| DonnaMarie Vaughan |
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Other: Award-winning, published, produced playwright (member, Dramatists Guild east) Award-winning, optioned screenwriter Character Actress (industrials, commercials, small roles in independent films)
October 2011 update:
During the more than two decades in her ‘business’ life of management and finance/accounting, DonnaMarie simultaneously lived a ‘creative’ life- first as a playwright, followed by screenwriting - with a sprinkle of character acting, directing, casting and production along the way. Contacting several local colleges, she developed a “120 hour” internship program to acquire an assistant/production assistant from the NY State University at Buffalo. Buffalo State College yielded a graphic designer who created the movie’s poster. Villa Marie College’s Design and Technology program provided her with a fashion designer who designed and sewed the one-of-a-kind dress worn by the main female character in a key scene. Business contacts landed her connections and agreements to film in locations –including a mall – with minimal hassles.
Hopefully, the year 2011 will bring additional festival screenings, and/or distribution deals for “Henry’s Future”, and new opportunities for DonnaMarie as writer and/or director.
DonnaMarie is a member of the Dramatist Guild (East), the Scriptwriter’s Network, and past member/Board Member of the Buffalo Movie-Video Makers. She is a reader/evaluator for the Hollywood Outreach Program (HOP) and Carl Sautter Television Outreach Program (TOP). Additional information and credits for Donna Marie can be found at IMDB.com, (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2437032/). You can reach DonnaMarie via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
[Inquiries regarding screenwriting should be made to Kathy at The Muraviov Management Company, Los Angeles, CA. (818-425-5165), or Richard Genow of Stone, Myer, Genow, etal, Beverly Hills, CA (310-385-9300).]
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Writer/Director/Producer
DonnaMarie is a native WNY’er who believes so much in the talent and regional assets of Buffalo and Western New York that she made the mission of her company, Challenge Films (
In 2008, DonnaMarie decided options and awards were nice, but an actual production of one of her scripts was the inevitable next step in her career - and if no one else was willing, she would take on the task herself! Then, the ‘real’ work began!
DonnaMarie will readily admit she relied heavily on her friend and co-producer, Emil J. Novak, of Buffalo Nickel Productions, to provide the production equipment and personnel necessary to complete the physical needs of the movie. After the movie was filmed, she relied heavily on Brian J. Kreib of One Wolf Productions, her editor, to make magic from what was produced.
Many people thought she was crazy for making a full-length feature film as her first endeavor, but DonnaMarie forged ahead. The production was not without its problems – but in the end, after cost overruns and almost an extra year of re-shoots and editing, “Henry’s Future” emerged as a very charming romantic-drama. Completed in March 2011, it went on to become an official selection of, and screened at, the Boston International Film Festival (April 2011) and the Buffalo International Film Festival (October 2011).
Meanwhile, DonnaMarie will return to writing, putting the finishing touches on a quad of short film scripts for Ollagnod Productions, to be filmed in Buffalo beginning in late 2012. One of her optioned screenplays recently obtained a distribution commitment and is now seeking financing, which could lead to a possible sequel assignment. And, of course, there is the ever-present stack of in-progress work, creative ideas, clippings and notes, that exist in order to always keep her creative mind humming!