Derek Frey is a passionate and diligent filmmaker with twenty years of leadership experience producing live-action and animated films for the major studios and serving as director, editor, and cinematographer on a number of award-winning independent projects.

Frey is currently producing Toto, an animated musical retelling of The Wizard of Oz, told from the perspective of Dorothy’s loyal dog.  Frey previously served as Producer of Dumbo (2019), Executive Producer of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), Executive Producer of Big Eyes (2014), Producer of the Here With Me music video for The Killers (2013) and Co-Producer of Frankenweenie (2012). Derek also served as Associate Producer of Dark Shadows (2012), Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), Alice in Wonderland (2010), Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Corpse Bride (2005), and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005). Films Frey has worked in a producer capacity have earned over $2.9 billion at the box office.

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Frey progressed within multiple positions for Tim Burton Productions encompassing Producer, Executive Producer, and Co-Producer on several Tim Burton films and projects.  He joined the organization in 1996 and was promoted from Production Assistant to Tim Burton’s Executive Assistant and advanced to the head of the organization. 

Frey wrote the Frankenweenie-based short film Captain Sparky vs. the Flying Saucers (2013). He also edited the award-winning publication The Art of Tim Burton (2009) and produced the documentaries In Search of Tomorrow (2022) and A Conversion with Danny Elfman and Tim Burton (2011). Frey collaborated with curators from MoMA to create the popular “World of Tim Burton” touring exhibit that has traveled to cities worldwide. Derek served as Production Coordinator of the animated series The World of Stainboy (2000) as well as the music video Bones (2006) for The Killers. Early in his career, he assisted Burton on Mars Attacks! (1996), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), and Big Fish (2003).

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Frey has also directed numerous indie featurettes, shorts, documentaries and music videos with wide

success on the film festival circuit including Awkward Endeavors (2022), Pangea (2018) and God Came 'Round (2017). His dark comedy, Kill The Engine (2017), won 45 awards including Best Comedy and Best Director at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards. His horror featurette Green Lake (2016) won 50 awards including Best Short at the Honolulu Film Fest and Best Short, Director, and Cinematography at the NYC Indie Film Awards.

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Other acclaimed projects include Motel Providence (2014), Sky Blue Collar (2013), and The Ballad of Sandeep (2012) in addition to music videos and documentaries featuring music by Professor T & the East Side Shredders, The Killers, Technical Difficulties, Delight Talkies, Witching Hour, and The Mars Patrol.

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Derek started his career as an Assistant for the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation and

Production Assistant on the sitcom The Faculty (ABC Television).

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Frey graduated with honors from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies with a concentration in Journalism. He is also a member of the Producers Guild of America, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, British Film Institute, and American Film Institute.