Many millennials recall having multitudes of Lisa Frank products in their early-to-mid childhood years, and delighted in obtaining more Lisa Frank during their annual back-to-school shopping ventures. A new, captivating four-part documentary details the controversy surrounding 90’s iconic company Lisa Frank Inc. It covers issues such as mistreatment in the artist’s division of the company, and the toxic behavior of the elusive founder and CEO Lisa Frank herself, who leads a very private life.
Lisa Frank inc. a colorful enterprise producing vibrant childhood products such as rainbow-colored kitten-themed folders and flashy sticker packs. As described by Time, “The company…was immediately recognizable for its bright pops of color and cuddly, big-eyed animal characters, with fantastical illustrations featuring dolphins, unicorns, puppies, and kittens.”
This documentary, officially titled “Glitter and Greed: the Lisa Frank Story” was released on December 5, 2024, and was executively produced by Mary Robertson, Lisa Kalikow, Eli Holzman, and Aaron Saidman, and directed by Arianna LaPenne. It is available to watch on Prime (free with ads if you have a subscription).
While regarded as a beloved brand by their consumers, their employees thought the complete opposite. Many former employees share their story over the course of the four episodes, each averaging around 40 minutes long. Lisa Frank herself declined to make any appearances, but important figures within the company’s history (including her ex-husband and business partner, James Green) are extensively interviewed.
This documentary casts light on the darker side of the brand. Issues within artistic industries are illuminated throughout the documentary, such as artists being overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated in large businesses, which can be highly educational and informative to those looking to be professional artists. The first episode covers the origins of the company, including tidbits about CEO Lisa Frank’s personal life, with testimonials from people who know her personally. Throughout the documentary, which provides context while unpacking the many scandals and conflicts faced within the company, which immerses the viewer in the company’s story.
Woven into the enthralling interviews, were bright visuals and engaging animated images which brought the series to life. While documentaries have a reputation for being humdrum and mundane, this documentary stands out as a creative beacon of information.
I highly recommend this investigative documentary to all artists out there, as hearing others’ experiences within the field is crucial to making good decisions on future employment, and any enjoyers of the true crime genre, as the documentary has a lot of investigative elements which appeal to viewers.
Indresh Chandel 