ANGEL L. MARTINEZ
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​Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
Miami, Florida
 
Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel?
My inspiration comes from my family, friends and life’s experiences. Writing is the painting of lived experiences for me. Just wanted to initiate imagination for viewers.
 
How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN?
KATRINA, six months.
FADE IN – although, definitely read The Writer’s Journey, I should’ve read it much earlier in my development.  Story telling is an Art. 
My career experience spans over thirty years of gathering, reporting on and interpreting intelligence-related matters for government agencies, including twenty-three years with the U.S. Coast Guard and over a decade in the Department of Justice.  I’ve lead investigations in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, counterproliferation, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking, human smuggling, and transnational organized crime.
I thought that my proficiency in writing factual, technical, and subject specific reports would translate easily into the art that’s required in forming amazing stories.  Wow was I wrong, but yes, gained many experiences and great stories to tell.  Hopefully you will see some in the future.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
To enhance my ability on how to put to paper, expressions of my inner thoughts, personality, and telling stories that stimulate imagination to draw the viewer away from the real word.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
This is probably hard to believe, but I don’t watch much TV or movies.  Although, I’m a fan of high-speed car chases, anything that has lots of action and respectable funny shows/movies. As to writers, I’m new to this world of entertainment, but deeply respect my early mentors who helped me along the way.  Guillermo Zambrano, a respected journalist and novelist, and José (Pepe) Orraca-Brandenberger, a successful writer and filmmaker.
‘Two of the nicest people if ever there was one’ - Russell Levine and Dean Fox are currently the driving force behind my desire to want to write.  When someone believes in you enough to lift you up, you can’t let them down.
My inspiration comes from being able to spend time with real people. Feeling their energy, hearing their words, and seeing their actions brings a sense of certainty and clarity about things, this motivates me to create or do something new.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
Most probably have never even heard of it:  ¿Qué Pasa, USA?
It was America's first bilingual situation comedy, and the first sitcom to be produced for PBS. It was produced and taped from 1977 to 1980 in front of a live studio audience. 
 
The program explored the behaviors of a Cuban-American family living in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood, as they struggled to cope with a new country and a new language.
 
Why? I was able to relate, because we were refugees from Cuba (1967 Freedom Flights) Even during this interview, I still get chills for the freedom and rewards I’ve been afforded. I’m so grateful for the opportunities this great country has provided, and I’ll forever be humble.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
Start writing. It is not an easy road. Set realistic goals and expect to be disappointed. Never stop believing in yourself or give up on your dreams.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
Currently writing a screenplay based on an adaptation to my published Spanish language novel, Sobre Los Lomos Del Diablo.  A relentless young man takes to the sea to relieve his mother’s sorrow and becomes the most notorious human smuggler of the Caribbean.
 
I previously authored a fictional story about a young female, a no-nonsense, Harley-riding bartender from South Dakota who is plucked from obscurity to attend the US Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, where she finds herself in a sea of trouble.  The story gained much attention and was drafted into a screenplay, “The Ensign,” which I co-wrote.
 
My co-writer, Olivia Levine is a writer, actor and comedian based in Brooklyn, New York.  The screenplay is under contract by Proton Entertainment, an LA-based entertainment company.  Proton develops and produces espionage, crime and suspense thrillers and drama for international film and TV markets.
 

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