In an effort to expedite production and build a community around their documentary The Integral Man, writer/director Joseph Clement and his team are hosting high-end events at the unique Rosedale home of doc subject Jim Stewart.

The Integral Man looks at the life of Stewart and the custom 18,000-sq-foot home he built in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood in 2008. While the house is Stewart’s primary private residence, it was designed to function as a performance and exhibition space. The unique design of the house won architects Shim-Sutcliffe a Governor General’s Award in architecture.

So far, Clement and his team have raised about $15,000 through two events hosted at Stewart’s home, including a concert and an evening focused on the unique architecture of the house. An art exhibition will be held on July 24, with a grand-finale concert event scheduled for Sept. 29. The events have been marketed through some industry organizations, such as the Ontario Association of Architects, and through the social networks of Stewart and the filmmakers.

“We really wanted people to feel like they were connected to the project, and really wanted people feel that they didn’t just give money and not get anything in return. What we were able to provide was a…incredibly unique experience that nobody else could really offer,” Clement told Playback Daily.

In addition to fostering a connection between people and the project, Clement noted that he was pushed to explore quicker and less traditional financing options after Stewart was diagnosed with bone cancer.

“His short life expectancy really made traditional modes of funding not the most logical avenue,” Clement said.

Clement and his team have been shooting the documentary as the funding comes in from the events. The ideal budget for the film would be about $60,000, Clement said, and the team plans to search for more substantive funding aside from what is generated by the parties.

Jackson Parrell serves as the cinematographer on The Integral Man. Calum J. Moore is the editor on the project, with Howard Fraiberg serving as line producer.