Today we’d like to introduce you to Lou Simón
Hi Lou, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started writing when I was ten years old. I wanted to be a novelist, but I didn’t really have the courage to pursue the life of a creative. So it wasn’t until many years later, after a professional career, that I returned to writing by learning screenplay formatting. That was 2010, and by the next year, I decided to turn one of my scripts into a film. That was my film school. In 2013, I wrote and shot my first film where I was everything — writer, producer and director. That film, “HazMat,” was very successful and besides several awards, we procured distribution in most major markets around the world. That film was followed by “Agoraphobia” in 2014, “All Girls Weekend” in 2016, “3:An Eye for An Eye” in 2018, and “73 Minutes” in 2021. Just this month, I released my sixth feature film, “9 Windows,” to buy or rent on all major platforms in North America. So, of course, I am in pre-production on the next one.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The film industry is brutal with everyone, but especially with independent filmmakers. I had to sue one of the distributors in federal court and battled it out for four years before finally settling the case. And with streaming having become the norm, the entire industry is in flux. In addition, all art is subjective. So you’re just working hard and trying to make the best film that you can make. Ultimately, it’s a leap of faith.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would call myself an independent filmmaker, which encompasses putting an entire production together, including writing the script and directing the actors. But indie filmmakers are also business people, because you have to raise the money to make the film, hire the right cast and crew, shoot the film, finish the film in post, and then sell and market the film. Each film really is a labor of love that takes about three years from the story idea to the sale of the final film. It’s daunting if you think of all the work you have to put in just to see your vision come to life.
I am a female director in a male dominated industry, and on top of that, I am Latina. We make up less than 1% of working directors. Yet, some would say that where I’ve been more successful than others is the number of feature films I’ve been able to produce. Many aspiring filmmakers struggle to make one feature, and I have somehow managed to make seven, if you count the initial lesson that I call my “film school.”
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
My film “9 Windows” is now for rent and/or buy on all major platforms including Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, Microsoft Store and most cable providers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.whitelotusmovies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9windowsfilm/ & https://www.instagram.com/mslousimon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mslousimon & https://www.facebook.com/9windowsfilm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LouSimonWLP
