Soon, some residents you know will become celebrities, and local haunts you love will become recognizable to those from different areas of the world, all because the Upper Valley will soon grace the silver screen. JAM (Junction Arts & Media) is making its first feature-length film, Valley Transit, about an intergenerational relationship that occurs on a bus.

The nonprofit community-building organization has served Norwich, Hartford, Hartland, Hanover, and Lebanon for the last five years. JAM helps residents work their way into roles in the film industry and supports those with big ideas, but even still, their newest project is one of their most community-focused to date. A grassroots-funded film featuring local businesses and organizations, Valley Transit will be an opportunity for new filmmakers to learn about the world of filmmaking on set.

Cast table reading with Noah Schutzius (playing “Woody”), Samantha Davidson Green (writer and director,
second from left), Bailey Burcham (playing “bartender”), and Chelsea Cassady (playing “Señora Midory”).

This ambitious goal first came about last year in the fall when JAM decided to “[raise] the quality bar of media production in [the] area,” says Executive Director Samantha Davidson Green. As the director and writer of Valley Transit, Green’s goal was to tell a “quintessential Upper Valley [story] about what it’s like to come of age…and what it’s like to age here.”

Green noted that the story’s inspiration came from the “unusual mixing of generations” JAM has as a community resource, as it provides programs for both younger and older demographics. Over the next month, Green developed the project into a full-fledged script, which was further workshopped during the White River Indie Films Festival with a community table read and staff feedback.

Many signs showed this was the right time for the film to be made. First, last fall, film producer Wei Dai had recently moved from Los Angeles to the area. Though Dai was looking to apply for another job on JAM’s board for media coverage, by spring, he was brought on by Green to produce the project. Additionally, JAM found cinematographer Quinn Thomashow, who grew up in Stratford and came back from LA to help. Then, JAM also received a grant from the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant Program on June 1, allowing the team to film Valley Transit on high-quality Panavision film, which Green believes “will give everyone a higher quality learning experience and results in the film.”

Production designer Cedar O’Dowd leading puppet and prop making.

From the beginning, the entire project has had the Upper Valley community in mind. When JAM hosted the community table read, the organization invited Upper Valley residents interested in reading parts to attend. In addition, JAM also encouraged those attending to complete paper surveys for feedback. Also, JAM held a brief discussion to take comments and have conversations, because although the film is a comedy, Green said it “does tackle, in a gentle way, some of the culture divides around political points of view” and expresses that “the spirit of the story is very much about bringing people together” across those rifts.

Many different types of locations are featured within Valley Transit to show the burgeoning diversity of the Upper Valley. The shooting plan included the Lebanon Salt Hill Pub, Shyrl’s Diner, Dan and Whit’s, the Lebanon Opera House, the Norwich Fair, Hanover Food Co-op, Lyman Bridge, the American Legion in Windsor, and of course, the Advanced Transit Bus System, the catalyst for the entire film. Local musicians will also contribute to the film’s soundtrack, including Norwich resident Hans Williams and Hanover resident Sir Babygirl. Some will even be on camera, like folk/bluegrass musicians Jakob Breitbach, Jes Raymond, and Allison Faye Brown.

Valley Transit, Green explained, provides a “real resume item and a real IMDb credit if any of these folks end up wanting to continue to do this work.” She says that the 15 high school and college interns working on this project have real responsibilities, including directing, casting, and filming. Because of higher stakes, participants will be held accountable to “reach for the highest quality bar we can achieve.”

Crew, interns, and cast at the HCC Block Party: Liam Kelly-Thompson (2nd Assistant Director),Brooklyn Gramling
(SFFI intern), Adelaide Jones (SFFI intern), Noah Schutzius (playing “Woody”), and Reeve Green ( playing “Drew”).

Fundraising efforts also came from the community, including residents, the nonprofit Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, and corporations like Mascoma Bank. The project has raised $267,311 to date, 89% of its $299,858 goal. Green said the organization has raised enough to “cover all of [their] commitments for production,” and they are working on raising the last bit to cover post-production. Many businesses and residents have also offered their locations or residencies, and Northern Stage and North Country Community Theater (NCCT) are sharing a selection of costumes.

Dai explained that Valley Transit’s plan is in flux, depending on how production progresses. The current schedule (at press time for this publication) was to film over a month, beginning on July 18 and ending on August 16. Post-production would take another five or six months, which Dai said is a “conservative” estimate. After that, JAM will submit Valley Transit to film festivals. Dai noted that a lot of these festivals have requirements on the premiere status of the film, meaning you can’t screen it publicly until they host the festival. Dai said it will be in local theaters about a year and a half from now.

Richard Noble (playing “George”) and Alicia Sanyal (playing “Lizzie”).

Green and Dai explained how important the film is to highlight the Upper Valley’s unique community and culture as a lens for seeing the world at large. Dai said that though he’s not originally from the area, he hopes the project will help people see that they should support the local businesses and meet more people.

Green hopes Valley Transit will resonate for local audiences, allowing them to see the Upper Valley differently while also feeling a sense of pride and appreciation. Additionally, she hopes that the film will “convey something about the heart of our community out into the world for outside audiences who’ve never been here and may or may not [know] about the Upper Valley.”

For those who want to help support this exciting community project, Green said Valley Transit is still open to accepting donations.
To make a donation, visit givebutter.com/jam-summer-feature-film-intensive-2026-ooh4fo

Deciding on a career path is extremely difficult, especially when you’re a high schooler navigating the other demands of being a teenager. Thankfully, programs like the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) exist to help the youth make these complex decisions. A 43-year-old nonprofit organization located in Winooski, Vermont, the organization serves the Upper Valley’s 9th through 11th graders by offering a wide variety of summer programs under different institute umbrellas (Engineering, Arts, Health & Medicine, Mathematical Sciences, etc.). Hosted on college campuses, these programs involve various local career professionals, who give their time back to the community to help students find the pathway that works for them.

Elizabeth Frascoia, executive director GIV. Photo: Matthew Binginot

Taftsville, Vermont resident Elizabeth Frascoia, the executive director of the GIV, said the organization changed her life, leading her to become a career musician after completing the program. Though her father was also a musician, Frascoia explained that when she attended GIV’s Arts program 30-something years ago as a 15-year-old, she found people her own age who were excited to be spontaneous and try new things. This experience inspired Frascoia to pursue her preferred profession. In the program, she built connections with attendees and mentors, one of whom is still a good friend of hers in music.

Students sing on stage during the GIV Summer Arts Institute.

Propelled by the program’s initial spark, Frascoia became a professional musician in New York City playing trombone and singing. In addition to teaching, Frascoia was a freelancer and session musician who often toured with the likes of Michael Bolton, Adele, and St. Vincent.

Then, in 2020, Frascoia had the chance to give back to the organization that initially changed her life. The previous executive director, Kaomi Taylor Mitchell, who served for 11 years, let Frascoia know the position was opening, so she applied.

“I wasn’t necessarily looking for a job at that time, but when this job opened up, I thought it was the coolest job you could have,” Frascoia said. “Because you get to talk to folks in all kinds of different fields.” Even though Frascoia is now an executive director, she still plays in The Dropoffs, a band that includes Quechee resident Alex Beram.

Frascoia also explained that GIV’s impact on the local community is dynamic, and said after this program students go back to school, carrying “so much spark that they are infectious in a positive way. They want to give back and inspire their friends.”

With examples of students who left their Global Issues and Youth Action Institute advocating for laws, and others that won the organization’s business plan pitch competition and plan to submit their idea to the University of Vermont, it’s clear these programs often inspire participants.

Students dissect a sheep heart during the GIV Summer Health & Medicine Institute.

Though the GIV may be aimed at high school students, the organization is always looking for more volunteers. If you’re one of many, as Frascoia puts it, “dedicated folks who want to pass on their love for their fields,” perhaps you can help a student find a lifelong passion worth pursuing. Volunteers can reach out via the contact form on the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont website at giv.org or through the organization’s social media. Also, if you want to check out Frascoia’s band, the Drop Offs have a show scheduled November 20 at Woodstock’s Town Hall Theater.