Mark Frost has carved out quite a career since his collegiate days as a directing and playwright student at Carnegie Mellon. After earning his degree in 1975, he headed West and eventually teamed with David Lynch to create and co-executive produce the groundbreaking TV series Twin Peaks, one of the top-rated shows in the 1990s. He has also co-written a number of successful motion pictures, including The Greatest Game Ever Played, and Fantastic Four. Another of his forays has been as an author of nine books. Up next for him is writing a young adult trilogy for Random House Children's Books.
You are quite a success story. What was your first step out of college?
I moved out to LA and met a few alumni, including Stephen Bochco (A'66), who at the time was working at Universal, which back then produced 30 hours a week of prime-time television. Through him, I met the producer of The Six Million Dollar Man and got a gig writing on the show within a month of coming out to LA. It was a quick transition.
Were you prepared for the work so quickly?
The School of Drama was a great initiation into understanding what it was going to take to be a professional. I applaud the department for showing us what entertainment ought to be, that it could be both meaningful and challenging.
What is one of your favorite memories at Carnegie Mellon?
Well, I worked my way through college on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. I moved around sets and lights—went to the School of Drama during the day and worked there at night. Any time spent with Fred Rogers taught you how to be a better human being.
Your latest project is a young adult trilogy, the first book, The Paladin Protocol, coming out next year. Why this?
I was really inspired by becoming a father. My son will be eight years old later this year. He got me into the pure love of telling stories again. Adventure and intrigue—I was able to plug myself into a child's point of view through his eyes.
Print culture, film, and TV are getting more “in” every day. Was there a concern about turning to novels, a more classical writing form?
No, not at all. It's just about putting something down on a page that will keep people engaged. People will always love stories. Storytelling hasn't changed, and it doesn't matter what the medium is.
—Molly McCurdy
Learn more: www.bymarkfrost.com
