Celluloid star
‘I am so excited I could throw up’
August was a special month for aspiring St. John’s filmmaker Kerry Gamberg.
That was when she learned her career would take a turn when her script for “Crush” was chosen as the winner of a prestigious award.
Watching her eyes while awaiting the announcement, you could tell it was an emotional prize for the nearly 10-year veteran of the film industry.
“I am so excited I could throw up,” Gamberg, the 2017 St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival’s (SJIWFF) Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker award winner, said after being called to the stage to receive her award.
The announcement came on the same day the SJIWFF announced its 2017 program during a news conference at NIFCO in St. John’s.
“When I found out in August I literally cried. I wept. How often do you get to win an award for something before it is even made,” she added.
“Crush” is a short film about a boy who is new to town. He falls in with a group of bullies, and he discovers who they really are after the group meets his girlfriend.
Gamberg said she sat down and wrote the script over one weekend.
“It is pure fiction, part of the themes I write about, including young girls and teens finding their way in life,” she said.
“(‘Crush’) has a special twist at the end,” she said, laughing, not wanting to give away the surprise.
Gamberg has worked as a writer, director, producer and creator, and has an extensive resume over the past six years, including work on CBC’S hit show “Republic of Doyle” and two seasons of work on “Frontier” for Netflix.
Her other work includes her current project of writing the pilot for her comedy series “The Hallidays,” produced “Yarns” for CBC Comedy Coup and “Waste It” (RBC Michelle Jackson Award winner) and was field producer and fixer for Spike Jonze/viceland’s television series “Abandoned.”
In addition, she operates Butter Pictures Inc., a production, fixing and equipment company.
“This award is a concrete example there is an opportunity to approach filmmaking here. It is a business, but also an art project. We can hire a crew and get going,” Gamberg said.
“It also legitimizes me as a director as well as a producer.” she added.
The project will be filmed over a two-day period in June 2018. Following a few weeks of post-production, it will be ready and delivered for the 29th SJIWFF in 2018.
She said she will hire local teens to act in her film and is committed to showcasing an inclusive cast of diversity from schools in the province.
“Most people show us as white Irish Catholics and we are so much more here in this province. We have new Canadians, First Nations, a great black population that we can showcase outside of the normal community,” she said.
“When I found out in August I literally cried. I wept. How often do you get to win an award for something before it is even made.” Kerry Gamberg, 2017 winner, Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Award