BlueCat Writers Blog

BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman with some advice for approaching dialogue. Gordy believes the world is not divided into those who have an ear for dialogue and those who do not. He posits that if you are struggling with dialogue, you probably are not...

BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman talks about how many completed scripts a writer should have in their arsenal before attempting to secure representation. While you may have heard that a writer needs to have multiple scripts at-the-ready before approaching...

BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman on flashbacks within flashbacks. Gordy says that while the technique is not unheard of, it's most likely not the most efficient way to convey information in your story. If you find yourself writing a flashback within a...

BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discuss how frequently to update your WGA registration. Some writers worry that they need to resubmit their script with the WGA every time they make a change to their screenplay. They worry that if this is the case, they will go...

In this BlueCat Advice Video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discuss using ghost writers to complete your script.  Gordy says that while he does not necessarily recommend the practice, there are people out there who will complete your screenplay.Also, if...

Screenplay Scene Length: BlueCat Advice VideoIn this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman talks about the appropriate length of a scene for your screenplay. Many writers worry about their scenes being too long or too short for a feature film. Gordy says...

Securing Representation: BlueCat Advice VideoIn this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses the best way to get representation: write better screenplays. There is no shortage of demand for great screenplays. There is, however, a shortage of them. If...

In this video, Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses the necessity of establishing tone in the opening of your film. Many writers want to know if they can open their film with grotesque imagery. Gordy mentions films that have successfully used horrific imagery in...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discussing writing love stories without relying on exotic locales or period settings.  Gordy says that love stories have been a genre since the Nickelodeon era. People love to see movies about love. The best...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses properly writing action descriptions into your screenplay.  For the most part, action descriptions should be confined to the parenthetical below the character's name, or in its own paragraph. Gordy...

Opposing Screenwriting Notes: What to Do - BlueCat Advice VideoIn this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses what do when you receive opposing notes on your screenplay. Gordy says that screenplay writing is an art, not a science, so you are bound to...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses the active voice in screenwriting.  A lot of writers feel that using active voice is superior to passive. This is typically the case in literature and academic writing. However, in screenplay...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses the tricky task of incorporating multiple perspectives into your screenplay. Certainly a possible feat, incorporating multiple perspectives requires nurturing each character with the proper amount of...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge, Gordy Hoffman explains how to win a screenplay competition. Any winner of BlueCat has made Gordy laugh out loud or cry. Being able to capture emotion in your writing is essential. Also, if you’d like to join our BlueCat...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman lays out some film school advice. Though Gordy had a professionally produced screenplay while never before attending film school, Gordy learned from his experience of teaching at USC for the first time that there...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses receiving feedback without solutions. When you receive a note on your script that does not contain the solution to fix it, you should not fret. It's not necessarily the reader or critiquer's job to fix...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses the amount of time needed to write a great script. Could you do it in eight days? It's possible. But Gordy suggests taking your time with your script. Don't ignore voices in your head that point out when...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses what to do if there are similar screenplays in the market. At some point in your screenwriting career, you'll get into writing a screenplay and notice that the movie you are currently writing is more or...

Short Script to Short Film: BlueCat Advice VideoIn this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses what you should do after you feel you've written a great short script. If you are enthusiastic about your short script, you should share it with...

In this video, BlueCat Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman discusses the importance of subtext in a screenplay. If all the actions of a character are without subtext, then the character is poorly written. People don't go around saying or doing everything. There are...

Ana Lily Amirpour Distribution Announcement2007 BlueCat Winner Ana Lily Amirpour's debut feature film A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, has been picked up by distributor Kino Lorber. Check out the...