Interview by Geno McGahee
Navigating the film world is not the easiest thing to do, but film producer/director Louis DeStefano has done it well, finding his way into starring roles. DeStefano began early on in his youth with a dream to make it in film, using his knowledge of martial arts to land some action spots. He would begin working with Cinema Epoch and Cineridge Entertainment in 2018 and has been on the fast track, proving his skills both in front of and behind the camera.
This year has been a notable year with DeStefano directing his first film (AMITYVILE EMANUELLE) and starring in two action thrillers (BACKFIRE, ANOTHER WAY TO DIE). Other upcoming projects coming soon are FATAL JUSTICE, a thriller, and DEADLY WESTERN, where DeStefano plays the villainous killer, Cooper.
Scared Stiff Reviews sat down with DeStefano and got a look at the journey a person makes as they attempt to conquer one of the toughest games in the world and find success.
GM: What first inspired you to go into film? Any particular movie or event spark your interest?
Back in the 80’s when I was a kid, my grandfather loved Martial Arts and action movies. I grew up watching them with him and my uncles. All of them were martial artists and bodybuilders themselves. I grew up watching Bruce Lee movies and Van Damme movies and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
GM: You run all facets of the game. You direct, act and run camera. What do you prefer and how does each part of the game help the other parts?
I prefer acting. Don’t get me wrong I do love being the director of photography and making the movie’s come to life but there’s nothing like acting though. It’s a win-win situation for me knowing camera and being a cinematographer.
I always wanted to star and produce my own movies one day and I knew production and learning to be a Director of Photography was the back door into Hollywood. Now I’m starring in two different action movies ANOTHER WAY TO DIE which is out on Amazon, Tubi and Vimeo and BACKFIRE coming out late fall of 2023. Also I directed my first featured film AMITYVILLE EMANUELLE, which is on the same streaming services that you actually wrote.
GM: You started out doing short films and are fighting for recognition in the toughest business there is. How do you explain your success thus far and what tips would you give to the younger aspiring filmmakers out there that want to do well in this game?
For inspiring actors and filmmakers out there, learn everything you can about acting and production. At the end of the day, you have to create your own movies unless you have a proven track record, which can take years. It did for me. Are you willing to do it?
For me, it was placed in my heart at a young age. I didn’t know how or when I was going to get into the business. I felt this calling upon my life and it’s been confirmed throughout the years and I looked at everything as a stepping stone to get me where I want to go. I always had a servant’s heart, putting others above myself to help them. Fill the need on set and ask if they need help and you can stay all day till the job is done and build those relationships and don’t burn them or use them with wrong motives. Be an asset not a liability. What can you bring to the table for the producers?
GM: ANOTHER WAY TO DIE is getting a lot of attention. You star and grace the poster. Tell us a little about the movie and how does it feel to go from sort of an extra sort of role in the beginning to the lead in a film?
ANOTHER WAY TO DIE was a dream come true! I was excited to make that movie with everyone at Cinema Epoch and CineRidge Entertainment. I play Leo. He is a rogue, CIA agent with a broken past. Leo has to face his personal demons while he just lost his wife. He goes on a mission to retrieve this mystical box and if it falls into the wrong hands that person will die. This box has mystical significance. So everyone is after it.
I originally was supposed to be the villain of the movie but after a couple days of filming and putting my heart and soul into some actions scenes and scenes we shot at the casino as well a house, I received a text the next morning from Gregory Hatanaka offering me the starring the role of Leo for the movie. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, a dream come true to finally star not just in a movie but an action movie! I always wanted to do action movies since I was a kid. The rest is history.
GM: You play the villain in the upcoming sci-fi/western DEADLY WESTERN. Can you talk about the role and do you prefer to play a hero or a villain or does it even matter?
DEADLY WESTERN was another dream come true. First off, it’s my second western I get to act in back to back. AMERICAN WESTERN was my first, but this time I’m the villain of the movie! I get to play Cooper from The Cooper Gang. He is a murderer. He made a name from himself and every town and people is scared of him and his gang.
Cooper will kill anyone and everyone in cold blood on the spot if you get in his way.
I do prefer to be the hero and the star of movies. That’s what I signed up for but this was the perfect opportunity and role to be the villain on this awesome western you wrote. I wouldn’t have changed anything about it. Let’s make another one! (Laughs)
GM: On some films, you wear multiple hats. How difficult is it to go from behind the camera to acting in a scene and then back to behind the camera?
I’m used to wearing multiple hats on set. It’s like second nature for me and at the speed we go, time and money is on the line and we have to keep the show going. But when you have to act and have a lot of dialogue you want to do a good job but we have a way of doing things to make it work and get what we need.
It’s easier when you have two cameras shooting the scenes. I’m in and for the day so I can go focus on my lines off to the side and not worry about running camera all the time. It’s hard to let go of the camera and jump in front of it to do my scenes because I’m worried of our second camera guy whoever that is for that day is going to shoot it right or not (laughs).
I got to the point I just let them do their thing and I can focus on my acting. I guess I have trust issues when I have someone knew run camera when I’m in front of it on our productions at times. But thank God Greg Hatanaka makes sure we get what we need to have a movie and a great performance at the end of the day.
GM: One of my favorite things you’ve done (and not because I wrote it) was AMITYVILLE EMANUELLE. It was your first time directing and I really enjoyed the work you did along with the great cast. How did you like that role and is it something that you want to continue pursuing?
I had a blast directing AMITYVILLE EMANUELLE! Thank God for my dream team. Linda Wong and Chris Spinelli! Love them! It was well written and congrats bro on this movie. We made it fun and had a good time bringing your story to life. I love directing and can’t wait to direct more movies. I also got to act in AMITYVILLE EMANUELLE as Detective James.
GM: I just saw the artwork for BACKFIRE and it looks tremendous. Can you talk about that a little and what should the audience expect?
Loved the BACKFIRE poster! It’s a trip to see yourself on it. I play an undercover operative that try’s infiltrate a cult that wants to take over the world. I tried not to get sucked into myself along the way. My character fights to survive and has some shootouts with the bad guys. I did my own stunts and choreographed most the fight scenes. Going to be another fun action thriller to watch when it comes out!
GM: Any closing words or final thoughts?
If you feel the calling upon your life to pursue film, go for it. If you don’t run from it. My acting coach Anthony Gilardi always told us, “If you’re not acting in front of the camera, you better be behind writing, directing and producing your films. You have no excuse in the day age we live in especially with the SAG new media.” End quote.