Emerging UK Sales Company Architect On Curating A Gen Z Slate, The Impact Of The WGA Strike & Which Partner Once Starred Opposite Russell Crowe — Cannes Market
18.05.2023 - 14:09
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: UK company Architect was recently founded by sales executives Calum Gray and Max Pirkis, together with Patrick Fischer and Richard Kondal of financier Creativity Capital.
Gray and Pirkis previously worked together for five years at sales firm Embankment, including on Oscar winner The Father, Oscar nominee The Wife, Netflix’s hit Purple Hearts, and BAFTA nominated documentary McQueen.
Creativity Capital have invested in 28 independent films and TV shows, including the aforementioned McQueen and BAFTA winner Under The Shadow. Combining sales and Creativity’s financing, Architect is looking to become a go-to partner for indie producers.
Initial projects on the slate include survival thriller The Bayou, which is being produced by Fall and 47 Meters Down outfit Tea Shop, Mckenna Grace and Asher Angel teen romance 99 Days, Jenny Slate horror Mindful, BFI and BBC Film-financed Lollipop, and Sundance world premiere The Starling Girl.
We spoke to the partners about the company, their take on the current market and impact of the WGA strike, and even squeezed in a few questions about their reading habits and what they might be doing in if not beating the halls of the Palais and the Loews. Fun Fact: one of them once starred opposite Russell Crowe. Read on for more.
DEADLINE: Tell us about your new company. When and how did it all come together (finance, partners etc)?
CALUM GRAY: Max and I bonded over five years together at Embankment, driving each other mad but with a shared energy and enthusiasm! We first met our partners Richard and Patrick when they financed Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui’s McQueen back in 2017.
RICHARD KONDAL: Patrick and I were looking for a new challenge after selling our post house Creativity