Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Wainer.
Hi Camille, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
There is a long history of artistic pursuit in my family, and it is through visual art that I eventually came to filmmaking. My father trained in art education and worked throughout Germany when I was born. My childhood was filled with art activities and my parents were avid photographers. I attended the University of Texas at Austin to study painting. Then I moved to New York City to study at Pratt Institute, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design. After working as an editorial illustrator, I started an independent film production company and made my directorial debut with a silent documentary featuring artists in the post-9/11 community of NYC. I went on to complete a second documentary showcasing artists in Post-Celtic Tiger Ireland and recently created two animation projects to raise awareness about endangered animals.
Filmmaking is a demanding craft, and the need for more openings for women in the industry adds even more pressure to this challenge. This makes it all the more important for society to make an effort to nurture these talents in women and for women to transcend competition and differences to support each other in overcoming barriers and limitations. Luckily, women still have ample time to play a significant part.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I started as an editorial illustrator working for magazines and newspapers in New York, with assignments primarily encompassing women’s issues, the conflict in the Middle East, and film reviews. My client list included the American Museum of Natural History, Habitat for Humanities, The Washington Post, and the New York Press. My first film was compelled by the World Trade Center attacks when I lived in New York and later, after I relocated to the UK, by the London Underground bombings. The tragedy and shock of these events stimulated in me much examination (through making art) but eventually led me to explore film as an avenue for further expression. After I acquired a background of working separately with a war photojournalist and a documentary filmmaker, I merged all these experiences and tried to respond to questions about the role of art in society and the impact of large-scale tragedy. Combining my interest in motion pictures with drawing, I have more recently ventured into making animations focused on the plight of endangered wildlife. In my free time, I continue to paint and pursue my passion for classical life study.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk is a natural part of the creative process. Having lived in many large international cities: Berlin, New York City, Philadelphia, Dublin, and London, I am familiar with high-risk scenarios, including terrorist attacks, violent crime, and intense competition. However, a different risk comes with experimenting with new ideas or revealing your vulnerability in your work. The documentary genre is an unexplored realm of filmmaking where many variations in style and storytelling still need to be elaborated on compared to the scale of dramatic works. I am looking forward to taking risks to chart new territory and investigate new technologies.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.camillewainer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camillewainer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cam.wain
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-wainer-308b159/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/camillewainer
Image Credits
Images by Camille Wainer Personal Photo
1. portrait Astoria.jpg: ‘Self-portrait.’
Additional Photos – 1. jaoui.jpg: ‘Agnes Jaoui, Director’ [Film Review: Look at Me/Comme une image] VENUS MAGAZINE
2. sandraoh.jpg: ‘Sandra Oh’ [Film Review: Look at Me/Comme une image] VENUS MAGAZINE
3. live learn.jpg: ‘Live & Learn’ [Cover, Educational Supplement] NEW YORK PRESS
4. anorexia.jpg: ‘Pro-Ana Diet’ VENUS MAGAZINE
5. shadowland.jpg: ‘Shadowland’
6. marriage.jpg: ‘Enticements.’
7. impersonator.jpg: ‘Ethnic Impersonators’ TIKKUN MAGAZINE
8. authors.jpg: ‘Virginia Woolf & Yukio Mishima’ [Author Bookmark Series]
