WHO IS CALEB JERMALE?
Caleb Jermale is a 19 year old filmmaker and photographer from Atlanta, Georgia.
WHAT MADE YOU PURSUE FILM MAKING?
I used to play football, and I had big dreams of playing in the NFL one day until the high school I attended, Drew Charter, stopped having a football team. I was always interested in film as me and my siblings used to create short home films of us playing with nerf guns or some random shit. The summer after my 9th grade year, when I realized I wouldn’t be playing football, I decided to take a photography class, and I fell in love and decided to fully pursue photography. As time went on, I fell in love AGAIN with the idea of motion being added. It gave me more room to tell stories through a camera, and that’s ultimately what I want to do for the rest of my life.
IN YOUR BEGINNING PHASE, WHAT ROADBLOCKS DID YOU FACE?
My camera gear got stolen during my freshman year of college and it set me back a bit...I didn’t know how I was going to get my stuff back. I ended up continuing doing vlogs on my phone, but I know I raised the money to buy back my camera. I also used to have doubts about the quality of my work and how I would be able to compete against other people doing the same thing as me. Ever since I got the idea that I’ll never excel focusing on anyone else’s craft besides my own, I’ve become my own competition and continue to try to put out better content every-time I pick up my camera.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY COME UP WITH YOUR DIRECTION FOR FILMS?
The last few films I’ve done were written by close friends of mine. “Border Love” was a short film about borderline personality disorder and although I came up with the idea, a good friend of mine by the name of Gino Cyrus, brought my idea to life and I’m forever grateful! As far as the writing and creative part of film making, I just want the film I’m working on to portray a message that viewers are able to relate to, and after watching are able to look back at their own life and have questions. As far as the directing and Cinematography aspect, I’m still experimenting and trying to find my own niche. I watch a lot of films and tv shows for inspiration and for the next project that I work on, I definitely have a few unique ideas in mind!
YOU HAVE OR ARE APART OF A COLLECTIVE CALLED IJU "IT'S JUST US", CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT?
IJU (It’s Just Us) is a creators collective me and my friends created back in high school. We’re a group of people who are all creative in our own specific way and want to use our gifts to produce content that impacts the world and the people around us. IJU is also a production company that produces films such as music videos, documentaries, and short films. Our most recent project we have worked on was with Marko Motion Pictures, My good friend, Demarko Hooper’s, production company called “If It Aint One Thing”, which will be coming out this November! As we continue to grow we plan on being the brand that represents the standard of good art and love in this world and hope people fall in love with our vision and what we have in store! Follow us on Instagram @IJUCOLLECTIVE
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG FILMMAKERS OUT THERE?
One word. Consistency. You have to continue trying new things and be very consistent in order to grow and learn what you like and what you don’t. Your mind and ideas will continue to flow once you just do it and not think about it too much. And also, a quote I live by is, “Dream, but don’t neglect the execution.” Once I put my mind toward something I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there and reach that goal and nothing in this world is going to be able to stop me from reaching it.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR CALEB JERMALE?
In 2020, I’m trying new things and taking the next big step toward reaching my goal, and that’s all I’m going to say about that (smiling).
