We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kim Lombard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kim, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
A big one for me is camera, lighting and editing technology advancing to the point where independents can compete with established production companies. The calibre of my cell phone camera allowed me the ability to produce a 12 episode web series entitled ‘The Drummist’. The quality is truly outstanding.
On-line streaming and VOD taking over the market.
Anyone with a talent for good story telling can now get their product on to a platform like You Tube, Tubi and numerous others.
Kim, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I began as a musician, playing in touring bands for close to 35 years. The key to getting noticed is marketing. When I started, which was long before social media, the way you got the word out about your band was to hound industry execs, music magazines and plaster the town where you were performing with posters promoting the show. It’s one thing to produce a webseries, short or feature, it’s another thing to get noticed. Marketing is essential, otherwise your friends and family will be the only ones who think you’re talented!
After I wrapped up my music career I moved on to animation. I was a motion-capture actor for 2 years. It was during that period I began writing concepts for game shows and reality programs. It was also during that time I wrote a book entitled Smash Bike, a low-brow comedy about a bunch of guys who play the world’s most extreme BMX game. I followed up by writing a feature film script of the same name. I was lucky enough to get the script optioned, but being optioned only brings you one step closer; you still have to raise funds to get the project made. We weren’t able to get financing so for the moment Smash Bike sits on a back burner covered in 2-3 inches of dust. I do believe everything is about timing so I’ll definitely revisit the project down the road.
After moving on from that venture, I met some like minded people with an idea for a sitcom. I was asked to write a teaser. The show is called ‘Pink Is In’, the story of a very poorly run women’s prison. Four months after completing the teaser, I got a call saying ‘Ok, we have a deal, start writing’. We recently completed a 12 episode season one.
The success of Pink Is In allowed me the opportunity to write a comedy feature entitled ‘Big Stones’ A prequel to Pink Is In. It’s a heist comedy that explains how one of the characters ends up in Chatsworth Prison. We are currently shoring up cast and funding.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
My resilience comes from all the people who told me I couldn’t do it, that I wouldn’t succeed. It’s crucial that you ‘x’ those people out of your life. Ignore them, just keep forging ahead, because although it may take longer than you envisioned, the cream always rises to the top!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I learned not to rely on anyone except yourself and a VERY tight circle of friends and collegues. I find a lot of people talk a good game, but when push comes to shove most people bail.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pinkisin.net
- Instagram: @PinkIsInShow
- Facebook: @PinkIsInShow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecJvAdPkpEw
Image Credits
Kim Lombard on chair back Atilla Turi.