Director: DEREK FREY
Derek Frey is a filmmaker whose work spans blockbuster studio features and independent cinema, blending dark comedy, surrealism, and emotional nuance. As a longtime collaborator with Tim Burton, Frey has produced major live-action and animated films including Big Eyes, Alice in Wonderland, Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and Dumbo, bringing a mix of visual imagination and character-focused storytelling to each production.
Alongside his studio career, Frey has developed a distinctive voice in independent cinema. He has directed award-winning shorts such as Kill the Engine, Green Lake, Sky Blue Collar, and Viaticum, and has created music videos for bands including Witching Hour, Technical Difficulties, and Professor T and the East SideShredders. His work across formats is marked by offbeat humor, handcrafted aesthetics, and a fondness for unconventional characters.
Frey’s long-running collaboration with The Minor Prophets, collaborators from his hometown in Delaware County outside Philadelphia, has produced numerous festival-recognized films and remains central to his creative life. The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry continues his commitment to stories that balance absurdity, sincerity, and strong visual storytelling.
Check out Derek's official website: www.derekfreyfilms.com
FILMOGRAPHY
THE CURRENT STATE OF THE BACKYARD POOL INDUSTRY (2026) Director
TOTO (TBD) Producer
TIM BURTON: LIFE IN THE LINE (2025) Interviewee/Extra Special Thanks
REFLECTIONS IN THE DARK (2025) Presenter/Commentator
VIATICUM (2024) Director
THE REDNECK ARMY (2024) Director
ALIENS: EXPANDED (2024) Producer
THE BOOK CLUB FOR MEN - (2023) Chapters 2-6 - Director
IN SEARCH OF TOMORROW (2022) Producer
AWKWARD ENDEAVORS (2021) Director
REVOLUTION TIME (2020) Director
RATSHIT WEASELS (2020) Director
DUMBO (2019) Producer
PANGEA (2018) Director
COME IN (THE WATER’S FINE) (2018) Director
GOD CAME ‘ROUND (2017) Director
KILL THE ENGINE (2017) Director
MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN (2016) Executive Producer
GREEN LAKE (2016) Director
THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN LIVES: WHAT HAPPENED (2015) Interviewee
BIG EYES (2014) Executive Producer
MOTEL PROVIDENCE (2014) Director
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: A BIG DISTRACTION (2014) Executive Producer (Album)
SKY BLUE COLLAR (2013) Director
CAPTAIN SPARKY vs. THE FLYING SAUCERS (2013) Writer
THE KILLERS: HERE WITH ME – BEHIND THE SCENES (2013) Director
THE KILLERS: HERE WITH ME (2012) Producer
FRANKENEENIE (2012) Co-Producer
VAMPIRES KISS/BLOOD INSIDE (2012) Director
DARK SHADOWS (2012) Associate Producer
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER (2012) Associate Producer
A CONVERSATION WITH DANNY ELFMAN AND TIM BURTON (2011) Producer
THE BALLAD OF SANDEEP (2011) Director
ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010) Associate Producer
THE CURSE OF THE SACRED STONE (2010) Director
AMERICA’S GAME (2009) Director
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007) Associate Producer
4th & 99 (2007) Director
THE KILLERS: BONES (2006) Production Coordinator
LONDON MADNESS (2006) Director
CORPSE BRIDE (2005) Associate Producer
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (2005) Associate Producer
SPREAD: TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES LIVE FROM THE HILO PALACE THEATER (2004) Director
BIG FISH (2003) Director’s Assistant
THE DAY THE DOLLS STRUCK BACK! (2002) Director
CREEP (2002) Director
MEDICATION DREAMS (2002) Cinematographer
PLANET OF THE APES (2001) Director’s Assistant
SEX IS EASIER (2001) Director
THE UPPER HAND (2001) Director
LOST IN OZ (2000) Director's Assistant
THE WORLD OF STAINBOY (2000) Production Coordinator
SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999) Director’s Assistant
UFO: THE BURBANK CHRONICLES (1999) Director
BIGFOOT: ENCOUNTER IN BURBANK (1998) Director
SKETCH (1997) Director
THE BLUE ENTITY OF BURBANK (1997) Director
MARS ATTACKS! (1996) Director’s Assistant
BORN ON THE FIFTH OF JULY (1996) Director
THE FACULTY (1996) Production Assistant
VERGE OF DARKNESS (1995) Director
INTO THIN AIR (1994) Director
MAROONED IN OUR ROOM (1993) Director
MOONFREAK: CREATURE FOR HELL (1992) Director
