PRODUCTION BIOS - PAUL FRANK
Paul Frank is executive producer of the new USA Network original series ROYAL PAINS.
Frank has been working in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. A seasoned executive with experience on both the creative and business side, Frank has worked as an agent, studio executive, founding partner of a multi-media brand, and an independent producer.
Frank is currently head of television for Prospect Park, a music, television and film management/production company. In his role, Frank serves as executive producer on all projects and is responsible for the development and production of television series, movies and mini-series. Frank has numerous projects in development at ABC and TBS.
Prior to joining Prospect Park, Frank ran the television department at The Firm, Hollywood's most successful talent management company whose clients included Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Martin Scorsese, Amy Adams and Snoop Dogg. Under Frank's leadership, The Firm's production arm, Firm TV, produced quality programs such as the 2008 prequel to the popular "Lonesome Dove" series of movies, the CBS miniseries "Comanche Moon" from Pulitzer Prize and Oscar-winning writer Larry McMurtry. With Firm TV, Frank also executive produced the television movie for ABC Family, "Campus Confidential."
Upon graduation from Northwestern University in 1989, Frank started his career as production manager for the powerhouse film marketing boutique Kaleidoscope Films. While there, Frank supervised production and made creative and post-production decisions for over 60 trailers and 200 television spots.
In 1991, Frank embarked on a very successful run in the agency business. Starting at Triad Artists, Frank began as an agent trainee and was quickly promoted to TV packaging agent. In December 1992, the venerable William Morris Agency bought Triad, and upon Frank's move to William Morris, his career quickly took off. Frank carved his niche as a shrewd packager, working primarily in first-run syndication and cable series, as well as network movies and miniseries. Frank put together a broad spectrum of projects, including powerful kid's franchises such as "Bill Nye The Science Guy" for Disney. He helped launch Storyline Productions (Craig Zadan & Neil Meron) into their still unbelievably successful niche of event movies and miniseries with projects such as "Gypsy" with Bette Midler at CBS and "Cinderella" with Whitney Houston and Whoopi Goldberg for ABC.
In December 1995, after being pursued for some time by MPCA (Motion Picture Corp of America) and its entrepreneurial CEO Brad Krevoy, Frank was intrigued by the new merger of MPCA and Orion. Frank joined the new venture as executive vice president of Television and immediately began utilizing properties from the Orion library as a basis for series development. Pilot deals were struck with ABC for "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and "Bull Durham," and with UPN for "Back To School."
In 1997, Frank was recruited to help rejuvenate the first-run syndication and cable division at Columbia/Tri-Star, and he came on board as vice president of comedy & drama development. Frank spearheaded the return of "Baywatch" superstar Pamela Anderson to television, overseeing the development and production of the hit series "VIP." Beyond commercial successes "VIP" and "Sheena," he also developed several critically acclaimed series, including Showtime's "Rude Awakening" with Sherilyn Fenn and Lynn Redgrave, and "Strong Medicine" for Lifetime.
In 2000, Frank encountered another unique opportunity in helping found NapaStyle, a company created as a multi-media lifestyle brand (TV, books, catalog, website) highlighting wine country living and fronted by celebrity chef Michael Chiarello. Frank brought NapaStyle to life by securing an initial $5 million investment from venture capital firm Jesse Hansen Co. As the head of all media operations for the company, Frank oversaw the development, sales strategy, financing, and production of multiple series and specials for PBS, The Food Network and Fine Living.
