[Doug]: Welcome to episode 25 of Feeling Through Live. I have the distinct pleasure to be joined by some of the Zeno Mountain Farm team here today. We have co-founders Ila and Peter Halby. We have many year camper and actor extraordinaire Jeremy Vest joining us. And I'm really excited to talk about a lot of things today, but for starters, for those who aren't familiar with Zeno Mountain Farm, perhaps, Peter and Ila, if you could, if you could kind of fill everyone in on what Zeno Mountain Farm is and what you do there.
[Peter]: Sure. Hey, uh, Doug, thanks for having us. This is fun. It's fun to, to sit down and talk about this stuff, especially now more than ever. Um, and, and Jay, I'd love to get your interpretation of what Zeno Mountain Farm is, but, um, you know, it's, it's first and foremost, it's a place where we're up in the hills in Vermont. And it's this location that we've created over the years where people can gather, year after year and come back. And we've created this, this camp and this retreat where people with disabilities, people with cancer, veterans, people with chronic illness, and other marginalized communities can come back year after year, be together in a community, share sort of history together. Um, do really fun creative projects. Um, and you know, it's lifelong friendship basically.
[Doug]: And Ila, do you have anything to add to that because I'm going to get to you and Jeremy as well as your personal definitions, but Ila.
[Ila]: Yeah. Zeno is, the mission is committed to creating life opportunities for lifelong friendships and community, and to live in a diverse place where everyone is celebrated, everyone contributes, everyone is needed, and the talents of everyone elevate the entire group and all that we do in the day in and day out, just living together and also the art that we create, movies and plays and all the fun things that we do when we gather.
[Doug]: And Jeremy, I'm sure you got something to, to help round out what Zeno Mountain Farm is.
[Jeremy]: I do. I want to say hello to the beautifully talented and well ,lovely Atalia and Emily. Hello you two. I love you so much. I hope you guys are doing well. I miss you. And, uh, Zeno is a place where I feel at home. I feel like I'm not lonely anymore when I'm stuck at home. I feel like life just gets better every summer. And when I'm there, you know, magical things happen unexpectedly, and that's just part of life. And, you know, I've known Peter and Ila for most of my entire life. I've known them for so many years and they've been a huge part of my life. And I, and I loved them for that.
[Doug]: Well, you know, we'll definitely get into, you know, some of this stuff of the ways that the current situation in the world and pandemic have made things challenging, of course, and not having that, that same experience that you normally have. But what I will say is, you know, you guys have all kind of pieced together, this well-rounded explanation of what Zeno Mountain Farm is and what I've kind of come to know over the last couple of weeks in connecting with you all. And. And, you know, checking out your website and watching one of your films and reading about you is that it's something that can be, you know, I I'd say in a, in like a New York Times article, I saw that could be really like simply described as, you know, this camp where disabled and non-disabled campers all work together to have fun, make art and make these amazing films and create this really amazing, inclusive and diverse space. But as, as you all know, and as we'll get into, that's really just skimming the surface of really what the heart and ethos of it is. But I will say something, you know, something that I, what seems a little bit maybe untraditional from some other camps that you might imagine like this is that they're, not just, I remember when I would go to like sleepaway camp back in the day, I would go for, like, I think I went to my camp for like five years, and that was like a good run. You have campers that come back year after year for many more years than that. Jeremy, how many years have you, have you attended or been a part of Zeno Mountain Farm?
[Jeremy]: Zeno started in 2009 I want to say, or 2010. I'm not quite sure. But since 2010 I've been going and I've been, and I've been blessed to have gone into this place, and I have the best friends in the world from this place. So I've got so many people in my life that have come in from Zeno, and we've continued this journey together for 25 years or so.
[Doug]: Wow. 25 years. How did you guys first meet? How did you first get connected with each other?
[Peter]: Well, I, yeah, we've known Jeremy for 25 years. Yeah, he was, we were sort of kids together. Um, although Jeremy's younger than we are. And, uh, you know, I was just gonna say that, you know, there's, there's certain pillars of Zeno that we've developed over the years. Um, one of which, which Jeremy was talking about is that we, we invite the same people back year after year. Um, so we can have that, that shared history, which, which often doesn't exist, um, a lot in the disability world. Um, and then, and then the other one being that, um, everyone contributes to the full extent that they can. Um, we, we, we call them camps. So we actually actively don't use the words campers and counselors because that brings in this hierarchy of, you know, typically it's, non-disabled people are the counselors and then disabled people are the campers and we sort of go away with that language because we don't want that hierarchy that exists. Um, in that dynamic, we, we say everyone comes and contributes what we can, what you can. And then in another important piece and pillar of that is that we don't charge anyone and no one, um, we don't pay anyone to do it. So everyone who comes to one of our 12 camps or retreats, uh, is, is here sort of on the same level and comes for the same reason because they love sort of the, the adventure of it and the community and the, and uh, the creativity
[Ila]: And often, um, the people with disabilities that come like Jeremy have been coming for 25 years, summer after summer. And the people that are the safety crew, that's the term we use for the group of people that are helping and providing care, are coming for shorter stays. Sometimes some people come for 25 years, but people sometimes also come for five years, like you're saying. And so Jeremy and our crew with disabilities is teaching and training new volunteers all the time. That's, you know, I mean, Jeremy's kind of like the Zeno ambassador. If you need someone to greet you and introduce you to the culture of Zeno because like what you're saying, and it is hard to kind of understand the feeling of the community when you just read about a camp on a website or in an article. And when you come to Zeno and you, or you see a film or you come to a play or performance, Jeremy's the best guy to be, he's like the eternal, you know, host, and he can kind of show you and teach you about what we've created here and how people show up and how we treat each other and how we support each other, how we say yes, how we get creative and how we care for each other. And so without that social hierarchy of counselor and camper, that sort of says that people without disabilities are going to be teaching the people with disabilities when often it's the other way around, or it's all just mixed. You're having, even in one meal, you're having, everyone's teaching everyone, everyone's making friends. And because a core value of Zeno is service, when it's this diverse, everyone gets to be of service to each other. Jeremy can be of service to the new person who comes along. I can be of service to Jeremy to drive the van downtown when he wants to get a jelly bean. You know, we, all the service is integrated and natural and organic and very complex and also very natural at the same time.
[Doug]: There's so much in what you both just shared that, like, I feel like you could design a master class around, you know, everything that you just illuminated around kind of breaking down these constructs and these hierarchies and what that really, not in a conceptual way, because there's a lot of talk about inclusivity and diversity that gets very conceptual and very kind of away from like the actual deep intention of the purpose of even having those conversations. But when you really strip that away and really foster an environment where it kind of transcends inclusivity, there's this a quality in a much deeper sense that allows, like you said, people's diverse talents and abilities to rise to the surface and look more through that lens and not through the lens of this hierarchy that, we've often had people on who've talked about the hierarchy of the term inclusivity. Because it means there's someone on one side of the door saying you're not here yet.We'll, crack the door open and let you in, which is, can be problematic in and of itself. So from that, question for Jeremy, you know, as someone who's obviously been a long time participant in Zeno Mountain Farm, active in many of the films, which we'll, get to, we have a clip of one today that we'll share, what is it like for you being someone who obviously year after year participates in and is part of Zeno Mountain Farm, but presumably lives most of your life in an environment that isn't quite the same as what you experienced at Zeno Mountain Farm?
[Jeremy]: Well, this year was a big loss for me because, and for everybody and, you know, being, being at Zeno Mountain Farm gives me peace. And it gives me a lot of hope that, you know, it's a place where magic will come magic will happen every day. You know, you wake up feeling like a million bucks to see these people every morning and really, really feel at home. And since Emily and Talia are on, I want to thank them for being a part of my life as well. Because they had been with me for a long time as well. And I love them and they're there when I'm there and if I need to talk to them, they come right over us.
[Ila]: And I think we've, we've talked about this a lot, Jer, that at Zeno, we believe it's a human right to belong. It's a human right to have a sense of belonging and to have a place where you can just like Jer was saying, come and give and receive, share your talents, give and receive love. Um, be part of something that has, um, your, your contributions are meaningful. Your contributions are necessary, your contributions are celebrated. And I think part of that is also being really honest about what people can and can't do. We're not gonna sugar coat and ask Jeremy to drive the van. You know, that that's the same examples we just spoke about.
[Jeremy]: I'd be happy to if I could.
[Ila]: Right, but he can't. Jeremy has Williams syndrome and that does not allow him to drive the vehicle. Um, and so when you're really honest about what people's needs are, what people's talents are and you start with what Jeremy can contribute to the group, a whole world opens up and we can get super creative and super funky and have a lot of fun and get all that stuff done to have enough support to get that done.
[Peter]: You don't, you don't let somebody's care define them, right.
[Ila]: And what they can contribute.
[Doug]: And I think, you know what you both just illuminated in that point too, and you know, something I often hear reflected on this platform is that at the same time where you're not defining someone by their disability, you're also not ignoring it, right. That is obviously an important aspect of who someone is. And it's one aspect of many, which, you know, when we're talking, looking at someone as a human being and not as one part of their humanity, you guys would just kind of all really illuminated that point, which is often spoken in this platform. And I think, you know, really well exemplified through, um, how you conduct things at Zeno Mountain Farm and what the environment is like there.
[Peter]: Yeah. I think we, we actively celebrate, you know, who people are and what they contribute. And certainly, you know, in the disability world that it's, it's this, it's kind of this untapped resource right. Of creativity and innovation and, and fun. And, um, zaniness, uh, I mean, I mean, I, I, you know, kind of like Jeremy saying, like it's the best time of his, his year. I mean, me too. I mean, it's, you know it's, just, it's just a fun, it's a fun world. And, and in our world, like we, we can create it, you know, cause we, you know, we have this group of people that are all, you know, here for the same purpose and, and, and care for each other. And so we can, we can make it, I think we, you know, we, we know that the outside world is rough, right. But, but here on this mountaintop, we can, we can create our own reality. And, and it's a good one. It's one I've really missed right now. I'll tell you.
[Jeremy]: We do it well. We do it very well.
[Doug]: I'm sure. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. No, just to mention in creating that reality, I think, you know, what we'll get to in a little bit, and where kind of media plays into this and, and, the films that you guys make there I think, you can have this experience at Zeno Mountain Farm that's very much in your all control in this collaborative environment that you create. But I think one of the kind of greater powers of a place like Zeno Mountain Farm is making these films that the casting, um, I, you know, not just in front of the camera, but I know behind the camera, as far as key roles in the crew, uh, exemplify the same kind of diversity and not even diversity, but like just this quality, if you will, of environment that you foster. And it's something that, for those who can't go to Zeno Mountain Farm, they can see through the films that you make. I mean, I know obviously what, you guys can all explain this better than me, but I'm familiar with I think you said you've made 13 films all told, but I know you have a lot of films that you know, you all collectively write direct and act in together, but I know there was also a film within a film, One which was following, a documentary that was following the process of you all making a film. So there are these amazing pieces of cinema that for those who can't necessarily go to Zeno Mountain Farm themselves can really get a view into what that is in a really intimate way. And I know I'm looking forward to watching a lot more of your films. I have gotten the opportunity to watch Bulletproof, and I'm looking forward to watching more, but I'd love to just play a clip from Bulletproof right now that will also exemplify Jeremy's amazing acting skills, which I was pretty blown away about. So let me just queue that up real quick.
[Jeremy]: Oh, I am honored to hear that, Doug.
[Doug]: We'll get into plenty of that in just a moment. So let me, let me queue that up.
[Man #1]: Let me call you off and, uh, I'll buy you a drink.
[Man #2]: You gotta score, settle with the reeper gang. It involves my handgun and six bullets in your chest.
[Man #3]: You're gonna find out if you're as quick with gun as y0u are with that flower.
[Man #1]: Sheriff, you gotta help me.
[Man #4]: Good luck partner.
[Man #1]: Shit. I guess he's got time y'all get.
[Doug]: Can you guys tell people where everyone can watch that full film and in any other, any of your other films?
[Peter]: Sure. And just, just to drop it in context. So that's one of the 12 camps that we do throughout the era is a movie making one, right? And it started out where we would, we made the first movie we made, you know, it was, it was a cheap soap opera that, that was just so awful we never showed it. And then, and then it kept kind of elevating and, and we would meet new people. We'd all shoot out in LA. And, uh, and then eventually we, we shot that Western, um, maybe about eight years ago now. And, uh, so, and you can watch the whole evolution of our movies minus the soap opera. Um, you know, they're on our website and that, like you mentioned, Doug, there was a documentary film made about that Western, the Western called Bulletproof. And then the doc is called Becoming Bulletproof. And that is that's on our website as well. Um, which is a fun, you get to see this all in action.
[Ila]: And the website is just ZenoMountainFarm.org. And if you click on the film studio tab, it will get you to all, all the movies and also some more informational pieces that we've done with Jeremy. And a lot of our other friends. I think the movies really started as we love the dramatic arts we love. We're always doing creative things at camp we're in a parade every year. Um, we love building floats. We love, we put on musicals, we'll have to write plays and skits. I mean, almost every dinner is like theater, if there's announcements and songs and stories and kissing jokes and everything. Um, but they started out as just kind of a fun thing to do together and a way to step into, um, a higher level of creativity with this diverse group. So, so often in our culture, the bar is set so low for people with disabilities. Again, like we said, what they can contribute, what, what their talents are, what their skills are that might be different than other people. And so as we start to make the films, we were just having so much fun making the films. But as that picked up, we sort of became like accidental advocates. And then we realized like we actually really wanted to be advocates and it's not accidental. And then movies are a way that we can, like you said, give people an experience of this type of integration and experience where the product, the creativity is enhanced by the diversity and the behind the scenes. Like the BTS of that is that it's also a total creative adventure to make a movie with this diverse of a group. I remember one story when Jeremy, we actually were sharing a cabin in Los Angeles, Pete and I, and Jeremy, and I had said, Jer, like, go get your, uh, your jeans on for the scene. And so he went into the room and he came out wearing my jeans and we all laughed so hard. They were so tight and Jeremy was just cracking up. I mean, we probably laughed for like, we were late for our set for our scene because Jeremy and I were laughing so hard about him putting on my jeans to go, you know. So it's this, this level, where...
[Jeremy]: I love you that much. Just to make you feel good, so.
[Ila]: It's, it's just this type of integration and creativity and a place where everyone can step up to and elevate that has really made the films a hallmark of what we're doing and a hallmark of how we can connect with a greater audience and connect with, um, the world that we want to see in the media.
[Doug]: And, you know, one of the things that really stood out to me in watching Bulletproof is, and it relates to Ila what you were just saying about, oftentimes the bar is set so low. The, like the production quality, the writing, the acting is really high level in any context, right? Not just in the context of what one might assume it would be in that space, right? Like it is really, really high level filmmaking. Um, and you know another, just on that note, what really stood out to me is, you know, Jeremy, I was really, you have like genuine, like leading man charisma on the screen and really are able to carry the nuances of, you know, the central character in this story and really carry these, these scenes that really demand someone who's a really, really great actor like yourself. I want to know more about you as an actor. Like, is that something that you were always into, tell us more about your journey as an actor?
[Jeremy]: Well, I always liked to act because, you know, I wanted to be a performer for my whole life. And now that I've gotten to do that, you know, making these films was a joy because there were, you know, there were days when I just couldn't wait to do a scene because I was so excited for that day. And, you know, we would be shooting and I would have a lot of fun with it. And, uh, I remember the last night of shooting Bulletproof, we were all there together at the compound and I was sitting next to AJ and Pete, and, Ila, you were there, I remember. I remember saying the final words of the movie, that's a wrap and we all cried and hugged and partied and you know, those moments, I cherish that because there were, there were very special moments and very, very sad moments too, because we're all we were all done and we were just celebrating life together. And that really made me happy and proud, so.
[Peter]: Uh, just, I was going to say, yeah, we, we worked really hard and I do, um, we were talking about sort of the level, how the bar is held in. I think the bar is low, right? So we just, we, that, that sort of fuels us to say like, no, like just like other independent movies, like it, it should be incredible. Because we know it, we, we know this community, we know what people can do. And so we want it to look amazing and be amazing and, you know, not settle for, for less, but that means you gotta work really hard. And, you know, I, I think we're always pushing up against the reality of, of, of the world and the media world, which is, you know, it's like two, it's like one to 2% of the roles that you see are disabled characters. Um, and that's, that's trying to represent 22% of the population, which is disabled. Right. And, um, and then a lot of times it's a non disabled person playing a disabled character. And, um, and I think with these movies, we were able to show like, like, hold on Hollywood, like we we've got some, we've got some serious talent, um, that should be coming in.
[Ila]: And I think Jeremy has also, Jeremy has been in all 12 of our movies. He's been in every single one. And so he has really developed his acting talents. And in the beginning of acting journey, wasn't playing as big of a roles. And I mean, Jeremy could speak to this, maybe didn't have as much perseverance on the set, but has really developed an incredible capacity to bring his presence and his heart and his like authentic emotions to whatever scene that is. And he also brings that same presence to the set. So people love to work with Jeremy. Directors love to work with Jeremy. It's a give and take. It's a reciprocal co-creative process and he does lines differently than anyone else. I mean, no one else can be Jeremy Vest playing that role. And so that, that's part of the creative adventure. And also our movies are, star an integrated cast and integrated crew, but aren't about disability. And I think that distinction, like anytime you're seeing disability in media often, it's the disabilities that finding part of that role, that's the focus of the character, you know? And so I think we want to see more across the board, like the girlfriend or the neighbor or the person at the gas station attendant. You know, we need to see disability in all types of small roles, as well as big roles. And we need to have disability represented behind the camera to get that
[Ila]: to happen. That's not going to just happen instantly unless we have a disabled representation in production. Um, so that's also with our current movie Best Summer Ever, which is just coming out. We were scheduled to go to South by Southwest last year. And we were like March 2019. I mean, Jeremy and Peter and I were going to party in Austin. Um, but it's still coming out.
[Jeremy]: Can we do it next year? I mean come on. Can we do it next year?
[Ila]: It's unfolding. Yes. We hope everyone in America and all over the world can see Best Summer Ever because we had the most integration in, on the production side, 50% integrated across production, as well as in the film.
[Doug]: Well, I definitely want to get more into Best Summer Ever. And some of the great themes you were just exemplifying in your films, but I'm going to do a quick pause for an interpreter switch. All right. All set. Great. Continuing here, you know, again, just to get to the point, Ila, you were just making about, you know, having this representation on screen, but really not, the films not being about the disability. I think you, there are examples of that. We'll see in, certainly we try to do that with Feeling Through, but I think you guys really take it to a whole other level by the fact that it's,it's, not just that there are characters with disabilities playing roles that they might not normally have the opportunity to play, but that they're constituting, you know, I mean, at least 50%, in some cases of the faces that you're seeing on the screen and something that you started to see in this clip. And again, I know it was a little laggy, so all the more reason that I encourage you all to go to their site and watch some of these films in their entirety, because what I can say is, again, there's a lot of conversation around diversity and inclusion, and certainly with Hollywood being under pressure as they should be with some of the, what we've seen that lack of that in, in mainstream films, I think sometimes people lose the actual reason as to why it's important.
[Ila]: I mean, Jer, do you want to start, like, have you ever, I mean, Jeremy is a big media consumer as well, watch it, there's a lot of, you can fill us in Jeremy, on TVs and movie, especially, um, cause there can be a lot of isolation in, in daily life, you know, of, um, you know, Jeremy's been looking for a job for, for a long time finding a job that can work, but have, you know, have you in all the media you've consumed Jeremy, any people with Williams syndrome or other disabilities that you could think of? Like, what was that like? Did you feel like you were represented in films and you have been? Or what does that like for you if you don't feel represented?
[Jeremy]: Well, Doug, if you know anyone in Hollywood, who's looking for an actor, let them know I want to be there. So, and I kind of, I do feel isolated. Like I would like to be in more films. I would like to do more and be part of, you know, a part of the journey that many people have gotten to do. And, uh, the Zeno films are, you know, fun to watch over and over again because I do watch them on occasion and the media is just really good. There's a really good outlet for it.
[Ila]: I think often too, sometimes you see one character with a disability isolated, you know, within a scene or within a you know, that that might be more similar. And so like you're saying to have, when it's like, uh, 50% of the cast, when it's a higher percentage and it's sprinkling all over, you kind of stop that stops to be an identifying primary identifying factor. You start to get into, into the creativity of it, the scene, the, and that's kind of a secondary factor of the setting. And I think that, um,
[Peter]: The disability, isn't the defining factor. Like I was saying, like, how did you get in the wheelchair? You know, it's like, no, you're, you're just, you're, it's a part of you, but it's not like the part of you.
[Ila]: And it's such a wide group. It goes across all races, genders. I mean, it really encompasses such a large part of the population.
[Doug]: You don't, again, Jeremy, you were starting to talk about your experience as an actor. And certainly, you know, I hope that in addition to these great roles that you've been able to have at Zeno Mountain Farm, that you'd, you'd have more opportunity elsewhere. Um, have you found outside of Zeno Mountain Farm, you know, anyone, a casting director or any kind of entities that have, you know, that you've auditioned for, that have been wanting to, wanting you to be a part of other productions? Have you had any experiences around that?
[Jeremy]: Yes. Uh, a while ago I auditioned for the hit TV show, Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck. And unfortunately I didn't get the role, but they were looking for someone with my disability. So they cast someone that didn't have Williams syndrome and people were like contacting us saying it wasn't good. The actor was not that good. No, I don't mean to say that out loud, but he, wasn't. So it was kind of troubling to me that they would, they would let him do it when I tried very hard to get the role.
[Ila]: I think it's a very normal part of auditioning is that you go to a lot of auditions where you don't get the parts. I think that's a common thing. But just opportunities to get to those additions. So I think also busting it open a little bit about the roles and the ways and the, the jobs and how we can bring that diversity into media across the board. Our friend AJ, who is one of the Zeno crew, and actor said, you know, I want disability to have a seat at the table in pop culture. And that's really, I think really sums it up.
[Doug]: I'm curious, what you, what kind of feedback you've all heard from other people about, you know, perhaps people that are watching a film, like the films that you make for the first time, you know, if you've heard anything back about what kind of, what that experience is like for them and if it's, if it's changed them in any way.
[Ila]: Yeah. I think often the feedback we get, what is kind of what you said earlier, Doug, which is I didn't expect it to be so good, you know, and people are having an experience where they're seeing themselves if they have a disability, on screen, which is, has a huge impact to see someone that looks similar to you or someone's experience that you can relate to. I mean, that's what we all want for movies and media to feel, to see ourselves in a piece of a character or to relate to an experience. And so to open that up to the disabled community has been incredible, or people with disabilities, parents, or you, you, your best friend with a disability, you know, it starts with a person with disability, but that ripples out to so many people in our community and, and watching the films. I think it has a huge impact to see Jeremy onstage playing the, the cop, the magician cop, you know, and I think also people, it causes people with, and you see this in the documentary a little bit, to just rethink, to kind of take a step and go back and rethink about where their misperceptions, about what people with disabilities are capable of. Had I written somebody off, like I think it just, it causes us to take a pause and to, and to, to lean into that a little bit, which is I think a normal human thing and a really healthy thing. And again, what we hope to do in media is to get us to get pushed a little bit. You know, if it's a scary movie, you want to get pushed into that, those feelings. And so with the inclusion, we can, we can step into our, our, our service, our humanity.
[Doug]: Jeremy, do you have, do you have a favorite all time role that you've played? My.
[Jeremy]: Favorite all time role would have to be the mascot and our new movie.
[Doug]: Tell us more about that.
[Peter]: Jeremy played a giant Eagle. He was in this giant Eagle costume for a lot, a long time.
[Doug]: Was it hot in there?
[Jeremy]: Very. It was worth it. It was worth it.
[Ila]: Also, if Jeremy needed a break, occasionally we would put an understudy in the Eagle costume. And like we put a guy in, he could do like hand springs, you know, and then, so that's pretty funny because you see Jeremy and then you see the eagle handspring, it was just really fun role to play with. And a lot of natural enthusiasm. That was a little bit of a typecast.
[Doug]: It's like sliding right into the perfect role for you there.
[Peter]: The Eagle gets pushed by the mean girl in the movie. Um, and I won't tell you if that was Jeremy inside the ego costume, was it? Do you remember that Jeremy?
[Ila]: We can't reveal.
[Peter]: We can't reveal whether it was his double or not.
[Doug]: Jeremy, can you just, can you just let everyone know what just like the, what Best Summer Ever is about?
[Jeremy]: Well, I would like to let Pete and Ila talk about it. Talk about, a little bit about it. I'm not really good at, uh, plot lines and synopsis of movies.
[Ila]: One thing you are good at Jeremy is the feeling we can fill in about the plot, but can you share, like, what's the feeling of Best Summer Ever? What's, what's the feeling that you get?
[Jeremy]: A lot of excitement, dancing, and singing and a lot of, a lot of joy.
[Peter]: So, um, basically we, we, uh, you know, we kept making movies over the years and it just kind of kept building and building building, and they had always been short movies, half an hour shorts that we would usually shoot in two week period. Um, but with the success of, of Bulletproof, which he saw it, um, and we went to film festivals with that and people were like, okay, what are you going to do next? And we've always been, you know, big fans of musicals, you know, Footloose and Grease and, um, you know, High School Musical, whatever. And, uh, and so we said, okay, we're going to write our own original musical and make it feature length, and have it be, you know, the biggest cast of people without disabilities ever in front of, and behind the camera. And we're just going to go for it and sort of threw that marker down and made it happen. And when we shot this movie for over two years, and I mean, it was a monster project. Jeremy, like he said, was sweating in a very hot eagle costume. We all, I mean, we worked the hardest we've ever worked. Um, and, uh, and we're super psyched that it's finished. Like I said, it was going to show it at South by Southwest, in March, the world crashed. But we still have the movie and we're, and we're starting to roll it out. Actually, we, we sort of, we we've sat on it for awhile and now we, we said, okay, well, we don't want it. We didn't do the virtual film festival things, which I know you've done Doug. Right. And maybe we'll get into that, but we wanted to, to show it to an audience the best we can and, and festivals are starting to do these drive in theater deal. So we're, we're actually premiering next week at a festival on Martha's Vineyard. And then we're coming down to you, J, right? You want to say, talk about that?
[Jeremy]: Yes. Best Summer Ever is proud to be a part of the Cuculorous Film Festival this year. So I'm delighted. I am very, very excited to be there to represent the Zeno family and my family and my community of brothers and sisters.
[Peter]: And that's in Wilmington, North Carolina.
[Ila]: We are so proud of this movie. It is so much fun. As Jeremy said, high energy, a lot of drama. It's a high school football drama. And again...
[Jeremy]: Shout out to Mount Abe Eagles, I love you guys.
[Ila]: We filmed at the local high school in Vermont where we live. And again, a movie too, in this genre where people can see themselves represented in a genre where they're not normally not as represented in this kind of high school, small town musical drama. It is super fun. And we can't wait for you to see it, Doug, and for everyone to see it.
[Doug]: I can't wait. You know, again, before I ever met any of you guys, I'd read about it, that it was going to be part of South by and was super excited to see it. So the other thing that I know is with, you know, what I know about it and what I know about what you guys do, that a pandemics not going to stop it. And it's going to be something that's, people are gonna want to watch for a long time after. So I know whether, you know, you're starting to get the drive-ins and I'm sure there'll be opportunities, plenty, once things settle down again, no matter how long that is for you to screen it in theaters and certainly for people to enjoy it all over the place. I know I certainly will. With the last kind of several minutes we have here, you know, obviously we've got, we've gotten to talk about a real great overview and of the ethos of Zeno Mountain Farm. Certainly talked a good amount about the filmmaking aspect and just media representation as a whole, really the deeper reasons as to why it's important, but also, you know, Zeno Mountain Farm, as you set up at the beginning of this is not just about filmmaking, although that's a really vital part of it. Maybe just with the last several minutes, we can kind of talk about some of the other dimensions and things that you do there.
[Peter]: Sure. Yeah, we started out just doing programs for people with disabilities and, and had so much fun with it and did all these different creative projects like the movie making, but then also, um, musical theater, music, we would get together for a week and, and, uh, you know, do retreats that were focused on wellness and, um, sports. And then we would get together and we were in Vermont, we would all go ski for a week. Um, and, uh, and then over the years it was, it just kept being like, well, what, what are some other groups that, that would benefit from the same philosophy of, you know, don't pay anyone, don't charge anyone come and, and do what you can. And, uh, and so we, over the years have built in, um, a cancer retreat, a retreat for veterans, chronic illness retreat, and traumatic brain injury specific retreat. Um, so yeah, there's 13 of them now, and it's, it's sort of every month of the year, there's something happening. And now that we're in COVID world, we we've made them all virtual. So we're, we're keeping it, keeping the families going, um, be it like this in the zoom-a-sphere,
[Ila]: It was cool and amazing to watch the philosophy translate to these other, to the other groups, the core being, again, a sense of belonging, a group where I come back year after year and I contribute and I can build friendships and I can be part of something that is greater than myself, you know, and each retreat has sort of become like a little family. It's like almost like a family reunion when they come back. Um, and in our cyber camp during COVID, we had some big group, Zeno, all community check-ins. And so some of the crew with chronic illness that comes in February and is a really tight Dino group, but doesn't really overlap with Jeremy's group in the summer, right Jer. They came to some of the cyber programs and some of the cyber meetings. And that was again, just another layer of, when we're all of service to each other and we're all in that kind of space, that's where we like connect with our shared humanity. And that's where like, all this creativity comes. That's where we can, even in an hour of a day on zoom, we called it the Zoomiverse. That was the term Zeno made up, even for an hour, a day on the Zoomiverse we can plug into this, we can plug into this meaningful connection. And that's really what, um, it was neat to see like the power of Zeno in this other format when we sort of knew that, but it had a new potency with just getting to see Jeremy and the Zoomiverse, and, and still have that sense of belonging and connection.
[Doug]: And like you're saying, when you have something that, you know, runs as deep as like the ethos that I'm understanding very clearly that Zeno Mountain Farm is, certainly even something as big as a pandemic isn't going to stop kind of the heart of it. And I understand, you know, one of the ways in which you're using technology moving forward, very soon is to do, you're doing a virtual dance-athon. Do you want to, do you want to tell people a little bit more about that?
[Peter]: Yeah. We want to plug it and, and invite everyone to join us. Literally everyone on the planet can come this year. Uh, but we are, our big annual fundraiser is a, is a dance marathon. And, uh, we typically do it here, um, at our facility in Vermont, in our big barn. And it's a, it's a 24 hour dance marathon that people do, um, in teams or individually, we have a lot of folks who come and actually do the whole 24 hours. It's come one, come all. And you, you raise funds much like, um, you know, people do when they run a marathon or whatnot. Um, and this year it's, it's virtual we've, we've stripped it down to a four hour virtual extravaganza. It's a Halloween theme. Uh, and then, and then there is a caveat, cause we do have hardcore dancers where we're going to do a dance till you drop competition. Um, so after the four hours you keep going and you can win a big prize along the last one.
[Ila]: Yeah. This year it's on October 24th, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. And the dance marathon is such a Zeno event, you know, as our main fundraiser, um, we don't have a fancy auction or, uh, we do this is like people can come and get a taste of Zeno and dancing is such a great thing to exemplify the diversity in the community because everyone's dancing is unique to themselves. Everyone dancing brings energy to the group. Everyone's dancing, helps pump other people up that are dancing, you know, everyone's dancing contributes and it is so much fun. Jeremy's come.
[Peter]: Yeah. Jay, any, any advice?
[Jeremy]: Make sure you drink a lot of water.
[Ila]: Wear supportive shoes. But it's such as, you know, thing that like, there's no dancing is wrong, no dancing is worse than other dancing. You know what I mean? We all, we all can and celebrate and feed off each other. And so we've had a lot of fun with this 24 hour dance marathon in the past and wanted to find a way to keep it going and to keep, you know, keep the lights on it's, you know, during this pandemic as well. And we have a huge base of small donors and we're hoping that the dance marathon will continue to just bring in a lot of, a lot of small donors make a huge difference. And that's kind of always the way Zeno has made our movies and when our programs, and we're looking forward to boogeying with Jeremy. Are you gonna wear the Eagle suit for the dance marathon, Jer?
[Jeremy]: I'm not sure like how long I'm going to make it. Hopefully it'll be up for awhile.
[Doug]: And, and again, you, you mentioned when it was, did you mention how people can join in if they want to?
[Peter]: We'll give a, can we give a link out?
[Doug]: Yeah, absolutely. And we can post that as well.
[Peter]: Yeah. You just click in and fill out a form and that's it. And then come, yeah.
[Ila]: It would be so fun to have an increased crew and a bunch of new dancers that would bring so much energy and joy to the Zeno crew. We hope you can join.
[Doug]: Yeah. Well, I'm, I'm gonna start, you know, drinking water and doing my stretches now to get ready for it. With the lead up there. Otherwise, if I don't start preparing now I might drop way too soon.
[Peter]: Yeah, training starts.
[Doug]: Well, you know, guys, it was so great to have you on today. You know, I'll just look at whatever technical glitches we have as a reason for us to join forces again. And to have you guys again, in the future, maybe, maybe around when the film is more widely available. We'd certainly love to connect with you and you know, something that, you know, I'm just personally, what I've gotten to know of the three of you, of Zeno Mountain Farm, it just, it really inspires me as, as a creative of how I can, you know, push the boundaries more and kind of work outside of traditional norms that much more in the stuff that we do at Feeling Through. So I really thank you for in many ways, pioneering a lot of things. And really just exemplifying, you know, diverse and inclusive filmmaking at its absolute finest. So it's really, really genuinely not hyperbole for me when I say that, it's really, really honest. And, you know, Jeremy, certainly wish you the best in your, in your pursuits moving forward. And certainly hope that people who watch this and watch the films that you're in call you for roles in the future. Because you really are a tremendous actor. And I thought you did an amazing job in Bulletproof and really, really want to see your diversity of roles that I know you play in a lot of the other films.
[Jeremy]: Thank you. And I want to thank Peter and Ila for being with me every step of the way all my life and you guys are really special. So, thank you.
[Ila]: Yeah. Thank you, Doug. We love what you're doing too. And this push also for things to be more accessible in this kind of platform is so important and it's so easy for people to not consider that, you know, and I, and I love that we're all stepping up in this area and it's, it's really inspiring to us too.
[Doug]: Yeah. Thank you guys so much once again, and thank you for tuning in.
[Ila]: And thank you, Erin, for interpreting.
[Doug]: As always to our interpreters, Erin and Patrick.
[Jeremy]: Thanks, Patrick.
[Doug]: And to you who stuck through some of the glitches and we'll see this cleaner version up. Thank you. As always, we'll be back with another episode of Feeling Through Live next Friday, same time, same place. And until then we hope you have a wonderful weekend and week ahead. Bye everyone. Thank you.