“Following your heart, believing in your voice and staying true to your vision is a great start for making a compelling and meaningful film. Trust your vision, the rest you can learn along the way.” - Dana Frankoff
Storytelling With Filmmaker Dana Frankoff
“Following your heart, believing in your voice and staying true to your vision is a great start for making a compelling and meaningful film. Trust your vision, the rest you can learn along the way.” - Dana Frankoff
Director, Producer And Ocean Lover
From Sony Animation to Lucasfilm and now Pixar, Dana Frankoff has had a bright and successful film career thus far. Frankoff has always had a passion for storytelling and started writing when she was five years old, copying her mother with journaling. She went to school for creative writing out of film school, coming in contact with major companies like Lucasfilm and Pixar. Even though she was not an animator, she was intrigued by the creativity and a broad range of mediums that could be used to convey a story.
“When I traveled internationally and I saw a lot of wild places were no longer wild and that humans had touched every piece of land and taken over, I was like ‘I want to do something about this and I know storytelling.”
From this revelation, Frankoff created her own production company, Turning Tides Films where she directs and produces, and writes short, medium and long documentaries. Through this production agency, Frankoff has received more exposure and been hired for more projects.
Frankoff made her first film in 2020 and was most excited about traveling to festivals to speak with the younger generation and build a positive momentum. When the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were at their peak, Coast Film and Music Fest was the only in-person event that reached out to Frankoff about making a speaker's appearance with a showcasing of her film.
“I absolutely think [events like] this, the conversations you have around it, and the community you build is why I make films.”
Frankoff believes that filmmakers are chosen as these vessels for the stories to be told through you. She believes people connect with others and if someone sees vulnerability on screen, they're more inclined to express their true emotions, whether through documentary or nonfiction.
“I always feel like my films are not my films, they're the world's films especially when you release them.”
Storytelling At Coast Film And Music Festival
Frankoff became a key part of the Coast Film and Music Festival back in 2020 when her film “Voice Above Water” was shown. Festival’s creators, Ben and Enich, reached out to her and asked for her attendance at said festival. “Voice Above Water” was shot in Bali in March of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were mandatory, so Frankoff was never able to see her film on the big screen after its debut because of the remote editing locations, until the festival. The documentary takes the viewer on a journey through Bali alongside a 90-year-old fisherman, Wayan Nyo, who has found it difficult to continue fishing because of the great amount of plastics in the ocean.
“I will never forget arriving and seeing a poster of the film in the hallway and all the warm faces in front of the theater. Watching the film with an audience for the first time and being a part of the Our Oceans panel of filmmakers trying to make a difference stands out as major highlights in my film career.”
The Coast Film and Music Festival was the first venue that showed her film in front of a live audience. “Voice Above Water” was her first documentary and directorial film debut. The support she received at the festival in Laguna Beach was like no other – she still hasn’t found that level of appreciation at any other festival she has attended. She believes that both Ben and Enich focus on mentorship and education when it comes to the execution of the festival each year, and has always found new ways to involve the community.
“Participating in the Coast Film Festival is like joining a lifelong community and film festival family.”
Frankoff’s documentary, “Voice Above Water” has now won 21 global awards and received a Vimeo Staff Pick. Her passion for sustainability and ocean protection was prevalent in the film and gave way for strong emotions to be invoked by all viewers, including herself. This documentary also won her the MacGillivray Freeman Environmental Award at the Coast Film and Music Festival in 2020.
A Film’s Impact On The Community
Frankoff has directed, produced, and written three of her own documentaries –Voice of Above Water, Silent River, and History of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. She has also been on the creative and production team for Pixar films such as Finding Dory, Toy Story 4, Coco and many other beloved classics. Even with all of these incredible credits, Frankoff still believes she has more to do and showcase.
“It's hard to gauge how impactful your film has been. ‘Voice Above Water’ is still playing all over the world, so I hope it is making a difference somehow. As filmmakers all we can do is put it out into the world in hopes that it connects with others and makes a difference.”
Storytelling is a strong and compelling tool that can evoke strong emotions and spark possible inspiration in those watching, but being an effective storyteller is where the impact starts. Frankoff has developed an innovative and personal way of showcasing her talents and ability to execute urgency while bringing beauty into her work. She has fortunately never been told her own work isn’t good enough and believes when making a film, your emotions and beliefs are what are being displayed on the screen. If someone has an opinion, you have the power to perceive those opinions as you please.
“I feel like we’re in a time where, especially women filmmakers are actually encouraged to have a voice because we haven’t had that much of a voice - if you surround yourself with a supportive film community- it can be extremely supportive.” - Dana Frankoff.
Key Takeaways
- Film festivals such as the Coast Film and Music Festival are amazing opportunities for all levels of success and bring immense support to those in the industry, or trying to make a name for themselves.
- Protecting the ocean, the lands and all the inhabitants within has increased in popularity and urgency; documentaries such as “Voice Above Water” and creators like Dana Frankoff bring a personal level to these crucial issues, allowing the viewer to step in the shoes of those being directly affected.
- If you would like to get involved in ocean protection, start by educating yourself on issues and join your local organizations. Or if you’re a storyteller excited to share your inspirations, opportunities like the Coast Film and Music Fest will allow you to showcase such talent.
Image source: @danacfranko
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Director, Producer And Ocean Lover
From Sony Animation to Lucasfilm and now Pixar, Dana Frankoff has had a bright and successful film career thus far. Frankoff has always had a passion for storytelling and started writing when she was five years old, copying her mother with journaling. She went to school for creative writing out of film school, coming in contact with major companies like Lucasfilm and Pixar. Even though she was not an animator, she was intrigued by the creativity and a broad range of mediums that could be used to convey a story.
“When I traveled internationally and I saw a lot of wild places were no longer wild and that humans had touched every piece of land and taken over, I was like ‘I want to do something about this and I know storytelling.”
From this revelation, Frankoff created her own production company, Turning Tides Films where she directs and produces, and writes short, medium and long documentaries. Through this production agency, Frankoff has received more exposure and been hired for more projects.
Frankoff made her first film in 2020 and was most excited about traveling to festivals to speak with the younger generation and build a positive momentum. When the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were at their peak, Coast Film and Music Fest was the only in-person event that reached out to Frankoff about making a speaker's appearance with a showcasing of her film.
“I absolutely think [events like] this, the conversations you have around it, and the community you build is why I make films.”
Frankoff believes that filmmakers are chosen as these vessels for the stories to be told through you. She believes people connect with others and if someone sees vulnerability on screen, they're more inclined to express their true emotions, whether through documentary or nonfiction.
“I always feel like my films are not my films, they're the world's films especially when you release them.”
Storytelling At Coast Film And Music Festival
Frankoff became a key part of the Coast Film and Music Festival back in 2020 when her film “Voice Above Water” was shown. Festival’s creators, Ben and Enich, reached out to her and asked for her attendance at said festival. “Voice Above Water” was shot in Bali in March of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were mandatory, so Frankoff was never able to see her film on the big screen after its debut because of the remote editing locations, until the festival. The documentary takes the viewer on a journey through Bali alongside a 90-year-old fisherman, Wayan Nyo, who has found it difficult to continue fishing because of the great amount of plastics in the ocean.
“I will never forget arriving and seeing a poster of the film in the hallway and all the warm faces in front of the theater. Watching the film with an audience for the first time and being a part of the Our Oceans panel of filmmakers trying to make a difference stands out as major highlights in my film career.”
The Coast Film and Music Festival was the first venue that showed her film in front of a live audience. “Voice Above Water” was her first documentary and directorial film debut. The support she received at the festival in Laguna Beach was like no other – she still hasn’t found that level of appreciation at any other festival she has attended. She believes that both Ben and Enich focus on mentorship and education when it comes to the execution of the festival each year, and has always found new ways to involve the community.
“Participating in the Coast Film Festival is like joining a lifelong community and film festival family.”
Frankoff’s documentary, “Voice Above Water” has now won 21 global awards and received a Vimeo Staff Pick. Her passion for sustainability and ocean protection was prevalent in the film and gave way for strong emotions to be invoked by all viewers, including herself. This documentary also won her the MacGillivray Freeman Environmental Award at the Coast Film and Music Festival in 2020.
A Film’s Impact On The Community
Frankoff has directed, produced, and written three of her own documentaries –Voice of Above Water, Silent River, and History of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. She has also been on the creative and production team for Pixar films such as Finding Dory, Toy Story 4, Coco and many other beloved classics. Even with all of these incredible credits, Frankoff still believes she has more to do and showcase.
“It's hard to gauge how impactful your film has been. ‘Voice Above Water’ is still playing all over the world, so I hope it is making a difference somehow. As filmmakers all we can do is put it out into the world in hopes that it connects with others and makes a difference.”
Storytelling is a strong and compelling tool that can evoke strong emotions and spark possible inspiration in those watching, but being an effective storyteller is where the impact starts. Frankoff has developed an innovative and personal way of showcasing her talents and ability to execute urgency while bringing beauty into her work. She has fortunately never been told her own work isn’t good enough and believes when making a film, your emotions and beliefs are what are being displayed on the screen. If someone has an opinion, you have the power to perceive those opinions as you please.
“I feel like we’re in a time where, especially women filmmakers are actually encouraged to have a voice because we haven’t had that much of a voice - if you surround yourself with a supportive film community- it can be extremely supportive.” - Dana Frankoff.
Key Takeaways
- Film festivals such as the Coast Film and Music Festival are amazing opportunities for all levels of success and bring immense support to those in the industry, or trying to make a name for themselves.
- Protecting the ocean, the lands and all the inhabitants within has increased in popularity and urgency; documentaries such as “Voice Above Water” and creators like Dana Frankoff bring a personal level to these crucial issues, allowing the viewer to step in the shoes of those being directly affected.
- If you would like to get involved in ocean protection, start by educating yourself on issues and join your local organizations. Or if you’re a storyteller excited to share your inspirations, opportunities like the Coast Film and Music Fest will allow you to showcase such talent.
Image source: @danacfranko
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