Vernon E. Mortensen
Writing
Biography
Vernon has led an amazing life. The son of Christian Missionaries, he was born in Thailand and has traveled to over 83 countries around the world. He served as a US Navy SWCC (pronounced "swick") commando in the Navy's elite Special Boat Teams deploying with platoons from SEAL Teams 1, 3 and 5 to war-zones around the world. He has also worked as a college professor, an engineer, an EMT, a bodyguard and as private investigator who went undercover at a major US airport to take down an international smuggling ring. An award winning filmmaker, Vernon is know for writing, producing and directing movies and television with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Oscar winners Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) and Marcia Gay Harden (Mystic River), legends like Martin Sheen (NBC's The West Wing) and Michael Madsen (Kill Bill 1&20, as well as supermodel/actress Cara Delevingne (DC's Suicide Squad). Behind the camera, Vernon has collaborated with Oscar winning director and TV writer Robert David Port (CBS' Numb3rs, Twin Towers), legendary studio director Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen), and the amazingly talented Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures, Fox's Empire). Vernon has an MFA in Screenwriting from USC where he studied under world renowned script guru Syd Field and received an Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Fellowship, as well as an MBA from USIU.
Known For

Dakota, an ex-service dog, joins single mum Kate and her daughter Alex to live on their small-town family farm. Dakota quickly adjusts to her new home and becomes somewhat of a local hero, soon becoming inseparable from Alex. But when the farm’s existence is threatened by the town’s rogue sheriff, Dakota must help the family band together and save the land.
Dakota

Documentarian Jonathan Ashton III chronicles the life of Paul Weebler, a simple man trying to change the world.
The Crusader

Tell It Like A Woman comprises of seven segments that are directed by female directors from different parts of the world and shot in Italy, India, Japan, and the U.S. Each segment is an inspirational and empowering story about women, by women, for everyone.
Tell It Like a Woman

Abner is trapped in the rough life of Mexico City. His escape? Boxing. Dr. Frank Irwin (Martin Sheen) and his son Jimmy, a pro boxer, come together to teach Abner that the heart fuels the punches we throw in life.
Gloves of Stone

A brave Army dog returns to the U.S., where he helps his heroic handler bond with his resentful daughter on a camping trip despite danger lurking around every corner.
Army Dog

Gold miner Roger Hazard brings his twelve year old son Casper to the treacherous gold fields of 1870s California. The two of them work a small mine in the southern fields but when Roger begins to lose touch with reality young Casper ends up on his own. Casper faces danger around every corner but must find the strength to save his father from himself and still manage to fight off the savage Indians and ruthless bushwhackers that plague them across California's breathtaking Sierra Nevadas.
A Sierra Nevada Gunfight

Marine Grace Thompson joins the LAPD following the footsteps of her brother Michael. But when Michael is murdered, Grace must piece together the puzzle by following leads of corruption and cover-ups that run deeper than she ever imagined.
Hard Justice
A devoted daughter spends a wonderful afternoon with her loving father as they both try to deal with a terrible tragedy in their past.
The Picnic
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