Author Archives: heidihornbacher

About heidihornbacher

A graduate of UCLA’s screenwriting program, Heidi has written numerous features, treatments, and TV pilots for various independent producers. She’s judged for the Slamdance Film Festival screenwriting contest and co-founded the Slamdance Script Clinic. She and her husband founded PageCraft Writing in 2008 offering script coaching and writing retreats in LA and Italy. Her clients have gone on to find representation, win contests, and become working writers. Heidi has written, directed, and produced numerous commercials, music videos, and electronic press kits for various artists. She’s currently making a documentary film about British artist Paul Whitehead.

LUCA and the Missing Stakes

Posted on August 2, 2021 by heidihornbacher

As lovers of all things Italy, we naturally couldn’t wait to see the new Disney Pixar animated feature, Luca, set in a fictionalized version of Cinque Terre’s Riomaggiore on the Ligurian coast. The film is a sort of updated mash-up of The … Continue reading →

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The Central Line: Giri/Haji

Posted on February 8, 2021 by heidihornbacher

One of my favorite concepts we discuss in our rewrite workshops is the central line. I challenge writers to find a line of dialog in their script that reveals who the protagonist is. Sometimes they are surprised to discover these … Continue reading →

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The Queen’s Gambit: The Narrative Power of a Strong Character Arc

Posted on December 8, 2020 by heidihornbacher

As we sat engrossed by the last episode of the marvelous Netflix limited series, The Queen’s Gambit, it hit me that one of the (many) reasons it succeeds is the strong character arc of protagonist Beth. Sure, the solid source material, … Continue reading →

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Scene Transitions: A Secret Weapon for Story Momentum

Posted on November 19, 2020 by heidihornbacher

You may already know the fundamental ways of increasing momentum and tension in your script: get into scenes late and get out early; craft scenes around your protagonist’s pursuit of a goal; hold onto your central mystery as long as … Continue reading →

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Motif! Adding Depth To Your Script With Key Details

Posted on November 4, 2020 by heidihornbacher

You’re feeling good about your latest script draft. You’ve crafted a strong story structure and compelling character arcs. But there’s something missing that you can’t put your finger on. A little je ne sais quoi. Threading in a motif–a recurring thematic … Continue reading →

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Perfume

Posted on September 8, 2020 by heidihornbacher

When I first saw this film starring a breaking out Ben Wishaw, I was duly intoxicated. Perfume: The Story of A Murderer was adapted from the 1985 novel in 2006. As the years have passed, it’s remained in my memory … Continue reading →

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Consistent Character

Posted on August 31, 2020 by heidihornbacher

One thing I talk about with writers is the importance of doing background development work on your characters. This helps ensure they behave consistently throughout your story, run by the fears, hopes, and dreams that shaped them. As the story … Continue reading →

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Ford v Ferrari and Character Desperation

Posted on August 24, 2020 by heidihornbacher

I have always been a car girl. In my childhood bedroom there was nary a Barbie or baby doll in sight, but I had a killer collection of Hot Wheels. As an adult, I consider the 1965 AC Shelby Cobra … Continue reading →

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Made In Italy – In Search of Stakes

Posted on August 17, 2020 by heidihornbacher

“You haven’t seen Made in Italy?” one of our Orvieto alums gasped. I know. I’m a cliche. I love Italy to the point I married an Italian; I have my citizenship; and we run our annual screenwriting retreats there. I … Continue reading →

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Character Is Plot

Posted on June 24, 2019 by heidihornbacher

I was recently sent a script by a friend. She was being offered the opportunity to direct it, but she knew something wasn’t quite working. I read it and the issue was immediately clear. The story was flat; the dialog … Continue reading →

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