We were lucky to catch up with Heather Hemsley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

There wasn’t a specific “catalyst” moment that made me want to pursue screenwriting; it was more of a gradual discovery. I grew up watching tons of films and TV shows with my family, namely my siblings. Discussing storylines, character arcs, and on-screen fighting techniques was how we bonded. Every time I sat down to watch a new film or show, I found myself excited not only to watch the media itself, but to make new memories with the ones I was watching it with. I grew up believing that storytelling is a powerful medium because it has the unique capability of connecting people in all different walks of life. Films bring people who would normally have nothing in common together.

In another sense, I knew I was born to be a storyteller because no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop imagining new characters or creating new worlds in my head. In grade school, I was either writing a novella or envisioning the next one. Grandiose worlds, intricate plots, and intriguing characters filled my mind day and night. I was drawn to create every second I wasn’t in school. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.

As a junior in high school, I felt the pressure to choose a career. I felt drawn to film, but online sources and family members told me that screenwriting might not be the most stable job. I decided that becoming a publishing editor would be a good compromise, since it provided stable income and involved utilizing my praised grammatical skills. But as I began to envision a life without creating stories, merely editing the written words of other people instead, I became depressed. I realized that if I didn’t pursue storytelling as a career, I would feel deprived of the creative nature instilled in me by God. I drew inspiration from my cousin Rachel Hemsley, a professional director and screenwriter in the industry; I saw the powerful ways in which God had used her skills to impact others, and I felt in my soul that this is what I was called to as well. That’s when I took the leap of faith to pursue screenwriting professionally.

Heather, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am an independent screenwriter and director who specializes in action dramadies and children’s content. Fantasy and action are my two favorite genres! Specifically, I am passionate about creating animated content for teens and young adults that convey meaningful themes in artistic ways. Although I write in all screenplay mediums, I lean towards television.

I was born and raised in SoCal, and arguably the most important fact about me is that I’m a twin — she’s my greatest inspiration! I first had exposure to film when I had a few opportunities in high school to be a production assistant and script supervisor on independent sets. I am currently enrolled at Biola University studying Writing for Film and Television, where I am continuing to hone my creative skills and build a strong writing portfolio. During my time here, I’ve written and directed multiple projects, as well as continued to script supervise student sets. I’ve also had the immense priviledge of being an intern staff writer on an animated kids television show.

What sets me apart from other screenwriters is my ability to convey complicated worlds and themes in a way that rouses my audience. I design my stories to captivate and inspire, while at the same time demanding attention to certain issues or morals. Stories are beautiful ways of refreshing the soul, but most importantly, they are a powerful avenue in reminding audiences what is important in life.

I am currently finishing post-production on a fantasy short film I wrote and directed last summer. I am also in the process of developing a proof-of-concept for a fantasy animated series that will be completed by next spring!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being in the film industry requires a tremendous amount of dedication and resilience — especially when you’re independent. No one’s handing you jobs, reminding you to write, or pushing you to network. It’s entirely self-motivated. If I don’t succeed, the only person I have to blame is myself. I strive to be resilient by writing every day, attending networking events, and setting deadlines for myself. I surround myself with like-minded creatives and push myself to ask for feedback on scripts. The thing about resilience is that you don’t realize you’re being resilient… if you’re truly doing what you were created to do, you find a way to forge ahead, regardless of how hard or difficult it is. I’ve always found that to be the case. I can’t help but strive toward my goals because this is what I was made to do.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission in telling stories is to let people know they’re not alone, and to provide a ray of hope. There’s so much negativity going on in our world that if my stories can provide a breath of fresh air for people, I’ll have considered my career worth it. On the flip-side of that, I believe there are important morals and values being threatened by current worldviews, and I aim to address those things in the form of questions. I want all sides to be heard, and yet I want to present evidence for the preservation of respect and truth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://etdstudios.wixsite.com/heather-hemsley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hemsley/