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SUMMARY

Vanishing Landmarks is an investigative doc series exploring the people and places behind America’s controversial landmarks. Each half-hour episode considers the emotional, political, and cultural stakes surrounding a single location, unspooling the broader societal values and conflicts they represent. 

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heritage,

progress,

From environmental safety and racial injustice, to water rights and urban redevelopment, the show highlights pressing social issues and reflects how communities struggle to balance

and

identity.

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FORMAT

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Interviews - on-the-fly in subjects' natural environments, active and engaging, motivated by their POV

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Archival - meticulously researched film and photo to enrich the historical context of evolving communities

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Scenic Footage - bringing land and sea to life as characters, highlighting interaction of nature and civilization

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GFX and Animation - sequences by local artists to augment story and enhance thematic expression 

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CHARACTERS

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Local residents, issue experts, civic and tribal leaders, with special focus on the perspectives and priorities of Indigenous peoples in the given communities.

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Issue

 

Built on Northern Chumash lands, the three towering smokestacks in Morro Bay are now slated for demolition, to be replaced by a massive battery storage facility. The decision has sparked deep divisions in the community. Many locals view the smokestacks as an eyesore and an obstacle to tourism and coastal revitalization, while others see them as iconic symbols of Morro Bay’s industrial past and maritime identity. The episode will explore these conflicting perspectives, the corporate and environmental considerations, and the broader implications for the town’s future, including how development might honor the Northern Chumash’s heritage and historical ties to the area.

 

Themes

 

Community identity, environmental stewardship, corporate interests vs. local voices

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Issue


This once-grandiose bathhouse was destroyed by a fire in 1966, leaving only ruins on the rocky coastline near San Francisco. Situated on Ohlone land, the site now faces dual pressures: the relentless forces of erosion due to rising sea levels, and debates about how—or whether—it should be further preserved or enhanced. Adding to its historical significance is a critical, though often overlooked, civil rights case in which John Harris, a Black man, successfully sued the Baths for racial discrimination after being denied entry. This episode explores efforts to protect the site while highlighting civil rights, restorative justice, and local voices from historians, activists, and Ohlone leaders.

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Themes

 

Preservation, climate adaptation, intersection of civil rights history and nature

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Issue

 

​Joshua Tree's rugged rock formations and desert landscapes draw 3 million visitors annually. The park is home to sacred sites and cultural landmarks of the Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Cahuilla peoples, including petroglyphs, trails, gathering sites, and ritual landscapes. Many of these, especially in high-traffic areas, have suffered from overuse, damage, and vandalism. By engaging tribal leaders, indigenous youth, park officials, and visitors, we aim to highlight the tensions between conservation, cultural preservation, and public access.

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Themes

 

Land management, cultural identity, cost of recreation

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Issue

 

Sacred to the Northern Paiute, this unique saline lake in California's Eastern Sierra is home to the striking tufa towers—calcium-carbonate formations vital to the local ecosystem. But prolonged drought and water diversions to Los Angeles have caused the lake to shrink by 45 feet since the 1940s. This has disrupted habitats, degraded indigenous lands, and worsened air quality, creating public health risks. This episode highlights ongoing legal battles and community advocacy regarding the lake’s use, exploring the tensions in water management and its impact on agriculture, urban planning, and sustainability. ​

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Themes

 

Water rights, climate change, balancing human needs with ecological and cultural preservation

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Each episode will be framed around the perspectives of First Nations representatives, ensuring that their historical, cultural, and environmental insights are central to the narrative. Their involvement illustrates how the fate of these landmarks is not only about physical structures but also about honoring the people and stories intrinsically tied to the land.

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THE TEAM

BRYCE CYRIER - Producer, Co-Director

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Bryce is a freelance film and documentary producer known for his versatile leadership and commitment to fostering the creative process. He's made feature documentaries, doc series, shorts, commercials, and music videos, ranging in distribution from wide theatrical release to millions of views on YouTube. He has worked with professional athletes, NY Times bestselling authors, and Academy Award winners like Laura Dern and Golden Globe winners Paul Walter Hauser, Michael C. Hall, and Annette Bening. He is also a screenwriter, a husband, and a proud father to two kids who love movies even more than he does. 

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DANIEL STRAUB - Producer, Co-Director

Daniel is a Los Angeles-based director and producer who has worked in the documentary film industry for more than 10 years. With a sharp eye for stories that give form to environmental racism, injustice in the healthcare system and other insidious issues, Straub has dedicated his career to using film and television as vehicles for revealing systemic problems in order to drive change.

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AUSTIN STRAUB - Producer, DP

Austin Straub is an Emmy®-winning cinematographer (The Migrant Kitchen, PBS/KCET) whose work spans the gamut of the industry. They have lensed theatrical-feature films, as well as specials for Disney+ and Apple TV+, and their documentary-style camera operating has been tapped for concert films produced by HBO, Amazon and Apple. Austin thrives in intimate, human stories bathed in naturalistic light, and they are passionate about placing the audience in the heart of the most pressing issues of our time.

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