UB Spotlight: ‘Number One on the Call Sheet’

Premieres on Apple TV+ Globally March 28th.

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This week “Number One on the Call Sheet” held premieres in LA and NYC.

With unprecedented access and candid interviews, “Number One on the Call Sheet” takes us on an intimate journey with some of Hollywood’s most extraordinary leading Black men and women as they shine a light on the joys and challenges of being a Black actor, share breakthrough moments, discuss blueprints for success, and honor legends, while recognizing the next generation’s enormous potential.

Producer Jamie Foxx was joined by fellow cast members John Boyega and Morris Chestnut in Hollywood, along with director Reginald Hudlin, producers Datari Turner and Dan Cogan, and executive producers Byron Phillips and Candice Wilson Cherry, as they discussed the exciting scenes from “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood.”

During the NYC presentation for “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood,” cast members Jurnee Smollett and Meagan Good, director Shola Lynch, producers Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner and Dan Cogan, and executive producers Mishka Brown and Candice Wilson Cherry reflected on the moving moments in thr film.

Shola Lynch introduced the film by sharing how it was a “real unexpected pleasure to surface the stories of these 17 incredible women,” noting that “I hope all the women in it felt seen and heard as we all have to be number one on our call sheet.”

The evening continued with a thoughtful panel discussion moderated by Emmy Award-winning host, journalist and author Tamron Hall with Lynch, Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Alfre Woodard, executive producer Mishka Brown and producers Datari Turner and Dan Cogan. Hall praised the touching film, noting that viewers will leave feeling like there is nothing they cannot accomplish, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Kevin Frazier introduced “Black Leading Women in Hollywood,” declaring that while the films are different in theme, they are equally important. Lynch acknowledged that “it’s a story of resilience and brilliance,” as we “stand on the shoulders of those who came before,” and discussed the myriad of challenges faced by Black women in the industry, as well as the lessons that audiences should take away from the film.

Emphasizing the importance of representation, Wilson Cherry praised these as stories that are “important to the culture globally” to “normalize Black love and Black lives.” Good cherished the special collaboration and sisterhood that allowed her to be “beautifully honest” and insisted that “we are here now” with a responsibility to “create that opportunity for the little boys and girls.” Smollett stated, “It’s our job to let our people see themselves on screen, to let them feel less alone,” and further declared “it’s a bigger calling, it’s not just about us.”

Kevin Frazier wrapped up the illuminating evening of conversation, announcing “we must support the people who are supporting us” and “make sure everybody tunes in.”

The two-part documentary film event “Number One on the Call Sheet” premieres on Apple TV+ globally March 28th.

John Boyega
Reuben Cannon
Don Cheadle
Morris Chestnut

Ice Cube
Taye Diggs
Idris Elba

Laurence Fishburne
Jamie Foxx

Morgan Freeman

Kevin Hart
Dwayne Johnson
Matthew Johnson
Michael B. Jordan
Daniel Kaluuya
Martin Lawrence

Eddie Murphy
Robi Reed
Nina Shaw

Will Smith
Quentin Tarantino

Denzel Washington

Marlon Wayans

Angela Bassett

Halle Berry
Viola Davis
Cynthia Erivo
Vivica A. Fox

Whoopi Goldberg

Meagan Good
Tiffany Haddish
Taraji P. Henson

Nia Long
Ruth Negga
Gabourey Sidibe
Jurnee Smollett

Octavia Spencer
Tessa Thompson
Gabrielle Union
Alfre Woodard