Podcasts about Gordy Hoffman

Life, they say, is a story we tell ourselves—a script of experience, moments, and emotions woven into a narrative only we can claim as our own. On today's episode, we welcome Gordy Hoffman, a screenwriter, director, and the mind behind the BlueCat Screenwriting Competition. His journey through the labyrinth of storytelling has been marked by profound lessons in creativity, resilience, and the delicate art of telling tales that move the human heart.As he shares his insights, one thing becomes evident: the best stories are not formulas but living, breathing entities. Too often, writers are shackled by the idea that a script must be a well-oiled machine of plot points and three-act structures.But according to Gordy Hoffman, true storytelling is about emotional investment. “The only rule of storytelling is getting an audience to care,” he explains. Without that, no amount of structure or technique can save a lifeless script. Whether it's an Oscar-winning screenplay or a child recounting their day at school, the heart of a story lies in its ability to make someone feel something real.The conversation drifts into the art of critique—how some script consultants and teachers wield feedback like a sledgehammer rather than a guiding hand. Gordy Hoffman believes in nurturing creativity with kindness, rather than crushing it under the weight of harsh criticism. He's seen firsthand how a poorly delivered note can stifle a writer, and he champions an approach where constructive guidance fosters growth rather than fear. After all, a writer's vulnerability is embedded in their work, and the moment they detach from that, their stories lose their humanity.But what about the battle every writer faces—the looming doubt that creeps in halfway through a script, whispering that it's all meaningless, that every page is a failure? Gordy Hoffman reassures us that this despair is not a dead end but a marker of progress. “Every screenplay you work on, you're going to hit that wall where you think, ‘This is awful, I'm bored, and I want to start over.' That's when you know you're halfway there.” The magic, he insists, lies in persistence—pushing through the malaise, trusting the process, and understanding that the creative spirit is not meant to be shackled by self-doubt.The conversation inevitably turns to Hollywood, that glittering beast that both nurtures and devours dreams. The industry's appetite for franchise films and established intellectual property has made it harder than ever for original screenplays to find their place. But for those who believe in their stories, avenues still exist—film festivals like Sundance, independent productions, and even the evolving landscape of television. The key is not just writing a screenplay but crafting one so undeniable that it demands to be seen.And what of inspiration? For Gordy Hoffman, it can come from anywhere—a fleeting moment, a stray observation, or even an index card scribbled with a single thought. Love Liza, one of his most well-known works, was born from a brief encounter at a gas station. “I saw someone near a pump, and I thought, ‘Are they sniffing gasoline?' That small moment turned into a story about grief and addiction.” Such is the power of storytelling—it transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, giving meaning to even the smallest of moments.The beauty of storytelling is that it is never truly finished. It grows, shifts, and takes on a life of its own, sometimes in ways we never intended. As Gordy Hoffman reminds us, the path of the writer is one of perseverance, of believing in the story even when the world seems indifferent. In the end, storytelling is less about perfecting structure and more about opening the heart—to others, to ourselves, and to the infinite possibility of what can be created.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

Life, they say, is a story we tell ourselves—a script of experience, moments, and emotions woven into a narrative only we can claim as our own. On today's episode, we welcome Gordy Hoffman, a screenwriter, director, and the mind behind the BlueCat Screenwriting Competition. His journey through the labyrinth of storytelling has been marked by profound lessons in creativity, resilience, and the delicate art of telling tales that move the human heart.As he shares his insights, one thing becomes evident: the best stories are not formulas but living, breathing entities. Too often, writers are shackled by the idea that a script must be a well-oiled machine of plot points and three-act structures.But according to Gordy Hoffman, true storytelling is about emotional investment. “The only rule of storytelling is getting an audience to care,” he explains. Without that, no amount of structure or technique can save a lifeless script. Whether it's an Oscar-winning screenplay or a child recounting their day at school, the heart of a story lies in its ability to make someone feel something real.The conversation drifts into the art of critique—how some script consultants and teachers wield feedback like a sledgehammer rather than a guiding hand. Gordy Hoffman believes in nurturing creativity with kindness, rather than crushing it under the weight of harsh criticism. He's seen firsthand how a poorly delivered note can stifle a writer, and he champions an approach where constructive guidance fosters growth rather than fear. After all, a writer's vulnerability is embedded in their work, and the moment they detach from that, their stories lose their humanity.But what about the battle every writer faces—the looming doubt that creeps in halfway through a script, whispering that it's all meaningless, that every page is a failure?Gordy Hoffman reassures us that this despair is not a dead end but a marker of progress. “Every screenplay you work on, you're going to hit that wall where you think, ‘This is awful, I'm bored, and I want to start over.' That's when you know you're halfway there.” The magic, he insists, lies in persistence—pushing through the malaise, trusting the process, and understanding that the creative spirit is not meant to be shackled by self-doubt.The conversation inevitably turns to Hollywood, that glittering beast that both nurtures and devours dreams. The industry's appetite for franchise films and established intellectual property has made it harder than ever for original screenplays to find their place. But for those who believe in their stories, avenues still exist—film festivals like Sundance, independent productions, and even the evolving landscape of television. The key is not just writing a screenplay but crafting one so undeniable that it demands to be seen.And what of inspiration?For Gordy Hoffman, it can come from anywhere—a fleeting moment, a stray observation, or even an index card scribbled with a single thought. Love Liza, one of his most well-known works, was born from a brief encounter at a gas station. “I saw someone near a pump, and I thought, ‘Are they sniffing gasoline?' That small moment turned into a story about grief and addiction.” Such is the power of storytelling—it transforms the mundane into the extraordinary, giving meaning to even the smallest of moments.The beauty of storytelling is that it is never truly finished. It grows, shifts, and takes on a life of its own, sometimes in ways we never intended. As Gordy Hoffman reminds us, the path of the writer is one of perseverance, of believing in the story even when the world seems indifferent. In the end, storytelling is less about perfecting structure and more about opening the heart—to others, to ourselves, and to the infinite possibility of what can be created.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/indie-film-hustle-a-filmmaking-podcast--2664729/support.

Welcome to the newest member of the IFH Podcast Network. May I introduce you to Inside the Screenwriter's MInd: A Screenwriting Archive.Have you ever wondered what it's like inside a screenwriter's mind? In this podcast, we explore how successful screenwriters tackle structure, plot, character, dialog, and the film business. Get ready to go down the rabbit hole of stories. Let's travel inside the screenwriter's mind.I wanted to create a new bi-weekly podcast that could not only highlight the in-depth conversations I have done with some of the world's greatest screenwriters in Hollywood but I also wanted to shine a light on other amazing interviews from the IFH Podcast Network.In this podcast, I will be your guide down the rabbit-hole of stories as I bring you interviews from the following podcasts:Indie Film Academy PodcastDave Bullis PodcastBulletproof Screenwriting PodcastFilm Trooper Podcastand others from the IFH Podcast NetworkAs the network continues to grow I will hunt for the best screenwriter interviews and bring them to you on the Inside the Screenwriter's MInd: A Screenwriting Podcast. If you like the podcast please share with your friends, subscribe, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This really helps the show out a lot since we are a new show and I want these amazing interviews to reach as many screenwriters and filmmakers as possible.Thank you for listening and I hope this podcast truly helps you on your screenwriting path. Write. Rewrite. Sell. Repeat. Proud Member of the IFH Podcast Network (www.ifhpodcastnetwork.com)

Tim and Luis discuss the 2002 drama/comedy Love Liza, currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Why? Because this is possibly the most underrated PSH film and performance in the Hoff-canon. Where did Gordy Hoffman get the idea for this film? Is this podcast actually very famous? What role does humor play in grief? Did Joaquin Phoenix steal Phil's laugh for his Joker?! Is Hoffman an ACTUAL everyman? How does PSH nail every scene? How does he keep us on his side always? Why does Luis write? All that and more in this twelfth episode of "That's That: A Philip Seymour Hoffman Retrospective Podcast." This episode's guest is friend, playwright, and collaborator Luis Roberto Herrera. Check out his podcast, Unheard Voices (those messages and yearnings we miss when we don't pick up our phone). You can also find him on the New Play Exchange. And of course: please watch Tim and Luis' Sundance rejected short film Wren & Lin. "That's That" is sponsored by One County Film Company, produced and hosted by Timothy Mark Davis, edited by Ryan Arnst, with show music composed by Jessica Rae Huber, and artwork by Drew Hanagen. Additional music from Yehezkel Raz and Oak and Cherry. You can watch Gordy Hoffman's screenwriting videos with Film Courage here. Our next episode is on the 2002 horror/thriller Red Dragon, currently streaming on Netflix. Our guest will be friend and very serious film critic, Joe Ruehlmann.

Want to see the video version of this podcast on Youtube? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLWxliG-BBg Want more writing videos? Check out our collection on Youtube here: https://bit.ly/2JZJXTi In this Film Courage video interview, BlueCat Screenplay Competition Founder and Judge Gordy Hoffman shares his advice to Screenwriters. BLUECAT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com MORE VIDEOS WITH GORDY HOFFMAN https://goo.gl/Si8Qy1 CONNECT WITH GORDY HOFFMAN http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0388896 https://www.facebook.com/BlueCatScreenplayCompetition https://twitter.com/BlueCatWriters https://www.instagram.com/gordyhoffman BECOME A FILM COURAGE MEMBER https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE http://www.FilmCourage.com http://twitter.com/#!/FilmCourage https://www.facebook.com/filmcourage http://filmcourage.tumblr.com http://pinterest.com/filmcourage BUSINESS INQUIRIES http://bit.ly/22M0Va2 SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL http://bit.ly/18DPN37 LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST https://soundcloud.com/filmcourage-com PROMOTE YOUR MOVIE, WEBSERIES, OR PRODUCT ON FILM COURAGE http://bit.ly/1nnJkgm SUPPORT FILM COURAGE http://www.patreon.com/filmcourage Please subscribe to our Youtube channel. You can show additional support via our Youtube sponsor tab by going here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join or through Patreon here - http://www.patreon.com/filmcourage. Thank you for listening! We hope you've enjoyed this content.

In this episode, Tyler and guest host Jason Eaken are joined by Gordy Hoffman to discuss The Meg, Spotlight, Star Wars, and The Other Side of the Wind.

This is my commentary and takeaways from my conversation with Gordy Hoffman, the Sundance-winning writer of Love Liza (starred his brother, Philip Seymour Hoffman), and founder of BlueCat Screenwriting Competition. Check the feed for the interview.    In this commentary I discuss What I appreciate about Gordy  My thoughts on feedback and dealing with the issues that come up when giving and receiving it The importance of having uncomfortable conversations Some reflections on addiction, in context to the character in Love Liza and other observations # If you'd like to hear another thoughtful conservation about screenwriting and story development, you might appreciate this interview with Golden Globe-winning producer Lindsay Doran, who helped develop icon films This Is Spinal Tap, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Ghost. # Sponsor for this Episode Screenwriters Down South – We're a screenwriting group in Baton Rouge. Some of our writers have written scripts that have been made into films with movie stars, written award-winning shorts, and worked at production companies or on film sets around the world.   Screenwriters Down South on Meetup Facebook # Say hello: podcast@nsavides.com # Related Things BlueCat Screenplay Competition Facebook, Twitter, YouTube BlueCat success stories Gordy Hoffman on Instagram Screenplays for Love Liza and Dog Bowl Watch Love Liza and Dog Bowl on Amazon Ashley Scott Meyers interviews Gordy about Dog Bowlon sellingyourscreenplay.com Gordy interviews BlueCat winner (includes a reference to Morrissey!) The Independent's obituary for Philip Seymour Hoffman Scriptnotes episode with guest Aline Brosh McKennaabout the progress made in Hollywood after the Weinstein revelations. Shortcut for the podcast: nicksav.show Music for the show provided by Rob Costlow. # Books Mentioned Jugheadcomic book series Nightby Elie Wiesel # Shows & Movies Mentioned 27 Dresses Alien Almost Famous Animal House Annihilation Bicycle Thieves Boogie Nights Capote Citizen Kane Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Crazy Rich Asians Devil Wears Prada Get Out Godzilla Godfather Get Out Independence Day Jaws King Kong La Dulce Vita Love Liza The Master The Meg - reversals Mission: Impossible III  Nutcracker and the Four Realms Owning Mahowny The Searchers The Seventh Seal Titanic Unforgiven We Bought a Zoo When Harry Met Sally # If You Liked the Show Sign up for The nsavides Newsletter. Subscribe or leave an honest review:   Apple Podcasts   Spotify   Overcast Say hello on Twitter:  @nsavidesPRO Thank you for visiting!

Gordy Hoffman's  first produced feature screenplay, Love Liza, won the prestigious Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award when it premiered at Sundance. The film also featured a memorable performance from his brother, Philip Seymour Hoffman, his first starring role in a film.  Dog Bowl, a short film that Gordy wrote and directed, also premiered at Sundance, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. Gordy has also taught writing at prominent film institutions around the country including USC and UCLA. His background as an accomplished working writer gives his BlueCat Screenplay Competition some credibility, as does BlueCat's 20 year history of discovering and developing writers who gone on to find success in Hollywood. Some of the things we discuss include Why good feedback is important but difficult to give and receive How the BlueCat Screenplay Competition can help writers develop What it was like working with Philip Seymour Hoffman to bring Love Liza, a script about a man addicted to sniffing gasoline, to life Gordy's rant about one of Alamo Drafthouse's policies Where Gordy looks for inspiration # I had a number of takeaways from the conversation and things I wanted to expand upon, so I recorded my commentary as a separate track, which you can hear below or next in the podcast feed.   # If you'd like to hear another thoughtful conservation about screenwriting and story development, you might appreciate this interview with Golden Globe-winning producer Lindsay Doran, who helped develop icon films This Is Spinal Tap, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Ghost. # Sponsor for this Episode Screenwriters Down South – We're a screenwriting group in Baton Rouge. Some of our writers have written scripts that have been made into films with movie stars, written award-winning shorts, and worked at production companies or on film sets around the world.   Screenwriters Down South on Meetup Facebook # Say hello: podcast@nsavides.com # Related Things BlueCat Screenplay Competition Facebook, Twitter, YouTube BlueCat success stories Gordy Hoffman on Instagram Screenplays for Love Liza and Dog Bowl Watch Love Lizaand Dog Bowl on Amazon Ashley Scott Meyers interviews Gordy about Dog Bowlon sellingyourscreenplay.com Gordy interviews BlueCat winner (includes a reference to Morrissey!) The Independent's obituary for Philip Seymour Hoffman Scriptnotes episode with guest Aline Brosh McKenna about the progress made in Hollywood after the Weinstein revelations. Shortcut for the podcast: nicksav.show Music for the show provided by Rob Costlow. # Books Mentioned Jugheadcomic book series Nightby Elie Wiesel # Shows & Movies Mentioned 27 Dresses Alien Almost Famous Animal House Annihilation Bicycle Thieves Boogie Nights Capote Citizen Kane Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Crazy Rich Asians Devil Wears Prada Get Out Godzilla Godfather Get Out Independence Day Jaws King Kong La Dulce Vita Love Liza The Master The Meg - reversals Mission: Impossible III  Nutcracker and the Four Realms Owning Mahowny The Searchers The Seventh Seal Titanic Unforgiven We Bought a Zoo When Harry Met Sally # If You Liked the Show Sign up for The nsavides Newsletter. Subscribe or leave an honest review:   Apple Podcasts   Spotify   Overcast Say hello on Twitter:  @nsavidesPRO Thank you for visiting!

Read 'SYS Podcast Episode 221: Writer / Director Gordy Hoffman Talks About His Short Film, Dog Bowl' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com. Screenwriter and Director Gordy Hoffman talks about his short film Dog Bowl (now available through Amazon Prime). We dig into the particulars of the story and how he worked through many of the writing challenges that […]

Gordy Hoffman is a screenwriter and director known for Dog Bowl (2015), Love Liza (2002), and A Coat of Snow (2005). Gordy is the founder of the BlueCat Screenplay Competition a contest designed for finding and fostering undiscovered writing talent. The winning screenplay from the 2005 competition, Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach was purchased by Greenestreet Films, and was released in 2009. Gordy has also taught graduate screenwriting at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Pre Show Notes — Backstage –  Use code dbcast at checkout when posting a casting call for a FREE basic listing— Dave Bullis Podcast Filmmakers Group on Facebook – a FREE filmmaking group I made on Facebook.— Shopping on Amazon? Please use my affiliate link (simply click and shop as normal) as it greatly helps out the podcast. Thank you!— R.I.P. for the spec script, long a source of some of Hollywood's most beloved filmsThanks for listening, and sharing the podcast! Show Notes-- Seinfeld - Elaine hates the English Patient-- Save the Cat!  - Here's what started the phenomenon: the best seller, for over 15 years, that's been used by screenwriters around the world. Blake Snyder-- Paul Thomas Anderson - is an American filmmaker. In 1993, he wrote and directed a short film titled Cigarettes & Coffee on a budget of $20,000. After he attended the Sundance Institute, Anderson had a deal with Rysher Entertainment to direct his first feature film, a neo-noir crime thriller titled Hard Eight, in 1996. Anderson received critical and commercial success for his film Boogie Nights (1997), set during the Golden Age of Porn in the 1970s and 1980s. His third feature, Magnolia (1999), takes place over a single day in the San Fernando Valley, following the interconnected lives of several characters in search of happiness and resolution. It received strongly positive reviews despite struggling at the box office. In 2002, the romantic comedy-drama Punch-Drunk Love, Anderson's fourth feature, was released to generally favorable reviews.  The epic drama There Will Be Blood (2007), set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, centers on a silver miner's efforts to capitalize on the Southern California oil boom. Released after a five-year absence, it garnered wide acclaim from critics. Anderson's sixth film, the drama The Master (2012), was released to critical acclaim. His seventh film, the crime comedy-drama Inherent Vice, based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon, was released in 2014, to somewhat polarized reviews, but acclaim from some critics. He made Junun, a documentary about the making of an album of the same name. His eighth feature film, Phantom Thread, which reunited him with There Will Be Blood star Daniel Day-Lewis (in his supposed final film performance), was released in December 2017.-- The Master - the journey of a naval veteran (Joaquin Phoenix) who arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future–until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader (Philip Seymour Hoffman).-- Phantom Thread --- Boogie Nights -  is a 1997 American drama film written, produced and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. It is set in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley and focuses on a young nightclub dishwasher who becomes a popular star of pornographic films, chronicling his rise in the Golden Age of Porn of the 1970s through to his fall during the excesses of the 1980s. The film is an expansion of Anderson's mockumentary short film The Dirk Diggler Story (1988). It stars Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Heather Graham.-- Phillip Seymour Hoffman - was an American actor, director, and producer. Best known for his distinctive supporting and character roles – typically lowlifes, eccentrics, bullies, and misfits – Hoffman acted in many films from the early 1990s until 2014.-- Love Liza - Following the unexplained suicide of his wife Liza, website designer Wilson Joel (Philip Seymour Hoffman) turns to gasoline fumes and remote control gaming while avoiding an inevitable conflict with his mother-in-law (Kathy Bates).Love Liza won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.-- Dog Bowl - A heartbroken girl spiraling through life stumbles upon the true nature of her existence after stealing the vest off of a service dog. A short film written and directed by Gordy Hoffman. Dog Bowl had its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and went on to screen at over 50 festivals around the world.-- Blue Cat Screenwriting Competition - Founded by award winning writer/director Gordy Hoffman in 1998, the BlueCat Screenplay Competition's passionate commitment to develop and discover the unknown screenwriter continues to define our work today, becoming one of the largest and most prestigious screenplay competitions in the world. BlueCat's Winners and Finalists have been signed by major talent agencies like UTA, CAA and WME, sold their work to studios like Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal, and won major awards at the Sundance, Berlin and Tribeca Film Festivals, all after being discovered by and winning BlueCat.DeadlinesRegular Deadline: February 1st, 2018. Feature $60, Pilot (Hour) $55, Pilot (Half-Hour) $50, Short Script $50, Short Film $50.Final Deadline: February 20th, 2018. Feature $65, Pilot (Hour) $60, Pilot (Half-Hour) $55, Short Script $55, Short Film $55.-- Gordy Script'sContactGordy Hoffman-- Official Site -- IMDB -- Wiki -- AMA on RedditDave Bullis— Official Site— Youtube— Twitter— Instagram— Facebook — Stage 32 — LetterboxdSupport the Podcast1. Sign Up for Dave's email list2. Rate the Podcast on iTunes 3. Shop on Amazon with my linkSubscribe to the Podcast— Podbean — iTunes — Stitcher— Google Play Podca

Join us for this inspiring conversation with Gordy Hoffman about how screenplay competitions work and why you should never give up. If you want to make films, Gordy says don't wait, "do your dream today!"

Can screenplay competitions be worth it? After being repeatedly asked by listeners for thoughts on screenplay competitions, Stu and Chas go full back matter for this special episode. They tackle the question - do comps just feeding the hope machine or are they a valid investment? - in their typical detailed (i.e. long) style. With their differing perspectives, Stu (a director looking for material) and Chas (a writer keen for exposure), talk to an impressive roster of guests. We start with Gordy Hoffman, founder and judge of the Bluecat Screenplay Competition; repeat Austin Film Festival attendees - first for the screenplay and now for the finished web series of EX BEST - Diana Gettinger & Monica Hewes; Launchpad 2014 finalist Tony Pitman; and Insite Competition winner Blake Ashford, whose winning script CUT SNAKE hit cinemas in 2015... ten years after winning the competition. These short descriptions in no way do justice to these eclectic and talented writers so - if you want to find out more - head to the links below. Our apologies in advance for the inconsistent sound quality in these interviews. Sadly, that's the nature of pulling together four different interviews across states, countries, times zones and technological barriers. LINKS Gordy Hoffman, Founder of the Bluecat Screenplay Competition DOG BOWL by Gordy Hoffman EX-BEST by Diana Gettinger & Monica Hewes 2014 Finalists for Tracking Board Launch Pad Competition including THE SINGULARITY by Tony Pitman Tony Pitman's skeptic podcast REALITY CHECK IMDB: CUT SNAKE directed by Tony Ayres, written by Blake Ayshford YouTube: CUT SNAKE Trailer Find Blake Ayshford on Twitter: @episode2480 AWG: Australian Writers Guild Competitions Please send feedback to ask at draft-zero.com, via our web form or twitter @draft_zero  We are @chasffisher and @stuwillis on twitter. Please considering rating us on iTunes! or sharing us on the Social Medias!

Tyler and David are joined by screenwriter Gordy Hoffman to discuss Love Liza and the BlueCat screenplay competition.

Gordy Hoffman talks about the Blue Cat Screenplay Competition and about what works on the page.

David and Mat interview writer/director and founder of the BlueCat Screenplay Competition, Gordy Hoffman.

With BlueCat founder and screenwriter/director Gordy Hoffman

With BlueCat founder and screenwriter/director Gordy Hoffman