delivered in 4K digital format (3840x2160 pixels) QuickTime and Apple ProRes, with additional delivery in H264 4K and HD formats, and 300 DVD copies of the documentary were produced.
The production was carried out with full technical support and professional equipment, ensuring high aesthetic quality, accurate documentation, and consistency between the documentary and the promotional spot.
The project was successfully completed, producing a high-quality digital documentary and promotional spot that highlight the historical, technological, and cultural significance of the regions, while also providing cultural, educational, and tourism benefits.
KATAKORYFO SMPC contribution was pivotal for the scientific documentation, protection, and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Western Cyclades and Asgata, leveraging its expertise in high-quality audiovisual production and supporting the objectives of the METALLON TOPOI project at both local and international levels.