Meet Frank Abney | Director, Animator & Co-Founder of Rise Up Animation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frank Abney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frank, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was a pretty dark time, following the death of George Floyd. Many of us were caught between figuring out what to do in the community, what to do in the world, and in our own personal lives, preserving some bit of hope. One of Rise Up Animation’s co-founders, Trent Correy came up with the idea for Rise Up Animation, as for many of us in the entertainment world, art has been our way to express how we interpret the world around us. The representation on screen and behind it has been severely lacking in the industry, and Rise Up Animation was a way to lend a hand to improve on that issue. All of us co-founders (Myself, Monica Lago-Kaytis, Bobby Pontillas, and Trent Correy) were already doing the work individually, but now it was time to combine forces, and come up with a plan to help. We started with free feedback sessions, and panels for BIPOC people interested in Animation, and we’ve grown to partnerships with Studios, Software Companies, and other programs, with larger plans for the future, like scholarships, hardware and software donations, etc.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets my work apart from others is simply my perspective and how I interpret the world through the filter of my own experiences. That’s what makes us all the artists we are, in my opinion.

Getting to where I am today, professionally was FILLED with challenges, from financial to skill. When I was in college I had a moment where I actually put the idea of being an animator down. I wasn’t getting it as easily as those around me, and I suffered in silence with it. What brought me back were some words I heard one of my teachers share regarding doing what you’re afraid of. I realized that I was definitely afraid. It was easier to walk away from it, rather than to face the fear that I may not be good enough to do what I loved. So I had to go back, and at least give it a real go.

As a director now, I’ve definitely learned to ALWAYS ask questions, and seek out those that are doing the things I want to do, and doing them well. The problem solving, and hurdles are part of the fun, and they’re what makes everyday interesting.

What I want the world to know about me, and my story is that there was no golden ticket. There was no easy win. No easy straight path to get here. I was on the grind, and I used every obstacle, as a catapult. Some things may not happen when you want them to, but they happen when you’re ready for them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmmm, that’s a good one. I’m a pretty mellow person, but I have my daring side as well. I’ll think about food first, I guess.

Eating… If they were into it, we’d definitely have to check out Shojin in downtown LA, they have some dope vegan sushi. SunCafe Organic, Granville, Pura Vita, Crossroads Kitchen, Juice spots like Kreation Organic Juicery!

Hang out spots, we would probably:
– See who may be doing stand up at one of the comedy clubs around town
– Bowling at XLanes LA,
– Take a ferry over to Catalina Island to hang for the day, and check out the zip lining over there, among other things.
– If they were up for more physical adventure, we could even check out some skateparks (I’m no stranger to bikes),
– Check out the theme parks and get on some rollercoasters,
– Check out the Academy Museum, or the California Science Center.
– Go to the movies, or see what’s playing at the Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA
– Roam Santa Monica and check out the beaches over there (not the popular crowded ones, but the ones you can actually get some space in 🙂 ).
Those are just some things that come to mind, but I love spontaneity, so if they were up for it, we could totally go off script and just go somewhere and figure it out on the move.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I appreciate being given this opportunity, so thank you! I just want to dedicate this shoutout to everyone I’ve come in contact with, good and/or necessary. Everyone has played a part in my story, in one way or another. In terms of organizations, I definitely have to shout out my partners at Rise Up Animation, Co-founders Trent Correy, Bobby Pontillas, and Monica Lago-Kaytis.

Website: www.frankabney.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankabney/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iFrankAbney

Image Credits
Canvas painting done by Marco Furtado for my short film “Canvas” on Netflix.