Once a Portage native who now lives in Michigan City, Valerie Plinovich is sure to be a star on the big screen. Currently working for Luke Family of Brands, Plinovich is using her degree in broadcast communications to break into the film industry.
“I started doing video production when I was 12. I was always super interested in film, videography, and I had a YouTube channel,” Plinovich said. “I was actually pretty successful. As a middle schooler, I had like 10,000 subscribers on YouTube. So, I’ve always been pretty interested in it. I kind of strayed away from it for a little bit, and then in high school, I got back into it again. Then in college, I realized this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I kind of just rolled with it.”
Although she found success on YouTube, Plinovich has found a passion for starring in films. Mainly acting in local films, Plinovich played a role in “The Girls of Summer” during her freshman year of college. Plinovich also works with Lake Effect Pictures, a smaller production company, and is currently working on a horror film.
“My favorite movie I’ve done so far is the one I’m working on now, it’s called ‘Grave Deception,'” Plinovich said. “It’s been really awesome. We started before COVID, and then COVID halted production, so we’re just finishing up now. It’s been a really cool experience working with the group of people I work with and the genre of film in general. Super cool to film a horror movie.”
Being a big fan of horror and thriller movies, Plinovich’s favorite director of all time is Stanley Kubrick. Her favorite movie and book of all time is ‘The Shining,’ which was directed by Kubrick and written by the horror legend Stephen King. She is also a big fan of horror movies from the independent entertainment company, A24.
Although Plinovich loves starring in films and getting an opportunity to play roles, she wants to be involved in all aspects of filmmaking.
“I like being a jack of all trades. I want to dip my toes in every aspect and learn everything,” Plinovich said. “I would really love to write and direct something one day, but I also love being in front of the camera and portraying a character. Being a well-rounded individual in that profession is my main goal. I think that’s what would fulfill me the most.”
Outside of her passion for film and production, Plinovich also loves fitness.
“I’m also super into fitness and helping people start their own fitness journeys. I’ve lifted weights for about five years, and that’s a giant part of my life now,” Plinovich said. “I’m on Instagram doing that as well: sharing my life, sharing workouts, sharing tips and tricks for people who want to get started on their own journeys. That’s a big part of my life.”
Plinovich is able to help people every day through her Instagram account. She is very into traditional bodybuilding and strength training, but she is also a large advocate of helping people do what feels right for their bodies.
“I feel like being a woman, a lot of women feel uncomfortable starting something like lifting because it's a male-dominated sport. I want to show people that girls can do it too, and there’s no reason to be scared,” Plinovich said.
Through helping people discover their fitness routines as well as creating a name for herself in film, it’s safe to say that Valerie Plinovich makes Portage proud.