Every morning, Santa Clarita-based film entrepreneur Lisa deSouza starts her day with a two-mile hike with her dogs or riding her horses and dreams about her next film endeavor. Her work spans across acting, writing, theatre, music, and technology with independent film as her central focus.
Since 2021, as the Founder and Executive Director of the Santa Clarita International Film Festival (SCIFF), deSouza has hosted independent filmmakers and their fans from across the globe. This year, December 12-15, during the 2024 Festival, deSouza will launch her newest creation, Indie Films R Us, an independent film pay-per-view platform.
DeSouza has written and directed six shorts and three micro shorts. Currently, she is finishing her first feature, a docudrama about the making of the Santa Clarita International Film Festival called “Respect the Duck.” She is also in pre-production for another feature (a mockumentary) called “Mouthful.” Curious to learn more about her vision on the independent film industry, I reached out to deSouza for an interview.
Ellison Walcott: When did you first fall in love with film?
As an only child, I had to entertain myself, and I loved pretending that I lived in the world of the stories I read. I wrote my first story in pre-school. The two films that impacted me were: “The Never-Ending Story” and “Star Wars.” They charmed me, like the books I read when I was young. It was then that I knew that I wanted to put visual images to the stories that I wrote.
As an adult, I learned when you couple the desire to be a storyteller with that of an independent filmmaker…it means imagination plus a great script and actors will transport the audience out of their everyday, into the world of the film.
Ellison Walcott: How do you intend to compete with other indie platforms?
Lisa deSouza: We don’t have to compete. The Indie Films R Us model is different. Most platforms are subscription-based. Nobody wants another subscription.
Indie Films R Us key callouts:
- A pay-per-view model. You only buy what you want when you want.
- Filmmakers get 50% of the purchase price.
- With minuscule budgets, filmmakers often make shorts or micro shorts. The audience can watch these projects, and the filmmaker will see proceeds when normally they wouldn’t.
Most independent filmmakers are locked out of the system. If they get lucky and have their film picked by one of the big streamers, they are lost in a sea of content. We had strikes last year because actors and writers wanted to know how many times their films were viewed on Netflix and Hulu. They would have better luck getting Kentucky Fried Chicken to give them their recipe.
The other option for indies is to throw their project on YouTube and hope and pray that they get views and are paid (on the high end) $0.012 per view.
I think viewers will be more inclined to watch a film knowing that their money is going to the creators rather than supporting stock buybacks and golden parachutes.
Ellison Walcott: What will the consumers’ cost be?
Lisa deSouza: We have different pricing models depending on film length and if they buy a discounted bundled package. Our rates start at $1.50 for a micro short, $3.00 for a short, and $5.00 for a feature.
Ellison Walcott: Filmmaker free-for-all, or jury?
Lisa deSouza: Anyone can submit their film, but it will be reviewed and screened before accepted. Several sites take anything. We want to build the Indie Films R Us brand so that viewers know that it’s the destination for quality projects, where they will find the next generation of talented filmmakers.
Ellison Walcott: Do you hope to change the public perception of indies?
Lisa deSouza: For me, an indie is three guys, three dollars and a dream or it was. Now when we hear indie, we think (on the low end) films that have a million-dollar budget.
I remember the indie filmmakers that told remarkable stories with just a camera, original script, and some actors. The indie houses took risks in acquiring and distributing these films. They were edgy, quirky and saw the likes of filmmakers like Kevin Smith and Robert Rodriguez.
The last indie revolution (if you can call it that) came out of an era of studio domination. As Jeff Goldblum said in Jurassic Park (the original and not an indie film I know) “Nature always finds a way.” I think we are about to see that happen again. The next independent movement is on the horizon.
Ellison Walcott: What’s your opinion of AI in filmmaking?
Lisa deSouza: Tyler Perry said it best, “As an artist I am terrified. As a producer / businessperson, I am excited at the possibilities.” However, if I were a production or set designer, or location scout, I would be worried. Those jobs were already threatened with green screens where you can shoot immersive video with little set dressing and be transported to any background or action. AI takes that to the next level. You cut costs dramatically and open tech doors. You can create establishing shots, B-Roll, etc. without having to pay for studio and crew.
Also, AI is impacting timelines for the postproduction world. Color correctors, editors, and sound engineers can use AI to do work faster. If a project took one week to complete, they now could do two. Postproduction houses don’t need to hire additional resources.
The “threat of AI” is universal, plaguing all industries, not just the film industry.
Ellison Walcott: What other projects are you planning?
I always have a ton on my plate. I am planning to build and launch an app called Solus that will hub all your chat tools. But these days, SCIFF, my production projects, and now Indie Films R Us seem to keep my dance card full.
