Video Producer Pluta Makes the Leap to Features

by Brian Brooks

Veteran producer James Pluta is teaming up with director Dino Andrade to begin production of "Bob's Video." What makes the project unique for Pluta, however, is that this will be his first foray into feature film following a lengthy career producing music videos, Joining a sizeable number of filmmakers with roots in the MTV generation expanding into features.

Producing music videos was an inadvertant outcome for Pluta following graduation from the San Francisco Art Institute. In 1988, he started work as a production asstistant, then over time, maneuvered into producing. Dino Andrade and James Pluta met while working on the set of a music video. Pluta, has produced an eclectic mix of videos for artists such as Tori Amos, Hey Jupiter, Missy Elliott, Danzig, The Breeders and Dru Hill.

Inspired by a commentary made by "Dawn of the Dead" filmmaker George Romero regarding the joy of making pictures, director Dino Andrade along with co-writer, John Bell penned "Bob's Video." The plot is a romantic comedy centered on a hostage situation at a video store. Typical of many filmmakers undertaking a similar project for the first time, financing has been a challenge, yet not insurmmountable. Andrade and Bell have two versions of the script. One allows for a limited budget, while the other imagines more significant funding from outside.

Despite not having yet secured the larger sum, Pluta and Andrade are determined not to allow money to wholly dictate the fate of their project. Nevertheless, Andrade has said possible funding is still looming, and the fact they are able to begin production with some resources has ignited some interest. Additionally, the two are eyeing the film fest circuit to garner possible support. Pluta's experience producing music videos has also, not surprisingly, been a resource as well. Contacts he has made in areas ranging from catering to securing equipment have been instrumental. "I look at these music videos as the Roger Corman of the '80s and '90s, you can get tons of experience," commented Pluta.

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posted on April 10, 1998 |Share