Joe Frantz has served as a producer, director, director of photography, host, and actor on hundreds of TV episodes for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, MTV, The History Channel, etc. Below is a selected list. For a complete list, CLICK HERE to visit Frantz on IMDB.
Life Below Zero
Producer
24 episodes (2022-2024)
National Geographic wilderness survival documentary series. Winner of 8 Primetime Emmys, and additional 10 Emmy nominations. In 60-below-zero winters, far from civilization, resilient residents stay ahead of storms and beasts to survive solely on what is hunted and foraged.
Life Below Zero: First Alaskans
Producer
7 episodes (2022-2023)
National Geographic wilderness survival documentary series. Indigenous Alaskan Natives preserve their threatened, ancient ways of life, utilizing historical wisdom to ensure survival in an unforgiving land.
Life Below Zero: Port Protection Alaska
Producer
5 episodes (2022)
National Geographic wilderness survival documentary series. In remote, isolated Alaska, a small population pushes the limits of survival, on a rugged, unforgiving land of self-reliance with no roads, government, or law enforcement.
Dino Hunters
Director of Photography
14 episodes (2020-2021)
Discovery Channel palentology adventure documentary series. Teams of dinosaur fossil hunters fight the elements to dig for skeletons to install in museums and sell for profit.
Cautionary Tails
Executive Producer / Creator
2019
Animated comedy pilot. Jackass star Bam Margera & his feline friends are involved in hilarious trouble. Voices by pop-culture celebrities.
VIEWABLE UPON REQUEST
Drunk History: Germany
Director
2018
Comedy Central historical comedy special for German TV. Alcohol-intoxicated celebrities re-enact the history of alcohol throughout the ages.
Big Time RV
Director of Photography
39 episodes (2016-2017)
Travel Channel outdoors adventure documentary series. RV enthusiasts with extreme lifestyles travel America to adventure in over-the-top RVs.
Filthy Riches
Field Producer / Director of Photography
16 episodes (2014-2015)
National Geographic wilderness adventure documentary series. From the icy Delaware River, mud flats of Maine, and backwoods of Tennessee, rugged individuals forage for eels, bloodworms, ginseng, and burl, to trade for commercial use.
Diggers
Producer
18 episodes (2014)
National Geographic archeological adventure documentary series. Metal detector enthusiasts uncover artifacts across the USA. Important and unusual relics are unearthed from the Civil War, American Revolution, and much more.
CKY: The Greatest Hits
Executive Producer / Director / Host
2014
MTV comedy documentary special. Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, and the CKY Crew revisit their humble beginnings, and give an insider’s look into the production of CKY- the most popular indie video series in history. With Jackass celebrity guests.
Hillbilly Blood (3-D)
3D Camera Operator
18 episodes (2012-2013)
Discovery Channel wilderness survival documentary series. An Appalachian family survives off the rugged terrain- brewing moonshine and medicine, catching rattle snakes, and inventing contraptions to live off the land.
Catfishin’ Kings: The Hillbilly Handfishin' Tournament
Producer
3 episodes (2013)
Animal Planet fishing adventure documentary mini-series. Hillbilly Handfishin’ champs compete to rein as the champs of noodlin’, the sport of catching catfish using only bare hands and feet.
Hell On The Highway
Field Producer
8 episodes (2013)
National Geographic dangerous automotive documentary series. On the storm-torn Donner Pass, tough tow truck operators rescue wrecked motorist, risking it all to put food on the table and provide for their loved ones.
Nor’easter Men
Field Producer
3 episodes (2012)
History Channel dangerous fishing documentary mini-series. From the rough-and-tumble seaside towns, daring fishermen toil at the most rugged trade. They endure treacherous storms and 40-foot waves in order to earn a small fortune.
MTV’s Tribute To Ryan Dunn
Cinematographer
2011
MTV documentary comedy special. Bam Margera, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and the rest of the Jackass crew pay respects to the late Ryan Dunn and honor his legacy.
Bam’s World Domination
Director of Photography
2010
Spike TV extreme sports comedy documentary special. Jackass alumni Bam Margera and Ryan Dunn travel to England, where they tackle an insane obstacle course in sub-zero temperatures.
Wreck Chasers
Director of Photography
6 episodes (2010)
Discovery Channel dangerous urban towing documentary series. Rival tow truck companies compete to claim wrecks and collect cash in the “badlands” of north Philly, where they invite heated competition.
MTV’s Bam’s Unholy Union
Producer / Director of Photography / Actor
9 episodes (2008-2009)
MTV comedy documentary series. Bam Margera (Jackass, Viva La Bam) is getting hitched, and he's blowing the doors off the hallowed halls of matrimony.
MTV’s Jackass 24-Hour Takeover
Camera Operator / Actor
2008
MTV live comedy special. Johnny Knoxville and the Jackass crew reunite for mayhem, pranks, and stunts, without sleep in this 24-hour live MTV event.
MTV’s Viva La Bam Spring Break
Director of Photography / Actor
2 episodes (2006)
MTV reality comedy mini-series. Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, and their cohorts from Jackass invade MTV’s Spring Break- breaking all the rules in the process! Featuring legendary pranks, skits, and stunts that sculpted a generation of pop culture!
MTV’s Viva La Bam
Director of Photography / Actor
42 episodes (2003-2006)
MTV classic reality comedy series. Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, and their cohorts from Jackass tackle MTV, and mayhem ensues! Featuring the legendary pranks, skits, and stunts that sculpted a generation of pop culture!
MTV’s Blastazoid
Executive Producer / Director / Host
2006
MTV video game comedy special. Viva La Bam celebrities Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, and Joe Frantz host MTV’s Gamer’s Week, and build a five-story live-action game of Donkey Kong.
MTV’s Bamimation
Executive Producer / Creator
2006
MTV animated comedy special. A cartoon adaptation of MTV’s Viva La Bam, stylized in the tradition of 1970s animation, starring Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, and the CKY Crew.
HIM “Dark Light”
Producer / Director of Photography / Host
2006
MTV rock documentary. Viva La Bam alumni Bam Margera and Joe Frantz document the European band HIM’s American fame, featuring signature behind-the-scenes Jackass antics.
HIM “The Sacrament”
Producer / Director of Photography / Host
2004
MTV European rock documentary. Viva La Bam alumni Bam Margera and Joe Frantz shoot a European music video for HIM, with hilarious antics. A beloved documentary that took Europe by storm.
HIM “Buried Alive By Love”
Producer / Director of Photography / Host
2004
MTV European rock documentary. Viva La Bam alumni Bam Margera and Joe Frantz recruit Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers) to appear in a video for the European band HIM. A classic that began a new wave of music entertainment.
Full Access: NASCAR Winston Cup
Creative Director
2001
A look at the year 2000 in NASCAR, with all the legendary NASCAR Cup stars, including the legendary Dale Earnhardt, Tony Stewart, Darrell Waltrip, and Rusty Wallace.