Exclusive Interview: Frank Monteleone Discusses Crafting Opportunities, Launching Full Armor Films, Upcoming Projects, and More

Embarking on a remarkable seventeen-year journey as both an actor and producer, Frank Monteleone’s storytelling flair first unfolded on the off-Broadway stage and has since evolved into a thriving venture. In 2005, he founded Full Armor Films, a dynamic development and production company based in the vibrant city of New Orleans. Full Armor Films stands as a testament to Monteleone’s unwavering commitment to crafting narratives that are not only compelling but also authentically impactful, driven by a mission grounded in bravery and resonance.

In an exclusive interview, we had the privilege of delving into Frank’s profound passion for the arts and learning about his proactive approach to creating opportunities instead of waiting around. On top of that, he gave us a sneak peek into the exciting projects he’s cooking up, hinting that he might be stepping into two new roles behind the scenes.

PC: You grew up with such a strong affinity for storytelling. Was there a specific moment when you realized you wanted to pursue it professionally? What is the origin story of Frank Monteleone?
Frank: I grew up with a single mother, and like a lot of people, we had money problems. Despite the struggles, somehow she made it all work—to me, life was good. I remember being about four years old, believe it or not, watching a movie on our shag rug and deciding I wanted to be an actor.

Somehow I had worked out that not only could you experience multiple professions, like a doctor, football player, or Marine, to name a few, but you were also able to play being the best or the one who saves the day. I don’t know how I worked that all out, but that was the moment I remember deciding, “I know what I’m going to do when I grow up.”

Coming from humble beginnings really inspired me and was my goal all through childhood. I would go on to enroll in a performing arts middle and high school before eventually majoring in theater in college.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Frank: I think it would have to be my wife, Kathleen Monteleone. She has such a visceral honesty to her work and always finds further depth than what I can at first pass. Working so closely with her in development on scripts and projects has taught me so much. When we’re in the edit bay together, her timing is flawless. Like others who have worked in comedy and musical theater or sitcoms, she truly has the gift of timing. She always challenges me to go after every detail as I’m someone who naturally hovers at 30,000 feet; details can be my weakness whereas they are her strength. I’m lucky to have her as a partner at Full Armor Films.

PC: Your journey began in theater. What has the transition been like for you, moving from the stage to the screen?
Frank: After acting on stage for close to sixteen years, the transition to almost exclusively screen auditions right out of college was challenging for me. If I’m being honest, I still find it strange that so much of the training is one-sided, favoring stage over screen, when the truth is that screen actors greatly outnumber stage actors. Reflecting on your initial question about an “origin story,” it was my love for movies that led me to become an actor. So, when I had the opportunity to start learning about filmmaking, I began teaching myself what I could, carving my own path as a filmmaker and creating my own opportunities for acting in films. This mindset has shaped me as a perpetual learner in this field. I was and am always seeking growth.

To be honest, only now am I starting to tap into the on-screen actor I aspired to be, unlike my experiences training on stage in those early days. I am excited about future screen roles because I believe some of my best work is yet to come.

PC: In addition to acting, you’ve also produced and written. How have your experiences behind the camera impacted the way you approach your work on screen and vice versa?
Frank: Being a producer is the ultimate cheat code for an actor, primarily because learning all the intricacies of making a movie provides a window into understanding that acting is truly a service job. It’s the opposite of what may naturally occur for actors when approaching a role—the inclination to believe that the movie or play is there to serve you, whether as the character in the story or for personal growth as an actor or for your career. However, when the realization hits that as an actor, you are there to serve—part of the company shaping the given story and collaborating with the team—it transforms everything. I believe that’s when the art form reaches another level.

Working as a producer and writer has given me valuable insight into the true nature of my job as an actor. It has also granted me greater freedom in my approach to acting when viewed from the perspective of doing my best to elevate the entire company.

PC: You’re also the founder of Full Armor Films and I love the meaning behind the name. For those who may not be familiar, how did you settle on Full Armor Films?
Frank: Yes! I love that you love it too. For those that don’t know, it was a scripture I really latched onto when I was starting out because it spoke to all the principles an artist needs to prepare oneself to go out into the world with these vulnerable, precious ideas and heart. We really are called on to be brave as artists, to bring a bold beauty that I believe can transform and inform the viewer. The scripture instructs us to wear righteousness, truth, peace, faith, and salvation like armor, and in my mind I saw it as this beautiful picture of an artist putting on an armor of virtues in order to stand against the critics and the fears we all face. It takes bravery to step out there and dare to believe you can add beauty to this world that wasn’t there before your voice came to be. The meaning now has grown from that image of a single artist into a covering for us as a company, able to work together full and armored to share the kind of stories we want to make.

PC: You’ve been candid about the highs and lows of this industry. In those more challenging times, how did you manage to persevere?
Frank: The meaning of the word “circumstance” comes from circum (around) and stare (to stand), literally to stand in a situation or the conditions that surround you. The downs—and truly, the industry can feel like this at times—can seem like a never-ending series of auditions, callbacks, meetings, classes, resources, photographs, websites, writing, and working on the work. It can feel like it’s never giving back or that you’re stuck standing in the same spot.

But in those circumstances, what I found is not to stand, but to move. Keep walking. Go. Don’t stop. It was in moving forward that I was able to change my circumstances; I kept walking, as it were, and the old set of circumstances couldn’t surround me and naturally faded into the rearview mirror. Once I decided I wouldn’t wait on anyone or any job to come my way, but that I would look to whatever I had in my hands that I could control and started from there, I always had a path forward.

Once I knew what I was headed towards—might’ve been my project, might’ve been a friend’s—I made it a practice of pulling out a legal pad and making a list of every resource I had that could help me realize that particular goal. Those resources took various forms; they were the people, relationships, locations, favors—really anything positive I had accumulated. Then, as I kept moving forward, I learned this invaluable lesson: when you’re moving, it creates a sense of inevitability, and that becomes contagious. Everyone wants to be on a moving train. In this industry, that is a powerful secret to know. Keep moving, make the endpoint inevitable. You will get there.

PC: What’s ahead for Full Armor Films and yourself?
Frank: We maintain a full slate but prefer to concentrate on the top two or three projects at once. Currently, we have two films in development along with a flagship series set in New Orleans that we’re extremely enthusiastic about. We’ve assembled a fantastic team for this project. We’re eager to share more details soon, especially now that the strikes are over.

I’m currently writing one of the films in development and am considering taking on the role of director as well. The story is based on the true events of a son escorting his father to rehab, exploring the themes of fatherlessness and the burden of generational baggage. The main character has grown up largely without his father but has still been deeply influenced by his corrosive presence. Despite their mutual love, it has become easy for them to drift apart. There comes a point where they both need each other to survive, but the question arises: how and at what cost? Essentially, the project delves into what can break the cycle of such relationships. How does one free themselves from the weight passed down through generations, and how can they grow from it?

It’s a highly emotional and impactful story, grounded in experience and truth, which is a hallmark of Full Armor’s best work. We’re aiming to commence production on this film in the coming year.

To keep up with all the exciting updates from Frank, follow him on Instagram.

Photo Credit: Paul Gregory