archiCULTURE
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overview
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Archiculture is a documentary that captures five diverse students in a single studio at one university throughout the entirety of their thesis project. The film will convey a mere sliver of time, wholly representative of the experience to create a student’s paramount work. The footage will illustrate the range of emotions and process of this extremely intense period at the conclusion of an academic career. It is our goal for the documentary to possess educational, entertaining, realistic and inspiring qualities in response to the dynamic world these students cross.


storyline Click the image above to view a blown up jpg version.




david and ian The profession of architecture deals with the design of spaces for people. As an architect you study how people interact and respond to space in order to provide a better understanding of the spaces you yourself create. Archiculture is a documentation of this study which happens to capture Architecture students and their interactions with one another within the studio environment.

The idea came about early into my fourth year of study as a student of Landscape Architecture. I was on pace for early graduation and had completed all of my required design studios. I opted to take a graduate studio as an elective course. It was my first glance at the studio environment as an "outsider". I instantly realized how amazing the process was and how wonderful of a story it was. My classmates and I had always struggled to convey to others why we dedicated so much time and energy to our creative studies. We were never able to successfully explain how unique the studio setting was. It is here where my interest in documentaries collided with my captivation with this architectural process.

We have since evolved and elaborated on this idea to ensure that the integrity of the story and studio process is preserved. The film is merely a mirror of this process and aims to reveal two things. The act of sacrificing certain aspects of one's live to strive for a goal fueled by dedication and the desire to succeed. The second goals is to shed some light on the profession of Architecture and tell the little known story of the road to becoming an Architect.



student critique Tapping their feet and chewing pencils, five students nervously await the outcome of five tumultuous years of intense labor. In moments, they will hear from their committee of professors as to the final decision of their senior thesis projects. The documentary Archiculture follows these five students and their struggles over the course of their final semester at a university to complete their projects, which are the manifestations of years of hard work, stress and, ultimately, success.

As a film, Archiculture captures the turbulent final semester for five unique architecture students as they struggle and succeed in this rigorous program. The documentary focuses primarily on the diverse characters, each with a strong personality, as well as their interactions with friends and faculty, and the projects they are creating. In an environment where students spend multiple days in a row locked inside the studio, often with only a toothbrush and design supplies, dramatic interactions are commonplace. The audience gets an in-depth look into this creative yet competitive process and the conflicts that arise from immersing oneself into the passionate pursuit of academic achievement.



thesis process
After four years of study, Bachelor of Architecture students embark upon a final project known as the thesis. The subject matter for this design problem predominantly comes from within each individual student to create the greatest potential connection with the design. The student proceeds to digest any and all information available regarding their design problem. These can range from the green roofing of a historic structure, to spatial explorations of a live/work residence, to the material qualities of architectural skins. Through the guidance of their chosen advisors, ranging from seasoned professionals, to theoretical academics, the student constructs a design problem in the form of a program. The program acts as the framework for which they design an architectural form.

The entire fall semester is spent researching and writing to create the program, with brief explorations into conceptual design. The film will open at the beginning of the spring semester when the serious design begins in ernest. The five month term is broken into successive critiques where each student showcases their progression and endures intense questioning from their advisors and peers. The thesis ends with the final presentation. This is where the film will conclude at the climatic rush to produce the last minute details to their academic careers.



pratt institute
courtesy of the Pratt Institute website
Through an extensive search process and months of communications we have found the perfect host program in Pratt Institute. We feel it will facilitate the greatest potential for our vision of this film and the story which we are attempting to bring to light.

“The School of Architecture’s mission is to educate the future leaders of the design disciplines in the professional fields of architecture, urban design, city and regional planning, construction and facilities management, and historic preservation. This effort builds upon a strong context of professional education within an art and design institute that stresses the relationship between intellectual development and creative activity. The school provides a broad cultural and intellectual base in the liberal arts and sciences, while providing the specialized knowledge unique to individual disciplines. The importance of lifelong learning is emphasized through studio-based curricula and research-oriented thesis programs.”
from the 2007-2008 Pratt Institute Undergraduate Bulletin





The core audience of Archiculture includes students, professors, and professionals associated with the field of architecture (i.e. graphic designers, urban planners, artists, engineers, developers, and landscape architects). The dramatic storyline, along with engaging characters, will entertain and embrace the general public as they become emotionally involved in the struggles and successes of these charismatic young students. The high-pressure situations and passionate students are reminiscent of the award-wining documentary Spellbound, which showcases highly determined children and their dedication to become a National Spelling Bee champion. A diverse audience ranging from an adolescent interested in the profession of architecture to the parent or grandparent of a current college student has interest in this story. Each demographic can relate to an aspect of this documentary, whether it is the overall challenges faced by college students, the social issues examined in the film, or the role of architecture in society.



mobile theater
For the five months of production our cameras and crew will be in front of thousands of college students and professors. The film will begin to reach out to our core audience with a sneak preview tour featuring a customized mobile theater. As this tour crosses the country moving from universities to film festivals, a vast audience of students, professors and professionals will have early access to the film. This will result in significant face-to-face interaction creating one-on-one marketing opportunities between the film and its audience. The ensuing theatrical distribution and DVD sales will permit the film to reach a greater domestic audience as well as international viewers.



rural studio @
courtesy of the Rural Studio website of Auburn University
The film engages various interest groups within the greater architectural community and educates the general public about the nuances of the architecture profession. The story also reveals the uncelebrated impact of architecture on society and how the profession can act as a civic service. This is accomplished both through interviews with architecture professionals, as well as the students’ thesis projects which will bring to light a broad range of issues such as low income housing, the ethics of design, the cultural impact of architecture and sustainable design. The film also uses the main characters to examine the disproportion of gender and minorities within the architecture profession. The filmmakers are discussing with organizations such as the National Organization of Minority Architects and the Association for Women in Architecture in hopes that the film will spur discussion and help facilitate change.



film green
To explore environmentally sensitive alternatives throughout the entire filmmaking process that are sustaining to this project's needs.




The directors of Archiculture, David Krantz and Ian Harris, are both recent architecture school graduates who, upon completion of their own theses, entered the design profession. Their personal connection to the subject matter enables them to successfully explore the nuances of the thesis process and address contemporary topics associated with the profession of architecture.



2006.01 - David and Ian meet at an office in San Francisco
2006.03 - David shares idea with Ian
2006.07 - David and Ian meet Henry Kim of Empty Kingdom Media
2006.08-12 -Team takes classes with Empty Kingdom
2007.03 - Team wins Short Film Award for Released
2007.08 - Arbuckle Industries is formed
2007.09 - Travel to visit potential host schools
2007.10 - Finalize school selection
2007.11 - David and Ian leave their jobs in San Francisco
2007.12 - Cross country road trip to move to New York
2008.01 - Pierce joins team in NYC and production begins
2008.02 - Production continues
2008.03 - Trailer Debut
2008.05 - Students graduate and major production concludes
2008.12 - Post Production is complete
2009.01-06 - North American School Tour
2009.08 - Film Premiers
2010.01 - DVD release

 

 

 

the team
david krantz
Co-Director/Producer - David Krantz
David Krantz recently suspended his job as a Land Planner to become fully dedicated to the production of Archiculture. He spent the past year studying film, working on shorts, and laying the groundwork for the upcoming documentary. In April, David worked with the Co-Director of Archiculture, Ian Harris, on an award winning short film titled, Released. Before moving to San Francisco, David graduated from Clemson University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture with an emphasis in Planning. He has worked on a variety of international projects in a variety of disciplines including landscape architecture, architecture, urban design, and land planning. David also helped create an annual charitable event called Cultivated, which celebrates Landsacpe Architecture through various forms of art.



ian harris
Co-Director/Producer - Ian Harris
Ian graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a focus in Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati. Since graduating, Ian has been living in the Bay Area pursuing his architectural career. His first job out of school, is where the film's two creators met. Throughout his extensive professional experience, Ian has been exposed to a full array of the built environment in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and urban planning. This professional experience ranging from small houses, to city-wide urban planning, has provided invaluable skills in project management, team development, budgeting, communication, and organizational techniques. The past year and a half has been devoted to developing his cinematic eye and completing film classes through Empty Kingdom Media. He currently balances time between architectural projects and working feverishly towards the production phase of Archiculture in January.



Pierce Cook
Editor/Producer - Pierce Cook
Pierce joined the Archiculture team on the eve of production and his birthday in January 2008. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelors degree in Media Arts and a focus in film. He owns his own production company, Whispering Statues, and has been doing freelance film and television work since 2001. He directed his first feature film, "Tin," in 2004 and has since been involved as a director, cinematographer, and editor for a variety of other feature and short films. In 2007 his short film, Grape Jelly, won best in show in it's category during the Indie Grits film festival.



sam danner
Publicist - Sam Danner
Sam currently lives in New York and works for 7-10 Music, an all-encompassing business that manages, consults, handles public relations and releases records for talent on all levels.  Before coming to 7-10 Sam worked at the boutique PR firm Press Here Publicity where he handled tour and local press for multiple artists.  At both 7-10 Music, and Press Here Publicity, Sam has been a vital part in creating an online initiative to take advantage of new media opportunities in the press world.  Sam graduated with a degree in business, emphasis on music management, and a minor in public relations and also interned with Rough Trade and Sanctuary management before moving to New York. Sam is very excited about the production of Archiculture and equally as excited to work with a young and focused team.



doug havens
Web Designer/Publisher - Doug Havens
Doug graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Interactive Multimedia with a specialization in Computer Science from Ohio University in 2004. While in college he interned at Clear Channel Radio and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety on OU's campus focusing on design and site managing. Since college Doug has been working at the Cincinnati, Ohio based software/design/publishing firm Hobsons. Doug designs and develops interactive marketing campaigns for colleges and universities world wide. He transferred from Cincinnati to the company’s satellite office in Oakland, California where he met Ian Harris and David Krantz and became a part of Archiculture.



emily levy
Production Assistant - Emily Levy
Emily is a product of Pratt Institute's Architecture school. She provides first hand experience with the facility, environs and faculty. She also provides mid-quality ramen, emergen-c, and knowledge of where to get freshly made soba. Emily has a great interest in architecture's interdisciplinary nature. While in school, she took color and professional lighting courses. She also worked for a design firm in DUMBO where she made props for an independent film in addition to providing architectural work. She interned at the PS1 Warm Up where she worked among many local and international artists and musicians. Emily has been involved with the front end of editing our trailer, managing our photography collection, coordinating efforts for the trailer debut event, and providing a much needed injection of creative life into the project a few days a week.



eric krantz
Script and Grant Writer - Eric Krantz
Eric is a writer and Marketing Specialist based in Greenville, South Carolina. Working for a Fortune 500 company, Eric has written over $250 million worth of successful proposals. He develops advertisements, communication strategies and other marketing collateral for this global corporation. Eric also writes feature-length screenplays and provides professional writing consultation. He received his Masters of Arts in Professional Communication from Clemson University, where he wrote, filmed and produced a promotional video for a non-profit organization in South Carolina. He studied English, film and communications at Clemson during his undergraduate career. Eric's talents lie in both professional and creative writing, and his writing expertise encompasses everything from proposals and resumes to essays and scripts. Eric is involved in the grant proposal process for Archiculture and is also the main script writer.



ben parker
Grant Coordinator and Editor - Ben Parker
Ben Parker is a technical writer/office manager for a small general contracting company based in Columbia, SC. With a degree from Clemson University in English, Ben has been instrumental in developing and editing grants and proposals for Archiculture. Without his expansive knowledge of morphemes, demonstrative adjectives, zero articles, the Flesch-Kincaid Index, and capital letters we don't know where we'd be. When not involved with the fast paced world of editing Ben enjoys watching television, playing video games and all around becoming "undateable."



jacob richardson
Writer - Jacob Richardson
Jacob graduated from the University of Michigan in the Spring of 2003. During his four years there and up to the present he's become a jack of all trades working various jobs such as freelance music writer, taxidermist, landscaper, webpage manager, bartender, research assistant, weight room manager, rodent trapper, independent contractor, barista, frog dissector, media consultant, concert reviewer, and Jewish youth group dance chaperone to name a few. He is also the co-founder and vice-president of Tour for Equality, a non-profit organization spreading awareness on women's rights by means of bicycle touring. In his free time he also studies Japanese, writes short stories, and pretends to be Batman. For Archiculture, Jacob has been involved in the pre-production phase by editing and acting as a consultant to the grant and proposal writing process. This is his first time working for a documentary film. He currently lives in San Francisco, CA.



leslie chard
Legal Advisor - Leslie Chard
Les is an attorney and business consultant in San Francisco, specializing in technology and content development and licensing. Mr. Chard’s clients include industry leaders such as Faith West (ringtones and mobile content), Real Networks (Rhapsody music on demand), Leadis (mobile semiconductors) and the HDMI consortium (creators of the next-generation High Definition Multimedia Interface standard). Previously, he was an attorney with Fenwick & West in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, and with Keck, Mahin & Cate in Chicago, where he counseled clients on electronic commerce, intellectual property, technology development, and licensing issues. His clients included technology and content “providers” ranging from Sammy Hagar and Jerry Garcia to eBay, Electronic Arts, Liquid Audio and Macromedia.

Before receiving his law degree, Mr. Chard was a computer consultant with Anderson Consulting (now “Accenture”) where he specialized in implementing distribution and electronic commerce systems. Mr. Chard received a BA in Mathematics/Computer Science from Wesleyan University (CT) and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati.



prescott reavis
Outreach Advisor - Prescott Reavis
Mr. Reavis currently serves as the Co-Chair of the AIA San Francisco Mentorship Committee, the Vice President of the San Francisco Chapter of NOMA, The NOMA University Liaison for the West and the Internship & CIDP/IDP coordinator for Anshen+Allen. Prescott also serves as the Western Region Competition director for the National Brotherhood of Skiers where is charged with the introduction and development of minorities in to winter sports as well as being a Ski Coach for the Sugar bowl Ski Team. Mr. Reavis is passionate about involving and educating the community about the built environment and how they should articulate their particular needs into the future development of their neighborhoods and cities.



Attorney - George M. Rush
George is a fourth generation San Franciscan whose law practice specializes in the entertainment industry with emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area film community. Clients include producers, directors, screen-writers and investors in development, production and distribution phases. George has experience in producing independent films and currently is producing a documentary on junior college athletes. He is also on the board of directors of Film Arts Foundation. When not working, George is an avid college football fan and a collector of Soviet propaganda.



Academic Advisor - Todd A. Steadman
Todd is a landscape architect, book author, lecturer, former Editor-in Chief and Publisher of Landscape Architecture, and a consistent advocate and active promoter of the virtues of the profession. He is currently serving as a design and planning consultant for Clemson University and is a member of both the staff and Board of the South Carolina Mayor's Institute whereby he assists towns grappling with issues of growth and sustainability. He is also Acting Director of the SC Botanical Garden, a 295-acre multifaceted facility that is host to the largest nature-based sculpture program in America. He periodically serves as an adjunct professor in Landscape Architecture at Clemson University. Dave Krantz is one of his former students. Most recently he co-founded the Alabama Green Building Resource Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the demystification and promotion of sustainable development. He also designed and engineered the closed-system green roof atop the building's headquarters.


Pre-Production Team Members
Henry Kim
Emily Goligoski
Liza Zigenis