The Mission

The People

The Background

Birchwood Pictures, LLC, produces and distributes independent films that provoke thought and instill hope through moving, redemptive and entertaining stories.

Larry Frenzel, Principal and CEO, graduated from UCLA Film School and worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood in the 1970‘s, prior to becoming an attorney. He is currently a producer, screenwriter and entertainment lawyer with extensive legal, business and creative experience in film development, production and distribution. He founded Birchwood Pictures in 2009, “to produce and distribute independent films that provoke thought and instill hope through moving, redemptive and entertaining stories.”

Larry is also a principal and CEO of Carmel Entertainment Group, LLC, which he co-founded in 2003. Feature films produced in association with Carmel Entertainment — and for which Carmel Entertainment procured distribution — include Facing The Giants (Sony/Provident Films/Samuel Goldwyn Films), Fireproof (Sony-Affirm Films/Provident Films/Samuel Goldwyn Films), Faith Like Potatoes (Sony-Affirm Films), No Greater Love (Lionsgate) and Secret of The Cave (First Look Studios). Under Larry’s leadership, Carmel Entertainment also procured distribution and broadcast licensing for several documentaries, including, The Case for a Creator (Illustra Media/Lionsgate), The Case for Christ (La Mirada Films/Lionsgate), The Case for Faith (La Mirada Films/Lionsgate), Dear Francis (Chronicle Project/Showtime) and the Drive Thru History series (Coldwater Media/A&E).

Larry’s producing credits include: The Lightkeepers (producer), a romantic comedy set on Cape Cod in 1912, starring Richard Dreyfuss and Blythe Danner (theatrically released in March 2010); and Illustra Media/La Mirada Films’ documentaries (executive producer), including The Privileged Planet, Prophecies Of The Passion, Darwin’s Dilemma, The Case For A Creator, The Case For Christ and The Case For Faith.

Currently, Larry is a producer of One Heart (in pre-production), the compelling true story of a high school football coach and a juvenile prison inmate — and the encounter of their respective teams — which drew national media attention for an extraordinary display of sportsmanship. Larry also represents Sherwood Pictures and its forthcoming feature, Courageous.

Jen Fedler, Project Manager, graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in Human Communication Studies, which provided her a solid foundation in research, writing and interpersonal communication.

She joined Frenzel Law Corporation in 2001, as office manager, and was instrumental in the organization and start up of Carmel Entertainment Group, LLC, in 2003, serving as Project Manager. In addition to managing CEG’s day-to-day operations, Jen served as story analyst, and reviewed all incoming film submissions. She also played an integral role in the start-up and management of WingClips Cinema, a previous joint venture between Carmel Entertainment and WingClips, LLC.

Currently, Jen serves as BP’s Project Manager, overseeing day-to-day operations and reviewing all incoming submissions for development, production and distribution.

Jason Frenzel, Project Development Associate, first joined Birchwood Pictures in 2009, to serve an internship as a story analyst and business development associate. He played a key role in the formation and startup of the company, as well. After Jason obtained his B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Biola University, Birchwood Pictures hired him as its Project Development Associate to utilize his business and creative talents in the areas of acquisitions, project development and marketing.

Larry Frenzel co-founded Carmel Entertainment Group in 2003. Carmel Entertainment was instrumental in the production and distribution of several successful feature films and documentaries, including, Facing the Giants and Fireproof (produced by Sherwood Pictures in association with Carmel Entertainment and Provident Films, released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Provident Films, and Samuel Goldwyn Films), Faith Like Potatoes (produced by Global Creative Studios in association with Carmel Entertainment, released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment). Additional feature film projects include, No Greater Love (produced by Coram Deo Studios in association with Carmel Entertainment, distributed by Lionsgate), Secret of the Cave (produced by Southern Adventist University School of Visual Art & Design in association with Carmel Entertainment, released by First Look Studios), and The Golden Boys (a Daniel Adams film produced in association with Cinemavault, Tulchin Entertainment and Carmel Entertainment, released by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate).

Carmel Entertainment has also produced and continues to represent documentaries for television broadcast licensing and home video/DVD distribution. These include the Lee Strobel documentary series, The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith and The Case for a Creator (produced by Illustra Media/La Mirada Films in association with Carmel Entertainment, distributed by Lionsgate), and Drive Thru History (produced by Coldwater Media, distributed by Focus On The Family).

In 2009, Carmel Entertainment redefined its mission to focus solely on the exploitation of its existing projects; and its principals independently launched new film companies. Birchwood Pictures is built on the foundation of CEG’s achievements and success, and will continue its tradition of bringing high-quality independent films to audiences.