Make a Movie With Your Neighbors With the ‘On My Block’ Short Film Project
After first hearing about On My Block, a neighborhood filmmaking project that encourages New Yorkers to collaborate in writing, filming and editing a short film using only people and places on one city block, we were skeptical. We can hardly get our neighbors to hold a door open for us, much less spend weeks working together on an unpaid project.
Mary Crosse, who is director of On My Block Films and co-conceptualized the project with Ryan O’Hara Theisen, told The Observer about their hybrid of filmmaking and community service. “New York can be so anonymous. When you get to know your neighbors, it can change a lot. It could potentially reduce crime or get people involved in improvement projects,” she said.
The rules are fairly simple: make a short film by using locations, actors, directors and cameramen from the block where you live. Films will be uploaded to Vimeo and will receive votes through “likes.” The top 15 will be shown at a film festival where prizes will be awarded for Best Narrative, Best Documentary and Best in Show. Read More
