Today we’d like to introduce you to B. Isabella Bodnar
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Hungary and moved to the U.S. at age five, only to move back after my parents had a nasty divorce. My mom did her best to raise two kids on very little money. We basically lived in my grandparents’ small one-bedroom house in a remote village. Winters were brutal—think three feet of snow, a 40-minute trek up an icy hill just to catch a bus to school three towns away. I learned early on that making people laugh (or at least making them feel something other than what they were accustomed to feeling) was the best escape from reality. Entertaining friends and family with solo stand-up acts and impressions of everyone I’d ever met was my full-time hobby. And when I wasn’t doing goofy comedy acts, I was hunting down horror movies with friends, screaming at the TV all weekend long. Sleepovers meant me improvising spooky stories in the dark, relishing the power of making my squeamish friends shiver. I was also a competitive gymnast, a dancer, and a Broadway dreamer—though after briefly working as a nurse in high school, I really thought I wanted to be a doctor. I was the definition of a hopeless empath, spending my last penny on gifts for friends and giving away what little I had because, somehow, others always had less. I was best friends with an 89-year-old widow who taught me that family, companionship and friendship are the most cherished things on Earth. I took care of her at the end of her life, and nourished her with a healthy diet, and to her doctor’s surprise, she managed to get off meds and experience an almost complete recovery from her illness. Other than raising my kids, it was one of the most important things I’ve ever done—giving someone an extra year of joy, and an extra year of life.
At 17, after eight long years of yearning to be “American,” I moved back to the U.S. I was on my own by 18, navigating New York City without a clue about finances, budgeting, sex, or birth control (yikes). I had many different jobs—waiting tables, working in real estate, stripping, and teaching gymnastics—before eventually landing a respectable assistant job on Wall Street. For a brief moment, I was on the pre-med track in college, but that expensive phase came to an end once I admitted that my true, TRUE love was performance. I dropped everything to attend The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. After a few small theater roles, I landed a movie gig where, while helping a director tweak a line of dialogue, I discovered I was actually good at writing! Soon, I wrote my first feature screenplay. I lit the fire under my own ass and decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue TV writing. I threw myself into sketch comedy classes, formed a group with some Groundlings and Second City friends, and we filmed sketches on the Universal Studios lot, which oddly made us feel famous without ever having done anything noteworthy at that point. We had a blast, but everyone went a different direction, and I teamed up with a co-writer to write some badass sitcom samples, landing a gig developing pilots for an indie producer in a writers’ room. As many stories go in Hollywood, the producer ran out of money, so it was back to the hustle for me.
I returned to auditioning, landed a role in an Asylum film (yes, that Asylum—low-budget sci-fi, horror, disaster, and “mockbusters” galore). It was fun, but my acting career fizzled as writing took over. I snagged a job as a writer’s assistant for a big-name producer after answering a Craigslist ad (who says CL is only for finding sketchy roommates and adopting pets?). I submitted a script, got hired, and even pitched story ideas that were actually used. I felt important. I was thriving. And then…
I met my now-husband. To make a long story short (or should I say, yadda yadda yadda?), I left my job, blinked, and suddenly—I was a mom. One minute I was climbing the Hollywood writing ladder, the next, I was knee-deep in dirty diapers. Then baby #2 arrived, and I was fully submerged in the chaos of no sleep, tantrums, and mountains of laundry. Being a mom was (and is) an incredible joy and privilege, but wow, the hours blow and the pay sucks. To balance motherhood and creativity, I became a photographer, building a headshot business while writing the occasional short film or sketch. I even wrote, directed, produced, and starred in a horror short—only to shelve it because I’m a perfectionist, and the movie was pretty “B” if you ask me. But hey, I pulled a film together with an amazing crew, and that’s something.
After a family health scare and a move to Georgia, I realized I was miserable without writing. I dusted off my keyboard and dove into a historical TV pilot. Learning about lobotomies (strictly theoretical, nothing hands-on!) was fascinating, and incredibly rewarding for my hungry brain. That script became my first contest submission and did well—Final Draft’s Big Break semifinalist, Austin Film Festival Second Rounder, and other semifinalist spots. Encouraged, I kept going. Over the last six years, I’ve written several scripts, many of which have placed as a finalist in script competitions.
My second script ever was a kidnapping drama (it was the one that got me the producer’s assistant gig), and as a passionate advocate for women’s rights and racial equity, I decided to write an even better abduction thriller—”Harper Mason”—about a biracial pregnant teen’s harrowing captivity. An early draft placed 3rd in a major contest, and it continued to collect finalist and even winning titles in contests. A few director acquaintances really wanted to get their hands on it as their first directing feature. A European producer also wanted to option it. Eventually, a fantastic local director took it under a shopping agreement, and before I knew it, my script was in the hands of an actress I’d dreamed of casting for the lead—who has since won an Emmy. Though things didn’t land where I wanted, “Harper Mason” is still alive and circulating, and will surely find a home one day. I’m incredibly proud of the work and effort I put into polishing that script.
This past year, my bestie (a ridiculously talented screenwriter and filmmaker) and I co-wrote a massive historical disaster screenplay based on a long-forgotten event from 1919. We secured the rights to the most comprehensive book ever written about this tragedy and now hold the IP. It’s a big-budget story centered on a devastating event and the ensuing corporate negligence trial (think Oppenheimer meets Titanic meets Chernobyl), and we’re ready to bring this untold story to life. We have high hopes that others will love it as much as we do—its blockbuster potential is undeniable.
Recently, I returned to college to pursue a health and wellness coaching program at Duke University (online), and the experience has been nothing short of invigorating. Being a student again and preparing for a career helping people live healthier lives has been incredibly rewarding—after all, I once dreamed of becoming a doctor, and even nursed a very ill lady back to health. I’m eager to build a wellness business, but screenwriting isn’t just a passion—it’s the air I breathe, the pulse in my veins, the fire that keeps me alive. As a true cinephile, I can’t imagine a world where I’m not immersed in the magic of storytelling and the creative process of filmmaking. With my historical disaster “Oscar-bait” drama now ready to go, I’m diving back into a sci-fi horror/thriller that’s already more than halfway finished—just one of many scripts I’m aching to bring to life. While I dabble in different genres, I shine when tackling the dark stuff—lobotomies, murders, demon possessions, aliens, kidnapping and epic disasters. If there’s blood and mayhem, I feel right at home. As the film industry keeps evolving, I’ll evolve with it. I’ll keep writing the thrills, chills, and twisty third acts, and something will land—because the cream always rises. Audiences crave gripping stories that keep them glued to their seats, and I know I can give them exactly what they want.
Currently, I live in Burbank with my adorable French bulldog and my even more adorable two teenaged sons (but don’t tell them I called them “adorable”—they’d roll their eyes so hard, they might strain a muscle). My boys are my greatest source of inspiration for crafting strong teen protagonists—and, more importantly, they fill my life with purpose, joy, and a boundless love that only a parent can truly understand.
When I’m not writing, I’m designing movie pitch decks for clients, or photographing actors, writers, and directors (mostly working actors)—this isn’t just a side hustle; it’s my bread and butter! It’s my livelihood, my craft, and I take immense pride in delivering high-quality work that helps my clients stand out. Whether it’s creating a visually striking deck that helps to sell a film, or capturing an actor’s defining headshot, I bring the same passion, precision, and dedication to these projects as I do to my own writing.
And when I’m not working? You’ll find me cheering on my kids in school and sports, watching tennis (I’m obsessed with the sport!), or petting my emotional support dog—who, unlike my teens, fully embraces the title of “adorable.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I know they say money doesn’t buy happiness, but most of the challenges I’ve faced in my youth (teens and 20s) have stemmed from not having enough of it. Being utterly broke takes a serious toll on one’s emotional and mental well-being. In the past, much of my depression—along with my fears and worries—was tied to the constant stress of trying to stay afloat, especially with no family to lean on during that time, and no one to turn to for help. New York City isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a ruthless, dog-eat-dog world. Pursuing the arts while trying to survive in one of the most expensive cities on Earth? Let’s just say, it wasn’t exactly a budget-friendly endeavor. There were days when my entire diet consisted of two bagels until my next paycheck arrived. I flirted dangerously close with homelessness more than once, but somehow, in the nick of time, I always managed to land a part-time gig—just enough to keep my stomach semi-full and avoid getting booted from my apartment.
Before I was even out of my teen years, I had been robbed, mugged, raped, ripped off, and had gone days without a single dollar in my wallet. In my early 20s, I went through a phase where I consumed more alcohol than I should’ve (I longed for a temporary numbing agent, and booze served that purpose), but I never let it consume me—I knew better than to go down that road. So I cleaned up my act and became a fitness coach and a devoted vegan.
At one point, while attending Fordham University in New York’s Lincoln Center, I hit a breaking point. Rent was due, tuition loomed, and I had no safety net—no parents to bail me out, no support system to catch me if I fell. My mother was in Hungary (far away and struggling financially herself), and my father was nonexistent in my life. But somehow, I always survived.
Money is still tight (I’m living in LA, after all!), but not teetering on the brink of financial ruin is a breath of fresh air. And then there’s the challenge of finding time to pursue my dreams while raising kids—that’s a whole other beast, especially during those first five sleep-deprived years.
But here’s the thing: it’s never too late to reclaim lost time and chase what sets your soul on fire. Reinventing myself has always been my secret weapon, along with my relentless ability to push forward—even when the odds weren’t just stacked against me, they were practically punching me in the face. But having the love and support of my kids and my immediate family? That means everything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a multi-talented creative chameleon, seamlessly shifting between roles—a jack-of-all-trades with a master’s touch. My personality has always been part ADHD-fueled whirlwind and part overzealous dreamer, driven by an insatiable curiosity. Basically, I wear many hats—and I love switching them up as often as inspiration strikes. I actually changed my baseball cap to a different ball cap while I wrote this (not kidding)!
As a screenwriter, while I have tons of experience in comedy writing, I’ve always been a horror movie junkie—naturally drawn to the morbid and the macabre. Tackling dark, disturbing, bloody, creepy, or gonzo material feels like second nature to me—that’s where I shine. I think I do well with such material not just because I know it and relish it, but because my imagination in that realm has never let me down. In screenwriting contests, I’m often one of the only women advancing to the top—especially in genres overwhelmingly dominated by male writers (looking at you, horror!). I take great pride in that. I think I excel in genre storytelling because I’m simply not afraid to go there—to push the envelope and craft moments that are truly gasp-worthy. My wheelhouse? Definitely horror and thriller. Two recent movies I wish I had written: “The Substance” and “Talk to Me.” Just thinking about a great horror film has me buzzing!
On the photography side (my other “hat”), I have a true gift for making people feel beautiful, confident, and glamorous. My enthusiasm for photographing a client is evident in every session. To me, every person is a gorgeous, unique being whose personality, soul, heart, and mind deserve to shine through in a photo shoot. I love capturing all types of people. My lens loves you! With my many years in the acting field, I know the kind of headshot that gets actors auditions, and which photo will help them book roles. And having been in front of the camera many times myself, I know that most actors would rather be in motion than stand still during a photo shoot, I make sure that in my sessions they actually do more acting than posing. I keep them on their toes.
As an amateur “pro” designer of movie pitch decks, my patience, my perfectionism, and my eye as both a photographer and filmmaker all come into play. I approach every pitch deck like it’s a storyboard—a visual representation of the movie a screenwriter or filmmaker wants to bring to life for producers, investors, and decision-makers. I’m meticulous in my research and obsessive about finding the perfect photos to convey the story’s tone. I also love learning new techniques and creating fresh, dynamic title fonts. Clients appreciate my enthusiasm for their projects—I want to know everything about their work. Admittedly, I often put in way more hours on a deck than I probably should. LOL. But that’s because I’m deeply invested in getting things right. I love being proud of my accomplishments, and have always maintained that there’s nothing more rewarding in one’s creative profession than delivering a superior product that thrills a client. I’m a people pleaser, what can I say? I often go above and beyond for my clients.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Probably my favorite childhood memory is from my teen years, and even though at 16 I thought I was fully grown, I was still just a… well, a child—
One summer, while vacationing at Hungary’s Lake Balaton in a trendy and popular tourist town, a group of close friends and I went out to a local dance club. On that particular night, they hosted a couples’ game night, and my best bud Ernie and I decided to enter. Mind you, we were not a real couple, and we were never romantically or sexually involved, but because this sounded like loads of fun, we thought – why not? Plus, there was a cash prize we couldn’t resist.
The games were outrageously intense and brutal, and included quizzes, physical challenges, blindfolded tasks, dares, feeding each other with our feet, dance routines and quirky activities—somehow, Ernie and I crushed them all. One by one, real couples were eliminated, leaving us, the ultimate frauds, victorious.
We won the entire thing. Afterwards, we asked the hosts if we could sing a duet of a hit pop song that was in the Top 10 charts. Ernie and I belted out the tune and got a lot of cheers. Then, after picking up our cash prize, we admitted that we weren’t really a couple. This left a lot of people deflated—they had really thought we were perfect for each other and declared us the most adorable couple they’d ever seen. It was impossible for them to grasp that we were just friends.
It was one of the most fun, ridiculous, and unexpectedly triumphant moments of my teenage years—not to mention my biggest brush with stardom, performing in front of a couple hundred audience members and fellow partygoers.
Pricing:
- $300 for a 10-page/slide movie pitch deck ($30/slide)
- $400 for a 3-hour portrait or headshot session (unlimited looks)
- $200 for a 2-look portrait or headshot session (approx 1 hour)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://isabellabodnar.com/#home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabellabodnar17/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isabella.bodnar.17
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-bodnar-b90a6277/
- Other: https://isabellaphotos.my.canva.site/photography-site
