Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

Paul Cramís career as an actor has taken him to many locales, including Massachusetts, California and Iowa, to make films. But Cramís favorite place to film movies is in his home state, Minnesota.

ìI love Minnesota,î said Cram, a native of Wyoming. ìI want the film community to thrive here.î

On Monday, Cram premiered the Minnesota-made horror film ìDawningî at Riverview Theatre in Minneapolis. In the flick, he played the lead character, Chris Benton.

ìDawningî tells the story of Chris and his sister, Aurora (played by actress Billie Jo Konze.) The pair travel to a cabin located deep in the woods expecting to meet their father there. When they arrive, he is nowhere to be found and as Cram describes ìweird, odd things begin to happen.î

The 60-minute movie was filmed in Aitkin County, located approximately 120 miles north of the Twin Cities. The shoot began in August 2004 and continued into October. The 10-member cast and five-member crew filmed only on weekends.

Cram enjoyed the time he spent in Aitkin County.

ìIt reminds me of Wyoming,î he explained. ìNice and quiet.î

ìDawningî was written by siblings Gregg, Tim and Meagan Holtgrewe of Wholecr¸e Productions. Gregg Holtgrewe served as director for the film and is impressed by Cramís work ethic. The pair had also worked together on the film, ì(Yielding to) A Willing Breath.î

ìHeís just really professional. Heís very prepared,î complimented Gregg. ìFor an independent film, thatís really important.î

A week-long run of ìDawningî is being planned at Brookdale 8 Theatre in Brooklyn Center. For more information on Paul Cram and ìDawning,î visit www.paulcramactor.com or www.wholecrue.com

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605