Industry veterens Chuck Pfeifer and director Bruce Van Dusen have joined forces to launch Pfeifer Van Dusen Inc., a new commercial production company in association with Johnson Burnett Productions. Initially, the new venture will operate out of temporary production offices at Johnson Burnetts New York and L.A. bases.
Van Dusen has distinguished himself as a narrative director. Since 1997, he has been with companies under the Michael Romersa-owned, Santa Monica-headquartered Stoney Road Productions banner. Van Dusen initially worked out of bicoastal Stoney Road shop Nitro Films (which has since been largely consolidated into Reactor Films, see story p. 1). And during the past two months he directed via The Bridge, a satellite of Stoney Roads bicoastal Bedford Falls. He emphasized that the parting was amicable. From 1992-97 Van Dusen helmed spots out of MacGuffin Films, New York, and for 16 years prior he worked out of his Van Dusen Films, now closed.
Pfeifer is coming off five years as sales director at New York-based Creative Film Management International, where he too reported an amicable parting. He was a partner in Pfeifer Lopes Productions, a now defunct company with director Rob Lopes, during the late 80s and early 90s. In the early 80s, he was a partner in Pfeifer Story, a now closed venture with director Mark Story (now of bicoastal Crossroads Films with offices in Chicago and Atlanta). In the 70s, Pfeifer co-founded Rick Levine Productions, which was renamed Levine Pytka for a time before returning to its original moniker. During this stint, Pfeifer represented such directors as Levine; Joe Pytka now principal in PYTKA, Venice, Calif.; and Ed Bianchi.
Pfeifer started his career in advertising on the agency side as an account executive at Young & Rubicam, New York. His experiences have also included acting and writing. His film acting credits include Wall Street and Nixon and his writings have appeared in Esquire and Interview.
Pfeifer and Van Dusen said they teamed in their new house with a common goal: to create the highest level of creative advertising. Noting that both have contributed to highly successful, award-winning work in the past, Pfeifer commented, we want to do it again under our name.
The duo shares the belief that in building a successful production company, bigger isnt necessarily better. Van Dusen is the companys only director, and Pfeifer will handle sales without hiring any reps. We want to [build] a business based on us … no distractions, commented Van Dusen, adding that the large companies appear to be spreading their energy thin. A smaller, concentrated company, he believes, is the way to serve our clients the best and control the product the way we need to.
Pfeifer Van Dusen is bringing in executive producer Miriam Patterson, who previously worked with Pfeifer as executive producer at Lopes in the late 80s. During the 90s she has been freelancing at companies such as CFM, where she again teamed with Pfeifer.
Pfeifer described Patterson as a great communicator of the written and spoken word. [She] had an inordinate amount of experience working with creative producers in this business.
Van Dusens reel includes NYNEXs Veggies and Three Brothers for three-way calling via New York-based Young & Rubicam division Chapman; Tribe and Big Dipper for Ford Windstar via J. Walter Thompson, Detroit; Fireman for Kelloggs via Leo Burnett Co., Chicago; Gallery for AT&T via Uniworld Group, New York; and Boardroom for Bank One via The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va.
A little funny, a little sad, I try to do a little of everything, Van Dusen said, adding that quality boards run the gamut of product categories. Its a liberating time. Good ideas can come from anywhere.
At press time Van Dusen was about to embark on his final job through The Bridge, a campaign for Rite Aid via Marc Advertising, Pittsburgh.
Van Dusens currently airing work includes Henrys Dream for Ford Taurus via JWT, Detroit; a Lean Cuisine campaign via Messner Vetere Berger McNamee Schmetterer/ Euro RSCG, New York; and Long Lasting for Biore via Deutsch Inc., New York.
