In this episode, we have a conversation with filmmaker, lawyer, and Executive Director of the Wheaton Film Festival, Brian Frankel. We talk about the Wheaton Film Festival, his experience growing up in a hotel, the impact of Cuban Immigrants on South Beach, how he balances being a filmmaker and lawyer, protecting filmmakers Intellectual Property, the importance of diversity in filmmaking, and how to get results instead of reasons for failure.
About Brian Frankel
Brian Frankel is the managing partner. He is a business, intellectual property, and litigation attorney based in Washington, D.C. Through his practice, Brian has represented clients who include brand managers, Amazon sellers, film & video producers, manufacturers, retailers, investors, distribution companies, Fortune 50 companies, online marketplaces, marketing firms, professional athletes & athletic teams, event producers, music professionals, information product entrepreneurs, media influencers, etc. Brian has extensive experience with matters involving Amazon (and other mass market sites) that range from various types of agreements to brand enforcement to brand registry and beyond. Brian works with clients both as outside general counsel and on a project-to-project basis. Brian is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, in Florida, and before the D.C. Federal Court.
Brian's legal practice reflects his interests and passions. Brian earned a wide range of professional experience, so can advise on both legal and operational considerations involving retail sales, launching new products, media production, manufacturing, wholesale, event production, negotiation, etc. Brian stays active and engaged in the creative community. Brian serves on the Board of Directors as the Education Chairman of Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts where he has volunteered since 2007. Brian also serves as the Executive Director of D.C. Filmmakers and as the Festival Director for the Wheaton Film Festival. Brian earned both his undergraduate degree and his law degree at the University of Florida with additional technical training from NYFA at the French National Film Academy, the Art Institute of Phoenix, the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Dade College.
About the MAKE IT Podcast The MAKE IT podcast is a platform for the voice of independent filmmaker. We offer a variety of educational, aspirational, and entertaining content that promotes the success of creatives across the filmmaking community and the film industry. Our Conversations with filmmaking professionals are dedicated to sharing the advice, knowledge, and insights of experienced filmmakers while exploring what it truly means to be an independent creative in the highly competitive world of filmmaking. Each filmmaker conversation is backed by thoughtful research that allows us to uncover the raw, authentic truths behind each filmmaker's journey. Through our Indie Talks, we share our thoughts and perspectives on navigating independent film from the perspective of Advisory and Executive Producers. We discuss topics that are relevant to filmmakers across a wide spectrum of filmmaking perspectives, and we do our best to uncover hidden truths and new developments in the film industry. Our goal is to help filmmakers avoid the pitfalls and obstacles on the business side of film so that their filmmaking creativity can thrive. Our Industry Insights provide bite-sized actionable advice that filmmaking professionals and creatives of all kinds can use to keep their heads up as they continue their filmmaking journeys. With advice sourced from the filmmaking community, we build upon the wisdom of our filmmaking guests to provide our audience with truly aspirational and inspirational content. The Mistakes in the Making series gives our filmmaking friends an opportunity to speak directly to our filmmaking audience to share a specific lesson they've learned through a mistake they've made. We are firm believers that mistakes can be the gateway to success when we open our hearts and minds to learning from them, sharing them, and using them to Be Better.