 ALL
IN THE FAMILY!
"City
Guys" Actor Dion Basco
By
Dennis A. Amith, AsianConnections.com
Sure, we all have heard about the Judd's, the
Barrymore's and the Baldwin's but have you ever heard of the Basco's?
The Basco's are a Pilipino family from Southern California consisting
of Derek, Darion, Dante, Dion and Arianna. The Basco family may
not be nationally known but in the Asian American entertainment
field, the family has done much to open the gates for Asian Americans
who would like to pursue a career in acting.
The brothers are very up front about the different ethnic
roles they have had to portray.
A problem that many GenerAsian actors and actresses face
from time to time due is the lack of roles available.
When there is a role, more than likely one of the Basco's
will get the part.
Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Dion Basco
of the NBC Saturday morning show, "City Guys."
Dion Basco plays Alberto "Rocket" Ramos, the guy
who has connections for anything you need in the city�but not without
a hefty price.
Basco has been a hard-working
actor for over ten years, appearing in feature films like "Hook,"
"Tin Soldier," "Race the Sun" and was in Michael Jackson's "Moonwalker."
His television credits include "Chicago Hope," "South Central:
Kid to Kid," "Tales From the Crypt," "Nightingales" and "Beauty
and the Beast."
He was also a featured performer in the San Francisco Ballet
Company's "The Nutcracker."
In 1998, Basco was selected by A. Magazine as one of the
top eight Asian American actors to watch for.
Dennis:
Where were you born and raised?
Dion:
I was born and raised in Pittsburg, Calif.
Dennis:
What kind of atmosphere were you brought up in?
Dion:
In Pittsburg, there are a lot of Pilipinos, Latinos, and African
Americans but there was a lot of problems with gangs. My mother
made sure that we were very busy, so we would sing and breakdance
when we were younger.
Dennis:
Was their a big Pilipino influence growing up?
Dion:
Yeah, because Pittsburg had a big Pilipino community and my
grandparents were involved with the Fil-Am Club there. We would
go to all the events.
Dennis:
Let's talk about your acting career. What was your first experience
and how was it?
Dion:
My first job was dancing on Michael Jackson's "Moonwalker."
Dennis:
I noticed that aside from acting, dancing and singing is a big part
of your life. I hear that you are in a music group called The Fly
Brown Dragons. Can you tell us more about your group?
Dion:
The Fly Brown Dragons is a group which has rap and rock, but
mainly the group features me and my three brothers.
The
Basco Brothers (from l to r): Dante, Derek, Dion and Dorian
Dennis:
What is your hip hop style similar to?
Dion: For me, my style is similar to
Bust-A-Rhymes.
Dennis:
And the music?
Dion:
Definitely funk. We'd like to have a whole stage show and have
different types of musicians.
Dennis:
Has the group performed at any clubs yet?
Dion:
We performed at a few clubs but since we are all busy with our
individual careers we haven't had too much time to do our music.
Dennis:
You mentioned earlier that your parents kept the children away from
trouble by keeping you busy with acting and dancing. Was it difficult
growing up?
Dion:
Yeah. It was difficult because I did miss out on some things
but I was busy doing things that I loved. So everything worked out.
Dennis:
Is there major competition between you and your brothers when you
go out for auditions?
Dion:
Definitely! But it's a healthy competition. Right now, actually
we're all up for the same pilot. We respect everybody's work and
we know that everybody is a good actor. So we just go in there and
do our best. We feel that the healthy competition is good for each
other.
Dennis:
In A. Magazine, you were selected as one of the eight hot talents
to watch for. How does it feel to be known as one of the eight hot
Asian American talents to watch for?
Dion:
It felt great! I was pretty surprised when I was selected but
I hope I can continue on and keep working.
Dennis: Let's talk
about "City Guys." How does it feel to be part of this hit Saturday
morning show?
Dion:
It's great! We're like a well-oiled machine. We have a great
cast and our director, Frank Bonner, is great.
Dennis:
What's your most memorable moment on the show?
Dion:
I guess the first day coming into work and knowing that I got
a job. In the family aspect, knowing that everyone on the set got
along very quickly.
Dennis:
In the show, you have the nickname "Rocket." What's the
meaning behind the nickname?
Dion:
The character I play, Alberto Ramos, is a bike messenger. He's
a quick guy who gets everything done. When someone needs something,
they come to me and I'm fast as a rocket.
Dennis:
What is a typical working day for you?
Dion:
I get to the studio at 10 a.m. and read scripts. We practice
the scenes together and then we go to lunch. After lunch, we get
together with the writers, the director and the executive producer
and we call it a day.
Dennis:
What time do you all get out of work?
Dion:
We get out about 3 or 4:30 p.m. and on the shooting day we finished
around 7:30 p.m.
Dennis:
Do you watch yourself on television?
Dion:
Yeah! When I can. When I'm not busy working.
Dennis:
What was it like the first time watching yourself on TV?
Dion:
It was great! Actually, the first time was for the premiere
of "Moonwalker" and my family came.
Dennis:
Do you have any role models?
Dion:
My parents. I always look up to them. They worked hard and
they beat the odds. I'm very proud of them.
Dennis:
I was wondering if you hang around with the other TNBC stars?
Dion:
Well, the people in our show, we all hang out. As for the other
people on different shows, since we film in the same lot, we say
hi, visit and hang out with each other next door.
Dennis:
What is the most satisfying part for you as a GenerAsian actor?
Dion: I think it's getting a job, doing well
and being recognized for it. Also, when a director takes a chance
on you because you are ethnic and then everything works out and
everyone is happy.
Dennis:
What is the most frustrating aspect about being a GenerAsian actor?
Dion:
That there are not a lot of chances out there for us.
Dennis:
When you are not working, what do you like to do?
Dion:
I like to hang out with my friends but most of all, I like to
relax. I also like to play a lot of basketball and golf.
Dennis:
What was your reaction the first time you were approached by a fan?
Dion:
I was shocked. The first time I was approached by an older
lady. She said she watched our show every morning with her grandkids.
Dennis:
Do you get approached my many Pilipino fans?
Dion:
Oh yeah! Sometimes I can be eating at a restaurant and I would
see Pilipinos at the window pointing at me.
Dennis:
What's your favorite food? Pilipino and anything else?
Dion:
For Pilipino food its adobo. I don't have a favorite kind of
food...I just love food. Actually, for a little guy I can eat a
lot. Actually, I got to go to the gym before I go back to the studio.
Dennis:
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Dion: That was when I fell off stage while
I was rapping.
Dennis:
What are your personal and professional goals for the future aside
from acting or singing?
Dion:
I'd like to write projects and someday direct those projects.
Dennis:
Here are a few questions from your fans that they wanted me to ask
you. Do you speak tagalog?
Dion:
No, I don't. Actually, I bought a tape and I'm trying to learn.
So, it's in my car and I listen to it when I'm driving to places.
Dennis:
Another question from a fan is if you dance a lot?
Dion:
Yeah, I dance a lot. I mean I go to clubs a lot but I don't
dance professionally. I used to breakdance a lot back then.
Dennis:
Were you pretty good?
Dion:
I won't say that I was really good but I was decent though.
Me and my brothers had a breakdancing group and we were one of the
top groups in the bay area at the time.
Dennis:
Another question from a fan is, has acting changed you a lot?
Dion: Yeah! Acting has given me more confidence,
and it helped me learn about myself more and make me more positive.
Dennis:
What words of advice do you have for GenerAsians who want to pursue
a career in singing or acting?
Dion: Don't get discouraged. Make it
happen!
Dennis:
Do you have any final words for your fans?
Dion:
I just want to let them know that I thank them for their support.
-
End of Interview -
Thank
you to AsianConnections correspondent Dennis A. Amith. This interview
by Dennis originally appeared in Asian Pacific Review - Vol. 4,
Issue No. 3
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