Five lessons that stood out to me in Apple TV’s ‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ as a young professional

After I sat down to observe “Quantity One on the Name Sheet”—Apple TV’s highly effective new two-part documentary spotlighting Black excellence in Hollywood—I didn’t simply see a mirrored image of the leisure business, I noticed myself. I noticed the goals, the doubts, and the drive that so many younger Black professionals like me deliver to areas that weren’t at all times constructed for us. The movie doesn’t simply have a good time the wins of Black actors and creators who’ve paved the best way—it peels again the layers of what it actually takes to get there.

“The cumulative lesson is there’s not a [one] path to success. There are such a lot of paths to success,” the docuseries’ co-director, Reginald Hudlin, instructed theGrio. “And the teachings aren’t only for ‘oh, I need to make it leisure.’ These are the teachings of winners. I don’t care what occupation you’re in, there’s a mindset that may be a winner’s mindset.”

As a younger skilled navigating my very own profession, I couldn’t assist however take notes—psychological and literal. There’s one thing about listening to legends like Whoopie Goldberg, Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett and Denzel Washington converse their reality that hits in a different way whenever you’re within the trenches of constructing your individual path. From the significance of proudly owning your narrative to understanding that “making it” means extra than simply touchdown the lead function, listed here are 5 moments that resonated with me essentially the most.

The ability of passing the torch

One of the crucial stunning takeaways from “Quantity One on the Name Sheet” is how success doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The journey of Black actors and actresses in Hollywood is a multigenerational dialog—one the place the torch is handed with intention, respect, and admiration. Sidney Poitier’s groundbreaking work opened the doorways for Denzel Washington, who, in flip, impressed Daniel Kaluuya. Dorothy Dandridge’s grace and trailblazing profession paved the best way for Halle Berry, whose historic Oscar win lit a hearth in Taraji P. Henson.

“I stand on the shoulders of girls who labored so arduous to be seen,” Tessa Thompson mentioned, sharing her admiration for stars like Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg. “I exist due to them.”

This cycle of inspiration is a testomony to the truth that whereas every era stands on the shoulders of those that got here earlier than, they’re additionally lifting up the following. Jamie Foxx seemed as much as Will Smith lengthy earlier than they labored collectively on “Ali.” Eddie Murphy praised Foxx’s efficiency in “Ray,” whereas Laurence Fishburne made certain to offer Will his flowers for “King Richard.” This steady back-and-forth is a reminder that mentorship and acknowledgment aren’t nearly honoring the previous—they’re about fueling the long run. 

For younger professionals like me, this can be a highly effective reminder: You may be impressed and be inspiring. You may admire your heroes whereas additionally turning into somebody that others look as much as. That’s the actual fantastic thing about breaking obstacles—you’re not simply making house for your self, you’re increasing the house for others to observe.

The grind behind the glory

We see the glamour. The awards. The journal covers. However what we don’t at all times see is the grind that occurs behind the scenes. Marlon Wayans captured this completely when he mentioned, “Success is the street you journey.” It’s not a vacation spot—it’s a journey, and that journey takes time. And as Viola Davis shared, “it’s arduous to get a job.” 

Typically, as people, we get caught up within the titles and the accolades. However Washington revealing that although he was primary on the decision sheet, a coveted slot in Hollywood, he was nonetheless not receiving essentially the most cash on set, was a actuality verify. Equally, Kevin Hart reveals that he was primary on the decision sheet for a number of movies, however none of them catapulted him to success till “Assume Like A Man.” That’s a sobering actuality that hit house for me and served as a reminder that as an expert constructing a profession, I ought to focus extra on cultivating self-discipline, expertise, and persistence somewhat than titles. As a result of on the finish of the day, many of those actors couldn’t even bear in mind the film or function they went from being thought of a novice to an knowledgeable. Nevertheless, what they do bear in mind is the work that it took to get there. 

Unapologetically embracing your superpower 

Jamie Foxx dropped one of many greatest gems when he mentioned, “My superpower is to vanish.” Foxx’s capacity to rework and totally immerse himself into any function earned him an Oscar for his iconic efficiency as Ray Charles, but it surely additionally made him a triple menace in Hollywood. He wasn’t simply appearing—he was singing, doing stand-up, and internet hosting. And he excelled in all of it. Equally, Goldberg’s confidence in her expertise and shameless and constant pursuit is what moved her by way of the business. 

What stood out to me was that Foxx and Goldberg didn’t simply acknowledge their expertise—they leaned into it. He embraced his versatility as his power, not a limitation. And that’s one thing I’m studying to do myself. We’re usually instructed to remain in a single lane, however typically, your superpower is the power to thrive in a number of areas. Whether or not you’re a author who can even produce or a marketer who is aware of the way to construct neighborhood, proudly owning that versatility may be your greatest benefit.

Breaking obstacles and redefining limits

Eddie Murphy’s rise to fame wasn’t simply unprecedented—it was uncharted. He wasn’t only a younger Black actor breaking into Hollywood; he was doing it at a degree that nobody had ever seen earlier than. “No person might give me recommendation actually. I used to be in uncharted water,” Murphy mirrored.

Equally, Will Smith confronted his personal obstacles. He was instructed that Black actors don’t translate internationally—a story that he shattered by residing what he described as “a really disciplined life.” His self-discipline, coupled together with his relentless pursuit of excellence, propelled him to change into one of many greatest film stars on this planet.

What Murphy and Smith each proved is that simply because one thing hasn’t been executed earlier than doesn’t imply it’s inconceivable. Typically, being the primary means carving a path with out a map. It means having the audacity to imagine in your imaginative and prescient when nobody else can see it.

“Typically you get a chunk of moldy clay of a job, and [you have to] mould it and form it into one thing fairly stunning,” Davis added. 

This was the reminder I didn’t know I wanted. You don’t have to attend for the right alternative or for somebody to indicate you the best way—typically, you simply must be the blueprint. Irrespective of how uncomfortable that will really feel. 

Proudly owning your narrative

On the coronary heart of “Quantity One on the Name Sheet” is a robust message: You must personal your narrative. Hollywood has an extended historical past of defining what success seems to be like for Black actors and creators, however the voices on this documentary present us that actual energy comes from taking management of your story. The documentary in itself is a testomony to the attractive energy of proudly owning your individual narrative. 

“The narratives we create are essential,” the documentary’s co-director, Sholah Lynch, defined to theGrio. “What this movie says is ‘I don’t care what’s happening on this planet outdoors. Black excellence exists.’” And it’s inspiring, like tingly inspiring.

In each the Black Main Males in Hollywood and the Black Main Ladies in Hollywood episodes, the administrators deal with the journeys of those varied A-list actors. Nevertheless, Lynch was significantly intentional in ensuring the ladies’s section highlighted these ladies as actresses and never the varied titles they could maintain of their private lives as moms, wives, and daughters. 

“We needed to deal with the ladies and actually shift the body. It’s not about their supporting workers, it’s about their profession and the way they construct on that,” she defined. 

“And so they get to be outlined by themselves,” Hudlin added. 

“Quantity One on the Name Sheet” isn’t only a celebration of Black excellence—it’s a blueprint for anybody daring to interrupt obstacles and rewrite the narrative. It taught me that success isn’t nearly being seen—it’s about making house for others, proudly owning your story, and leaving the door large open for the following era. As a result of being primary isn’t concerning the title, it’s concerning the affect. And that’s a job price ready for.

Haniyah Philogene is a Haitian-American multimedia storyteller and way of life and leisure author who covers all issues tradition. With a ardour for digital media, she goes above and past to seek out new methods to inform and share tales.