Reginald Baskerville - Interview
Experienced Principal Actor and content producer with a demonstrated history of working in feature films, national television, and on the stage. Strong professional creative skilled in film, television, voice, & theater with a heart and capacity for educating youth as a school leader. Originally "from the slums of Shaolin" (Staten Island), the NYC world, traveling throughout the country, along with being able to observe people abroad has built a muscle. That muscle is anointed to be flexed within entertainment and education.
When did you decide you wanted to be an actor/director?
When I got on the campus of Morgan State University back in 91’ my major was telecommunications, which they now call media studies. As soon as I picked up a camera and got on a stage I knew I wanted to make movies. I had fun while earning my degree by making video shorts, and by working the stage.
How did your family react?
My family has been on the journey with me. I have a strong group of siblings, aunts, uncles, and people on the periphery who demonstrate their support for what I have been doing with film and tv through giving time. They give by taking time to watch something I’m acting in, or by downloading something they know I have produced.
Do you have a muse or a role model?
I think my work is inspired by my love for people and how people interact with each other. Specifically, when I was a youngin in Bedford Stuyvesant my dad took me to see a live play starring the son of one of his teacher co-workers. The co-worker was Laurence Fishburne’s mom. After watching that play with Laurence Fishburne as a teenager, and then seeing Mr. Fishburne’s film and television career level up, I gained an understanding of the power of performance.
Who is your biggest fan?
My biggest fan is probably my lady Asia, my family, and I’m hoping a few of my co-workers. Asia is the one who listens to me talk about the work all the time, helps me with my auditions, travels with me to the cities where the work is, and totally allows me to bore her with everything film and tv I’m talking about.
What actor or director would you like to work with?
I want to work on a large scale production with any of the legends. One of my most memorable moments to date on the acting side has been to work on a Christmas film set opposite John Schneider (Bo Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard). I’d also gotten a brief moment a few years back to share a scene with Annabella Sciora. It is so dope to be in position to work with the
seasoned, and the loved. As a background actor I was able to observe Martin Scorscese, Steven Speilberg, Sallie Richardson, and others lead large scale sets. Those opportunities fueled my curiosity, and energized my passion for the work on both sides of the camera.
Have you ever seen a film that was better than the book?
Crime Partners written by Donald Goines came out as a movie in 2001 starring Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, and Ja-Rule. I read some of Donald Goines' books back in the day and was pleased to see that someone had invested in bringing the stories to the big screen. After Crime Partners, the film Never Die Alone came out starring DMX. Again, I was pleased to see the interest in bringing Donald Goines’ work back into focus.
What’s that movie that taught you the most?
In reflecting on what film has taught me the most, Michael Moore’s documentary films that hit the scene really caught my attention. They were so informative and so authentically done. Sicko, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 were all documentary films that captivated the
country, and even the world, instantly.
On set what excites you the most?
On set I am motivated by being in the moment. Once I see cameras, lights, headphones, book mics, and people moving around I am powered up.
What scares you the most?
My only fear is to not be able to access opportunities that put me in position to experience that.
You can steal the career of an artist, who do you choose?
I would not necessarily like to steal their career but I respect the direction of the careers of Jordan Peel, Ava Duvernay, Anthony Mackey, Rob Morgan, and Russell Hornsby. These artists have been putting it down for years on the big screen, adding emotional value to the storytelling in the things they are a part of.
What is your next project?
My next acting project coming in 2025 is a feature film, Los Ones. I joined forces again with Christopher Kendrick, the writer and director of Fattenin’ Frogs for Snakes. On the short film tip, Blind Justice and Alright are two independent projects that recently allowed me to play in front of the camera.
However, from behind the lens, my next producer/director project is Cappadonna’s That’s MY WORD! This project Is a four part documentary series. We have only shared episode 1 on incarceration through the film festival circuit. We are preparing to release episode 2 on addiction, episode 3 on special education, and the fourth installment will focus on the culture.
We are excited to bring these community conversations to the world.
For you cinema is…?
Cinema for me is a perfect medium for storytelling. As an actor, writer, producer, or director the ability to use your gifts and foundational knowledge to create content and characters people can enjoy, and learn from, is a heck of a purpose to have in our world.
Do you think Black & White movies have a powerful impact?
I have used black and white movie clips, and cartoon clips. I have fun with the nostalgic and historic feel of Black and White film. While making Cappadonna’s That’s My WORD! I have had fun researching the archives.
Have you ever dreamed of winning an oscar?
Of course I have. I have dreamed of winning an oscar for directing and acting. Laurence Olivier, Warren Beatty, Clint Eastwood are names of people who have been on both sides of the lens on that oscar level.
Do you think you are going to win it?
Should I think of any other outcome?