Introduce Yourself : My TESTIMONY – "I Didn't See the Gun" by Maurice Vaughan

A story with a plot twist! Very interesting, but a real shock. Can't say I've had a similar experience, so thanks for sharing.

Decades ago, as early as 1930's, the film industry began 'glorifying' violent gangsters. But back then it was mostly grown men who wore suits and usually spoke with some dignity. One reason I wrote THE RAIN SEASON is to (re)introduce the sense of dignity, decorum, and elocution. When I pitch'd it at the Hollywood Pitch Fest in 2024 to the reps of a well-known black actor, it seem'd those reps missed the point, which is indicative of society, not those individual reps.

You're welcome, @Michael. A scary plot twist! What are you working on?

Congratulations, @Norbert! I like the title. "it seem'd those reps missed the point." That happens sometimes. We have to keep networking and pitching to find the reps, directors, producers, etc. who get our projects.

Maurice Vaughan I am working on a drama now. Trying to get out of my usual genre of sci-fi action to practice characters, plot, and stakes without literal timebombs. How's your writing going?

That's great, @Michael. I'm on page 82 of the Faith-based Sports Action feature screenplay. I'm also almost done outlining the Faith-based Crime Action feature.

Happy IYW - always great to meet you again and again @maurice

Happy IYW, @Lauren. "always great to meet you again and again." :) I like that. Thanks. How's your summer going?

My next script that I have planned, a return to sci-fi action, will explore the strain between technological progress via science and faith. To a degree. It will be one thread in a broader script.

Hi Maurice! Welcome back! I've had a writing break over winter (it's winter here in Tasmania) as I've been competing in ballroom dancing championships all over the country. First in Adelaide, then Melbourne, then Cairns, and last week in Launceston. We've trained hard and danced well, winning our first National Championship event in Cairns at the beginning of July.

I'm now looking forward to getting back to a unique take on a Christmas story with an Aussie twist! After that I plan to return to my Star Dancer universe with another sci-fi story inspired by real events. Best wishes for your current project!

that’s definitely a moment never to be forgotten. you had a higher purpose for sure. it’s an endless summer here in North Hollywood. summer party tomorrow! friends and family for some pool time and karaoke!

hi,Maurice Vaughan. Happy to see you here after a while. What an incredible testimony, thank you for sharing it. God has always been present in my life too, in ways that made me realize His protection and how He saved me from situations that could have ended very badly. I praise Him every day and truly believe He still has plans for me. Maybe even being here, writing stories that can touch people and be useful to Humanity. Who knows? Happy IYW.

Maurice, you are such a light soul among us, and it’s a blessing to walk this life alongside you. Thank you for sharing your testimony of God, your faith, and those childhood moments when you first felt the spiritual light guiding you. Your openness brings so much depth to this community.

For me, God has always been the Father, not a man or a woman, but pure love. I was raised in the Christian church, but at fourteen I had my own spiritual awakening with the higher self, with God, and everything changed. Since then, I often say I’m one of God’s hands in human form. And I say that because every step in my life, every calling, every direction… it’s what God asks me to do.

Even my filmmaking journey, I’m here because I was guided to be here. And through it, I keep discovering gifts I didn’t know I had. My first screenplay Soul Mated lived in two realities: the spiritual realm and the earthly world. It was ahead of what most people could understand, so I translated the spiritual realm into a dreamscape to make it more accessible.

God is the source.

And I am one of the lights carrying that source into my creativity.

This is me.

Beautiful post and testimony Maurice Vaughan. In a world of a free-willed humanity, it's easy to blame God for the bad that has been dealt to us. We forget how faithful God is...and how good.

"sci-fi action, will explore the strain between technological progress via science and faith" That sounds interesting, Michael Dzurak. Looking forward to hearing more about it when you start pitching the script.

Hi, Ingrid Wren. Thanks. It's great to see you again. Congratulations to you and your team on competing in the ballroom dancing championships and winning the National Championship event! Your projects sound interesting. I like stories with a twist! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your projects.

Hi, Xochi Blymyer. Thanks. Yeah, God definitely had a higher purpose for me. I'll use my testimonies in scripts God willing. I don't think I've ever done karaoke, but it looks fun. Do you do karaoke a lot?

Hi, Maria Caeiro. Happy IYW. You're welcome. Thanks for sharing your testimony. "Maybe even being here, writing stories that can touch people and be useful to Humanity." That's what writing is for me now. It's a ministry. I wrote Faith-based scripts way back, but I stopped and started writing worldly scripts again (like when I became a screenwriter in 12th grade). It feels incredible to be writing for Jesus again!

Hi, Sandra Isabel. You're welcome. Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it and I appreciate all your support over the years. You're a great friend, and I'm glad to know you.

Thanks for sharing your testimony. "And I say that because every step in my life, every calling, every direction… it’s what God asks me to do." That's incredible! A life without God and without God guiding it feels empty, it comes with so many problems, and it's so confusing.

Thanks, Leonardo Ramirez. You're right. I've blamed God for the bad that has been dealt to me and things that happen in the world, but I repented for it after learning that God doesn't do anything bad and He allows bad things to happen for greater purposes (saving souls, changing people, breaking bad habits, getting people's attention, tearing down idols in our lives, etc.).

Yes, it does, Maurice. I know what you are talking about. I always write with Him in my mind and heart. I’m learning to embrace both the good and the less good in my life, because each one contributes to the evolution of my soul. I understand that I can channel all of it through my own perspective into the stories I want to tell.

Bless your heart Maurice...you are special. I have noticed that on this site, you are always kind and supportive. The world needs more people like you.

Bless you, Maurice. So good to see you back and active. I have written 4 faith-based scripts over the years. One was produced and the others are "out there." Your testimony is amazing. God has great plans for your life. Carry on, brother!

Amen <3

That's great, Maria Caeiro! I'm glad to hear it! What are you working on?

Hi, Curt Samlaska. Thanks. You've always been kind and supportive too. I like your new profile picture.

Hi, Steve Dini. Thank you. God bless you. It's great to be back and active again! Congratulations on writing 4 Faith-based scripts and one being produced! What's the name of the one that got made?

Hi Maurice - the film that got produced was "The Great Turkey Town Miracle." It had a brief theatrical run and is now streaming on Amazon Prime. I co-wrote the script with my writing partner, Joren Christensen. We've collaborated on several other scripts, but Turkey Town was our one hit wonder

Congratulations to you and Joren on collaborating on other scripts, Steve Dini! I remember you telling me about "The Great Turkey Town Miracle." It's on my Amazon Prime watch list.

Maurice Vaughan my work centers on unconditional love, respect, unity, empathy, redemption, and embracing our differences including all kinds of families, because love is the force that matters most. Every project I’m developing, from my feature to my short and my vertical, is rooted in that intention to serve. As a teacher, in the classroom, I've already done this and now I want to continue that work through my writing.

That's incredible, Maria Caeiro! Love matters most. I'm looking forward to watching THE BOY WITH THE PAPER PLANES and your other projects!

Thanks, Maurice Vaughan, for your support.

Maurice, thank you for sharing this with the community. It takes real courage to open up a vulnerable moment like that publicly, and I’m so grateful you did.

Reading your story, I can feel how deeply it stays with you all these years later. That kind of moment (the one where you look back and realize how differently everything could have gone) has a way of shaping how we move through the world.

To answer one of your questions: my summer has been full, creative, AND full of travel! I got to head back to Cannes in May with the Stage 32 team, which was such an incredible experience, and then went to Alaska with my family in June (a genuinely bucket-list trip and one I’ll be thinking about for years). In July I coordinated another wonderful July Filmmakers Club, and I’ve been steadily working on my own fantasy novel in between. My husband Jordan and I have also been having a blast in the kitchen testing new recipes and cooking ideas together, which is one of my favorite ways to unwind. Busy summer, but the good kind.

You're welcome, Maria Caeiro. I'll keep you, your family, and your projects in prayer.

Hi, Ashley Renée Smith! You're welcome. Thanks. I appreciate that and all your support and help. You're right. That kind of moment has a way of shaping how we move through the world. And we weren't involved in the situation between those guys, but the guys in the car didn't care.

You have an incredible summer! Congratulations on everything you did this summer! The food you and Jordan make looks delicious! How cold was Alaska?

The only Hell that exists is the one that you make for yourself.

"I Didn't See the Gun"

I've been thinking about this... it reminded me of Twin Peaks S1E1 where Laura's mom realizes she actually saw the supernatural killer. And Senritsu Kaiki File: Kowasugi, a Japanese found footage horror where playback reveals the monster the investigators were looking for was in the room the whole time, but they didn't see it.

Now that's all fantastical, but the experience of realizing there was a live gun that could have been used on you is probably as close it gets to that in real life.

Hell is real, Elena Schumann, and the Lake of Fire is forever. I've been to Hell in a dream that God gave me to warn people with.

I haven't seen those, but someone on Stage 32 told me about Twin Peaks, Michael Dzurak. You should've seen my face when my brother or cousin told me about the gun. Terrifying stuff.

Hey Maurice Vaughan, what a moving testimony! Those moments when you realize how close danger was stick with you for life. Glory to God for keeping you that day, and that kind of lived authenticity is exactly what makes Faith-based stories resonate.

That´s very kind of you Maurice Vaughan . Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. I´ll will keep you and your family in mine, too.

Hey, Dwayne Williams. Thanks. "Glory to God for keeping you that day, and that kind of lived authenticity is exactly what makes Faith-based stories resonate." You're right. Have you ever written a Faith-based script or thought about it?

You're welcome, Maria Caeiro. Thank you.