Success Stories: FEB'27 Celebrating Small Successes

Maureen Mahon

Celebrating Small Successes

I recently did a major rewrite of my pilot script and was really bummed when my manager wasn't that enthusiastic about it. I haven't had any coverage, or really any meaningful feedback, since I finished this draft, so I submitted it for Stage 32 script coverage. I'm heeding the advice from today's blog and celebrating my small success by sharing some nice comments I received from the reader.

"Not only is it a clean and fast read, but the world is easily visualized and despite it being a period piece, it feels very present and touches on relevant issues to today. Honestly, I will be hard-pressed to provide notes that need addressing, so this will mostly be coverage of praise."

I got a double "Recommend"

Writing is so isolating, it's nice to get a boost every once in a while. :-)

Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on the Double Recommend, Maureen!!! :D Glad you're celebrating the success, although I don't think it's small.

Maureen Mahon

Thanks, Maurice!

Laurie Ashbourne

I am sure it is worthy of celebrating.

Jeffery Ogata

Congrats! That is a big deal. Keep on!

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, Laurie and Jeffery!

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Maureen.

Taurai Du Plessis

Thank you for sharing Maureen. I am in that boat too.

Sabine Buchanan

That's awesome, Maureen!! I had a similar experience recently. I think it matters a ton and is definitely worth celebrating!!!

GiGi Raines

Congratulations on the Double Recommend! Alexia Melocchi recently spoke about period pieces trending in the market right now. Of it’s ranked that highly i would say this is the time to be pitching!

Wendy Weising

Yay! Congratulations! It is time to celebrate.

Maureen Mahon

Thanks everyone! And congratulations, Taurai Du Plessis and Sabine Buchanan.

Maureen Mahon

Thanks, Gigi Raines. I'm ready to start pitching. I have a meeting on Thursday with my manager and a producer. My manager has asked me to hold off until after the meeting. If this producer passes, we'll start setting up meetings. I'm really excited.

Maurice Vaughan

Hope the meeting goes great, Maureen Mahon!

Sam Sokolow

This is awesome, Maureen. Way to believe in your work and get it out there and inspiring to always remember to celebrate the small victories.

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, Maurice. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks, Sam!

Nathan Woodward

I would say that comments like that are not a small success. Sounds like you have a winner here!

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, Nathan!

Niki H

Maureen! A double-recommend is a great success! Congrats on the boost for your self, and congrats on qualifying for the lookbook!

Maureen Mahon

Thanks, Niki!

Maurice Vaughan

Ok, Maureen. You're welcome.

Stephen Folker

Congrats! Sounds like you need a new manager.

Maureen Mahon

Thanks, Stephen. I'm actually really lucky to have this manager - she's at a pretty major company. She's been onboard for almost three years - before I even had a script. I think she was a little annoyed that I'd gone against her advice last year and taken a shopping agreement on this project and the person I was working with brought it in a totally different direction. When the term was up, I went back to the original pilot and rewrote it, and she just liked the original one better. I tend to be a little flowery with my descriptions and I was told to take most of the imagery and descriptions out. I guess she liked that stuff. It's all good, I'll be seeing her tomorrow - and I'll bring the coverage along to show her. :-)

Richard "RB" Botto

Maureen, remember, one voice is one voice. I had a pilot that my manager didn't like either, but everyone else who read it was wildly enthusiastic about it. Over time, for a variety of reasons, we parted ways. Today, that pilot is in the hands of one of the biggest production companies in town and we're in the midst of casting.

This also serves as a reminder that the wrong rep can set you back years. Not saying you're with the wrong person, but at the end of the day, this should be a partnership. If you're not getting what you want out of the relationship, it's OK to change horses. But it also goes to prove that YOU will always be your best rep.

Jed Power

Good Luck, Maureen!

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, RB, I appreciate the insight. I'll let you guys know how the meeting goes tomorrow.

Richard "RB" Botto

Looking forward to it, Maureen. Sending nothing but positive vibes.

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, Jed!

Stephen Folker

Maureen Mahon We've all heard the phrase, opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one. Her advice or where she works, doesn't necessarily move the needle for you to advance to the next level. You trusted your instinct, and you were right. Always trust your own advice. Unless she's lining up powerful meetings for you or bringing you money to finance your projects, then who cares what she has to say. Either way happy for you!!! :)

Maureen Mahon

My meeting went exceptionally well today with my manager and the producer I mentioned above. She (the producer) loves the project and asked for my script and new pitch deck (she'd already seen my old pitch deck). Thanks for all the support!

Laurie Ashbourne

This makes me very happy. Fingers crossed its progress.

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, Laurie!

Maurice Vaughan

Big congratulations, Maureen Mahon!

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, Maurice! :-)

Maurice Vaughan

You're welcome, Maureen Mahon.

Michael David

That's great news Maureen! That's more than a "small" success!

Maureen Mahon

Thank you, Michael!

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