Frank Merle is an American screenwriter, director and producer best known for The Employer[1] and From Jennifer. Also a theatrical producer and director, Merle graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University.[2]

Frank Merle
EducationDePaul University (BFA)
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, director, producer
Known forWriting, producing, and directing The Employer and From Jennifer

Film career

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Merle co-founded Keyhole Theatre Company in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. He served as artistic director of Keyhole Theatre Company for seven years until it closed.[2] He made the short films, What Joan Knows, Morgan's Last Call, Gnaw, Art Room, and Carnage on Graves Farm. The latter three were released on home video in 2010 as Carnage, Chaos & Creeps.

Merle's first feature film was the 2013 psychological thriller The Employer. It was a Shriekfest official selection and Merle won Best director for the film at the Los Angeles Movie Awards.[1][3] In 2016, Dread Central reported that Merle would write and direct From Jennifer, the third installment in the To Jennifer found-footage series originated by James Cullen Bressack.[4]

Filmography

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  • What Joan Knows (2007)
  • Morgan's Last Call (2008)
  • Gnaw (2008)
  • Art Room (2009)
  • Carnage on Graves Farm (2009)
  • Carnage, Chaos & Creeps (2010)
  • The Employer (2013)[1]
  • 2 Jennifer (2016) [producer]
  • From Jennifer (2017)[5]
  • For Jennifer (2018) [producer]
  • Tales From the Other Side (2022) [segment director/producer]
  • Goodnight (2022) [director/producer]
  • Catfish Christmas (2022) [producer]
  • All Gone Wrong (2023) [producer]
  • Blood Covered Chocolate (2023) [producer]
  • Porcelain (2023) [producer]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Shriekfest Interview: Frank Merle". Shriekfest. July 1, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Sinful Interview With Director Frank Merle about his wicked "Employer"". Sinful Celluloid. June 4, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  3. ^ Johnson, Jennifer (July 21, 2013). "Award-winning director credits success to Park Ridge roots". Park Ridge Herald-Advocate. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  4. ^ Gelmini, David (June 30, 2016). "Exclusive Details on Third Film in Jennifer Series". Dread Central. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  5. ^ DeFellipo, Michael (January 19, 2017). "Jennifer Becomes a Trilogy –Get Your First Look at the #FromJennifer Trailer". Horror Society. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
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