AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING THE PARTICIPATION & ENDORSEMENT OF THE ZAPPA FAMILY.

April 13, 2016

Hi All,

I wanted to take a moment to address the family issues that have surfaced over the last week. I have discussed all of this directly, both in our Kickstarter comments and our detailed FAQs, but just so it's clear and in one place:

Our project – to preserve key elements in the Vault, and use them to make a definitive documentary –was granted 100% support by Gail Zappa.

This happened last year, and was covered in the news.

After she passed, the co-trustees of the Zappa Family Trust – Ahmet and Diva Zappa – upheld that support, and have continued to allow me the access Gail offered. That's why, since the beginning of this campaign, I've done my best to make it clear that we are fully authorized: the ZFT is the only group with the legal right to uphold or revoke Gail's offer.

But, I want to be 100% clear: I have spoken about what I am doing with both Dweezil and Moon Zappa. I have made it clear that I would really like for them to be involved, to share their perspective and memories, and to let me interview them for inclusion in the movie. This has not changed.

However, over the past week, they have expressed their desire not to be involved, and have also emphasized that they have not endorsed this project. Again, as I explained in our FAQ, that is absolutely their decision, and I respect whatever decision they make. I don't want to misrepresent anything. 

I sincerely hope that Dweezil and Moon change their mind, and decide to participate in whatever form suits them, but obviously, that is not my decision to make. I have enormous respect for both of them. But here's the thing:

Whatever is going on between the Zappas, as a family, is none of my business.

The simple truth is that documentary projects of this scope are complex, time consuming labors of love for all involved. We have a lot of work to do in preserving the vault elements and transitioning into making the film. That is the task I was granted the support to accomplish, and with the support of our backers, it's what I now plan to concentrate on.

Alex Winter