Derek Frey is a passionate and diligent filmmaker with 15+ 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.

Frey progressed within multiple positions at Tim Burton Productions encompassing Producer, Executive

Producer, and Co-Producer on several Tim Burton films. He has been an integral member of the filmmaking

team on an array of projects from initial development and pre-production, through post and release. He has

had the pleasure of assembling some of the most renowned talent both in front and behind the camera.

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 documentary A

Conversion with Danny Elfman and Tim Burton. Early in his career, he assisted Burton on Mars

Attacks! (1996), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Planet of the Apes (2001), and Big Fish (2003).

Frey also supervised functions and staff at Tim Burton Productions, overseeing an in-house graphic design,

photography and writing team for the creation of high quality consumer products, merchandise and books

related to Burton’s projects and artistry. Derek served as the key liaison between Burton and his agent,

business manager, lawyers, publicist, co-workers, colleagues and studio executives. In 2009 Frey worked

closely with curators from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for the formation of the popular The World of

Tim Burton exhibition which has made record-breaking stops to 17 cities around the globe.

Lazer Film Productions is Frey’s personal production banner, known for creating offbeat films and music

videos encompassing numerous indie featurettes, shorts, documentaries and music videos. Frey has

directed, produced, cut and shot over 50 projects including the dark comedy Kill The Engine (2017), which

achieved 45 awards including Best Comedy and Best Director at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival

Awards. His 2016 Hawaiian horror featurette Green Lake collected 50 awards including Best Short at the

Honolulu Film Fest and Best Short, Director, and Cinematography at the NYC Indie Film Awards.

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, Witching Hour, and The Mars Patrol. He started his

career as an Assistant for the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation and Production Assistant

on The Faculty (ABC Television).

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 Film Institute, and American Film Institute.