THE FILMS BELOW WERE MADE BY 52ND STREET PROJECT KIDS
WORKING BY THEMSELVES OR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ADULT VOLUNTEERS.
THEY ARE RANKED IN ORDER FROM MOST RECENT TO OLDEST. ENJOY!
The 2019 Filmmaking Workshop
In early September of 2019, the Project hosted its 6th annual Filmmaking workshop. In the course of a one-week school break, three Project Members (Hannah Leon, Aaron Ordinola, and Faith Villanueva) and their adult partners (Helen Cespedes, Michael Propster, and Grace Rex) wrote short films starring adult professional actors (as well as a couple of other Project kids). To see any of the four films, click HERE or on the image below and you’ll be taken to a YouTube album. For maximum cinematic enjoyment, we recommend plugging in with headphones and expanding the image to full-screen size.
The Curve of Creativity
Enrique Caballero was a 52nd Street Project kid from 2010 to 2017 and continues to volunteer for us as a young adult. He has long had a passion for cinema, and this summer he participated in a workshop at NYU where he created this short film, which is something of an homage to his years as a kid at the Project. It brought a couple of tears to our eyes. Have a look. Thanks, Enrique! (You can also see his very first film in its entirety near the bottom of this page.)
The 2018 Filmmaking Workshop
In April of 2018, the Project hosted its 5th annual Filmmaking workshop. In the course of a one-week school break, four kids (Darby O’Donnell, Gilbert Rosario, Gage Simmons, and Karen Tineo) and their adult partners (Zsuzsa Mysak, Michael Stahl-David, Chris Wendelken, and Rachel James) wrote short films starring adult professional actors (as well as a couple of other Project kids). To see any of the four films, click on the image below and you’ll be taken to a Vimeo album. For maximum cinematic enjoyment, we recommend plugging in with headphones and expanding the image to full-screen size.
The 2017 Filmmaking Workshop
In April of 2017, the Project hosted its 4th annual Filmmaking workshop. In the course of a one-week school break, four kids (Lauren Amador-Cruz, Genesis Hires, Enrique Caballero, and Derek Rey) and their adult partners (Zsuzsa Mysak, Grace Rex, Dylan Dawson, and Max Rosenak) wrote short films starring adult professional actors. To see all four, click on the “Play All” arrow in the center of the YouTube link below. To choose a specific film, click on “Playlist” at the left of the top bar. For maximum cinematic enjoyment, we recommend plugging in with headphones and expanding the image to full-screen size.
The 2016 Filmmaking Workshop
In February, 2016, the Project hosted its third annual Filmmaking workshop. In the course of a one-week school break, three kids (Ginaija Hires, Maria Martinez, and Andry Moreno) and their adult partners (Charly Evon Simpson, George Babiak, and Michael Stahl-David) wrote short films starring adult professional actors. The three young auteurs were joined at the Project’s red carpet premiere by past Filmmaking alum Sofia Santoni and her Smart Partner Grace Rex, who made their own film completely independently after school. To see all four, click on the “Play All” arrow in the center of the YouTube link below. To choose a specific film, click on “Playlist” at the left of the top bar. For maximum cinematic enjoyment, we recommend plugging in with headphones and expanding the image to full-screen size.
The 2015 Filmmaking Workshop
In April, 2015, the Project hosted its second annual Filmmaking workshop. In the course of a one-week school break, three kids (Ezekiel Albarron, David Ortiz, Sofia Santoni) and their adult partners (Aaron Costa Ganis, David Schwab & George Babiak, and Grace Rex) wrote and directed short films starring adult actors that had been hand-picked for them. The three auteurs were joined at the premiere by Chamel Rodney and his Smart Partner Lee Aaron Rosen, who were billed as “independent” filmmakers. To see all four, click on the “Play All” arrow in the center of the YouTube link below. To choose a specific film, click on “Playlist” at the left of the top bar. For maximum cinematic enjoyment, we recommend plugging in with headphones and expanding the image to full-screen size.
The 2014 Open Mic Movies
Every now and then a 52nd Street Project Smart Partner team has a surge of energy and initiative and produces a film without any outside help or training. Here are two that were presented at the December, 2014 Open Mic Show at the Five Angels Theater in New York City. “Mustard To My Ketchup” by Sofia Santoni and Grace Rex, and “Pickleman vs. The Human Cucumber” by Ezekiel Albarron and Aaron Costa Ganis.
The 2014 Filmmaking Workshop
In April, 2014, the Project launched its very first Filmmaking workshop. In the course of a one-week school break, three kids (Ruby Zamora, Alex Malan, and Enrique Caballero) and their adult partners (George Babiak, Matthew Jellison, and Dylan Dawson) wrote and directed short films starring adult actors that had been hand-picked for them. We think they did pretty well! To see all three, click on the “Play All” arrow in the center of the YouTube link below. To choose a specific film, click on “Playlist” at the left of the top bar. For maximum cinematic enjoyment, we recommend plugging in with headphones and expanding the image to full-screen size.
“Just Kidding” Benefit Performance
On May 13, 2013 we presented our annual benefit, entitled “Just Kidding” at Tribeca Rooftop. For this show, we took the unprecedented step of having kids write stand-up comedy for adult professional comedians to perform. Lisa Kerner put together some sound excerpts from the show and paired them with our photos of the event. It’s less than 8 minutes long, and you will smile.
Playmaking Presentation
Not exactly a kid video, but it has kids in it! This is a 4 minute slideshow film showing The 52nd Street Project’s Playmaking Stage-One process from classroom to trip to script to stage. Most of the kids shown are from the Spring, 2012 Playmaking Class.
Elbow Guns
A short (2 minutes) film starring Enrique Caballero and his Smart Partner Dylan Dawson. Enjoy!
The Interview
In 2012, Ruby and George decided to try and see how quickly they could make a short film. They alternated writing lines and produced the script in less than an hour. The shoot took about 2 hours, the editing took about 3 hours, and the film is 2:30 minutes long. Hope you like it. (Thanks to Liz Bell for her electrifying performance).
YEAH! The Movie
During the Spring of 2011, the Project Clubhouse frequently did double-duty as a film set. “YEAH! The Movie” was written by two illustrious Project kids, Enrique Caballero and Eric Carrero, and directed, shot, and edited by Dylan Dawson. We think it’s hilarious. Click on the link, kick back with some potato chips, and watch for all your favorite Proj Peeps! It’s 11 min., and 21 secs. long.
YEAH! The Movie from George Babiak on Vimeo.
