A.j. Lombardi's Lounge Discussions

Fascinating read. Thanks for sharing, A.j. Lombardi. It's obviously a tool that needs a lot of thought, guidance and ethical consideration.

Here's a link to a recent Stage 32 webinar taught by an entertainment attorney on the practical and legal implications;ications of A.I. for creatives that I recommend checking out too: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Legal-And-Practical-Implications-Of-A-I...

My new book "Metaverse Invasion point of no return- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LKZ1S44

A.J., You want Metaverse in screenplay format?

Fantastic news, Kristen! Great to have you here!

Thank you so much everyone!!!!

That's very cool!! Welcome to Stage32 (:

Thank you!!!! Everyone!!! I don't know how to reply here yet. lol

Hi, Kristen Duff. You can reply in comments by typing a person's name. Or you can use "@" and names will come up.

Def 2.

You've nailed it with option 2.

Agreed - I think #2 is a nice balance.

Go with #2

I generally hate going with the crowd... but... 2!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats inspiring

Thanks so much for the kind words. We're so glad to be a part of your creative journey!

Thanks for the post A.j. Lombardi! Congratulations on all your success thus far. It is important to take a beat and appreciate how far you have come. I agree that competitions are not the end but just another means of moving your career forward.

Of course all competitions are not created equal - I don't need $500 and a copy fo Final Draft if I win - but if you do well in the right competitions it can help you take those next steps. Make sure you are taking the time to check out the competitions on Stage 32. I make sure that the winner meets the judges and mentors and the finalists have their loglines exposed to over 500 industry pros for consideration

A.j. Lombardi congratulations for your tenacity and work to this point, thanks for sharing your momentum and insight! Probably something it's helpful for us to hear again and again on this journey.

Your post is so on point. I love when a writer acknowledges their growth and accolades. We work so hard at our craft and it's hard to prepare for no. But we take those no's and turn them into positivity. In return, that's the energy we send to our projects. Congrats and keep moving forward!

That's fantastic news, Congrats, A.j. Lombardi!

Congratulations! There is a character in my new romance suspense release named A.J.!

Congrats!

Well done

Thank you!

That's fantastic news, congrats!

Thanks, everybody! :) Right now I’m trying to work on a pitch for my show, which I’m finding a lot harder than writing the pilot script was! But I’m a “never say die” kind of guy, so I’m going to keep on pushing...

Keep at it, sir!

Absolutely!

Just received Semi-Finalist selection in Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival for three scripts - "Godfather Connection" / "Newport Girl On The Balcony" / "The Old Neighborhood"

Congrats, A.J.! Good job!

I agree!

100% Ryan! That's why I'd joined this platform. The only thing that makes it a bit difficult, in my case, is the time difference.

Similar to Nick, when you're carrying the lion's share of the work because the other person might not be great at dealing with adversity, it becomes a real problem for the project. I work in comics and often stumble across this with excited artists that are mega motivated to start a project but realize less than 50% in that they've lost their spark. It can be based on a bad day at work, relationship drama or any semblance of challenge but some shut down when the going gets even remotely uncomfortable. That is what makes it the largest challenge to me; I know if I just handle it there will be no major setbacks but anytime I'm reliant on someone else, I end up subscribing to excuses because they have issues going on I might not have been aware of.

I’m going to be honest I hate seeing you guys have had such bad experiences this far. I write independently but work well with the current crew. But we’ve been clear on goals and match drive and vision and compromise only on angle of approach with that vision. I know how strong my voice is independently but I’ve also seen how strong it is collaborating with someone who matches my creativity and drive. I seems like the common denominator in previous failures is that the partners taken on were unequally yoked in a manner of speaking. I’m sure it’s left an undesirable taste in ones mouth. I also say regardless of one’s experience and opinion networking and collaboration is necessary. Make sure you are working with those you know first and foremost and establish an actual working relationship/friendship if you have established a real relationship up front hopefully you will never be in a undesirable situation as a creative. There’s no guarantees with us speaking on living in the real world but hopefully you won’t.

Over the years I've been hired, fired and rehired by the same production company, often on the same project, multiple times. I just assumed that was normal.

Welcome Paul S.O Ndifon !

Welcome Paul

Welcome!

Welcome!

Hi, Paul S.O Ndifon and welcome aboard! You're going to love it here! Here are my two cents on how to get the most out of Stage 32: Check out the free resources: blogs, free webinars and follow them on IG for some really amazing Lives! More tabs to check out: Education, Script Services (for development and script services, including the best execs in the industry from Universal, MGM, Mandalay Pictures, HBOMax and many others!) - Also, if you're seeking guidance about your career or want to try out the Writers' Room (where we do script coverages, practice pitches, have the opportunity to pitch to executives, learn about the craft and business and so much more) for a free month, please reach out to Jason Mirch (j.mirch@stage32.com) the Director of Script Services.

Then how could she have known you were telling the truth? lol

Steven King talked about meeting a woman who said she didn't like the horror stories he wrote. She told him he should try writing something like The Shawshank Redemption. When he told her did write that she refused to believe him and walked off.

Well, we now know, approaching a woman reading a selection with, "I wrote that book" is not a good pick-up line.

RE; not having my photo on the book cover -Grandma should have known who I was!!!

Every writer in Hollywood knows that writers don't get any respect. That's a long known 'secret'.

Hey A.j. Lombardi nice to meet you!

You should definitely talk to Jason Mirch about that, he's the director of script services here at Stage 32. Send him your loglines/genres and he'll be able to give you the names of two or three consultants who would be a nice match for your stories.

Hit him at j.mirch@stage32.com

Hi, A.j. Lombardi, you’re in the exact right place! Stage 32 offers options to receive notes on your script either from an industry reader or a working executive. Check out the “Script Services” tab. If you’re wondering which you should choose, Jason Mirch (j.mirch@stage32.com), the Director of Script Services, is so helpful and can direct you. I’ve received script coverage from an industry reader and the notes were absolutely priceless. They were thoughtful, insightful and guided me in ways I could’ve never imagined. It helped me with what worked, what didn’t and where the holes were. I loved it and would recommend to anyone!

To Jose and Monica,

Thank you for the information!

Regards,

a.j.Lombardi

Thank you for your insight.

Regards,

a.j.Lombardi

Hi Shane,

That's a really nice piece, and I bet many can relate. Life as we knew it sure has been rough for probably all of us (and even tragic for many of us) since the pandemic began, he said as the Understatement of the Year. The very first person who died from Covid-19 here in Las Vegas was a family friend, and he caught it by doing what he loved: helping others.

And yes, today is indeed a gift. I don't remember who first said the phrase "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift," but that's been something I've tried to live by for some time now.

Just to add....I ordered your film Break Even and will watch it soon. I love supporting Stage32 members in their creative endeavors, and know that CJ wrote it, too. I hope all people viewing this reply will consider buying it (mine cost $10 through Wal-Mart) and supporting their fellow Stage32 members - and especially in these trying times. And I especially appreciate the "Free Godmother Italian Sub Sandwich" coupon from Bay Cities that comes with the DVD. That sub costs more than the DVD did! What a deal!

(Full Disclosure: there is no sub coupon that comes with the film, for those who may be wondering. But there is a sub at Bay Cities in Santa Monica that is named "The Godmother" and that is probably the best sub sandwich in the history of the free world - excluding the ones that I make, of course.)

But thanks for the nice piece, and I look forward to watching Break Even when I get the chance.

Best continued fortunes in your creative endeavors, Shane, and stay safe!

Bless you Bill. Your note means the world. The kindness and support of the DVD are just a bonus. Even if there's no sub coupon, LOL. So sorry for the loss of your friend. God rest him in eternal love. I too have lost many during the pandemic, and even a best friend's father who is in a COVID coma today and probably won't be with us tomorrow. He caught it (as did his other son) while working on a high-profile show last week here in La La Land. This is far from over, brother. Keep in touch and continued blessings my man. SS

I feel you. My form of self-forgiveness comes in understanding that our creativity is the last thing on the hierarchy of survival, and our nervous systems have been taking a pummel from all of the perceived dangers of the world (uncertainty of a pandemic, new and unfamiliar routines, civil unrest, insurrections, etc.). Our memory gets impacted (I was trying to memorize a scene in the first few months of the pandemic and it took me 3-4 times as long to ingest it), our ability to associate into new worlds battle with our need to dissociate (via Netflix, food, doom scrolling), and creativity, believe it or not, sometimes begs for connection and spontaneity (writing at a cafe, having a conversation with a friend or a colleague). For me, writing and performing these days is like trying to break through the Earth's atmosphere using a butane can and scrap metal. I'm learning how to be okay with just persisting, no matter how hard it gets, and forgiving myself because we have sensitive artist's hearts and our systems are seized from fear of the unknown. Love to all the artists here.

This is wonderfully written and so true, Cindy. I know when we recently shot a film (in the peak of the pandemic) some actors I've worked with who could memorize anything and everything really struggled at times. COVID brain was running rampant and I think you nailed it. Continued success to you on your journey.

Hi Shane,

Hey...no problem. And sorry to read about your losses during this pandemic. I hope all those families will cope the best that they can as time advances.

So we did watch Break Even last night, and I was really impressed. All in all...it was a really entertaining film.

For the writers here, I would really recommend this film as a really good example regarding the quality and effectiveness of story, and screenwriting.

Just to preface a bit....one of the most insightful bits of advice I have received from a Power-That-Be Person is "tell me a story I haven't heard before." Now that is easier said than done, right, since a lot of people think that "everything has been done before." But everything really hasn't been done before. Maybe themes/goals/obstacles can be universal since the beginning of time, but new people in new locations at new times are just that: new. That's important to always remember as a writer - at least to me, and at least to one very important Power-That-Be-Person who can greenlight pretty much anything for a major studio. Tell me a story I haven't heard before.

So in Break Even we have a new world with new people in new places. We have a premise that is grabbing. We have four stories (A,B,C,D) that all unify at the end. We have external and inner conflicts presented in each scene. We have compelling characters who have to make moral decisions/choices throughout. We have consequences - both intended and unintended. We have twists and revelations; audience engagement; and a film that keeps moving. And we have an ultimately entertaining film that also checks the boxes of good story.

Those are some of the critical elements of story, and Break Even reaches them. So kudos to director/producer Shane Stanley and writer CJ Walley for accomplishing that.

And that's why I think it's a great study for writers, and hope you writers will get it/stream it. And also to support your fellow Stage32 members.

And just to add about indie films....I've posted a lot here in the past about the importance of indie productions, which comprise like 95% of all films made in any given year. They might not get 95% of the grosses, or 95% of the press, or 95% of the popcorn sales, but indie films are pretty important to writers and to other workers, and can be great entertainments for patrons. So extra kudos to you for being an indie producer, Shane, and much continued blessings to all of the indie producers in the cinema world.