Meet Lisa Phillips Visca | Writer, producer and script consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Phillips Visca and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking is an essential part of life. I’ve always pushed the envelope, always pushed myself no matter what the challenge. In 7th grade, I produced and directed the play, “Our Town” with no experience and won an award. At 19, I was the fashion coordinator at Burdine’s in Fla., lead a group of teens for a Charity walkathon with 100-degree temps. Only one student and I made it to the 20-mile finish line. For many years, my mission was to write varied projects and send enticing e-mails to get producers to read them. In 2017, I sent my play, “The Italians” to Michelle Danner, the Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica, Ca. Not only did Michelle read it… unexpectedly, she called. We had an instant connection, collaborated on my play and developed it into a screenplay. “The Italians” filmed in August 2023 in modern day LA with a dream cast: Abigail Breslin, Matthew Daddario, Lainie Kazan, Rob Estes, David DeLuise, Perrey Reeves, Olivia Luccardi and Michelle Danner. The World Premiere will be announced in 2024 and in Film Festivals in the US, Canada, Italy and across Europe.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A writing career is not easy. Nothing is easy, nothing worthwhile ever is. LA is filled with writers… the obstacles are limitless. I had many disappointments through the years. A few projects were very close to a movie or TV deal. As devastating as it can be, you take a step back, focus on the big picture, and you move forward more determined. When are you ready? When you’re a newbie, you think your first draft is ready. No matter how much you read, research or take classes, the only way to improve your skills is to write. It’s vital to reach out to mentors, listen to harsh criticism and pick up pearls of wisdom along the way. If you don’t give up, you reach your moment. My moment is “The Italians.” Like Michelle Danner said, “The Italians” is a deeply touching story about loving family, forgiving family and irresistible Italian food.” I can’t wait to see our characters come to life on the big screen. My Italian heritage… the love, laughter and iconic food lives on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d bring my friend to Playa Vista, Ca., my hometown. It’s resort style living at its finest. The vibe is chill, charming and safe. Everything is in walking distance from your front door: groceries, pharmacy, restaurants, salons, boutiques, movie theater, parks, gyms, and swimming pools. There’s even a Speak Easy bar with a gold ceiling and palm tree wallpaper where you sip drinks and make friends with the bartender. Our town is centrally located, close to the airport and freeways. A half an hour drive to Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica beach. Filled with options for foodies, movie and fitness lovers and avid shoppers. All our friends love to visit, explore and many wish they could live here. We’re proud to call Playa Vista our home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that influenced my life’s journey, my career… many deserve recognition. My parents were my devout supporters, believed in my talents and inspired me to follow my passion. My passion grew with the support of my family and close friends. Through the years, I had a few writing partners (Shoutout to Joyce Rosenblad), a partner in Sorelle Productions (Shoutout to Bonnie Burgess) and I eventually started writing plays. From 2011-2016, I worked with Santa Monica Playhouse Founders and Artistic Directors, Evelyn Rudie and Chris DeCarlo. With their invaluable guidance and expertise, we produced romantic comedies, “Raise Me Up” and “Turning Thirty” and suspense thriller, “Climax.” We sold out shows with play extensions, which bolstered my confidence in my writing. Enter Director, Producer, Actress and Golden Box Acting Coach: Michelle Danner, President of All in Films and Michelle Danner Acting Studio in Culver City. Michelle’s cinematic genius and life-long passion for every aspect of the arts is a gift to us all. We share the same passion and vision for our heartfelt comedy, “The Italians.” Like our film, my life is influenced by those I work with, who teach me, but most of all, the people who believe in me. My story comes full circle because my parents’ belief in me is what brought me here.

Website: www.forty2films.com

Instagram: Lisa Phillips Visca @viscalp12

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com Lisa Phillips Visca

Other: IMDb – Imdb.me/Lisaphillipsvisca

Image Credits
Lisa Phillips Visca on the movie set of “The Italians” 1) “The Italians” movie cast 2) Marla Adams, Betty White & Lisa Phillips Visca @ Santa Monica Playhouse for the World Premiere of comedy/drama, “Raise Me Up” 3) Wall Street Journal article about Lisa Phillips Visca: April 28, 2017 “Working from Home?” 4) Lisa Phillips Visca @ Cinema at the Edge Film Festival (CATE).