The archive3 films

Field Trips

Short films shot on location. Not studio recaps — reports from the sites where the stories happened.

FT–03 February 3, 2026 · Paso Robles

The San Miguel Massacre

On the night of December 4, 1848, six unfamiliar riders arrived at the old convento of Mission San Miguel Arcángel seeking lodging. William Reed welcomed them in. It was a ghastly mistake.

FT–01 August 9, 2025 · Placerita Canyon

Oak of the Golden Dream

On March 9, 1842, ranchero Francisco López awoke hungry from a tree-shaded siesta. Digging up some onions to snack on, he got a glittering surprise — gold flakes.

FT–02 August 9, 2025 · Quartzsite, Arizona

The Tomb of Hi Jolly

Ghostly camels wandering the SoCal desert? For the real-life backstory to this spooky legend, we’ll have to visit a curious pyramid in Arizona.