Lisa Frank, whose eponymous company’s psychedelic designs dominated classrooms in the ’80s and ’90s, is bringing those vivid characters to life in a live action/animated hybrid feature film she’s developing with independent producer Jon Shestack.
A studio is not yet attached to the project, which the producers plan to develop independently with UTA. Shestack most recently produced the drama “Before I Fall” for Awesomeness Films, which will be distributed by Open Road with a March 3 opening.
Frank’s stickers, pencil cases and Trapper Keepers were a middle school phenomenon back in the day, with the company grossing more than $60 million a year during its 1990s peak. But as teens have moved their work to phones and computers like everyone else and the business has shrunk, Frank has diversified into apps, fashion — and now movies.
“Lisa Frank’s world is cheerful, it’s optimistic, it’s hip, but it is without snark,” Shestack said in a statement. “It’s just sort of impossible to scowl when you’re smiling, and why would you want to? I’m so stoked to be part of this.”
“I have always wanted to do a feature film that brings the world of Lisa Frank to life,” Frank said in the statement. “We have so much backstory on our characters and they have been alive in my imagination since the beginning. Jon Shestack clearly has the credentials and I am very excited about the vision he has shared with me. Our fans are going to love this.”