Out of the Blue

Instead of melting snow and budding plants, Hollywood has screenwriting contests to herald the coming of spring. For writers in town and without, winning or placing highly in one of the well-regarded contests is a way to get noticed and read by production companies and agencies. The brass ring is still the Academy's Nicholl Fellowships, and that deadline is still May 1 (sooner than you think). One of the up-and-comers, which I plan on submitting to this year, is the BlueCat Screenplay Competition. Founded in 1998 by Gordy Hoffman (brother of Philip Seymour Hoffman), BlueCat has a few things going for it that sets it apart from some of the other non-Nicholl competitions. First, the winner receives $10,000 and finalists receive $1,500. Not an insubstantial amount as far as these things go. Second, all entrants receive written analysis on the scripts they submit. So if you get dinked early on, you're not left wondering why. And even if you make it a little further, you've gotten some value for the $45 entry fee with the reader's opinion of what works and what needs work. Third, the past two winning scripts both sold and are in various states of production (Gary the Tennis Coach in 2005 and "Hyung's Overture" last year). People in the industry are taking notice and committing to the winner's script. And Gordy has some great articles on the writing process at the website to boot. But if you plan on entering this year's competition, time's running out. The March 1 deadline is fast approaching.

P.S. Christina has a wonderful interview with Gordy over at Development Hell. Apparently, he's one intense dude.