Brandon Lombardo: a SRU Success Story
- Dec 15, 2017
- 3 min read
Lombardo on set for a shoot of the annual UVSR Block Party in 2016.
Brandon Lombardo aka “Brando”, a 2015 Communication-Emerging Tech graduate of Slippery Rock University has had an interesting life, yet successful in many ways. Brando has always had a keen eye for design and film and coming to Slippery Rock in the Fall of 2008 was the first step to creating a career out of his passions. However, the typical four-year college degree timeframe turned out to be all but atypical for Lombardo.
One thing about Brando though is that there is one person in his career that has helped him reach new heights, Jake Miller, aka “Millz”. “Brando and Millz” have known each other since their time at WSRU-FM and have been together for the most part since. From working on projects in class, to hosting one of the most listened-to radio shows on air, to even further down the road opening a multi-media production company together. However, to understand why the two have always worked together or were even able to stand working together, one must understand their relationship and how they first met.
The duo became inseparable to say the least.
Lombardo and Miller posing after winning DJ of the Year at WSRU-FM in 2015.
“And that’s when I knew that we kind of had the same desires and dedication when it came to video production,” said Miller when asked about when he knew that he liked working with Brando. One thing one can notice from this quote is that it’s Brando’s serious want and ability to create content and that is one of the foundations for continuing to work together.
Once Brando graduated, he began working on freelancing content for customers, but yearned for something more than just that. However, his main source of help, Miller, was on the fence about what to do after graduation, he even thought about the merits of a Master’s Degree. Lombardo talked him out of it, he said “no one has ever asked me what my degree was in… if you have the ability, you can do it.” Miller graduated and immediately began working with Lombardo on some production shoots.
Red Dot Studios, as it would later be named, was created while Lombardo and Miller were working on the set of an HGTV television show, Lombardo said, “I got to the point where I needed help and Jake and I decided to incorporate and create a business… to do this the right way.” When asked about the initial success of the company, Miller said, “the work kept coming, so [we] kept growing.” Some clients included BlackCraft Cult Clothing, MSA and even The Grove in Slippery Rock, and most of these clients were initially brought in by Lombardo and his ability to find unique opportunities. Another one of Lombardo’s talents is that of his creative mind, more specifically the fact that he can come up with “crazy ideas” as per Miller, and pull them off.
To further understand the creation of the company in the words of its founders, here are two videos on Lombardo and Miller going over some history.
"...it's amazing and you can't beat it," Lombardo says about working for himself. Red Dot Studios is Lombardo's heart and soul, these videos easily show that it's something that he truly is passionate about.
Brando also has some wise words for outbound seniors.
"Don't be scared, but have a plan.... and network," Lombardo says are his biggest pieces of advice.
Many can look at Lombardo's long process of college as a great learning example to not give up and to chase something you're truly passionate about. Without that, what is someone really studying something for. Overall, Lombardo is a distinguished Slippery Rock University alum, and he hopes that many follow in his footsteps.
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