MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Jorge J. Lomastro

An interview with screenwriter Jorge J. Lomastro regarding the Hollywood is Burning Writing Competition.

A: I won first place in the horror catagory with "Priestesses" The logline would best describe it.

Action/Horror: They were worshiped as Gods. Now one remains. A hiding creature in agony. For five hundred years she’s waited for a sign to be free. Now, if two ex NYC cops and a homeless veteran can’t stop her, things are going to get bad. Fast.

It's a fast paced, action/horror. I've been told it reads like "a creepy 'Leathal Weapon' on crack." (I think that was a compliment?)

A: The reason I entered this particular contest is because the price was very reasonable and a critique was promised. Let's face it, we can't live in a vacuum. No matter what our mothers might have told us we all need feedback from a none biased source if we're going to try to come closer to perfecting the craft.

I just finished the script. It's actually a sequel. The third and last part's rolling in my head. As any writer knows, that can be painful. But, no. "Priestesses" hasn't been shopped much. With what little I've heard, it's won or placed every time. (No matter how good it is, it's unlikely that will be constant. But, I'll enjoy it while I can.)

A: I received everything as promised and more. Mike Watt is the gentleman that runs this show. He's answered every question I've had and the time table for recognizing winners went pretty well. I must admit, the certificate I received covers a hole in my wall very nicely. When I get a touch of writer's block, I can look up and use it as an impetus to work on.

Here's the biggy. If you look me up, you'll see I almost never do these interviews. But, this contest deserves it. For cheap money, not only did this guy get me an amazingly professional critique, he hooked me up with producers he's worked with and been payed by. What more could a writer ask?

A: The feedback is both useful and extensive. Do I agree with everything? No. That's wouldn't be human. But, there's a lot of good stuff there.

A: Yup. Producers. Will anything come of it? Don't know. It's a step in the right direction, and an open door that wasn't before. I've got an LA agent. Looking for a manager though. Hint. Hint.

A: I don't like to be a self promoting ass. That's a part of the buisiness I'm not comfortable with. Yet. I have a background working in TV production, film editing and special effects. Outside of the field, one can simply say I'm "well lived." If I haven't done it, I'll probably get to it eventually. And, yes. I 've written a good number of quality pieces with various genres and production cost considerations. If you check out "Winning Scripts," you'll see I'm pretty well plastered on the moviebytes site. (God bless Frederick and his helpful elves.) Some of my more unruly work I'll keep in a drawer until they learn to behave themselves. Presently, I'm working on a new script. A low budget comedy. I love horror, but I need to get away from it for a bit before it drives me truely insane. And, by shifting genres, I find any new stories I come up with of the macabre don't end up stale. i.e. Cookie cutter, "Gee this is like your last story," stuff. Yuck.

A: My agent has work for me in LA this summer. So, I'll be living part of the year in LA and the other part on the east side of the states. NYC is a lot easier to get to if you live near it

Would I move to LA permanantly? Hell, yes. I don't care for sweating my ass off in CA during the hottest part of the year and freezing it off in the north east during the coldest.

A: There's plenty more stories fighting to get their way out. Ahhhh!!!!!!

Actually, maybe I should use this as a promotion device. (Does anyone blame me?) The new comedy's called "House Guests." For now, the logline goes like this:

Comedy: A newlywed couple's taxes fly through the roof and force them to live with just about anyone that will help flip the bill. With the zanies they get, things still fly.

Posted Saturday, February 18, 2006