NYWIFT Blog

By Guneet K. Singh

Welcome to NYWIFT, Angela Inez!

Angela is a screenwriter, podcaster and SAG/AFTRA actress with a deep love for words. Her upcoming audio drama “Where Loyalties…Lie” will debut in Fall of 2024. She was in the Writers Guild Fellowship for military veterans where she developed a supernatural drama television pilot.

Read our interview with Angela below to learn more about her creative journey, her upcoming audio drama and her advice for pursuing careers in podcasting and television.

NYWIFT Member Angela Inez (Photo Courtesy of Angela Inez)

Tell us about yourself! Give us some insight into your creative journey, your career aspirations and what drives you.

As an only child, I grew up in the Midwest, raised by my strict but loving grandparents. When I was four, my grandfather taught me how to read, and that’s when I fell in love with words and their power. I won the spelling bee when I was 12 and again the following year, and that’s when I began writing poetry to express my thoughts. I continued writing through high school, working for the local newspaper until I joined the United States Air Force at 17. My first duty station was in southern California, followed by Spain, Turkey, Italy, and Washington, DC.

I continued honing my skills, writing essays and manuscripts. Several years ago, I wrote a one-act black box stage play that was part of a series of one-act plays performed in Washington, DC. Writing for the visual medium is where I found my “voice.” I started watching and reading many films and TV shows and decided that this is what I love: visual. Finally, I am a SAG/AFTRA actress, and my first appearance was on The Wire.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I’ve followed NYWIFT for many years and was always impressed by the support it gives to writers.

Congratulations on being selected for The Writers Guild Veterans Fellowship! What was your experience like in the program?  

My crazy life experiences, as well as my intense curiosity about the unknown, fuel my creativity for storytelling. So when I was chosen to be part of The Writers Guild Fellowship for Veterans, I was ecstatic about the mentorship and learning the business of show.

Can you tell us more about the television pilot you developed during your time in the fellowship? Did your time in the military influence your writing?

I developed a supernatural/drama television pilot that I’m proud of during this year-long process.  Although the pilot is not based on anything about my military experience, I am working on a script that does. During my eight years in the Air Force, I met some wonderful people and traveled to places that are just amazing. So much so that I’m writing a feature influenced by my time stationed in Turkey and Washington, DC. (Comp Hint: Manchurian Candidate meets Charlie’s Angels)

You created an audio drama podcast called “Where Loyalties…Lie” How did you approach the development and launch of this podcast?

“Where Loyalties…Lie” was originally written as a screenplay. I’ve previously written and produced an audio drama and can maintain control over the timing of getting my project out to listeners. My plan is to accumulate as many fans as possible to draw attention to someone I can partner with to make the podcast into a television show or a movie.

Key art from “Where Loyalties…Lie” (from @angelainez7 on Instagram)

What draws you to podcasting? How does it compare to your work in television?

Turning your script into a reality is challenging, at best. I started listening to a few audio drama podcasts and wrote and produced my first in 2017. I taught myself how to get my podcast on various platforms like Spotify and iHeart Radio. Entering the world of podcasting gives me much more control and costs less than a camera crew.

What advice do you have for writers pursuing careers in podcasting and television? 

The advice I would give writers pursuing careers in podcasting and television is:

1. Write what you know.
2. What you don’t know, do research.
3. Take an acting class to understand an actor’s process.

For more information on Angela, follow her on Instagram @AngelaInez7. To learn more about her audio drama podcast, check out this article in Yahoo Finance.