I truly adore the fact that Hallmark has been branching out over the past couple of years as they have made a conscious effort to film movies in various places all over the U.S. and the world. Back during the network’s “Countdown To Summer” programming, a movie that was filmed in Florida happened to make the cut, and audiences were introduced to the talents of Frank Oakley III. In his first Hallmark movie, Love In the Sun, Frank made a definite impression as he portrayed the character of James, and I was quite excited to have the opportunity recently to interview this up-and-coming artist. It is with great joy that I share our conversation with my readers today!
Photo credit – Fare Game Photography
RH: Why/How did you decide to pursue a career in acting? What kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
Frank & Anna in The Three Sisters UMKC Theatre – photo credit Brian Paulette
FO: In short, it was something that I tried out through a prayer and a notion back in the summer of 2011. I was presented with the opportunity to study acting at the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp, but I encountered significant barriers that I thought would prevent me from attending. I knew that the only way this thing was going to happen for real would be if God opened the door for me. And if that were to happen, then I knew without any doubt I was called to acting. After earning a scholarship to attend, and some good old fashion grinding and hustling on my part, it still wasn’t enough. So when the doors opened through the generosity of some amazing people to close the gap, that was the moment I knew that acting was something that I am called to do – I took the leap of faith and I have been in love with it ever since. This lead to me transferring colleges to the University of Missouri-Kansas City to pursue my BA in Theatre Performance and obtaining it in May of 2014. In addition to my degree, I also continued training at the Berkshire Theatre Group and have worked with some truly amazing and extremely generous instructors both in Kansas City and here in Atlanta. If you want to hear the story of how I got into acting in full detail, you can find it here:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13rQBjL99NI&t=4s).
What was your first professional on-screen role and what are your memories of it?
Love In the Sun Behind-the-Scenes
The role of James in Hallmark Channel’s Love In the Sun was my first SAG-AFTRA film role. The memories and relationships made on that set will always have a special place in my heart! From my first day on set to my last was an absolute blessing and a treasured experience. Everyone was so pleasant, professional, and passionate, and every day felt so surreal to me…like, “I get to do this, how amazing is that?!” And on top of that, during this project, I not only got to experience Florida for the first time, but also the beach for the very first time! Being from Kansas, that was a huge deal!
Please tell us about your familiarity with Hallmark and its network before being cast in your first Hallmark movie.
To be completely honest, I didn’t have much familiarity with the Hallmark Channel prior to this experience. The only two things I knew were that Hallmark’s Headquarters are based in Kansas City and that The Hallmark Channel is a network with a fan base that has a passion for storytelling through love and romance. So naturally, my wife and her friends eagerly volunteered to teach me everything they thought I needed to know about the history and culture of Hallmark films–haha!
Love In the Sun
Behind-the-Scenes
Please tell us about how you got the role in Love In the Sun. Any special memories before getting on-set that first day?
I booked the role through my amazing agency here in Atlanta, Privilege Talent Agency, and Lori Wyman Casting based in North Miami Beach. I filmed my audition for another role in the project, submitted it, went to work my security shift, and about an hour and a half into my shift, I received an email telling me that I was one of three in the running for the role. By the next day, I received an exciting phone call that I booked another role in the project, and it would start filming in a few days!
Love In the Sun
I was overfilled with joy, excitement, and that feeling you get right before a game or live performance – just pure adrenaline! The process and how everything unfolded, from the time of filming the audition to the last day on set, served to be monumental for my personal growth.
What was your experience like filming your first Hallmark movie? What did you appreciate about your role?
Love In the Sun
Ah man, the experience was one for the books! Of course, doing the work on set was so fulfilling and truly a privilege, but it was the people I met on set – from locals to actors to crew – that made the experience the most memorable. When you watch the film, I can guarantee you that any interaction between people you see, whether in the background or in the forefront, was people genuinely having a great time. I love that, and it makes it so much more interesting to watch as a viewer when you’re seeing real chemistry. The energy that the Hallmark production team intentionally creates on set shows in the final product.
Love In the Sun
What I appreciate most about playing James is what it symbolizes for me. It symbolizes the beginning of the next stage. James and Sam in the film were taking on the major feat of the Orchid Festival – he and Sam hit many obstacles along the way, but they kept pushing, knowing this festival was going to be the beginning of the next stage in their business and had potential to create many great opportunities for them. This film is just that for me – after many obstacles that I’ve had to find creative ways to overcome over the years, this is the beginning of the next stage in my career.
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
As far as upcoming work that I can mention:
Released August 6th, you can catch me playing the role of Detective Brady in the feature film Belong To Us by grabbing the DVD at your local Walmart or checking any VOD platforms
Belong To Us (Trailer) from Jeff Green on Vimeo.
You also can catch me playing the role of Butch in the premiere of the feature film Marvelous later this year
MARVELOUS OFFICIAL TRAILER from HadiyaCinematography on Vimeo.
As a regional actor, what are the benefits? What are the challenges? Any plans to move elsewhere to pursue this career?
Marvelous
Being a regional actor, specifically in the southeast region, there are a lot of benefits in the form of opportunities. Right now, many major shows and films are being produced here. If I had not relocated to the southeast region, Atlanta specifically, I would have never had the chance to audition for a quarter of the things I have had the privilege to audition for. With that being said, the challenges vary from artist to artist.
Levitation
What I believe to be one of the more common challenges specific to being a southeast regional actor is that in most cases, the leads and larger supporting roles in a lot of projects are still being cast out of Los Angeles. This isn’t always the case, and we are starting to see that shift in the favor of southeast talent, so I’m being hopeful that soon this challenge will transform into another benefit for the southeast market as a whole. 
As far as relocating, I don’t have any immediate plans to do so. I’m very open to where things lead from project to project. At the end of the day, like many freelance artists I’ll relocate just about anywhere there is solid and guaranteed contracted work.
When you are not acting, what do you like to do for fun?
Although in film projects I often get cast in more serious roles, off-camera I am probably one of the world’s most goofy and random dudes! I love any and everything Marvel, taking bike rides, boxing, writing, reading, watching movies, cleaning, and of course, listening to Marvel film soundtracks while I do anything on this list (makes the most menial tasks epic!). Being a true 90’s kid, I also love listening to covers of popular 90s Disney TV and movie throwback songs. On a perfect day, I would be doing all of these things with my best friend and wife Anna.
Frank & Anna photo credit – Manon Halliburton
Because of the global society in which we live today, industry professionals just like Frank are having more opportunities than ever before to broaden and diversify their careers from the comfort of their very own region. While major actors still recommend a pilgrimage to Hollywood as a prerequisite for genuine stardom, it is no longer necessary for actors to do so if they are content to establish themselves in their own backyard. And with an industry leader like Hallmark proceeding to film movies in the Southeastern region of the U.S., it is my firm belief that Frank is in exactly the correct place to continue to pursue his creative passions in an area of the U.S. that is finally becoming a big-time player in the world of film and television. While he is still at the inception of his film and television career, I have no doubt that his dedication to the craft as well as his humility, his fortitude, and his commitment to his faith will carry him through the ups and downs of this career path he has chosen. Moreover, the fact that he is taking advantage of every chance sent his way and boosting his career with effective use of social media marketing only cements the fact that he is willing to take the necessary steps to ensure expansive progress in the entertainment universe.
I remember how impressed I was with Frank’s performance in Love In the Sun, and if you have not had the chance to watch this film as of yet, be sure to tune to the Hallmark Channel on August 27th (check your local schedule for times) for an encore showing of this beautifully-shot film. Additionally, I hope that everyone visits all of Frank’s links below and considers following him where possible. I am grateful that Hallmark introduced me to this upstanding young man, and I can hardly wait to witness everything in store for him in the near and distant future!
FOLLOW FRANK
