A four-person film production crew (top) lead by two Harvard professors are digitally capturing several major Site missions as part of a documentary on the DOE complex. The crew (bottom) was most interested in how transuranic waste is processed, packaged and transported to New Mexico for long-term storage. The crew is shown here filming a TRU PAC 2 shipment preparing to leave the Site from E Area.

Harvard University Film Crew Features SRS in DOE Complex Documentary

AIKEN, S.C. — August 25, 2011 - A four-person film production crew lead by two Harvard professors are digitally capturing several major Site missions as part of a documentary on the DOE complex. They arrived Monday and concluded their production activities Wednesday afternoon.

"Most people don't understand the complexities of what is being accomplished around the DOE complex," said Peter Galison, Professor, Harvard University. "We're trying to give a balanced perspective so our audience can make their own decisions as to the value of the various DOE missions and any potential threats posed by these sites all over the country."

The two Harvard professors, who are also the producers and directors, are focusing on work being performed at several SRS areas and processes, such as H Canyon, SREL, H Tank Farm, Saltstone, SWPF, DWPF, and TRU waste processing.

SRNS Public Affairs Specialist DT Townsend noted that the crew took an interest in our impressive records and awards regarding safety and the efficiency of our operations. "They also seemed to be overwhelmed with the incredible variety of missions at SRS and its sheer size. To them, SRS is a microcosm, a perfect example of the complexity of the DOE complex as a whole," said Townsend. "One of the producers commented that the operations conducted by SRNS and the other contractors merited a documentary in and of itself."

The Harvard film crew has already visited the Waste Isolation Pilot Project in Carlsbad, NM, and is considering a visit to Hanford as their next location.

"We've completed three films over the last seven years," said Galison. "I really don't know when we will complete this one. It may easily be sometime next summer."

The last film produced by this partnership was entitled "Secrecy," and took an inside look into how secrecy is used throughout the U.S. Federal Government.

Typically, the target audience for each film is the educational community, though their films have also aired on television.