Created by Ava Lowrey, Spyros Papavassiliou, and Martin Smith

Created by Ava Lowrey, Matt O’Brien, Spyros Papavassiliou, and Stevo Dwyer
Starring Annalee Hurst and Katie Wallace

This is a project for my freshman film class, Digital Frame & Sequence. In the class we take photos and make short videos. For this project I decided to contrast wealth and affluence in New York City with the city’s poverty and dead end streets. Often people visiting or living in New York are distracted by the glamor and the rush of the city to notice the things around that matter the most – the people. When I first arrived in the city I was surprised when I would see homeless people sleeping on steps and the sidewalks at night. Now I find myself passing by without noticing because it is so common. This video only represents a tiny fraction of a large problem in New York and other cities.

As a new string of youth activists have shown, you’re never too young or inexperienced to start making a difference in your community. HuffPost Impact is proud to detail the stories of the following young people, dedicating their time and energy in service to others
Vote on who you think is the biggest difference-maker!

You can read the article and vote at the link below.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/20/adolescent-activists-5-yo_n_292411.html?slidenumber=4

Also, the video I’m currently working on for one of my film classes will be done in a couple weeks. At that time I’ll be posting it here along with a more detailed update from NYC!

With "Housie"

This past week has been amazing. I’ve fully moved into my dorm(minus a few posters that are on the way), made friends, and explored the area where I now live. I’ve been enjoying the company of my floormates and classmates and the amazing view from my room(particularly at sunset). I’ve found those who say that NYU doesn’t have a “community” do not know what they’re talking about(what other school has a mascot, “Housie”, for residential life? no joke) and that walking 6 blocks to class isn’t a bad walk at all(though my opinion may change come winter). I’ve broken in my new sneakers, almost broke my foot wearing heels, and finally achieved my first NYC toe blister(I’m quite proud of myself) while exploring the West Village at night with friends. At this point I couldn’t be happier with my decision to attend NYU and I look forward to my first classes, which begin tomorrow.

I’ll have more to write soon, but for now I’m happy and looking forward to tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the sunset…..

I spent this morning getting last minute things done, and this afternoon I enjoyed a show(Mary Poppins) on Broadway with my little sisters and parents and then dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. Tomorrow morning I move in early and spend the day getting to know my classmates. I’m so excited, but have a bittersweet feeling about all of this. I’ll miss my family and my home, but I’m happy to be starting this new part of my life.. growing as a filmmaker and as a person.

*such* a flattering photo

I have three suitcases full of clothes, shoes, books, computer/video equipment, and a quilt for my bed. I *had* one bag that included three sets of sheets for my bed but that bag is now with other unclaimed baggage at Laguardia airport. As a result I’ll be visiting the airport much sooner than I planned.

Moving over 1,000 miles across is proving to be a stressful experience full of mistakes and mishaps, but as I look out the window and see the city that I’ll be living in for at least the next 4 years I realize that all the mistakes and mishaps are worth it… even if they cost me the cab fare to Laguardia Airport and back for sheets.

I’m almost done packing.