Another update:
So, I flew in to DC early morning yesterday, and went straight to the Museum for filming. We were at it all day until after 5:00, and it was exhausting. Who knew that there was so much standing around on a live set?
Anyhow, The PBS people managed to get ahold of a demo model of the new Keyence VHX-6000 digital microscope for the day. That was awesome. (This microscope can produce 3D models at 2000x magnification of specimens, and take precise measurements). The first part of the day was them getting footage of me working on fragments in the lab, and discussing various structures on a few of them that indicated they are probably forgeries. The second part had me in an interview, where I responded to questions about my research and told stories about the Dead Sea Scrolls, the antiquities markets and forgeries.
For about two hours in the afternoon we went up from the lab (which is in the second basement) onto the fourth floor where their Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit is located. This was super awkward as they directed me and filmed me walking around the museum floor, looking at display cases (I had to practically press my face almost straight against the glass in some shots—very weird), and entering and leaving the building.
The Museum itself is a very impressive place. It is HUGE, and while they don't have a lot of variety in artefacts, they have a number of very nice pieces, interesting pieces, and the design is top notch. There are tonnes of touch screens all over the place with. interactive exhibits which are pretty cool—I will see more today, as I have. lighter day of work ahead of me.
By way of popular request, I wore my black Flames T-Shirt with a very under spoken Flames logo for the duration of filming. It was funny, because as soon as we started the director noticed the shirt and asked me if it was intentional. I said "Absolutely." He then wondered aloud to one of the producers if this would cause a copyright issue, or if they needed to contact the Flames, or if I should change. Thankfully, they let me keep the shirt on. The director told me—"If you were wearing a Yankees shirt it would be a completely different story." (I also managed to sneak in an "Edmonton is no good" declaration, but I doubt it will be included in the film.)
Sadly, I didn't get any pictures, but the film should be worth watching when it airs.
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