Evette Vargas, Writer, Director and Producer
Evette Vargas is an award-winning writer, director, producer, and immersive storyteller. Named by the New York Times as an “Artist to Watch,” Vargas’ has produced series for Amazon, MTV, Bravo, DirectTV; and interactive content for Fast And Furious, Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Madonna, and Wu-Tang Clan. Vargas executive produced, wrote, and directed her digital series Dark Prophet, starring Henry Rollins, which was in contention for two Emmys. Vargas set up a drama series at Entertainment One with Peter Johnson, set up a drama series at MGM Television with Marc Guggenheim and Rosario Dawson serving as executive producers, and sold her drama series, Muses, to TNT Super Deluxe. Vargas is currently writing a feature film for Reyes King Productions and developing a series for Shout! Factory and Twentyone14 Media. Vargas wrote The Current War VR Experience, a companion piece for the film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Vargas was commissioned by Final Draft to create the Evette Vargas Immersiveplay, the professional script writing template for VR, AR, XR writing. A staunch activist for inclusion and equity, Vargas founded The Writers Room 5050 to mentor storytellers and create opportunities for their next-level success. A member of the Writers Guild of America, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and Producers Guild of America, Vargas was born in the Bronx and learned to tell stories at the dinner table where imagination ruled. Vargas collects action figures, typewriters, and shoes; has past lives as a DJ, a fashion designer, and is a recovering New York City advertising Art Director.
What is your favourite social media platform?
Clubhouse - It's the most powerful platform.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I'm a TV writer/creator.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
Telling stories.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Form real human relationships.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
My intention and purpose to tell stories that change the world.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
My leadership and activism in the business, my storytelling.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Organically at events - both physical events and virtual events.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Being in service to others, being a good communicator, caring for others.
What do you wish you had known when you started?
To get on set or be an assistant.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Ava DuVernay.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Drawing, painting, music, hiking, and dancing.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managing it?
Mostly positive. It's given me the gift of time to write and create opportunities.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes, I've mentored at least 50 storytellers. Yes, I have several mentors.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Get on set, be an assistant, practice your craft every day, make relationships.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Not knowing or understanding how the business works and not being in service to others.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
Be the change.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Marco, A24, Bron.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Doing what you love and finding your tribe.