Terry Vaughan

The Writer
Name: Terry Vaughan
Phone: 619-318-5857
Cell/Pager: 619-318-5857
Email: tlv@

Resumé
Screenplays optioned:
The Monger Brothers - Western
Virtue Triumphant - Comedy

Awards:
Sundance Film Festival - "The Painter"
FILMEX - Los Angeles - "What's A Buena Park?"

Recently back in the business.

History and background

Living in Tucson Arizona, during the 1950's, I began my journey as an actor and performer in high school theater, college and local community theater and also in local professional motion picture productions. It was during my time at the University of Arizona drama department that I really learned the acting craft. I worked with great people who later become well known in Hollywood. People like, Craig T. Nelson, Allan Fudge, Hal landon Jr., Terry O'Conner, Peter Buffa (who later won an emmy) and others. It was during my time with the U of A that I was hired by ABC Television to head up the makeup crew for the then popular college television show, "Hootenanny", produced by Pat Pleven. I spent several months traveling with the show for that season.

My Country Calls

At that time, (the early 60's) the military draft was in full swing, so I volunteered to join the US Army. It was only after my return from military service that I began learning the production side of the film business and later live seminars and large sales presentations.

I spent five and a half years with the US Army. Three and a half with Special Forces (Green Berets) and the last half of my tour in Viet Nam with SOG. I returned from combat duty and was assigned for two years to the Army Pictorial Center in Long Island, New York, the largest film studio on the East Coast. The same studio where masters like John Huston and Frank Capra made astonishing films during World War II.

There Were Pros Everywhere

There I began learning film production from amazing people. Oscar winning producer Frank Payne taught me directing and producing. Elia Kazan's Editor, Bill West shared with me the magic of his eye while cutting film on the old Movie-ola machine. My cameraman was later to become the famous photographer Peter Veath and another cameraman (who currently works in Hollywood) was Tom Steinbeck, son of the famous author John Steinbeck.

I was surrounded by incredibly talented people. They shared their knowledge and helped me to rise through the ranks, from assistant director to director and finally to producer. By that time I found myself in charge of producing over 23 different films, all at the same time. After hours, when the stages were quiet and empty, Peter, Tom and I managed to utilize this incredible production facility and produced several experimental films. One, "The Painter", I wrote, directed and produced, and it later won an award at the 1970 Sun Dance Film Festival. It was an amazing time.

Off To Hollywood

I left the Army in 1971 at the rank of Captain and headed to California. On reflection, I am amazed that I did not follow a course to becoming an actor in Hollywood, as I was recognized as talented and skilled at that craft. Instead I pursued writing screenplays. I was lucky to obtain an agent, Bob Wunsch, then with the Adams, Ray & Rosenberg agency. While working to break down the right theatrical doors and although I had several scripts optioned, I decided to also make money by producing industrial films through my own company, "CineFactor-8". There I was very successful and began producing, directing and writing for companies like, Coca-Cola, Hughes Air West, Westinghouse and others. We produced all kinds of films; TV commercials, training films and documentaries. One commercial film, produced by my company was called "What's A Buena Park?". It was selected from over 2500 entrants worldwide for special presentation at the 1977 Los Angeles film festival - FILMEX.

Today - New Challenges

After spending a number of years investing in real estate, I have renewed my interest in film and television. I am now writing again and exploring the production side of the business. I look forward to writing new projects for both myself and others as we create new and exciting stories for the screen in a challenging time for the industry and the country.