Emerging filmmaker making his mark

Camrin at work
Camrin Petramale photo
Camrin Petramale’s short film, “Memoirs of a Parapsychologist,” was one of 10 films recently selected as a recipient in the annual Emerging Cinematographer Awards. In the fall, he and his wife will be flown to Los Angeles and New York where his film will be played for all in attendance.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Aug. 1, 2013

NORTH AURORA — When your Local president calls you at home, it usually doesn’t accompany good news. In the case of Camrin Petramale, it was GREAT news.

IATSE, Local 600 President Steven Poster gave Petramale the news he was selected as one of 10 recipient in the Emerging Cinematographer Awards (ECA).

“It was a great feeling being told my film was accepted. I’ve always admired Steven Poster. He’s a cinematographer and shot the movie “Donnie Darko,” and several other huge movies and here he is telling me he’s seen my movie and he loved it,” Petramale explained.

His short film, “Memoirs of a Parapsychologist” runs just under 13 minutes. All submissions needed to be under 30 minutes. The film was his Columbia College Chicago senior thesis. It was shot on film, which is now considered an “older” format in the age of digital.

“Columbia is very film-based and I feel film gives you more knowledge as a filmmaker,” he explained.

This year, 97 films were submitted, making the recognition invaluable to an up-and-coming cinematographer.

“Having this acknowledgment on your resume will help cinematographers find work and also gives them an opportunity to move into a higher job classification,” said Leonard Mopurgo, vice president of Weissman Markovitz Communication, the public relations promoting the ECA.

Rules changed this year, allowing only one entry per person. “This is the best year by far because it’s 97 individual people,” Mopurgo explained.

Judges throughout the country make their decisions strictly on cinematography, which includes lighting, shadows, contrast and camera angles.

Getting that shot a cinematographer wants requires subtle, yet meaningful choices, something Petramale takes pride in.

“You need to know the story inside and out. I want my shots to be a clear representation of the story. If my shot deters from the story in any way, then clearly I’m being flashy,” he said.

Petramale has been completed corporate commercials, with work on TV shows and movies just out of his reach. He’s hoping receiving his award changes that.

“It’s an honor to receive this. At 24-years-old this is my union telling me I’m doing good,” he explained.

Petramale will travel to Los Angeles and New York where he’ll meet his fellow recipients, network and learn.

“This is my validation for my work. People will see me now as in the forefront of my field,” Petramale said.

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