Glitter and Greed: The Lisa Frank Story

This "your favorite thing from childhood ruined" as a genre of documentary is getting so tiresome. We all have heard that the Lisa Frank corporation was terrible to work for, but there's nothing in this documentary that's very different from literally any corporate work environment. I think the producers of this documentary were hoping for it have some shock factor because Lisa Frank's imagery is so bubbly and cute that maybe the contrast of the work environment would be surprising, but the only people who would be shocked by this are people who have never worked anywhere before lol. Not to undermine what employees went through, yes it was horrible, but the documentary itself is not worth watching. You could make this same exact documentary for most any corporate job.

There was very little interesting footage and almost nothing about Lisa herself, it's more about the company and less about her as a person. Without having any sort of human element to this doc, it's very forgettable. They try to bring in some emotional element to this by having her son talk about the divorce in a way that feels very out of place and unnecessary.

The only highlight was getting to see some of the artists who were involved throughout the years. And there was a clip from Frank's wedding that was neat but nothing else. If they wanted to capitalize on the nostalgia element, they could have at least touched on that better.

Although she's obviously a horrible person, I'm not so sure about the motives behind making this documentary and that they are not horrible as well. Seems like a subversive advertisement in favor of Lisa Frank. Because it is Lisa Frank branding plastered all over almost four hours of (rather boring documentary)

Hopefully, some of the people that she s'd over are going to have their day of justice, especially Amina Mucciolo, who was obviously ripped off. Honestly, the only thing I took away from this is that Lisa Frank is a horrible exceedingly greedy person who loves wealth instead of her family. She is failing and fading, hopefully so.

This series oozes neon dirt about the reckless Lisa Frank empire and the chaos it created for employees, licensing partners, and Kickstarter-based funders.

Frank declined to participate in the series. Both her absence and the victims' stories speak volumes about the sky-high level of dysfunction she and her husband perpetrated.

As a creative who's worked for high-profile companies - two of which were husband-wife owned and operated - I believe the words of former Lisa Frank staff.

Here's my take on the documentary's triad of doom:

Lisa Frank: A talented, selfish, greedy, ineffectual, litigious, dishonest, out-of-touch person and, more recently, straight-up plagiarist.

The Ex-Husband: An abusive, greedy, and hopped-up egomaniac and megalomaniac who seems to have found Jesus but pukes shade and foul language on all involved.

The HR Lady: Most of us know the type - you can't trust her any farther than you can throw her.

I feel horrible for the children and trusting souls who were/are caught in their crosshairs.

We don't often see many documentaries on modern day art or the exploitation of artists by corporations who steal their work. I think what hit me most is how Lisa Frank is not even an artist; She was and, arguably, still is, a con artist business woman. I believe all of those interviewed who can back the abuse by Lisa Frank. Lisa not participating except by providing a brief, generic and patronizing corporate response, truly reveals the person she is. I felt for the mature son who had to leave and basically disown her. That had to be excruciating but he did the right thing. Narcissists rarely change. To the startups who received business degrees; perhaps they could refer back to their professors for assistance. I personally feel that a business degree should be followed by a law degree because it's all about the contracts. Sadly, if your contract is not well done, it opens the door for predators like Lisa Frank, who, by the way, is talentless. Predatory practices and bullying does not take talent. Glamour dolls should rebrand and continue on with a great new line of brushes and other makeup accessories and pitch to urban outfitters. They don't need Lisa. Also, if Lisa was a good person, with a sincere business ethic, who was not struggling financially ( as she claims), she would have given the startup all the money back she borrowed, and walked away with a handshake. Lots of lessons to be learned after viewing this. One such lesson is don't kill your self for a job, EVER. Next, don't allow a corporation to use your art work under their name or be sure you are able to keep the rights to your work if they do. Finally, always speak your truth. Perhaps you lost now but your story is out there and that is a win and takes courage. I think there was some karma that came to Lisa ex husband. I'm sure he knows that and agree with him on living with no regrets. What's done is done and there is no changing the past. He has the admiration of his son and has moved on with a new lady. I loved the art work that was shared by the loyal concept artists in this doc and am saddened that Lisa put it all in her name, made millions, paid them little, only for her to turn her back on all of them. The woman at the end who created the rooms and colors and was featured on a major media outlet, she should contact that same outlet and ask if they would assist her in finding justice. Lisa was correct about one thing; "the best is yet to come", but it won't be her.

As an artist myself, i have experienced the using of artists, sometimes free work, just the artist hoping to get noticed. I did it myself for quite a time. Then the galleries charging 40, 50% commission just to show your work. Even with sales, the artist gets barely enough for time and talent. The arists in this documentary were used and preyed upon, having to rely on food stamps to feed their families. Shameful. As per the art in the Lisa Frank enterprise, it's shlock. No doubt the artists were just cranking it out for a paycheck. Much talent comprised.