Meet Jaden Lanfrank | Reality TV Producer & Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaden Lanfrank and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaden, why did you pursue a creative career?
Unscripted television has had a special in my heart since I was a little kid. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been captivated by people’s stories. I have always been enamored by capturing and highlighting real stories from real people and seeing that unfold on screen.

It feels like a puzzle. You never know what you’re going to get as your final picture. That has always been the most exciting form of filmmaking for me.

I’ve always been an entertainer, and I’ve always had a strong passion for competition game shows. I think the biggest motivator for me to pursue an artistic and creative career has been that love. That drive to create intricate and entertaining games and experiences that entice an audience and make them as excited as I was as a little kid sitting in front of my TV.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For the past decade of my life, I have worked towards the goal of a career in unscripted television. Though I continually and happily work on narrative projects as a producer, my true identification has always been with reality television. Since I was a little kid, sitting in front of my TV watching Survivor, there was nothing I wanted to do more than work on the show. I even made my own version of it that I have continued since middle school, uploading to YouTube, and have even been recognized in my school’s magazine for it.

I find unscripted television to be one of the truest and most engaging art forms. The beauty of weaving stories for an audience out of captured moments is of the highest form to me. Highlighting real people and sharing their stories on screen creates a certain magic I can’t find elsewhere.

Now that I’m entering my final year in film school, I’m ready to continue providing entertaining unscripted stories and uplifting everyday people. In the fall, my senior thesis project and capstone, Fly On The Wall, is an attempt to do something never done before at my university: an original competition game show completely created by, crewed and cast of college students.

The show is an ode to my journey as an unscripted filmmaker, with nods to my inspirations and collegiate experience. I never dreamed of being able to pursue filmmaking, nor was it financially possible for my family, until my childhood passion project gained me a scholarship that reopened that door. These past four years have taught me how to collaborate, allowed me opportunities to grow in my abilities as an unscripted producer, and showed me how to lead a team to a final product we cannot wait to share with the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Recently, I’ve been working as the producer of my university’s project chefATL, an unscripted docuseries that explores Atlanta’s diversity through its culinary landscape. Through this, I’ve had the ability to dine at some of the most amazing restaurants here in the city and meet their chefs.
I would recommend checking out Twisted Soul from chef Deborah VanTrece, Deer and the Dove and chef Terry Koval, and from some of my recent research ventures: Le Bon Nosh in Buckhead with Forough Vakili.

For entertainment the Fox Theatre is an Atlanta staple, or the Puppetry Museum for a fun and calm afternoon. Or a walk in one of the beautiful parks we have in this city, perfect for a morning stroll, bike ride, or shooting a competition game show as I’ve done before.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a very supportive family. Ever since I was twelve years old, running around making short films on my iPod, they would encourage me to do what made me happy. My parents, Kristen and Bill, have been so integral in my success as a creator and artist so far in my life. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study at SCAD, pursuing my love of film & television, without their support.

My girlfriend is also one of the most important people when discussing how far I’ve come. She has stood by me and taught me so much about how to produce, direct, and stand your ground and own a room. She has been my partner in crime learning how this industry works, we work so well together, and I can’t thank her enough for all she does for me. This shoutout is for them!

Website: https://jadenlanfrank.myportfolio.com

Instagram: @jadenlanfrank

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaden-lanfrank

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SurvivorAlexandria

Other: My most current project! @flyonthewall.show on Instagram!

Image Credits
Rhiannon Shakir