Screenwriting : My 2025 Highlight Reel by Maurice Vaughan

Maurice Vaughan

My 2025 Highlight Reel

Here's some of the things I did this year:

– Three drafts of my feature script Vampire-Proof

– Rewrote my feature script Kill the Monster

– Ghostwriting jobs

– Pitch deck jobs

– Wrote short scripts

– Made pitch material

One thing I was reminded of this year is sometimes a project needs more work, so don't beat yourself up if your project is taking longer than expected.

One thing I want to do more of in 2026 is read spec scripts and give feedback on them.

What's one victory you had or something you learned/were reminded of this year? Or something you want to do more of next year.

Jack Binder

Wow! Congratulations Maurice Vaughan that's a great deal of productivity there! Keep up the great work. For me, double down on what's working, jettison what is not. Bravo!

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Jack Binder. I appreciate it. Congratulations on your success this year and hope you have more next year!

Daniel Stuelpnagel

Maurice Vaughan way to make it a genius year of creative growth,

a true artist of craft and creativity, inspiring!

I am leaning in to making my film series of episodes and today completed an intensive two-week sprintathlon of the voiceovers and subtitles for Episode 2

so it looks like I will get that rolling on Film Freeway around January 20th,

I'm blessed and yes will keep doing more more more with joy, love and laughs!

Marina Albert

I can't beat that kind of productivity, Maurice Vaughan. Considering we moved house and I fractured my wrist, leaving me with essentially 4-6 months of productivity - I managed 3 rewrites and 2 (one in production) animated teasers. A very different year, but happy with that.

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Daniel Stuelpnagel. Congratulations on finishing the two-week sprintathlon and everyone you got done this year! Your journey is inspiring! Hope you accomplish more in 2026!

Maurice Vaughan

Thank you, Marina Albert. Sorry to hear you fractured your wrist. I hope it's better! Congratulations on moving, doing 3 rewrites, one script being in production, making 2 animated teasers! That's impressive for 4-6 months of productivity! Happy New Year! I hope you have an incredible new year!

Steve Dini

Hey, Maurice, looks like you had a productive year. In 2025, I was blessed to see three of my scripts optioned with filming of one or more of them starting sometime in 2026. I also finished 3 screenplays and went back and re-visited my first ever screenplay which I wrote in 2017, after retiring from teaching. In 2025, I also collaborated with a co-writer on a WW 2 series and we should finish the pilot by the end of January. I also had parts in three movies. I played David Baldwin in The Great Turkey Town Miracle, a film I co-wrote, played an "aging football coach" in Stan the Man and played a sportscaster in a film called Didymos. Turkey Town and Stan the Man are both streaming on Amazon Prime, but Didymos is still in post. I did a lot of research on another WW2 drama I am looking to write and now I am in a holding pattern, tying to decide which of the many ideas I have in my head I want to start outlining. Around all that, I gave a script writing workshop at a local library while managing to take in all of my granddaughter's volleyball games and grandson's football contests. I wish everyone on Stage 32 the very best in 2026 and would encourage y'all to keep writing. I will be 80 in 2026 and am living proof it's never too late to find a new passion, after 30 years as a broadcaster and 20 as a high school drama director and teacher. Happy New Year...write on!

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Steve Dini. Thanks. You had a productive year too! Congratulations! I'm looking forward to seeing your scripts on screen and watching the movies you acted in! Hope you have a productive 2026 too! Happy New Year!

Steve Dini

It's hard for me to toot my own horn, but I want to be an encouragement to other folks on Stage 32 that you should always dream big, or at least dream medium! I've pretty much been a lurker on Stage 32 in 2025, but I hope to participate more in the new year - cheers!

Maurice Vaughan

That's great, Steve Dini. I was a lurker on here. My experience has been like night and day since I got more active. Cheers!

Elle Bolan

Congratulations on everything you accomplished this year! You're such a bright spot in this community and you work so hard to make every person here feel welcomed and supported. I hope you know that you are appreciated. @Maurice

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Elle Bolan. I feel appreciated in the community. I treat Stage 32 like making friends and hanging out. And of course, a place to learn and network.

Billy Kwack

Hi Maurice, happy new years 2026

Meriem Bouziani

Excellent, that’s so great.

Happy New Year. I wish you continue to make even greater things.

Michael Dzurak

Impressive list. Happy New Year!

After a redone beat sheet and page one rewrite that took two months, which was faster that the initial draft, I'm aiming to really hone and speed up my process this year.

Maurice Vaughan

Happy New Year, Meriem Bouziani! Thanks. Hope you continue making greater things.

Maurice Vaughan

Hey, Michael Dzurak. Happy New Year! Thanks. Congratulations on redoing your beat sheet and finishing the rewrite! Rooting for you to reach your goal!

Marina Albert

Thanks Maurice Vaughan - and the same to you. I hope 2026 is super successful for you.

David Horton

I want to work on networking more vis a vis working more as a screenwriter full time.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, David Horton. And Stage 32 has free in-person Meetups that are great for networking (www.stage32.com/meetups). You might meet producers, directors, etc. If you don't see a Meetup in your area, keep an eye on that page for new Meetups. And you're welcome to start your own Meetup.

Rose Dupuis

It also helps to watch the how to video with Ashley to learn about all aspects of stage 32 platform to help you find your peeps.

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Rose Dupuis. You're right. The Community Open House webcasts are helpful. And members can rewatch them.

Nicholas J. Benson

Always willing to share my work if you are looking for specs to read, Maurice. Cheers!

Maurice Vaughan

Thanks, Nicholas J. Benson. I just bookmarked your profile. Happy New Year!

Ashley Renée Smith

This is a fantastic highlight reel, Maurice Vaughan! There’s a lot of real, tangible work in here. Multiple feature drafts, rewrites, client work, and pitch materials all in one year is no small feat, especially when so much of this work happens quietly behind the scenes.

I also really appreciate the reminder you shared. Projects taking longer than expected doesn’t mean you’re failing, it usually means you’re going deeper. That perspective is something so many writers need to hear.

Reading spec scripts and giving feedback in 2026 is a great intention too. It sharpens your own instincts while supporting the community, which is a win on both fronts. Thanks for sharing this and for opening the door for others to reflect on their own progress as well.

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Ashley Renée Smith. Thanks. I didn't read scripts when I started writing scripts. That was a big mistake! I definitely recommend new writers and all writers read scripts.

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