Local News
Dante Brown: The ‘Won’t Back Down’ Interview
B
orn in Chicago on Oct. 6,
1999, Dante Brown’s big
break came at the tender
age of 5 when he beat out 500
other children to be showcased as
a dancer, comedian and actor on
Oprah’s 1st “Amazing Kids”
show. A self-taught dancer who
learned his moves by watching
Michael Jackson, Usher and Chris
Brown’s Youtube videos, Brown’s
amazing moves have been com-
pared to that of a young Usher.
Dante can also beatbox, rap,
play piano by ear and make beats.
With his younger brother, Dusan,
he performs as a duo known as
“The Brown Boys.” The siblings
released their first album at 10 and
8, and have opened for such
notable acts as the New Boyz, DJ
Tha Pope and Trey Songz.
Here, he talks about starring
opposite Viola Davis in “Won’t
Back Down,” an inspirational tale
of female empowerment about a
teacher and a single-mom who
join forces to improve a grammar
school.
Kam Williams: Hi, Dante,
thanks for the interview.
Dante Brown: Oh, no problem,
Mr. Williams. Thanks for inter-
viewing me.
KW: What interested you in
“Won’t Back Down?”
DB: When my agent sent over
the sides for my audition on the
tape, the project was originally
named “Still I Rise.” I immediate-
ly thought of Maya Angelou’s
poem and was very interested in
getting to know my character
more, as well as the story. My
name means poetic, so it’s ironic
that I love poetry, and I was like,
“Wow, interesting movie!” [LOL]
Then I read the sides and the char-
acter was very different than me.
But since the movie is a drama,
and I love drama, I wanted to nail
my audition to make sure I got a
callback and be strongly consid-
ered for the role. So, it was a com-
bination of all those things that
C
O
C ELEBRITY
I NTERVIEW
by Kam
Williams
initially interested me in “Won’t
Back Down.” And, oh yeah, for
callbacks, I had to read the entire
script before auditioning with the
director, Mr. Daniel Barnz. By
then, I knew that the message
would be very powerful and I def-
initely wanted to be a part of this.
KW: What was it like to work
opposite Viola Davis as your
mother, and with the rest of such
an accomplished cast?
DB: Working with Mrs. Davis...
it was a joy! She was funny. She
gave me tips and also helped me
understand the importance of
“being in the scene,” so I could
hold up to her star quality. She was
very approachable and down to
earth, so it made working with her
and get to know. As for working
with the entire cast, it was like I
was playing in the NBA All-Star
game. [LOL] It showed me how
great things can happen when you
apply yourself and believe in
yourself. Being in their presence
taught me that hard work and ded-
ication pay off and one day I hope
to be able to share my on-set expe-
rience and knowledge with new-
comers. Overall, everyone was
really nice and fun to work with
and being a part of such a talented
cast forced me to bring my A-
game,
too.
KW: How would you describe
your character, Cody?
DB: My character, Cody
Alberts, is the son of Nona
[played by Viola Davis] and
Charles Alberts [played by Mr.
Lance Reddick]. Cody has a learn-
ing disability and, during a pivotal
point in the movie, you’ll learn the
cause
of
his
learning
disorder. He’s sort of a quiet kid,
gets bullied at school, doesn’t
have any friends, and the kids pick
on him by calling him names and
stuff.
It showed me how great things can
happen when you apply yourself and
believe in yourself. Being in their
presence taught me that hard work
and dedication pay off ...
very easy. She sort of reminds me
of my Mom, so I never felt like I
had to act, but simply be her son
for the time being, while shooting
the movie. Whenever I’d goof
around, she’d have no problem
with me either, in a nice way, of
course. [Chuckles] I still keep in
contact with her and will always
look at her as an amazing actress
that I was privileged to work with
M
M
U
N
KW: You were named one of
the All-Time Amazing Kids by
Oprah. Did that make it hard to
dumb yourself down to play an
academically-challenged child?
DB: No, it didn’t make it hard
because as an actor I’ve learned to
pull traits and characteristics from
friends at school, relatives, by
watching YouTube videos, other
characters in other movies,
etcetera. So, although I’m not like
I
T
Y
C
Viola Davis and Dante Brown in ‘Won’t Back Down’
Cody at all, it took a lot of prepa-
ration and research to prepare
emotionally for my audition and
scenes as Cody. But that’s what we
do as actors and that’s the gift God
blessed me with, an ability to
relate to people, and to actually
become the characters I hope to
play. Transforming into someone
else.... I love it!
KW: How would you describe
you and your brother, Dusan’s,
debut CD, “Here Come the Brown
Boys?”
DB: Fun! Exciting! Entertain-
ing! Our CD has 11 songs, a little
something for everyone. We get
calls and messages from family
and friends all the time telling us
how catchy the songs are, how our
friends and cousins enjoy listening
on car rides to and from school,
and just how proud they are of this
project. Kids love it and adults,
too. We actually have some dope
beats on it and some great
lyrics. We love performing songs
from our CD and look forward to
making more music in the
future. We like making the type of
music that inspires people. We’ve
A
L
E
N
D
performed at schools and church-
es. The CD is good, kid-friendly
music that can be performed any-
where. Shout out to my parents for
executive-producing the album
and Mr. Spike Rebel for producing
and helping us tremendously with
our first project. We look forward
to our next album. Oh yeah, and
stay tuned for the 8 year-old
singing sensation Jayda B’s new
hit, “I Rock My Tutu.” She invited
us to collaborate and it’s hot! The
video should be coming out soon,
and the single will be available on
iTunes as well.
KW: You have been blessed
with many talents. Which is your
favorite way to perform: acting,
rapping, singing, dancing or play-
ing piano?
ME: That’s kind of tough, but
I’d have to say acting because it’s
just so much fun being able to be
someone else when auditioning
for different roles and then work-
ing on set. But most definitely rap-
ping, too. What I enjoy about
rapping is being able to express
See DANTE on page 8
A
R
S EATTLE 2012
Saturday October 6
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Friday October 5
PHINNEY FARMER’S MARKET. There’s always a
wonderful array of fresh fruits, vegetables and
other locally made food as well as several
enticing options. Phinney Neighborhood Center
Gallery, 6582 Phinney Ave. N.
CHILDREN’S AUTHOR LAURA MCGEE KBASNOSKY
PRESENTS DRAWING ON FAMILY STORIES AT THE
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY. We invite children ages 5
to 8 and their families to Drawing on Family
Stories. The program is free and open to the
public. Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. 2 – 3
p.m.
Sunday October 7
CROATION CULTURAL ROOTS AND CONTEMPORARY
INFLUENCES AT CROATIAFEST. Enjoy live
performances, cultural displays, hands-on
activities, foods and a lively marketplace. Noon
– 8 p.m. The Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St.
Tuesday October 9
SCANDINAVIA COMES TO OLD TOWN. Come join
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner October 3, 2012
us for the opening of the Classical Tuesday’s
2012 – 13 Season: Join Hale Bill & the Bopps.
Free or voluntary donation. 7 p.m. Slavonian Hall,
2306 N. 30th St. Old Town Tacoma.
Friday October 12
SAVOR THE TASTE OF FALL WITH THE ABUNDANCE OF
ARCADE LIGHTS. Pike Place Markets Arcade
Lights, a semi-annual celebration of local
artisanal food and beverages. Located in the
Market’s North Arcade, the event brings together
all the right elements for a hearty fall harvest
celebration. 7 – 10 p.m.
Saturday October 13
VASHON’S CIDERFEST. The day will be filled with
fun events, exhibits and treats for all ages. Free
for all families to enjoy. All day long event.
Vashon Island Chamber of Commerce, 17141
Vashon Hwy. SW. Vashon, WA