Actress Is Virtually Famous Former Nc Gymnast Stars In Show Aired Over Computers
April Dion is a budding Hollywood actress. But the Spokane native has to borrow a computer to see herself on-screen.
Dion stars in a unique mystery series that’s making its debut on the Internet.
Fans watching the episodes on their computers will press keys to uncover clues, solve crimes - even chat with actors on-line.
Dion, a 22-year-old former North Central High School gymnast, hopes it’s the start of an exciting acting career.
Her producers predict it’s a new breed of entertainment destined to challenge television.
“It’s a revolution in communications and broadcasting,” says Dean Vallas, a former director for Hard Copy. “We’re the first ones to do entertainment programming in the form of a television-style network.”
Says Dion: “People are calling me a pioneer. People have told me I’ll be in history books.”
The pilot episode, presented Nov. 20 on the World Wide Web, attracted more than a million viewers, says Vallas.
“You have to sit up and think and pay attention and make choices. You can’t be a couch potato,” he says, describing targeted viewers.
“They’re younger, they’re more intelligent, they have a lot of money, they’re competitive.”
Dion, who plays a sexy computer hacker in the “Whodunit?” series, admits she’s an unlikely candidate to pioneer anything in the computer field. She doesn’t even own one.
Neither does her mother, Debby Lucas of Spokane, who has yet to see the pilot episode.
“We don’t have a computer but as soon as we round one up, we’re going to see it,” says Lucas, a nursing assistant at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
When Dion left Spokane after high school, she knew little about computers or acting. The Lilac Princess finalist wanted to be a model. But when New York agents rejected the 5-foot-7-inch blonde as too short, she set her sights on acting.
At first, getting into the business seemed impossible.
She moved to California and replaced her last name, Burnette, with her middle name, Dion. She enrolled in acting classes while making a living waitressing and selling clothes.
Gradually, the breaks came. First, she sat smiling in the background of a Travis Tritt country music video. Then she made a condom commercial that’s now airing on MTV.
Dion landed the role of Annie Crandall in “Whodunit?” after auditioning in August.
“Most of the people we’re trying to cast are just starting out,” says Vallas, who calls his project The NETwork. “It’s a new medium and we want new people.”
They’re also searching for sponsors to make the project solely supported by advertising. The NETwork features three other shows and producers expect to add new ones periodically.
Episodes can be accessed 24 hours a day.
“You can come home at two in the morning after you go to your favorite bars and tune in and not miss a single episode,” she says.
Dion flashes an infectious smile when discussing her new cyber fame. But Wednesday she was nervous, awaiting a most important review.
“My boyfriend’s parents are watching it for the first time tonight,” said Dion, her eyes widening. “They have a computer.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: VIRTUAL TV Viewers must use a direct Internet provider or commercial service such as America Online to reach The NETwork. The address is http://www.thenetwork.net