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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This was a very honest insight into his life, work and hopes for the future. I really enjoyed the writing and how raw it felt at times.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Read the book as if listening to a conversation with the author. There is raw honesty in this and it should be respected.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Dante Basco reflects on his career in From Rufio to Zuko. In this short autobiography, he reflects on his childhood, his break-out role of Rufio as well as on Prince Zuko. And also some poems, because Basco is also a poet.
I am most familiar with Basco as the voice of Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender (hence why I had to have the Fire Nation edition), but I learnt a lot about him in this book. About his struggles as an Asian actor and how he happened to get these roles that pass the test of time. If anything, this book made me excited to watch Dante Basco's other works I'm not familiar with.
I would recommend From Rufio to Zuko to anyone who loves Basco's work and/or wants to learn more about Hollywood from an Asian, and more specifically a Filipino-American, perspective.
I am most familiar with Basco as the voice of Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender (hence why I had to have the Fire Nation edition), but I learnt a lot about him in this book. About his struggles as an Asian actor and how he happened to get these roles that pass the test of time. If anything, this book made me excited to watch Dante Basco's other works I'm not familiar with.
I would recommend From Rufio to Zuko to anyone who loves Basco's work and/or wants to learn more about Hollywood from an Asian, and more specifically a Filipino-American, perspective.
I loved this book. I even went to the book signing in NYC to meet Dante Basco. It was amazing.
What can I say about this book?
I got to meet Dante Basco in NYC upon the release of the book. I went with my Best Friend who is now my Boyfriend, I have so many wonderful memories associated with this book.
But we get insight of how Dante got into acting. Also how his roles has formed his life.
I got to meet Dante Basco in NYC upon the release of the book. I went with my Best Friend who is now my Boyfriend, I have so many wonderful memories associated with this book.
But we get insight of how Dante got into acting. Also how his roles has formed his life.
No star rating.
Biography.
Read in 1 day. Interesting, but not very in depth about any time period or project in particular. The most detail came when talking about Hook and being mentored by Dustin Hoffman and personal thoughts on the Rufio look. I loved that section! But I couldn't help being slightly disappointed at the lack of detail in the other chapters. I remember thinking when the Avatar section was discussed that I wished the craziness and cult fandom were discussed more. Like, specific stories or funny moments. And then later on in the final thoughts chapter, being told how much of a struggle it all was, how hard he is on himself. None of that was expanded on in the book! I guess I just wish it were longer. The only bit that rubbed me the wrong way was when he said he didn't know what he'd do if someone walked up to him at a con wearing a MAGA hat.... the poetic sections were interesting and different than other biographies I've read, but I guess I didn't connect with the poetry aspect. Just not my thing.
Biography.
Read in 1 day. Interesting, but not very in depth about any time period or project in particular. The most detail came when talking about Hook and being mentored by Dustin Hoffman and personal thoughts on the Rufio look. I loved that section! But I couldn't help being slightly disappointed at the lack of detail in the other chapters. I remember thinking when the Avatar section was discussed that I wished the craziness and cult fandom were discussed more. Like, specific stories or funny moments. And then later on in the final thoughts chapter, being told how much of a struggle it all was, how hard he is on himself. None of that was expanded on in the book! I guess I just wish it were longer. The only bit that rubbed me the wrong way was when he said he didn't know what he'd do if someone walked up to him at a con wearing a MAGA hat.... the poetic sections were interesting and different than other biographies I've read, but I guess I didn't connect with the poetry aspect. Just not my thing.
I have a lot of respect for Dante Basco and his work. He's an excellent public speaker, too. But this book fell flat for me because I had expected more of an autobiography and got more of a personal philosophy with vague anecdotes. The book is written in a stream of consciousness style that speaks to Basco's talents as a poet, but doesn't create a story so much as a mood.
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Interesting calm read, not sure what I was expecting but throughly enjoyed learning about the mams point of view on his life!
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
I recently finished watching all three seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender. My favorite (of course) was Uncle Iroh, the tea master, but Zuko came in a close second. And color me surprised when I discovered that the voice actor that lent Zuko his signature angsty rasp was none other than Dante Basco, the same Dante Basco who played Rufio in Steven Spielberg's Hook.
I don't know too much about the entertainment industry, but I do know how rare it is for Asian American actors and stories to make it on-screen—and how it has been slowly (but surely) changing with box-office hits like Shang-Chi, Crazy Rich Asians, and Minari. Basco's autobiography FROM RUFIO TO ZUKO was illuminating. Considered a legend in Asian American entertainment and a pioneer in the industry, Basco struggled against casting's white default, only achieving his success with immense talent, his family's support, and a million-in-one chance. Yet, as he reveals, success wasn't necessarily all golden. Landing a role meant another person of color didn't land that role (including his own brothers). Being a child actor meant he never got the quintessential "childhood" experience. Working with big names meant that he was exposed to the cutthroat nature of entertainment early on.
Despite the challenges, it is evident that he loves his work because of his love of art as he recollects moments of mentorship or creation. This book is a clear celebration of his achievements, the voice behind the voices and characters. Basco is, first and foremost, before Rufio or Zuko, an artist.
Full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_DG2bP7Ac/
I don't know too much about the entertainment industry, but I do know how rare it is for Asian American actors and stories to make it on-screen—and how it has been slowly (but surely) changing with box-office hits like Shang-Chi, Crazy Rich Asians, and Minari. Basco's autobiography FROM RUFIO TO ZUKO was illuminating. Considered a legend in Asian American entertainment and a pioneer in the industry, Basco struggled against casting's white default, only achieving his success with immense talent, his family's support, and a million-in-one chance. Yet, as he reveals, success wasn't necessarily all golden. Landing a role meant another person of color didn't land that role (including his own brothers). Being a child actor meant he never got the quintessential "childhood" experience. Working with big names meant that he was exposed to the cutthroat nature of entertainment early on.
Despite the challenges, it is evident that he loves his work because of his love of art as he recollects moments of mentorship or creation. This book is a clear celebration of his achievements, the voice behind the voices and characters. Basco is, first and foremost, before Rufio or Zuko, an artist.
Full review: https://www.instagram.com/p/CV_DG2bP7Ac/