Number One, But Still Fighting: Black Women on the Call Sheet
Photo by Mathilde Hugdal on Unsplash
Call sheets are commonly used in film to efficiently display the goals of the day. While there may be breakdowns of scenes, contact information, and weather descriptions, there is often greater significance for actors. To be the first listed name on a call sheet is an achievement, a sign of an actor’s importance to the production. Number One on the Call Sheet is a documentary that delves into this phenomenon but further examines the nuance that comes with being Black actors on call sheets.
Number One on the Call Sheet is a two-part documentary that designates one part to Black men and another to Black women. Black Leading Women in Hollywood allows some of my favorite actors to share their personal anecdotes. The documentary stars like Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, and many other well-known Black women in film.
Each of the aforementioned actresses are ones that I have seen across various films growing up and learned early on by name. I then later realized that while I may have known them and figured they were well-known to everyone, they were actually “Black Famous.” In a 2022 article from the Hollywood Reporter, writer Michael Harriot wrote: “Black Famous is the gap between Black stardom and white anonymity. A person becomes “Black Famous” when most Black people know their name and face, but white people often have no clue.” Watching Number One on the Call Sheet makes this even clearer.
It is often reasoned that with visibility comes more roles for actors. This is not necessarily true for actors of color. A 2015 Vox article explains that simply being an Oscar nominee can be life-changing for actors. Various actors in Number One on the Call Sheet, like Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, and Nia Long, explain early on that there is a stark lack of opportunity even after they win awards. Even child actors like Jurnee Smollett struggled to find roles after her work in Eve’s Bayou. She says that over a period of time, her agent would tell her that a role hadn’t opened up yet, signifying to her that they were only hiring white actors. She says, “You can’t even audition, you can’t even step into that room.”
At the height of the 2024 awards season, Refinery29 asked Black nominees about their hopes for the film industry. Actresses like Amber Riley cited equal pay, while Da’Vine Joy Randolph hoped that her Best Supporting Actress Oscar win would be the beginning of opportunity. This is, unfortunately, not the case, as historic wins like Halle Berry’s still don’t make fundamental change. When talking to BuzzFeed, Halle explained that after her 2002 Best Actress win for Monster’s Ball, she still had to “make a way out of no way.” The article highlights her work ethic, that despite the lack of opportunity, Halle continues to pursue the craft she loves.
The call sheet’s weight holds more significance when the achievement is made by a Black woman. This documentary not only sheds light on the successes of these groundbreaking women but also on the perseverance it takes to reach and remain at the top. It celebrates their accomplishments while highlighting the systemic barriers they continue to face. Number One on the Call Sheet is a necessary watch—not just to honor the trailblazers, but to recognize the work still needed for true equity in Hollywood. It reminds us that visibility is only the beginning; the real goal is sustained opportunity and lasting change. What stories have resonated most with you? How can we each help shift the narrative toward inclusion and equity?
