Museum Documentary Film: The Making of The Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland
This Museum documentary film follows the creation of The Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland. The project is part of The Auckland Project, a visionary cultural regeneration initiative rooted in County Durham.
This film documents the journey from initial concept through architectural design, construction, object selection and installation, and into the reflections of artists, curators, and visitors who bring the space to life.
The Faith Museum is the first of its kind in the UK. Set within the grounds of Auckland Castle, it brings together archaeology, art, architecture, and lived belief. Beginning in the original Scotland Wing and expanding into a new sandstone-clad extension, the museum weaves historic and contemporary elements into a reflective visitor experience. This museum documentary film shows how belief, place, and design converge to tell a story far bigger than any one tradition.
A Building Shaped by Belief
The museum sits within one of the most historically sensitive sites in the North East. Nothing new had been built here since 1795. The architects and curators had to consider how to create a structure that would honour the site’s heritage while offering something new. The result is a space that feels both ancient and modern, with gable forms inspired by sacred architecture from Japan to Ireland.
The building uses Cork Crag sandstone from Otterburn in Northumberland. Its colour shifts subtly in different light, and its variation adds texture and interest. This museum documentary film captures the material up close, showing how the stone changes in tone and character as you move through the space. The design is minimal yet symbolic, offering a quiet stage for the objects and ideas held within.
How I Filmed It
My approach to this museum documentary film was grounded in simplicity and attentiveness. I filmed primarily on the Panasonic GH6, using available light and handheld methods to stay flexible during install days, object deliveries, and interviews. For tighter spaces and discreet detail shots, I also used the iPhone 15 Pro.
A key tool in this project was the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, which proved invaluable in enclosed situations where space was limited and expensive artworks were being handled. It allowed me to get smooth, wide establishing shots and “fake drone” perspectives without the disruption or risk of flying equipment indoors. This was especially helpful during the museum’s fit-out phase, where multiple contractors, technicians, and curators were working in close quarters and timing was everything.
As with many of my heritage films, I prioritised observational shooting. There’s no voiceover. The story is told by the people who built the museum, curated its content, designed its spaces, and now work with its visitors. The sound design blends natural ambience—footsteps, gallery echoes, the hiss of stone polishing—with thoughtful, reflective commentary.
Collections and Questions
The Faith Museum’s curators took a unique approach. Rather than telling people what to believe, the galleries ask visitors to consider three guiding questions: Am I alone? How do I live? Where do I belong? These themes appear throughout the galleries and are especially present in Gallery Four, where contemporary artists have created new works in response.
Many of the artefacts come from major institutions like the British Museum, the V&A, and National Museums Scotland and Wales. Others were found in the ground locally, through an archaeology programme that continues to shape the collection. This museum documentary film captures how these objects were chosen, prepared, and installed, revealing the care that goes into even the smallest detail.
A Space for Reflection
The film ends not with a grand unveiling, but with quiet visitor moments: volunteers walking through the galleries for the first time, people pausing in front of objects, conversations that linger in the air. The Faith Museum is a place that encourages reflection on belief—religious or otherwise—and this museum documentary film aims to mirror that feeling.
The project is also part of something wider. The Auckland Project continues to transform Bishop Auckland through cultural investment, heritage regeneration, and storytelling. This museum is now a key part of that story.
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https://alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-videos/heritage-films
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