Number One On The Call Sheet united almost every notable Black actor and actress currently working in Hollywood to explore the legacy of Black talent and the complicated journey of Black leads in the industry in a compelling two-part docuseries. Separated by gender, the two feature-length components dive deep into the history of Black film and pay homage to the actors who laid the groundwork for the diversity present on screen today, noting there is still work to do on all sides for an equal and equitable ecosystem.
Part one, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, finds Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Michael B. Jordan, Kevin Hart, Taye Diggs, Marlon Wayans, Morris Chestnut, and more giving poignant testimonies to their respective experiences as Black men both on screen and behind the scenes.
“Number One On The Call Sheet is the honest testimony of successful people who overcame all types of obstacles to make their dreams come true,” expressed Hudlin in a press statement. “It doesn’t matter what business you’re in, learning about their mindset, their grit, their unique definitions of success will be inspirational to every viewer. I can’t wait for the world to see it.”
Apple
The second half was helmed by director Shola Lynch, who carefully empowered the collective of Black women to freely and emotionally discuss the ups and downs of Hollywood success.
“We don’t have this kind of collective testimonial from any period of film history. It made me determined to create a vision that is bigger than the sum of the parts to honor and reflect their individual journeys and a collective truth,” explained Lynch. “I want the audience to experience what it was like to be in the room and in conversation with unvarnished ambition, excellence, and beauty and to feel their awe, joy, frustration, love, and triumph.”
Overall, both parts are love notes to the iconic legacy of Black actors, directors, writers, and more, with deep reverence to Black excellence and success using archival footage, new interviews, and more. Focusing on the brotherhood and sisterhood of our industry titans, established acts, and rising talents, Number One On The Call Sheet highlights everything from the industry-shifting Boyz n the Hood to defining the key role explained in the title.
Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Datari Turner, and Dan Cogan produced the film for Apple TV. Foxx produces through his Foxxhole Productions with Turner. Hart produces through Hartbeat, and Cogan produces through Story Syndicate.
Read below for seven takeaways from Number One on the Call Sheet below.
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Acting Vs. Reading Copy
Image Credit: Apple TV + The talent factor of Black Hollywood is key to the documentary, not only in the exploration of some of history’s most gifted acts but the motivations behind their craft. At one point, Morgan Freeman breaks down the difference between an actor and a star.
“Being a movie star… being an actor, you want to be thought of as good as what you do,” detailed the 87-year-old.
“The first thing I do when I get on set is make everybody understand that this is not a movie star that walked in; this is just an actor, im no different than you. But when you see me coming, stand back a little bit more,” he continued with a stern laugh.
“The primary difference I run into working with different actors is who is acting versus who is reading copy… By that, I mean some actors are celebrities. They don’t… they put on a different costume, yes, but a different persona, no. You know them.”
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Gaborey Sidibe’s Bond To ‘Precious’
Image Credit: AppleTV+ In the film, Gaborey Sidibe reflects on her breakout role as the titular character in the acclaimed film Precious. In the touching moment, she remembers the attentive care she poured into the character based on her own experiences.
“Whatever Hollywood thinks is beautiful, I don’t think I attained that,” shared the mother of two.
“That character of Precious, I felt like I really knew her. She’s big, and he’s poor, and she’s darkskin. She’s not the sexpot. She’s not the popular girl. She’s not even the one with the cool sneakers. And I have always felt like that.”
The revelation is part of a powerful segment with the likes of Alfre Woodard, Gabrielle Union, Jurnee Smollett, and Viola Davis speaking on their respective experiences with colorism, texturism, featurism, and shattering beauty standards.
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Eddie Murphy Has Had Only Had 1 Audition
Image Credit: Apple TV+ Eddie Murphy‘s historic career was greatly explored in the documentary from the perspective of his predecessors, his peers, and himself. In the film, he discussed being offered the chance to play Alex Haley in the Malcolm X film but was advised against taking the role by Sidney Poitier. The 63-year-old also shared he’s only had to do one interview in his career, for Saturday Night Live.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence both shared that they have looked to Eddie Murphy as inspiration for their own careers, with Smith acknowledging Murphy as having the biggest impact on his creative output.
Reginald Hudlin also revealed that the infamous helicopter scene in Boomerang came to life due to Murphy’s status after the studio initially had no budget for the grand entrance of Strangé.
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Halle Berry’s Plight
Image Credit: AppleTv+ Halle Berry is the only Black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar. That triumphant moment is celebrated as historical, but the full picture brings a bittersweet joy for the actress, as in years prior and years since, Black women have been more than deserving of the Academy recognition.
In the docuseries, the Ohio native discusses how her career has been impacted by colorism and beauty standards, playing a “crack h*e” and the weight of the aforementioned trophy.
“The system is not really designed for us, and so we have to stop coveting that which is not for us. Because at the end of the day, its how did we touch the lives of people and that is fundamentally what art is for,” she said.
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When Denzel Washington Passed The Baton
Image Credit: AppleTV+ Hudlin cemented the 2018 Black Panther film as the signifying moment that symbolized a new era of Hollywood for Black actors and filmmakers being unapologetic in their art and attitude. The message was echoed by Lawrence Fishburn, who said, “We never had that before,” regarding two Black men playing combatting princes seeking a royal throne.
“Black Panther was a very special job,” shared Daniel Kaluyaa, who stars in the now-franchise as W’Kabi. “It was about finding community.”
Denzel Washington, who was not in the film, also reflected on its impact.
“I cried a little bit when I saw Black Panther,” remarked the 70-year-old. “I went to the premiere. I wasn’t interested in the red carpet and all of that. I went backstage, and I saw Chad [Chadwick Boseman] and Ryan [Coogler], spoke to them, and then I sat down and watched the movie, and I felt like the baton had been passed… I felt… I don’t know if the word is relieved. But, I was proud to see what they had done and seeing where they were headed.”
The segment also featured Michael B. Jordan, who examined the movie’s success as a “reeducation for everyone,” and an emotional moment touching on the immortalization of Chadwick Boseman. Additional emotional commentary from Kevin Hart, and Kaluuya added weight to the important conversation.
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Whoopi Goldberg Sought Her Roles
Image Credit: AppleTV+ “You think all you need to be is the best actor that you can be… but it’s not enough,” shared Whoopi Goldberg after a vintage entertainment news audio questioned how the industry struggled to make a star out of her “unusual talent” after a Grammy win and Oscar nomination. Despite her acclaim, she had to seek out opportunities, often taking on roles meant for white leads.
“You discover that you get what you get, and for me, I went and found stuff.”
In the documentary, she explained how she was only cast in Sister Act because Bette Midler wasn’t available, Jumpin’ Jack Flash because Shelly Long was not going to do it, Burglar opposed to Bruce Willis, Fatal Beauty because Cher was not able, and how Patrick Swayze had to fight for her leading role in Ghost.
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What It Means To Be ‘No. 1 On The Call Sheet’
Image Credit: AppleTV+ In both parts of the documentary, each group of talent reflected on what it means to actually be Number One On The Call Sheet and defined the title in their own terms.
“When you see number one and you see your name, you’re always aware as a woman and a woman of color, that it’s not just about you, and you know this,” detailed Ruth Negga. “Especially when you know how few people who look like you that that’s applied to in the past. The gratitude that one feels…[cries]. That can be intense.”
In his own portion, Don Cheadle added, “I think it means a lot of stuff.”
“Number one on the call sheet means to me, they look to you to lead by example,” added Michael B. Jordan
Number One On The Call Sheet is now streaming on AppleTV+.
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