nomyths.org

The "No Myths" PSA offers a refreshingly positive and optimistic view about life with autism. And it was written and performed by people who should know--individuals who are on the autism spectrum themselves. The purpose of the PSA is to tell society that, with the right supports, people with autism can do anything anybody else can do, even if it isn't in the same way. Ari Ne'eman, president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, leads a cast that includes {in order of appearance} Dena Gassner, Ben Liske, and Jacob Pratt.

The Dan Marino Foundation of Weston, FL sponsored the piece, which was filmed by Nashville-based Kent Creative. Jon Kent directed the PSA and Britt Simmons was the Director of Photography.

"No Myths" was filmed inside the Parthenon in Nashville, TN. The Nashville Parthenon, which was built in 1897, is a full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Temple. The two bronze doors, used as a symbol throughout the PSA, weigh 7.5 tons each, and are thought to be the largest pair of matching bronze doors in existence. The producers wish to thank Citation Film Support and the Filmworker's Club of Nashville for their generous support of this project.

View production stills. Photography by Glen Rose.

Founded in 1992 by Dan and Claire Marino, the Dan Marino Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals living with developmental disabilities. The Foundation sponsors innovative research through the Marino Autism Research Institute, supports the delivery of comprehensive therapies through the Miami Children's Hospital Dan Marino Center, and is on the leading edge of developing new programs for helping young adults with disabilities transition from school to life. The Dan Marino Foundation runs a free 24/7 web channel on autism and other developmental disabilities called Childnett.tv, and is currently developing an issue-based social networking site for people with autism, called Autube.tv.

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a non-profit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN's supporters include autistic adults and youth, those with other distinct neurological types and neurotypical family members, professionals, educators and friends. ASAN was created to provide support and services to individuals on the autism spectrum while working to change public perception and combat misinformation by educating communities about persons on the autism spectrum. Our activities include public policy advocacy, community engagement to encourage inclusion and respect for neurodiversity, quality of life oriented research and the development of autistic cultural activities and other opportunities for autistic people to engage with others on the spectrum. ASAN initiatives include the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education (AASPIRE), an active Speaker's Bureau and advocacy in support of autism and disability-related issues such as de-institutionalization and community living supports, educational opportunity and inclusion, employment supports and other initiatives at both state and federal levels.

Kent Creative is a national creative agency based in Nashville, Tennessee that specializes in nonprofit film production and print communications. The PSA is a telling example of the distinctive film style of Kent Creative, with its use of authentic stories, emotionally compelling music and sophisticated production techniques. Kent Creative has partnered with the Dan Marino Foundation on numerous productions and has worked with many other prominent nonprofit organizations, such as Weil Cornell Medical School, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Hasbro Children's Hospital and Vanderbilt University.