PROJECT OVERVIEW

Uncovering the Secrets of an Egyptian Mummy and Coffin: The Quest to Restore Personhood is a 30-minute documentary produced for The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Developed over approximately six years, the film follows the Museum's effort to uncover the history of an approximately 4,000-year-old Egyptian mummy and coffin that had been part of its collection for generations.

Through Egyptology, CT imaging, forensic facial reconstruction, archival research, and interviews with specialists, the documentary explores how new evidence challenged longstanding assumptions about the remains. What was once believed to be the mummy of a male priest became the story of a woman named Ipy, while further research examined the history of the coffin associated with her remains.

Working alongside William Sarris as a producer, co-director, and post-production editor, I helped bring years of research and documentary footage together into a film centered on historical understanding, scientific discovery, and the restoration of personhood.

THE CHALLENGE

How do you turn years of scientific investigation, historical research, and changing discoveries into a documentary that audiences can understand and connect with?

The Barnum Museum's research involved multiple disciplines, expert perspectives, and processes that unfolded over several years. Some of the most important material documented work that could not easily be recreated, including medical imaging and forensic facial reconstruction.

The production also spanned the COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer of complexity to a project already developing over an extended period.

The editorial challenge was bringing together footage recorded at different stages, explaining complicated scientific findings, and creating a coherent narrative from material that hadn't all been produced at the same time.

Most importantly, the film needed to approach its subject with respect. The goal wasn't simply to reveal the secrets of an ancient artifact, but to help audiences understand the individual behind it.

THE APPROACH

The documentary grew from an ongoing effort to document the Museum's research as it happened.

One important component was a forensic facial reconstruction workshop at the New York Academy of Art, where specialist Larry N. "Joe" Mullins worked from a 3D-printed skull to create a lifelike reconstruction.

Working with William Sarris Productions, I helped document this process, capturing the stages of the reconstruction and the methods behind the work. The resulting footage became valuable both as standalone educational material and as part of the larger documentary.

The completed film incorporated this documentation alongside interviews with specialists, CT imaging, historical photographs, archival material, and research into the mummy and coffin.

In post-production, I worked to shape these different elements into a cohesive story, balancing scientific explanation with historical context and the human questions at the center of the investigation.

The objective was to make the research accessible without oversimplifying it, allowing viewers to follow the discoveries while understanding why they mattered.

MY ROLE

I served as a producer, co-director, and post-production editor, working alongside co-director William Sarris and The Barnum Museum's curatorial and leadership team.

My responsibilities included documentary storytelling, production documentation, and shaping the completed film through editing and post-production.

I worked with expert interviews, forensic reconstruction footage, medical imaging, and historical material to establish a clear narrative structure across footage gathered over multiple years.

My editing contributions included selecting and organizing source material, developing narrative sequences, balancing technical explanations with personal context, and refining pacing and visual storytelling.

I also contributed to documenting the forensic facial reconstruction process, creating footage that could serve the larger documentary and additional museum programming.

The production was a collaborative effort involving William Sarris Productions and The Barnum Museum team, including Adrienne Saint-Pierre and Kathleen Maher, whose contributions helped guide the research, interpretation, and institutional goals of the project.

THE OUTCOME

The completed 30-minute documentary gave The Barnum Museum a substantial educational resource that extended the reach of its research beyond the physical collection.

Rather than presenting scientific findings in isolation, the film connected medical imaging, historical investigation, and forensic reconstruction into a story about recovering the identity of someone who lived thousands of years ago.

In 2023, the documentary was selected for the New Haven Documentary Film Festival (NHdocs), where it screened for a documentary audience and was followed by a discussion with members of the production team.

In 2024, the project received two Telly Awards:

- Silver — Documentary, Short Form
- Bronze — Museums & Galleries

The film also continued to reach audiences through community programming, including a screening and public discussion at Bridgeport's historic Bijou Theatre.

That event brought together Museum supporters, community members, and the production team, while also supporting the Museum's fundraising and restoration efforts.

For The Barnum Museum, the documentary became more than a record of research. It provided a way to share discoveries, support public interpretation, engage audiences, and preserve years of institutional work.

For other museums, historical organizations, and cultural institutions, the project demonstrates how thoughtful documentary production can turn complex research and conservation initiatives into compelling stories with lasting educational value.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

2023 — Official Selection

New Haven Documentary Film Festival (NHdocs)

Uncovering the Secrets of an Egyptian Mummy and Coffin: The Quest to Restore Personhood

2024 — Silver Telly Award

Documentary — Short Form

Uncovering the Secrets of an Egyptian Mummy and Coffin

2024 — Bronze Telly Award

Museums & Galleries

Uncovering the Secrets of an Egyptian Mummy and Coffin

These honors recognize the collaborative work of The Barnum Museum, William Sarris Productions, and the filmmakers and specialists who contributed to the documentary.

RELATED WORK

The documentary developed from a broader effort to document and interpret the Museum's Egyptian collection.

Related projects include a short film documenting the forensic facial reconstruction process, behind-the-scenes coverage of the research, the documentary's NHdocs festival screening, and its subsequent public presentation at the Bijou Theatre.

Together, these projects illustrate how sustained documentary work can produce multiple forms of educational content, extending the value of the original research across exhibitions, public programming, digital platforms, and institutional archives.