If you looked up the resume of Endicott’s new filmmaker Dan Frank, you’d find that it’s eight pages long. Jam-packed with career highlights and accomplishments, Frank’s resume showcases the life of an industry force who has created award-winning documentaries and directed and co-written HGTV shows, garnering a Grammy nomination and winning a New England Emmy along the way. No big deal.
New at Endicott since the fall of 2023, this professor is ready to share his knowledge with Gulls and help prepare the next generation of filmmakers.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
What has been your favorite part of your teaching experience at Endicott?
I like the energy of the students. Making film and TV is very labor intensive, and you have to collaborate as a team. We’re at the start of making some special work and I’m very confident that the results will be exciting.
What’s been your favorite film that you’ve worked on? Why?
My favorite films are the documentary projects I’ve been working on for the past three years in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. But the most interesting experience was directing a series about modern U.S. architecture that aired on PBS. I got to spend time with some of the world’s great architects.
What inspires you daily?
The potential to create media that audiences want to see.
What made you want to be a filmmaker?
My father was a journalist who wanted to be a movie critic. He took me to see the classics as a child. There were a lot of repertory theaters where I grew up where you could see double features by the world’s great directors. This took me to places I could never imagine. I knew I had to be a part of it.
How do you spend your free time?
Training for road races and triathlons.
What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of?
I’ve been fortunate to work on everything from commercials and documentaries to TV series and reality shows, so I’m not sure there’s any one thing. I was a co-producer who coordinated multiple cameras for two films that were shot at the Boston Marathon. I got hired because I know every inch of the course.
What’s a piece of advice you would give to aspiring student filmmakers and storytellers?
Be flexible and adapt. The way we make, distribute, and watch film and TV keeps changing. But if you learn how to tell a story well, you will always find satisfying work to make.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Impossible to name one. Here are a few:
“Snow is Gone” by Josh Ritter
“Sunblind” or anything else by Fleet Foxes
“In a Sentimental Mood” by Duke Ellington (or the John Coltrane version)
“The Spot” by Your Smith
“Round Midnight” (any version)
Who would you choose if you could be friends with a fictional character?
Viola from Twelfth Night.
What’s number one on your bucket list?
Getting recertified in scuba diving and diving with one of my sons.
What’s the most interesting thing you have in your office?
Items that former students have given to me. It reminds us why we do what we do.
How do you take your coffee or tea?
Coffee with skim milk, no sugar.
What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
Swimming, biking, or running.
A genie gives you three wishes—what are they?
A limitless bank account for financing documentaries.
More time.
Can’t think of a third one.
What’s something you've always wanted to learn how to do?
Write a book of short stories.
Do you prefer cooking dinner or going out?
Going out.
Do you have a favorite quote?
“Nobody knows anything ... Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for a certainty what's going to work. Every time out it’s a guess and, if you’re lucky, an educated one.” —William Goldman, Oscar-winning screenwriter.
Who do you look up to, and why?
Professor Todd Wemmer. He’s 6’4” so I have no choice but to look up to him.
What was the last movie you went to? What did you think of it?
Perfect Days, an Oscar nominee for International Film. Modeled on the films of the great director, Yasujirō Ozu, this is a wonderful movie that takes place in Tokyo.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?
Keep learning. It never ends.