Raphael Alejandro – Bunk’d

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I am currently working on “Bunk’d” – Season 4. It’s a Disney Channel show about a group of people dealing with the troubles of friendship and other dilemmas at camp.

Q) Have you had much of a say in how Matteo developed over the seasons?

A) I would say that I indirectly helped my character, Matteo, develop over this season.  Of course the writers, show-runners and the network have a final say in character development; however, I feel that we have a collaboration on set where I freely share my ideas with the directors and writers in order for me to portray Matteo as truly as possible according to the story line of each episode.

Q) What are some of the similarities and differences between you and Matteo?

A) Well, for one, I love dinosaurs, and practically all school subjects, especially science. I am fascinated by bugs, but unlike him I have a little insect-phobia. I love the outdoors and am much braver than Matteo. But we both have a lot passion for what we do and we both have a lot of perseverance.

Q) Going into Season 4, were you hoping to share more scenes with anyone in particular?

A) I like working with everyone. There was never anybody in particular that I personally would have liked to have more scenes with. A whole group episode like the Halloween episode “In Your Wildest Screams” was something on my episode bucket list.

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from filming the show?

A) One of my favorite moments was when I had to learn a little bit of sign language because a girl that was deaf was a guest star and I was translating her lines in the episode. So, the first day I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to communicate properly with her, but during lunch time I started to talk with her. So, I got to know her better and, eventually, it was seamless like we were just good friends. And in that moment, it made me realize how grateful I am and how it is amazing that we are able to communicate via sign language.

Q) If you could write a storyline for Matteo, what would you like to see?

A) If I could write a storyline for Matteo, I think it would be about Matteo creating a scientific machine that switches everybody’s minds and bodies at camp.

Q) What have you personally taken away from your time working on “Bunk’d?”

A) I’ve personally learned that anything you want to achieve is possible and that you shouldn’t be afraid to try new and extraordinary things. The sky is the limit.

Q) Soon we’ll be seeing you in the film Jungle Cruise. What made you want to be a part of the movie?

A) Jungle Cruise was so much fun to film. Also, having the opportunity to work with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Emily Blunt and Paul Giamatti was an honor.  I had such a great experience and all the time that I spent filming with them was awesome.  The Rock and Emily made me feel completely at home and we had a lot of interesting conversations on our breaks. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this movie.

Q) What was it like on set working with so many big celebrity costars? 

A) It was a fantastic experience and all of them were so nice, polite and dedicated to their craft. I was inspired by them, and it made me realize that when I rise, I want to be like them, dedicated, polite, focused, and always grateful to the people that got me there, especially the fans.

Q) The movie is based off the Disney ride! What are some of your personal favorite rides at Disney? 

A) One of my personal favorites is “Everest” at Disney World in Orlando. I like that ride because it is a ride for thrill seekers and when you reach the top it gives you a fantastic view of nearly the whole park before dropping you down.

Q) What do you think it is about Jungle Cruise that will make it a fast fan favorite movie? 

A) Well, it has so many amazing actors in it and it also will be so nostalgic. It is an action adventure filled with action.  And we can’t forget The Rock, a fan favorite.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) What I would like to say is, never give up on your dreams. When I was little I loved Spider-Man, but the phrase “With great power, comes great responsibility” never really made much sense to me because I just applied it to superheroes and powers. But now that I am older, I understand that all power should not be abused or treated poorly, but responsibly used. I want people to realize that if you rise to power, help other people. Don’t abuse your power. Reuse it and help other people who are less fortunate than you. And if everybody does this, the world would be a much better place. So, start with you and help people who didn’t have the same encouragement that you had or who were born with something that they can’t fix with medicine. Never give up on your dreams because it can be accomplished and when you reach power help the people who don’t believe in themselves.