A conservation project almost 10 years in the making, Zamani is set to become
the basis for a new documentary series, complete with top-of-the-line 3D image
technology.
The Zamani Project is a mission dedicated to documenting heritage sites across
Africa. For almost 10 years the Zamani team, comprising only four academics
from the University of Cape Town, has crisscrossed Africa, documenting
previously almost unknown or unheard of heritage sites, using cutting-edge
technology.
When Jac Williams, co-owner of production company Man Makes a Picture
(MMaP), heard about this exceptional labour of dedication and love, led by
Emeritus Professor Heinz Ruther, he knew that the project would make for a
groundbreaking documentary television series.
“I was amazed by the detailed historical studies and even more so by the
cutting-edge, 3D laser scanning technology and stunning 3D visual imagery
created by the Zamani team,’ says producer and director Williams who co-owns
the Cape Town-based production company with editor, head of post and director
Jacques le Roux.
Unique to Africa
“I instantly knew that this whole concept of mapping and study was unique,
more so unique to Africa. Aside from the journey back in time and the “wow’
factor that the imagery will create, I hope that Zamani will instill a sense of
cultural heritage awareness and pride in all people under the African sun,’
Williams comments.
The Zamani Project, which has been selected for the official programme of the
World Design Capital Cape Town 2014 will be officially launched in July at the
Iziko Castle of Good Hope where MMaP will introduce their project and invite a
number of heritage specialists to discuss the importance of awareness and
conservation of our sub-Saharan African heritage in a bid to find funding for
filming the series.
Series runner, Joanna Tomkins, says that The Zamani Project is looking for
financial support from international broadcasters and private investors. “The
series’ profile is suited for channels such as National Geographic or Discovery, as
well as a public broadcaster with slots available for one-hour historical, human
interest or travel documentary series. We have already funded a 15-minute pilot,
which will be produced within the next three months. With that tool in our
hands, the production should move forward in leaps and bounds.’
Extraordinary visual journey
The series will primarily be broadcast in 2016, it will be shot 4K with two cameras
for a total of six months, over a period of 12 months in Ethiopia, Sudan,
Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania and
Mozambique. Each episode will include an average of four specialised experts
(local and international) who will come on site, plus the Zamani team and local
residents.
Adds Williams: “The content is absolutely fantastic. It is informative and takes
the viewer on a visual journey never experienced in the world of television.
Zamani explores lost worlds and brings them to life in viewers’ living rooms.
There is never a dull moment, with multiple new and exciting sites in each
episode, based around central themes such as the gold trade or the slave
trade.’
According to Tomkins, research work is the motivation for the sites that are to be
visited in the series. “We have selected a number of sites for each episode
based on their diversity and interest and will follow the team as they “discover’
the sites. They will introduce the other storylines that are included in the series’
concept, such as history and discussions of architecture, conservation and
society, incorporating, for example, 3D models and virtual tours of the
monuments, as well as interaction with the experts studying and working on
these sites and also with the local residents.’
Along with Ruther, the other team members are Roshan Burtha, Ralph Schroder
and Stephen Wessels who will provide the primary site investigation and the 3D
archive for the documentary series.
Extensive 3D archive
These skilled scientists have ensured that the existing Zamani database
provides millions of polygon points which have been scanned with laser scanners
on the one hand, and close range photographs of all the textures of the
buildings on the other. For the purpose of broadcast, an overall texture for the
models that have been selected will be created by using a small number of these
photos, as they do not require the accuracy that an archeologist would require.
Adds Tomkins: “We would film video “walk-throughs’ or “walk-arounds’, which can
then be created identically with the 3D models. Then the 3D models will take us
to a further level including “fly-throughs’, “fly-overs’, x-ray scans, plans, sections,
and so forth.’
She continues: “The most challenging task is that we’ve decided to include the
“recreation’ of a number of scenes within the sites which will require original
research animation and modeling pertaining to the decoration and lifestyle of the
times.
“The Zamani Project documents Africa within Africa and promotes conservation in
the future through a time travel to the past and a fascinating adventure in the
presence of these sites and these countries,’ concludes Tomkins.
