This year is an unusual one for me when it comes to my films and photography. For the last few years I have primarily made very little content at all- the usual Memorial Day event, a couple of drone videos or random things I found interesting along the way. But it’s been years since I worked on real projects at any regular or consistent capacity.

This year, however, is different. I entered the new year already committed to a project for the Elgin History Museum, I worked on a short film for the Elgin Public Museum, and booked seven weddings to photograph. I decided to team up with the Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association for what will be the eleventh year of filming Memorial Day, and have three other larger projects in the works.

But a project that’s been on my mind for years is finally reaching the surface… the surface of pre-production anyways. For years I have been fascinated by the property of the Elgin Mental Health Center. It’s very long history dating back to the 1870’s, it’s odd circular building, the old power plant, the wrought-iron fencing slowly decaying along state street, the prison-like fencing that surrounds the residential buildings.

So over the last few weeks I’ve been putting together my vision for a documentary on the Elgin Mental Health Center. I haven’t produced a true documentary since the Elgin Observatory project, which was pretty cut and dry simple. This project, I envision a documentary that will far surpass any quality or depth that I have been able to reach so far.

It’s a big project, and one I don’t expect to complete in 2026. But as I continue to donate my services to local organizations, or offer discounted-rates to those on tighter budgets, I find myself launching my first crowdfunding campaign.

My goal is to raise enough money to pay for the entirety of the project- including upgrading some audio and lighting equipment, the purchase of a gimbal for DSLR cameras, funding the soundtrack production/licensing, a budget for additional help in production, and any additional costs that may arise throughout the project.

Ultimately, I expect to raise enough for the documentary itself and not the upgrades in equipment- a cost I will have to self-fund instead.

It is and has been my dream to continue the incredible work of our city’s historians by introducing a new generation to our city’s rich history through my short films and documentaries. If you would like to support my documentary, follow the link below to my crowdfunding campaign.

https://fnd.us/52ikb8?ref=sh_6EvNQc

Much love for the continued support over the last twelve years.

-Sam