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Maurice L. Dortch is a multifaceted creative force, driven by a passion for storytelling that was ignited early in his life. Initially set on a path to become a doctor, Maurice's true calling emerged through writing - penning poems for crushes, crafting a comic strip, and writing a play.
A pivotal moment in Maurice's journey as a writer came in 2000 when he landed a role as a writer's production assistant for the Essence Awards, produced by the visionary Valerie Norman. Norman, who had been mentoring Maurice and encouraging him to take his writing seriously, saw an opportunity to give him a chance to shine on a bigger stage. She tasked him with writing a high-profile introduction for Queen Latifah, a daunting assignment that tested his skills. However, Maurice's first draft fell short, marred by a glaring mistake - he inadvertently referred to Queen Latifah as the "new queen of daytime," a title that clearly belonged to Oprah Winfrey, the Awards show's host. Norman's critique was scathing, but she also offered Maurice a chance to redeem himself. He seized the opportunity, rewriting the introduction to better reflect Queen Latifah's stature. Although a last-minute schedule change prevented Queen Latifah from reading Maurice's revised words, the experience had a profound impact on him. Despite not hearing his words come to life, Maurice was irretrievably hooked on the world of screenwriting, and his passion for the craft was forever ignited.
After transferring to Columbia College, Maurice dedicated himself to honing his craft. He went on to work with prominent organizations like Second City and TVOne, and in 2010, founded his own production company, Maxim 13:22 Entertainment. His short film "Don't Bite the Apple" garnered recognition in film festivals, solidifying his position as a rising talent.
Maurice's commitment to nurturing emerging filmmakers led him to create "DO IT FOR THE GRAM," a free networking event that brought together numerous creatives to produce over 20 short films. In 2016, he launched Pipe Dreams Deferred, a production company that develops film, television, and branded content for local and national corporations.
A significant milestone in Maurice's career came in 2018 when he relocated to Atlanta. He worked as a writer on the Twitter-based live talk show "Power Star Live" and later served as a Creative Producer at Bounce TV. In 2022, Maurice partnered with writer BritTany B. Kennedy, and together they've penned episodes for AMC's ALLBlk streaming network, including the shows "G.R.I.T.S." and "Wild Rose" starring Omarion, Allen Payne, and Vanessa Williams. As of 2025, Maurice has joined REVOLT TV as a producer, developing various content, including the flagship show "The People's Brief" with Lynae Vanee.
The name Pipe Dreams Deferred serves as a daily reminder for Maurice to never give up on a dream and to help others realize their dreams whenever he can. With more than ten short films, one feature film, a web series, several commercials, multiple TV episodes, and developing a talk show to his credit, Maurice is living his dream each day.
