My Story

Let me introduce myself. My name is Frank Spangler. I was born in Canada and spent the first 30 years of my life exploring and living in eight of the ten Provinces of this beautiful nation. Some say I have been a nomad since birth.

In 1989 I moved to the US for graduate studies. It was then that I started travelling internationally to film report videos for ADRA, a humanitarian agency doing emergency response and community-based international development. Since then, I have visited about 70 countries of the world, documenting the remarkable humanitarian work of ADRA and other agencies.

The experience that I have gained producing media over the last 35 years positions me to offer cost-effective services to agencies needing to tell their story. I love the work that I do and look forward to putting that passion to work for your organization.

Skill and Sensitivity

My favourite subjects in university were anthropology and cross-cultural communication. The coursework I took in International Development helped prepare me for my life’s work.  Coupled with my fascination with journalism and story gathering, gave me a good start.

With the many years of experience in the field, your organization can rest assured that I will approach your clients, partners and beneficiaries with respect, understanding and sensitivity.

Testimonials

"The Whole Package"

ADRA Norway has been working with Frank Spangler as an independent consultant since 2006. We have had him visit one of our projects each year for filming, story gathering and photography. Our cooperation has led to a number of educational movies for schools (short documentaries), promotional/informational videos and movies with clear fundraising purposes. Frank is an experienced photographer, video photographer, scriptwriter and producer. He always delivers quality products. Frank is very process-oriented and collaborative.  He is always open to suggestions. Spangler delivers "the whole package" with everything included –  from quality still photos to storytelling, filming, light and sound."

Gry Haugen, Communications Director, ADRA Norway

"Understands Development"

Frank Spangler has produced documentaries highlighting ADRA-UK's development projects, co-funded by the European Union and the British government, in countries such as Peru, Myanmar, Nepal, Burkina Faso, and Sri Lanka. He has also created several smaller promotional video packages for us. His deep understanding of development issues gives him a unique sensitivity to the people he films, evident in his ability to capture their struggles while advocating for best practices to promote their causes. On set, Frank delivers it all—outstanding videography, sound, captivating still photography, and even impromptu scriptwriting.

Besides, he is fun to travel with!

Bert R Smit, CEO ADRA-UK 2006-2024

The Power of Stories

The power of stories is programmed into our DNA. Our worldview and the creed we live by, have been shaped by our life experiences and the stories we have heard since childhood. 

Life Is Like A Canoe Trip

The OALE program is a wilderness based, canoe expedition adventure that is designed to develop leadership skills in First Nations young people. Every summer, the youth of the Wikwemikong community of Manitoulin Island in Ontario have their life experiences challenged with a 10-day canoe trip down the French River.  In this documentary, we discover how these kinds of experiences are changing the direction of their lives.

Children Deserve to Learn

Napim lived in a nomadic cattle camp until she was 9 years old. It was a hard life for a child, and she had no chance to go to school. Her sisters had been married off when they were eleven years old and it seemed as though the same would happen for Napim. Then, as she was turning ten years old, everything suddenly changed for her.

40 Years of Service

In 2023 ADRA celebrated 40 years of service. This video shows what can be done with a collection of still photographs. If your organization has a milestone coming up, celebrate with a video!

Getting to Know ADRA

Who is ADRA? What does ADRA do? Here is a short video that shares the wonderful work that ADRA does around the world.

A Cancelled Wedding

At 11 years old, Djama was preparing for marriage. She had dropped out of school so that she could learn all of the household tasks she would need to know to be a "good wife" in Niger. That was when ADRA came and built a school near her village. Sensitizing parents and village leaders about the importance of education and the dangers of early marriage, Djama has gone back to school and is now planning to one day become a teacher. She tells her story in this touching video.