Larchmont Teens Win Statewide Video Challenge

Local teens representing the Larchmont Public Library are the winners in a statewide video challenge using the theme “Libraries Rock”. The video, produced by the teens, will be available to public libraries throughout the nation to use in promoting libraries to teens. The competition was open to teens between the ages of 13 and 18 throughout New York State with the sponsorship of a local public library, and took place between November 2017 and the end of April 2018, when the winning video was announced. Similar competitions were held simultaneously in all fifty states, though there is not a national winner.

The criteria for creating the video started with the teens creating an interpretation of the overarching theme “Libraries Rock” which promotes summer reading at the public library. The video had to be between 30 seconds and 90 seconds in length, and had to feature a clear message delivered in a creative way. As the winning team, the group is awarded a $100 prize with an additional $50 prize for the library.

The participating Larchmont area teens are James Conway (extra, sound engineer), Dimitrios Haralampopoulos (featured actor & editor), Maria Haralampopoulos (puppeteer, extra, & editor), Madelyn Konvisser (production assistant), Tess Lepelstat (writer, production assistant & extra), Marcus Lucas (puppeteer, extra & editor), Sophie Thorpe (featured actor & editor), and Mark Yukelis (writer & extra). The teens worked closely with Dana Schumacher, Studio Production Manager at LMC-TV in Mamaroneck, where they were able to use professional-grade video and film studio equipment to film, edit and complete the post-production of their video - all in about six hours! Larchmont Public Library Teen Services Librarian, Kim Larsen, guided the entire project.

The New York State winner for the 2018 Teen Video Challenge was selected through a panel of media professionals and celebrity judges. This panel ranked the entries based on creativity and interpretation of the theme. The 2018 panel members were:

• Jackson Murphy – film critic for YNN television
• Dan Judson – Filmmaker/Producer, Digital Foundry
• Jeffrey Kirkendall, New York State Library, Library Development

The winning video was chosen for its creative interpretation of this year’s slogan. Its strong message that teens can find a variety of resources and ideas to build a better world at the library was a winning combination!

“We couldn’t be more proud of our teens!” remarked Laura Eckley, Library Director. “The ‘Libraries Rock’ video challenge presented a unique opportunity for our teens to be creative and potentially have their video shown to promote public libraries across our nation. Congratulations to each of them and thanks to Kim Larsen and LMC-TV!”

The “Libraries Rock” video created by Larchmont teens can be viewed on the Teens page on the Larchmont Public Library website and Facebook page, on LMCTV’s website and on Youtube.