Sunday, October 25, 2015

Jungle Software #Scriptchat Transcript October 25, 2015

Jungle Software @junglesoftware was our guest tonight, giving great tips and advice on all their vast array of software for screenwriters and filmmakers.

Use the code "scriptchat" on Jungle Software site to get discounts!

Read the transcript below or on Storify site.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Gordy Hoffman @vigiledelfuoco of @BlueCatPictures #Scriptchat Transcript - October 18, 2015

Gordy Hoffman @vigiledelfuoco of @BlueCatPictures - Integrity & Judging Screenplay Contests @zacsanford moderating.

Read the transcript below or on the Storify site.

Gordy Hoffman @vigiledelfuoco of @BlueCatPictures #Scriptchat Transcript - October 18, 2015

Gordy Hoffman @vigiledelfuoco of @BlueCatPictures #Scriptchat Transcript - October 18, 2015

Gordy Hoffman @vigiledelfuoco of @BlueCatPictures - Integrity & Judging Screenplay Contests @zacsanford moderating.

  1. Hello all, looking forward to chatting with you about the big frauds know as screenplay contests lol #scriptchat
  2. @vigiledelfuoco It sounds like a good way to throw your best material on a bonfire. #scriptchat
  3. We're here sitting quietly in the back of the room ... #ScriptChat
  4. @vigiledelfuoco Could you give us a little background on yourself to start the chat? #scriptchat
  5. And everyone, feel free to shoot your questions to @vigiledelfuoco... Hopefully I typed that right. :) #scriptchat
  6. I have two weeks to complete a term paper. Then I'm FREE! #scriptchat
  7. I founded BlueCat in 1998, I won the Waldo Salt at Sundance in 2002, I've taught at USC & UCLA, 2015 short premiere at Sundance #scriptchat
  8. @vigiledelfuoco What do you think is the biggest mistake writers make when entering a contest? #scriptchat
  9. My short is playing in Rio, Denver, Honolulu, Ireland and San Francisco in the next month/ #scriptchat
  10. Not emotional. RT @zacsanford2: @vigiledelfuoco What do you think is the biggest mistake writers make when entering a contest? #scriptchat
  11. Not emotional, no clarity, untruthful RT @LCrawford910: @vigiledelfuoco Q: What are your top 3 reasons for passing on a script? #scriptchat
  12. @vigiledelfuoco Why do you feel comedy, horror and thrillers don't do too well in most contest? #scriptchat
  13. @zacsanford2 @vigiledelfuoco Actually that's not true, at least for BlueCat. We have horror, thrillers and comedies place. #scriptchat
  14. @vigiledelfuoco Q: If a writer's coverage has more "fair" categories vs. passes, how do you recommend they proceed? #scriptchat
  15. @vigiledelfuoco @zacsanford2 Curious about increased visibility for winners. Would you say most go on to see success post win? #scriptchat
  16. @zacsanford2 @vigiledelfuoco It's the least represented genre in the submissions and lesser of them? I don't know. #Horror #scriptchat
  17. @rachlanger @vigiledelfuoco @zacsanford2 Our winner Kimi Howl Lee was signed by Industry right after win. So she's happy. #scriptchat
  18. @rachlanger @vigiledelfuoco @zacsanford2 It took awhile but BlueCat has track record and the industry requests all winners. #scriptchat
  19. @vigiledelfuoco Also to give yourself more characters, you can remove your twitter handle and others that not responding too. #scriptchat
  20. @SarahAlexis4 @vigiledelfuoco We do interviews/table readings. At this point, if you're winner or finalist, industry will read. #scriptchat
  21. Curious as to the number of entrants this year outside US, UK? #scriptchat
  22. Basically, that criteria make a script a better fit for the contest route rather than being shopped? #scriptchat
  23. @blueneumann It's the same! If you make your reader have an emotional experience, you win. Feels win. #scriptchat
  24. @vigiledelfuoco @zacsanford2 speaking of genres, which have been the most successful in your competition and why? #scriptchat
  25. @AB2screenwriter Seriously. Write a great script. Genre second guessing with contests is not necessary. #scriptchat
  26. @vigiledelfuoco I hate the term "The feels." I see it as a buzzword and represents cheap, emotional manipulation. #scriptchat
  27. If your question is skipped, please feel free to resubmit it as sometimes the chat goes too fast. But give our guest a minute. #scriptchat
  28. @vigiledelfuoco Rather then instilling a genuine emotional response through storytelling. #scriptchat
  29. @vigiledelfuoco My apologies, I'll rephrase. How do you get a reader emotionally connect to content they know nothing about? #scriptchat
  30. @Al_1701 It's what the kids call emotions, that's all. Sorry to confuse #scriptchat
  31. Do you see a preference for plot-driven or character-driven scripts? #scriptchat
  32. @vigiledelfuoco It's a term I've come to detest because it's used to gush over some really manipulative tripe in some circles. #scriptchat
  33. @SarahAlexis4 Many rewrites. Many. Original voices. Made me feel. Laugh, cry. #scriptchat
  34. @vigiledelfuoco Thanks! :) Some people don't see to think so, but I certainly agree with you. #scriptchat
  35. @LCrawford910 Like I didn't know anything about #12years but that was a masterpiece because I was crushed for him. #scriptchat
  36. @LisaGProsek I guess if there's no internal journey for character, that's plot driven? God who cares haha. #scriptchat
  37. @vigiledelfuoco "I guess if there's no internal journey for character..." Agreed, for sure! #scriptchat
  38. @vigiledelfuoco What should writers be wary of when entering any contests out there? #scriptchat
  39. Screenwriting seminar in LA in overtime. Will have to get the #scriptchat transcript.
  40. @zacsanford2 Do they read your entire script? Do they have a track record with industry? Who hires the readers? #scriptchat
  41. Do you know who hires the readers? What are their qualifications? How do you know they read your entire script? #scriptchat
  42. @vigiledelfuoco Those are great things for writers to worry about, but how would they find out this info? #scriptchat
  43. This scriptchat is about transparency! Let's discuss how we make you feel like your submission is being judged fairly! #scriptchat
  44. @vigiledelfuoco No contest is going to admit that they don't read the whole script. #scriptchat
  45. @zacsanford2 Ask the competitions in a public forum like twitter or facebook I guess ? #scriptchat
  46. Understandable. I'm working with an ancient way of life never explored in film, with a AFAM female lead. @vigiledelfuoco #scriptchat
  47. @vigiledelfuoco is there anything preventing one tired reader on a bad day scuttling your score? #scriptchat
  48. @vigiledelfuoco I've never asked since I don't enter contest, but if I ran one, would I admit that scripts went unread? Nope. #scriptchat
  49. The coverage received passed on the dialog & tone. I just didn't understand how they could judge that not knowing the culture. #scriptchat
  50. Anywho, I appreciate the notes. Back to the drawing board! #scriptchat
  51. @LCrawford910 It's your responsibility to make that work, Sanaa! You have to make it clear, and you can! #scriptchat
  52. No. #fucked RT @scottcreynolds: @vigiledelfuoco is there anything preventing one tired reader on a bad day scuttling your score? #scriptchat
  53. For me, feedback for both my submissions were constructive. After all, we can't always expect to be told what to do! :) #scriptchat
  54. @vigiledelfuoco @scottcreynolds Hence why winning a contest is partially luck of the reader mixed with raw talents. #scriptchat
  55. @scottcreynolds Don't you get tired? Everyone does. Everyone's human. But everyone tries to rock it when they're making a film. #scriptchat
  56. "@LCrawford910: The coverage received passed on the dialog & tone. I just didn't understand how they.... #scriptchat" just change readers :)
  57. @writeranthonydp @LCrawford910 No, change your screenplay. Are you going to move your movie to new theatr when they don't laugh? #scriptchat
  58. @vigiledelfuoco def, but I think people have a fear that they'll get the one guy who doesn't "get it" or hates VO or whatev #scriptchat
  59. @writeranthonydp :) I think this is one of those projects I should produce. I have others that are easier to digest. #scriptchat
  60. @scottcreynolds If you're a victim of bad readers, then what do you have to work on? Take responsibility for what you wrote. #scriptchat
  61. @scottcreynolds @vigiledelfuoco hopefully that reader will recognize their bias and do something about it #scriptchat
  62. @vigiledelfuoco Besides the feedback a writer can receive, what else puts your contest above some of the others? #scriptchat
  63. Generally people have more control over the fate of their work simply by working harder than the readers of screenplay contests #scriptchat
  64. @LCrawford910: I think this is one of those projects I should produ #scriptchat I've made changes. Thoigh I Didnt agree with everything.
  65. I get it! No bad questions! RT @scottcreynolds: @vigiledelfuoco @zacsanford2 no doubt! just asking the question that ppl ask me. #scriptchat
  66. @vigiledelfuoco i don't think i have been. you wanted questions about how people can feel they're being judged fairly so i asked #scriptchat
  67. I love you guys, thanks for all your questions. We writers have more power than we know. I hate digging deeper into my heart. X #scriptchat
  68. @vigiledelfuoco 1/2 Maybe it's just me, but I don't think, "maybe the reader isn't great." As writers we need to learn how to... #scriptchat
  69. @vigiledelfuoco Q: When is a script contest ready? How do you vet it as a writer? #scriptchat
  70. @vigiledelfuoco 2/2 ...use whatever feedback we get for our good and move forward. #scriptchat
  71. We have to take responsibility for our own work more. There are no gatekeepers! We hold the keys. It's on us. #scriptchat
  72. @scottcreynolds: Writing is a scary place. We all have the same questions, whether we pose them or not. :) #scriptchat
  73. Only 15 minutes left... Get those questions in to @vigiledelfuoco regarding screenplay Contests. #scriptchat
  74. If it's the reader's fault, what do we have to work on? If it's our fault, then we can write. #scriptchat
  75. I am so late... sorry that I missed most of Gordy's chat (but we were on a panel together in Portland a month ago). #scriptchat
  76. Hi Bill! RT @wcmartell: I am so late... sorry that I missed most of Gordy's chat (but we were on a panel together in Portland). #scriptchat
  77. @vigiledelfuoco In grad school, instructors told me they couldn't see it. It's our job to put it on page then on screen. #scriptchat
  78. Please ask me more questions, don't be scared, I'm as scared as you are when talking about writing, then I'm not. :) #scriptchat
  79. @vigiledelfuoco Besides the feedback a writer can receive, what else puts your contest above some of the others? #scriptchat
  80. One thing I do to see if a screenplay is ready is to read my 5 favorite scripts and then mine. Is one not like the others? #scriptchat
  81. Always enter Sundance, Austin, Nicholl, and any regional contest. Any state contest. #scriptchat
  82. What are some other contests that helped you move forward as a writer? #scriptchat
  83. If contests read your scripts, hell, tell the entrants what they think. Why not! #scriptchat
  84. @vigiledelfuoco Biggest piece of advice that you'd give writers that are wanting to enter a screenwriting contest? #scriptchat
  85. .@vigiledelfuoco Me too. It was not as good as BlueCat Screenplay. I loved my reader there. #scriptchat
  86. @ZotBakingCo Thank you Linda, Nicholl will get stronger, it took us years to get our shit together lol #scriptchat
  87. @zacsanford2 @vigiledelfuoco Don't. Take the notes you keep ignoring, write another draft and save the entry fee for pizza. XX #scriptchat
  88. Don't. Save $ for pizza RT @zacsanford2: Biggest piece of advice you'd give writers wanting to enter a screenwriting contest? #scriptchat
  89. #scriptchat oops a spelling mistake. Good I'm not writing a screenplay. :)
  90. @writeranthonydp As someone who has read thousands of scripts, if you have me hooked, I don't notice typos/grammar errors. #scriptchat
  91. Please challenge all competitions to be transparent about their judging. #scriptchat
  92. @vigiledelfuoco I could give a public list of contests to avoid based on their judging, but don't want to be sued. :) #scriptchat
  93. I want to thank @vigiledelfuoco for being here tonight. Give 'em a follow and keep rewriting those scripts! #scriptchat
  94. I love writers and I love teaching and I thank Zac and Scriptchat for having me on. I will always answer any questions. I hope #scriptchat
  95. @vigiledelfuoco Thanks for being here. Truly appreciate it and your love for helping writers. #scriptchat
  96. I helped tonight! Please work hard to share your most personal stories with us, they become blockbusters! #scriptchat
  97. Anyone in LA interested in seeing Gordy's @DogBowlMovie this Fri in North Hollywood? We may have a few free tix for #scriptchat writers!
  98. Writing is always more important than entering contests! Keep up your relationship with yourself and your instrument. X #scriptchat
  99. You're welcome, Sarah! RT @SarahAlexis4: @vigiledelfuoco Thanks for being here and fielding our questions #scriptchat