Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are among the many distinguished Black actors main AppleTV+’s two-part documentary “Number One on the Call Sheet.”
“Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood” was directed by Reginald Hudlin, whereas Shola Lynch directed the second movie “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood.” The roster of stars is a who’s who of Hollywood, all of whom made themselves out there for the documentary.
In their respective movies, Will Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Daniel Kaluuya and extra come collectively to share frank insights concerning the challenges and alternatives they’ve confronted of their careers. The two-part documentary serves as a mirrored image on how far Black Hollywood has come whereas in the end serving as a celebration. Producer Datari Turner defined it was at all times the objective to make two separate movies. “We have a lot of movie stars…but we’re in a great time where we can even say we have that many number ones.”
Turner was talking at a press convention for the movies, and was joined by Hudlin, Lynch and government producer Byron Phillips. Discussing the genesis, Turner defined that it started out of curiosity. He mentioned, “It was seeing Black actors and actresses come out of the gate, have a big opening, they’re a leading man, they’re doing two to four, films, and something happens where they end up on a TV show where they’re not able to sustain their leading man or leading woman status.” He continued, “I was always very curious about what happened to this person’s career.”
It turned a case examine for Turner to search out out what was taking place. In distinction, he needed to know the way actors like Jamie Foxx (Turner’s producing associate) and Denzel Washington “were able to sustain their number one status.”
Each movie makes use of speaking heads in addition to archival footage of Black Hollywood historical past to string the narrative collectively. Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte are amongst these featured – each actors who advocated for civil rights and racial justice, however laid the groundwork for Black actors and artists. Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel and Berry’s historic Oscar wins are additionally highlighted to point out their affect on Black actresses.
Lynch mentioned it was essential for her to create a secure setting throughout filming. She needed to “put them in a beautiful light, set that stage, [and] literally give them flowers.”
While it was essential to create a secure setting for the actors to get candid about their experiences – each constructive and adverse – there was one principal goal the filmmakers needed this doc to serve. Turner identified that most of the Black actors and actresses who’re primary on the decision sheet haven’t had the mentorship of shade and are first-generation success tales. “If you become a leading man at 25 years old, who’s helping you navigate that? Who’s helping you pick scripts and who’s telling you to pay your taxes?”
Turner added, “We want this to be a blueprint for generations to come.” He went on to say, “Assembling this many stars, it’s never been done before, and it won’t be done again in our lifetime. This is a blueprint for people to not make the same mistakes, to avoid some of the pitfalls…it is sharing the secret sauce on how to stay number one.”
Phillips added that the passing of the baton was essential, “The guys felt strongly in making sure that they could convey all the knowledge that they had.” He continued, “Everyone understands we’re at a critical point, and there’s a whole lot that we need to say and make sure it’s documented, and also, and also let people understand that there are a lot of different roads to success, and we need to see as many as possible.”
It was additionally essential to the filmmakers who instructed this story. Phillips mentioned, “We have to be stewards of our own stories, because when we’re not telling our own stories, everything’s going to go wrong.”
Lynch famous that whereas there are extra alternatives for Black ladies in Hollywood, the work isn’t carried out but. Even Bassett at one level is requested, “If she’s done,” to which she replies, “Done with what?” Lynch mentioned there’s extra work to do in Hollywood, to carve out house on the planet to make it to, or to be primary on the decision sheet. “There is no one standard for success, and there is no one route,” she mentioned. “We each have to figure out our way, and that’s the inspiring part of these stories, is that it makes you ask that question, “‘What am I doing to be number one on my call sheet?’”
“Number One on the Call Sheet” is streaming on AppleTV+