Meet Danielle Frankl | Producer & Co-Founder Drama Queen Pictures

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Frankl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I have worked in production accounting in film and TV from the bottom and all the way to be the Production Accountant. One of my last gigs was on “TAR” with Cate Blanchett in Thailand. Living and working in Thailand was amazing. I still love the job and I hope I have many years left in that field. But of course, I have other dreams like being an actress. I did my first speaking part in the upcoming movie, “Get Lucky”, a crazy comedy shot in Los Angeles. When they then asked me to join them during the production as a Production Accountant and as a co-producer. I couldn’t resist it. They got me hooked. I really got hooked on the creative side of producing. You know, finding solutions and seeing a way from the problems. I think working with independent filmmakers helps me to get out of my comfort zone even more. It also reinforces why the studios have many practices in place that set up the show for success. I really wanna learn more about producing. I felt so alive and energized in that role. I started a production company together with the writer/producer of “Get Lucky”, Torkel Knutsson called Drama Queen Pictures. We are in pre-production of the psychological Thriller, “Surrogate Mother”. It’s like a fresh take on those old box office hits like “Single White Female”, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” and “Fatal Attraction”. It’s the story of what happens when a couple decides to have a surrogate mother help them have a baby. Hopefully, we will have that one ready for a premiere in the Cannes Film festival next year. Then our goal is to be asked to make movies for the major studios, like Disney, Universal, HBO and Netflix but also do independent movies just for the love of filmmaking. I loved when John Favreau did “Chef” independently just because he loved the project. Torkel Knutsson wrote the Netflix movie, “Naked” starring Marlon Wayans, Regina Hall, Dennis Haysbert and JT Jackson. It was actually a remake of his Swedish movie, “Naken” “Naken” is one of the most seen Indie movies in the world. It sold to more than 50 countries and had hundreds of millions of viewers around the world, especially in China. Both Torkel and I have our feet in both the studio world and the independent world of moviemaking. It makes us much stronger at our task of getting the job done, both creatively and within the budget because we understand the value of the dollar. Torkel has a lot of knowledge about filmmaking. He started as a child actor and worked his way to directing movies, commercials, music videos, theater, and even a circus and still does a bit of acting. So I really think we make a good team. And maybe I can persuade him to give one more role in our upcoming movie, “Surrogate Mother.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am so proud of our first movie, “Get Lucky”. Torkel has a lot of experience in front and behind the camera. Torkel began his career as a child actor working with the top talent in Sweden. He transitioned to writing and directing movies. Torkel has also made 15 albums as a musician. He has been the CEO of film production companies and of a successful advertising Company called Family Business that received multiple awards for campaigns for Absolute Vodka and others. He also wrote and directed the biggest Fire Circus in Europe for many years. Torkel gives back by participating on 2 boards of nonprofits organizations in the United States and being a film professor at top media schools in Sweden. I feel grateful to have such a strong partner. I was born into the movie business. When I was a child my father was a creative executive at 20th Century Fox, among a million other things, before he started to write and direct his own movies. My mother was a production accountant for features all over the world and also produced a few movies. I have worked many years in the business for some of the big studios. It was great working for Disney, Universal and Netflix. I also worked in locations all over America, Asia and Europe. This is the movie business and there is always something happening that needs to be taken care of and if not the production will stop, and if you go into fear in those situations you will not be able to solve it. So I guess I got it from learning that there is no idea to put your head in the sand, you just have to find a solution, and after a while you stop seeing problems and just see different solutions. I mean when I got involved in the movie, “Get Lucky” there were some scenes that weren’t shot during the shoot and the director was in Sweden, I had to put the actors together and we had rehearsals over the web and the same with the shooting of the remaining scenes. We had the director in Sweden, directing over the web, trying to get the actors and the team to follow instructions, it was hard but we had a blast. Being in the movie industry since childhood made me realize I can’t take a no for an answer. There are always a few doors that open when one closes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh there are so many places in Los Angeles that are great. I have lived all over the world and all over Los Angeles. I have resided in Malibu, Cheviot Hills, Beverly Hills and Westwood and now I live in Toluca Lake. There are a few things that make Los Angeles amazing. For me, it’s important to show the different cultures, nature and urban landscapes and food. For a long time, if a person went to a restaurant over $40 a person you were almost guaranteed a good meal. Since Covid you are no longer guaranteed a great meal at a mid-price or even expensive restaurant. A lot of us locals have gained a new appreciation of local hot spots with no frills and just great food. One thing that has continued to keep its high quality experience is luxury spas. After traveling all over the world we have some of the best. Another cool thing is checking out the Secret movie club schedule they always show cool movies with great themes.

Here is my itinerary:

Monday – Malibu

Visit to the Getty Villa in Malibu – wonderful architecture and beautiful art collections

Restaurant – Malibu Seafood Patio – a local no frills spot, great value, amazing view of the ocean and food

Visiting the Paige Jeans Store at the Malibu Country Mart. Paige has the best fitting and complimenting for women of all body types.

Tuesday – Griffith Park

Griffith Park has free parking until noon on weekdays – This is a great place to take photos including cool shots by the Hollywood sign. There are great hikes all around and the museum is interesting.

For lunch, I would check Noho. North Hollywood is home to some great restaurants. Unfortunately the famous Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles got rid of their famous chefs, so my new spot for Chicken and Waffles is this adorable place Bruxie

Wednesday – Beverly Hills

Spa Day – Maybourne. This is an incredible spa, one of the the best in the world. The food is amazing and room service will deliver to you at the Spa.

Walk the famous rodeo and visit all the beautiful shops. You can find great deals

Thursday – Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach has adorable shops, great vibes and the beach path is a gorgeous walk along the ocean

Panchos Restaurant – One of the best cuisines in Los Angeles is Mexican food. Thursday is also Karaoke night and you will find a fun crowd

Friday – Melrose/Hollywood

Melrose is a fun walk of vintage stores and urban shopping.

Hollywood Blvd is a must. See the Hollywood Stars, shopping, the wax museum. It’s a fun day

Dinner at 71 Above in Downtown Los Angeles – Great ambience, amazing view of the city and an epic meal

Saturday – Westlake Village

Westlake Village is a high neighborhood and home to the biggest celebrities in the world. It’s quiet and safe. It is also home to one of the other best spas in the world. The four seasons spa is one of my favorites. The service and food is impeccable. Spend the day going to the spa, laying by the pool and having a workout at the gym. It also includes access to a great space for kids to have fun

Then spot at Sprinkles for cupcakes

Sunday – Koreatown

Koreatown is also home to the Beverly Hot Springs. A spa built on top of actual Beverly Hot Springs.

Then lunch/dinner having Korean BBQ – Los Angeles is home to great Korean BBQ

There are a few other areas in Los Angeles, but I ran out of days.☺

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Everything good in my life is the result of mentorship, encouragement and love from others. My parents and family of course, they brought me up in the movie industry. I can remember meeting Robin Williams and Henry Winkler on the Paramount lot when my mother was a finance executive. I thought they were magical. Then when I was 13 years old my mother set me up with a private lunch with Patrick Swayze. At that point, I had seen the movie, “Dirty Dancing” a zillion times. I was so nervous I could barely speak to him. He was so nice and a total gentleman. I am very influenced by my father’s side of the Family. Viktor Frankl taught me so much about regardless of my situation I can learn the power of choice in how I choose to react to it. My mentor Margaret Mitchell radically changed my life when she encouraged me to stop being a party girl and pursue a college education. Margaret taught the love of production accounting. Many people have encouraged me and taught me we are only as strong as our team. To appreciate others, lift people up, teach, mentor and help people grow to make their dreams come true. My spiritual mentor taught me to meditate and trust my heart and my intuition. My closest friends taught me that acceptance, willingness to change and being nice to others are super powers. In recent years, Torkel Knutsson showed me the wings I didn’t know I already had. All the coworkers I have had throughout the years in the movie business showed me the best thing I can do is work together as a team to find solutions. Literature has made a big impact. I read a lot. Power vs Force taught me the power of following spiritual principles in my life. Syd Fields, Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting enlarged my understanding of what makes a great script. I read many Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra and other spiritual writers. I also learned that I don’t need to be friends with everybody. It’s better to have a group of friends around me who are loving, caring, supportive and healthy. Not into too much drama going on. I have learned anyone who is competitive, undermining and mean has no place in my life. I got a yoga certificate in Thailand and I also have taught yoga there. My nonprofit gives free classes to women in early recovery from drug addiction or with other psychological problems. I still try to give back to those not so fortunate, I really believe in karma so I try to be at service as much as I can. On Christmas Day, I went out with my nonprofit and served food and gave gifts to the homeless, it was one of the best Christmases I ever had.

Website: getluckythemovie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getluckymovie/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-frankl-1a331a2b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550572351537&mibextid=uzlsIk