ReDiscover TV, a family-focused streaming service with more than 3.9 million Roku downloads, over 600,000 users and 50,000 paid monthly subscribers, has launched ReDiscover Backlot, a new platform designed to transform how films are developed, financed and brought to market.
The company also announced that principal photography will begin in August on 'She’s Dating Jesus', the first feature produced through the Backlot model. Produced by Justen Overlander ('The Chosen', 'The Shift'), Tyler Sansom ('I Can', 'Learning You'), Venus Monique ('Vindication') and Wally De La Fuente, the film stars Daniel Roebuck ('Matlock', 'Lost', 'The Fugitive'), Joe Estevez ('Apocalypse Now'), Demetrios Troy ('The Chosen'), Mari Deese and Leontine Guilliard.
Built in collaboration with filmmaker Sansom, ReDiscover Backlot introduces a new model for film development. Instead of projects being built behind closed doors and monetized only after completion, filmmakers can build in public, growing an audience in real time and generating revenue while projects are still in development.
“You’re not just looking at potential anymore,” said Sansom. “You’re seeing what is actually resonating while the project is still being built.”
Filmmakers can upload projects at any stage, from script to post-production, and share updates, footage and progress in real time. Audience engagement — views, follows, comments and support — is captured in a Momentum Score that reflects each project’s traction. Once a project reaches a Momentum Score of 30, creators unlock an affiliate link to earn 50 percent of first-month subscription revenue generated through their audience.
A watch-hour pool ties revenue directly to audience attention: 10 percent of all subscriptions across ReDiscover TV and ReDiscover Backlot is allocated to a shared pool distributed only among Backlot projects, with each project earning a share based on its percentage of total Backlot watch time. ReDiscover TV does not take platform fees on donations made directly to projects.
“This isn’t just another crowdfunding platform,” added Wally De La Fuente, founder of ReDiscover TV. “Filmmakers are building audiences, proving demand and generating revenue while their projects are still in development. There’s nothing else quite like this in the market right now.”
The platform is launching as a web-based experience, with plans to expand into a dedicated app. Access is included with a ReDiscover Premium subscription. For more information, visit rediscoverbacklot.com.
