Asylum: Not Abandoned - Sizzle Reel. A first glimpse at the story we’re bringing to the screen and some of the footage we have shot so far.
Summary
My name is Kate Arpke Houle, and there is a story that has been gently tapping me on the shoulder for years, until last summer when it started actively not just tapping, but shoving me around and demanding to be made. This is when my partner, Rob, and I had the chance to visit the mental hospital where my dad grew up, and we decided it was important to bring our cameras. This is a true family story about my dad and his siblings, and their wildly unique upbringing in a county mental institution in rural Wisconsin. My father’s parents (my grandparents) were the live-in superintendents and caretakers of what was once The Sheboygan County Hospital and is now dubbed “The Insane Asylum” for the various ghost hunters, haunted attractions, and airsoft players that the now closed facility plays host to in order to keep the building and property maintained. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​
We started pre-production and filming in the summer of 2024. We have already put a year of work into making this documentary film a reality. So far, this film has been entirely self-funded, and we need the resources to continue this project and finish the movie. Ask yourself if this is a film that you would want to see, and if it is a movie you would pay to see and consider helping fund this production now. This campaign is incredibly close to our hearts because it is focused on preserving not only a major piece of family history but also Wisconsin history, and mental health history, while exploring concepts in both paranormal activity and horror themed entertainment.
This film uncovers the whole truth rather than having my family’s legacy become nothing more than a haunted attraction. This project is incredibly urgent because of the nature of life, death, and cyclical fading of generations, the fact that we still have access to some of the people, and the location itself is not lost on us and we are acutely aware that time is limited and running out. Further, it is a timely story for the present day; between the arts and mental health programs being gutted and defunded right now, and sensational headlines splashing across screens, there is no better time for a movie that brings a very human story back into focus and examines history, family, and love through an empathetic rather than polarizing lens. It is our goal to have all filming completed by November of 2025 and a rough cut edited together by January 2026, and a final cut by the beginning of April 2026 and ready for festivals, educational licensing, community screenings, and eventually streaming services.
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IDA Fiscal Sponsorship
​We are thrilled to share some exciting news about Asylum: Not Abandoned. After an extremely arduous application process in which we were tasked with writing approximately 13 pages of essays about the film, the International Documentary Association (IDA) — one of the most respected organizations in the documentary world — has officially accepted our film into its Fiscal Sponsorship Program. ​
I cannot overstate what a tremendous honor this is and how humbled we are to have been approved for this prestigious designation as documentary filmmakers.
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This is a significant milestone for our project.
Being selected by IDA means that our film has been vetted and approved based on its artistic merit, social value, and the strength of our vision. IDA supports many acclaimed documentaries, including films that have gone on to premiere at Sundance and receive major awards and recognition.
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​What this means for us — and for you as supporters & what it doesn't mean:
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We now have access to major grants and foundation funding that require 501(c)(3) oversight.
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All donations to the project are now tax-deductible through IDA.
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Our project gains added credibility and visibility within the documentary community.
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We are now part of a network that has supported important films like Crip Camp, Strong Island, and Minding the Gap.
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This does not mean that we are now fully funded; it simply means that we can now apply for grants that were previously out of reach and that individuals and businesses can back the film and take a tax deduction for their contribution. ​
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A Fiscal Sponsorship in no way guarantees that we will get our project funded, rather it means that we have been vetted and will have access to tax deductible funding options that we previously did not have access to.
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This support strengthens our ability to bring the powerful story of The Sheboygan County Hospital, and the stories of the people who have called it home to the world. It also helps ensure that we can complete this film with the care and impact it deserves.
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We’re incredibly grateful for the support you’ve already shown us — and this new sponsorship with IDA will help propel us into the next phase of both production and fundraising.
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An interesting and perhaps mind-blowing statistic about filmmaking is that eight to twenty hours of work goes into each finished minute of a film. We have been filming for a year and a half now and have shot approximately 90% of the film so far. We currently have more interviews to shoot before moving into the post-production and assembly phase. We are anticipating having a rough cut completed by late spring 2026!
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Donations can be made by credit card or eCheck. Our IDA contribution page is https://www.documentary.org/project/asylum-not-abandoned
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The International Documentary Association (IDA) will issue a receipt for your donation, which you may use as documentation for a charitable tax deduction.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the IDA at 213-232-1660 10AM-6PM PST. BTW, they are out of the office during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Our project's four-digit film ID is #5616.
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The IDA will also accept donations on behalf of our project the following ways:
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Checks
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Direct wire or ACH transfers
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Stocks and securities
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Noncash/In-kind donations, eg: office supplies, office space, gear etc. (under specific guidelines)
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Matching gifts
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Partially tax-deductible donations
Other ways You Can Help​
Spread the Word:
Share a link to this page with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people who know about our project, the better our chances of reaching our goal!
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Make Some Noise:
​Use your voice to advocate for our documentary! Talk about it in person, on social media, or through any community groups you’re a part of. Your enthusiasm can inspire others to get involved.
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Stay connected with us for updates and news about the project. Your support, whether financial or through sharing, is crucial to our success!
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Every little bit helps, and we truly appreciate your support in any form. Thank you for being a part of our journey!