In The Butter Room: Tom Adams, Director of All My Plastic Melon Dreams

I had the opportunity to ask filmmaker Tom Adams some questions about his independent Phish documentary project, All My Plastic Melon Dreams. All My Plastic Melon Dreams is in the development stages, and is not an official Phish project. The documentary is a labor of love for Tom (just like our website) and he is in the middle of an online campaign to secure funds that will enable him to move the film forward sooner rather than later. If you would like to help Tom with his efforts, you can make a pledge here. Tom is the owner of Reelife Documentary Productions. The Butter Room thanks Tom for his time!

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For those people who are not familiar with your film, can you give us an overview of what it’s going to be all about?

Tom: Here’s my unofficial-official tag line: “The story of Phish & their Phans- A generational coming-of-age rockumentary. Why we were there then & where we are now.”

A historical and often hysterical narrative journey back in time to the pivotal years (1989-1993) of this incredibly unique rock band & their devoted phans
…back to the days when “Moses Heaps” was still a novice on the Electrolux ..back when blue summer skies & a cold running brook accompanied your favorite song
…back when a cornfield was the venue of choice …back when every weekend meant a road trip to somewhere new …back when the cold hard floor was expected and a mattress was a pleasant surprise

While, certainly, this is a personal journey of sorts, the film will portray my generation’s youthful right of passage… without the hero-worship and blind adulation that plagues other rockumentaries. This journey is much more than just my reflection on the key performances that had a lasting impact on my life, it’s a celebration for all of the phans that have “grown-up” with Phish.

Where are you with the project currently?
Tom: Ah…so much to say, so little time. I am using the two video interviews I did with Phish (‘89-Northampton, MA & ‘90 Hampshire College, MA) as the meandering string that the film’s narrative follows. The string guides the audience back through their hazy memories and the years that have passed… (The string is the thing that ties the whole thing together). The film will trace the parallels of my generation’s “coming of age” and the spawning career of Phish. I’m a big fan of documentary director Ross McElwee (“Sherman’s March”, “Time Indefinite”), so I’m sure a lot of that has rubbed off on me. I am in the process of producing an official trailer that I will (come hell or high-water) be showing to Red Light Management & the members of Phish. The trailer will include highlights of the interviews with Phish, archival footage & outside contributions: fan interviews, concert footage, flash-backs, on location visits, artful recreations, etc). I have A LOT of work to do to make the film all come together. The majority of the support material needs to be gathered, digitized and then, editing can finally get into full swing. Basically…once full production starts, it’s going to be the only thing that I’ll be doing for the next two years or more (IF and ONLY if I get the funding I need:). But first off… my plan is to produce this trailer & show them that I’m a pro that means business and I’m not some bean-bag lovin horn dog phreak.

I really want to stress how “unhollywood” I’m going to make this film. This is a true independent production, especially in the way that it is all coming together- in such a organic manner. The Phish online community is really banding together to help make this film happen. I can sense a strong willingness from a lot of people to contribute their time and energy just for the love of the band. So, I’m tapping into as many resources as I can while I am simultaneously “courting” Red Light Management to, at least, let me present this overall concept to the band and get their “blessing” or “support” or to allow for a collaboration of some sort. But they are all extremely committed to whatever is happening NOW and are much less interested in any outside contributions, especially if it is coming from someone, like me, who doesn’t have a major film production (or two) under his belt. “Why should they go with an unknown like me when they could get Scorcese??” While I can completely understand their point & hesitation…I ain’t gonna let it stop me from trying and trying and trying…until I make it happen. It’s what independent producers do!

How can Phish fans help with the project?
Tom: Phish Phans can help by pledging $ through the Kickstarter site I set up here. If I reach my goal of 15k (due on Sept.22!), I will be able to produce the trailer…if not, then, well, it’s going to take a lot longer. Them’s the facts. Unfortunately, as usual, it all comes down to cold hard cash. I’m doing this the hard way…attempting to pull off a lot here without the aid of co-workers (um, I’m-a-work-at- home-dad) or more traditional funding sources. I’m really trying to work the internets to their fullest potential…so, I’m hoping that doing interviews like this one will help spread the word far and wide…and I DO have phaith (ooh, that’s a bad one) in the Phans!

How many Phish shows have you seen over the years?
Tom: Oh, I suppose I’ve seen about 20 or 25 shows- I like to think it’s quality vs. quantity. I never went on tour with them really or anything like that. My deal is that I spent my freshman year of college at Plattsburgh State & lived in Burlington, VT with my brother Dave during the summer of 1988. Of course, this is when Phish was playing Nectars a lot and they played at a bunch of outdoor shows like Hinesburg and Danforth’s Bash. So, obviously I have GREAT memories of seeing Phish and really, that is what has inspired me to stick with this film idea for so long. It was such a fun and powerful time; being-all-pumped-with-the-freedom-of-youth and watching this amazing new band that I knew had a real-something-special-goin-on…playing in the middle of a cornfield to 150 people. in 1989, I transferred to UMASS, Amherst and as a member of The Southwest Area’s Entertainment Cmte, I signed Phish to play at the Spring Concert. (kept the contract as a memento). I still fancy myself as a music promoter- actually, I just started running a new small summer music series in my home town of Wiilamsburg, MA. (so, see, another example how Phish weaves in and out of their Phan’s lives.

Favorite Phish show?
Tom: 5/15/88, Hinesburg VT Farm Festival- HANDS DOWN! Most amazing spring day with a beautifully crisp blue sky and a brooke running right through the crowd & in front of the stage. I laid on my back in the brook and watched the show (allowing the ‘fungus’ do it’s magic, of course). My idea for one of the main themes of the documentary stems from my memory of this day. It involves a very long string (possibly from a kite) that led me into the woods, over a fence, and into a small mountain pasture filled with sheep. Quite a vision and long lasting memory for me. And part of the power of this film is that there will be interviews with many other people that share their similarly amazing vivid memories. Everybody’s got a favorite Phish story to tell. Some of your readers probably were at this show…Remember? Anyone?: The Dirtch Brothers loaned Fishman a snare drum after his broke in the middle of a tune. (The Dirch Bros. were the opening band that did a killer version of some ZZ Top & Stones- can’t you hear me knockin)

Have you seen Phish this year? If so, what did you think?
Tom: Yep, I saw them at Phenway. I thought they were great. There was a definite feeling of excitement, commitment & tightness that has been missing for, in my opinion, a very long time. I haven’t been a huge fan of their music for the last bunch of albums…for a variety of reasons, so it’s definitely great to hear their new music and experience a vitality and energy that is reminiscent of the music that I intend to celebrate by producing the coolest rockumentary ever produced:) www.AllMyPlasticMelonDreams.info.

Thanks so much for your questions! Looking forward to making new connections and hearing from your readers!