Profiling black Hollywood in Number One on the Call Sheet

For directors Shola Lynch and Reginald Hudlin the good news is in, “there were enough movie stars that we could fill it up with two movies. We couldn't do that 20 years ago.”

The pair’s latest joint effort is Number One on the Call Sheet, a “two part documentary film” which spends time with black Hollywood. From Morgan Freeman to Daniel Kaluuya, Vivica A. Fox to Ruth Negga, both directors have created a dream in the study of motivations, setbacks and most importantly how actors really take to their craft. 

“The scheduling was everything,” exclaims Hudlin, who directed the film focused on Hollywood’s black male talent. “People were like, “oh that sounds cool! I’ll get back to you in two years.”” 

Top - Director Shola Lynch Bottom - Director Reginald Hudlin

Lynch had seventeen leading women in her film and excitedly tells us, “that's not everybody, and that we have to remember for all the things that need changing, and it's constructive criticism for a business they're in. We've never had this kind of representation and that is pretty amazing.” 

What makes both these films amazing is the exposition and vulnerability the actors give to us. Whilst we know the old adage of “twice as hard” has always been passed down to black people regarding work it rings true for these actors. Whoppi Goldberg explains how she only landed her iconic role in Sister Act due to Bette Midler turning down the role; despite being at the top of her career. She also had to be championed by Patrick Swayze to gain her role in Ghosts. 

Actors lament over their many years working to critical acclaim to not be nominated or win awards. Precious actor Gabourey Sidibe faced extreme racism and colourism for playing the titular Precious and felt like the industry didn’t know how to support her when it came to her hair and make-up choices. 

“So when we say that there were obstacles, how do you show the truth of that? What is the evidence of that? And the footage, some of those interviews, and some of the reporters' questions to the women in the 70s and 80s. 80s in particular, it's really astonishing, and it puts it in perspective.” Lynch laments on the obstacles facing some of black Hollywood’s women at the start of their careers. 

Morris Chestnut

The archival process was something both Lynch and Hudlin enjoyed pouring over. 

In the first film, actor Laurence Fishburne talks about one of his earliest film appearances in Apocalypse Now. He was an early teen at the time and director Francis Ford Coppola, wanted more from him in a scene which required him to talk about sex. After around 40 takes, the then Number One on the call sheet actor, Michael Sheen instilled confidence in Fishburne which helped him gain confidence. 

Hudlin explains what it was like to gather footage for the film. “We want people to watch movies, you know? We want people to appreciate these amazing careers that these people have had.” 

Lynch agrees, “we wanted to throw in some Cicely Tyson and Eartha Kitt...some backstory. We had clips from about 200 movies in the women's film.” 

Vivica A Fox

With every actor we’re treated to a list of their accomplishments on screen, along with the aforementioned archival footage. Anecdotes from every actor and breakdowns on some of their most watched scenes, it’s clear that as much as there's reflection rooted in the industries issues surrounding race and gender bias, there's also great joy and pride in the work undertaken by these creatives.

“Like no matter what we do, we have to find a way to forge the path and be in our purpose and function at the highest level.”

Number One on the Call Sheet is streaming now on Apple TV+