Frank H. Smith
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Frank Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brooklyn, New York |
| Alma mater | Pepperdine University, New England Law Boston |
| Occupation(s) | Film executive and producer |
Frank H. Smith is an American media executive and producer, and current president and chief executive officer at Anschutz Film Group (AFG) and Walden Media. He is a former vice president of business and legal affairs at New Line Cinema and Fine Line Features.
Background[edit]
Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York,[1] and attended New England Law Boston (formerly New England Law School) where he received his Juris Doctor and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Pepperdine University.[2]
Smith started his career with New Line Cinema on the Business and Legal Affairs team.[1][3] In 2003, he moved to AFG as head of business affairs.[4] He later became general counsel and has served as the chief operating officer since 2013.[5][6][7] He was appointed as the chief executive officer within a few years;[8][1] in this role, he oversees all aspects of Walden's operations.[9] He has expanded Walden from a producer for the theatrical market into TV and streaming, producing projects such as Netflix's The Baby-Sitters Club and Apple TV+'s Finch where he served as an executive producer.[10][11][12][13][14]
In 2009, Smith was named the Deal Maker of the Year and was awarded the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel's Dan Brandhorst Award.[15]
During his tenure at AFG and Walden, he oversaw business and legal affairs on several award-winning films such as The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Parental Guidance,[5] Wonder, A Dog's Purpose, and The Star.[16]
In 2022, Smith won an Emmy Award as an executive producer of Netflix's The Baby-Sitters Club at the inaugural Children and Family Emmy Awards on December 11, 2022 in Los Angeles.[17]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Walden Film Chief on 'A Dog's Purpose' Abuse Claims, New Nate Parker Project and Giving Up 'Hacksaw Ridge'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2017-01-27. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Charitybuzz: Lunch Meeting with Frank Smith, President and CEO of Ansc... - Lot 1606937". Charitybuzz. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Not in Narnia Anymore: 'The Giver' Marks Walden's First Push Into PG-13". The Hollywood Reporter. 15 August 2014. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Rpin Suwannath to direct The Lotus Caves for Walden Media". Screen. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ a b "Walden Media Restructures, Names Frank Smith COO". The Hollywood Reporter. 2013-12-05. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Walden Media, PG Filmmaker, Seeks Studio Partners Across Cultural Divide". The New York Times. 2014-05-19. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Walden Media restructures". Screendaily. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Netflix's adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club aims at homebound families". BusinessWorld. 2 July 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Walden Media Restructures, Names Frank Smith COO". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "'The Baby-Sitters Club' Season 2 Confirms a Release Date on Netflix, So Get Ready to Say Hello to Your Friends Again". Collider. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Listen: How Walden Media Navigates the Mega-Budget Film Era". Variety. 2019-07-31. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Apple Picks Up Tom Hanks Sci-Fi Film 'Finch' From Amblin EntertainmentTheWrap". Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "'Finch' Trailer: Tom Hanks Sets Out On A Roadtrip With Canine & Robot Pals In Post-Apocalyptic Apple Original". Deadline. 2021-09-20. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Walden Media Sets Expansion into TV, Animation". Variety. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Bob Pisano picks up honor". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Amma Asante To Direct Drama Thriller 'The Billion Dollar Spy' For Walden Media". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "The 1st Annual Childrens Family Emmy Award Winners" (PDF). 1st Children's and Family Emmy Awards. 11 December 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.