Crumlic Media is thrilled to officially announce Producer/Director Bill Crumlic's next documentary film project has started principal photography. With a working title of "The Pennhurst Project" the film will explore the historical happenings at the former Pennhurst State School & Hospital in Spring City, Pennsylvania. The school was at the center of controversy in the late 1960's and through the 70's as a prime example of how institutionalization of the mentally ill was not working. Pennhurst was shuttered by 1986 as community centered treatment was utilized.
This project is the second documentary for Crumlic and the first collaboration with longtime friend and former news peer Betty Cauler. The two former news professionals (Betty in newspaper, Bill in television) will share the producer and director roles bringing exceptional writing, videography, photography and story telling skills to the project. "I have always had a deep professional respect for Betty and although we have been friends for more than a decade, we have only ever worked together as representatives of two competing news organizations." said Bill Crumlic. "We never before had an opportunity to collaborate and be on the same team before so when she described her idea I could not resist!" he added.
On Saturday, January 9th, Cauler and Crumlic were allowed limited access to Pennhurst for a visual survey and initial test shooting. They also attended a meeting of thePennhurst Memorial & Preservation Alliance later that day. On Sunday, the first interview was shot with a former staffer of the facility. The duo is reaching out to former residents and staff as well as the mental health community for guidance and input on the important project. The reoccurring theme has been that this type of institution should never exist again and their hope is this documentary will illustrate that point and more.
A film website is in development for those interested to keep up to date on production status. Please check back here for more information in the coming weeks!