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| Vondie-Curtis Hall: Actor, Writer, Filmmaker by: Herndon Davis |
| Vondie-Curtis Hall with wife, filmmaker, Kasi Lemmons |
| Vondie-Curtis Hall, Actor, Writer, Filmmaker |
| Scroll Down to see Movie Trailer for Waist Deep |
Copyrighted 2006
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of
The Herndon Davis Reports. He can be reached directly at
http://herndondavis.com
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of
The Herndon Davis Reports. He can be reached directly at
http://herndondavis.com
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He’s portrayed everything from a thug to a transsexual to
a medical doctor. He’s directed a list of who’s who such
as Jaime Foxx, Lynn Whitfield, Mariah Carey, Tyrese,
The Game, and the late Tupac Shakur.
In fact the word longevity could actually be his middle
name as for the past 25 years he has been attached to
over 60 different projects spanning television, film, and
theatre both in front of and behind the camera.
Finally, his newest film Waist Deep, a movie which he
wrote and directed hits theaters on June 23. His name is
Vondie-Curtis Hall, a husband, father, and an undeniable
Hollywood talent.
Sitting on such high credentials, it’s tempting to think that
Vondie suddenly blew up overnight but in actuality he’s
worked for nearly three decades in the business. While
performing on Broadway back in the 80’s he was inspired
by a new crop of upstart filmmakers coming onto the
scene such as Spike Lee. Soon Vondie promised himself
that he would follow in their footsteps.
“I was really kinda inspired by [Spike Lee’s] ‘She’s Got
of Have It.’ These were the black people who I
recognized and who I knew and I wanted to do that”
Vondie explained.
Instantly he started strategizing on how to get from
Broadway to film. He first started by asking himself the
obvious “How much can I learn and how can I learn it? I
joined BAF (Black Association of Filmmakers) and started
to hang out in those circles” he explained. In addition,
Vondie also started film school in order to develop his
craft further.
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Soon he started working as an assistant, then as a camera operator, and later progressed to shooting documentaries in New York before finally moving out west to
LA. Once in Los Angeles he enrolled at UCLA in film directing and later took additional courses at AFI (American Film Institute) continuously learning and
developing his technique.
After spending the 80’s in New York City performing on Broadway and starring in two mega-hit musicals, Lena Horne’s The Lady and Her Music and in
Dreamgirls; his newly directed focus in filmmaking and acting made an even larger impact.
He took Hollywood by storm throughout the 1990’s as he fluidly swam between motion pictures and television starring in films such as Die Hard 2, Passion Fish,
The Mambo Kings, Sugar Hill, South Central, The Drop Squad, and Crooklyn plus a four year television stint on the CBS drama, Chicago Hope.
In addition, he made notable guest appearances on everything from China Beach, LA Law, to I’ll Fly Away. But as we entered into the new millennium, Hall’s roles
were stretched even further when he guest starred on the NBC hospital drama, ER, for which he was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of a transsexual.
From there he did stints on the Sopranos, Soul Food, and in last year’s LAX.
From a film perspective, he’s directed an A-List of celebrities from the late Tupac Shakur in Gridlock’d, Mariah Carey in Glitter, Jaime Foxx in Redemption to his
newest film directing Tyrese, The Game, and Larenz Tate in Waist Deep.
“I’ve been blessed. I’m just always trying to change” he says of his diverse career in entertainment. So what exactly inspires Vondie’s passion to pursue such
diverse theatrical, television, and film roles?
LA. Once in Los Angeles he enrolled at UCLA in film directing and later took additional courses at AFI (American Film Institute) continuously learning and
developing his technique.
After spending the 80’s in New York City performing on Broadway and starring in two mega-hit musicals, Lena Horne’s The Lady and Her Music and in
Dreamgirls; his newly directed focus in filmmaking and acting made an even larger impact.
He took Hollywood by storm throughout the 1990’s as he fluidly swam between motion pictures and television starring in films such as Die Hard 2, Passion Fish,
The Mambo Kings, Sugar Hill, South Central, The Drop Squad, and Crooklyn plus a four year television stint on the CBS drama, Chicago Hope.
In addition, he made notable guest appearances on everything from China Beach, LA Law, to I’ll Fly Away. But as we entered into the new millennium, Hall’s roles
were stretched even further when he guest starred on the NBC hospital drama, ER, for which he was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of a transsexual.
From there he did stints on the Sopranos, Soul Food, and in last year’s LAX.
From a film perspective, he’s directed an A-List of celebrities from the late Tupac Shakur in Gridlock’d, Mariah Carey in Glitter, Jaime Foxx in Redemption to his
newest film directing Tyrese, The Game, and Larenz Tate in Waist Deep.
“I’ve been blessed. I’m just always trying to change” he says of his diverse career in entertainment. So what exactly inspires Vondie’s passion to pursue such
diverse theatrical, television, and film roles?
“I’m always trying to find something in a character that’s seeking change. [In] all the movies that I do and direct I find people who are characters who are trying to
change their lives.”
This similar theme can also be seen in his latest film which took about 3 years from initial re-write to finally getting it into movie theaters this coming June 23. Shot
in 37 days on location in Los Angeles, Hall describes the movie as an urban “Bonnie and Clyde.” He adds that it’s an “urban picture” where you’ll “find something
that has heart, some divinity while still having the trappings or inspiration of the various humility of urban life.”
He adds that the movie is “set against the hottest day of the summer with protesters against gang violence and police apathy and the problems that are faced in
urban core communities.” In addition there’s a father –son story line about a “black man and his son, who he will do anything for…I don’t see that movie being
made” he quips.
change their lives.”
This similar theme can also be seen in his latest film which took about 3 years from initial re-write to finally getting it into movie theaters this coming June 23. Shot
in 37 days on location in Los Angeles, Hall describes the movie as an urban “Bonnie and Clyde.” He adds that it’s an “urban picture” where you’ll “find something
that has heart, some divinity while still having the trappings or inspiration of the various humility of urban life.”
He adds that the movie is “set against the hottest day of the summer with protesters against gang violence and police apathy and the problems that are faced in
urban core communities.” In addition there’s a father –son story line about a “black man and his son, who he will do anything for…I don’t see that movie being
made” he quips.
There’s also a romantic element in the movie which is introduced by Megan Goode’s character which gives it a Bonnie and Clyde flavor. In terms of casting, Hall
was very clear about what he wanted. In fact two of entertainment’s biggest stars are in the movie.
For Tyrese’s character, Vondie wanted a “good looking, strong, sexy guy, so I waited for him.”
For The Game, he wanted “somebody who really was from where the movie takes place. Same with Tyrese. [The Game] wanted to do the movie, he’s got the
right vibe, and not overexposed as a film actor. This is his first movie, major motion picture. He’s great in the movie and I felt I could work with him and get
what I wanted for this character.”
For Larenz Tate’s character, “I wanted something where there could be some humor, but have a solid actor in that role and not have a comedian. I wanted a solid
strong actor. I’ve wanted to work with Larenz for a long time. Since Menace I’ve wanted to work with him.”
And for Megan Goode’s character, who burst onto the scene in the 1997 movie, Eve’s Bayou, which ironically was directed by Vondie’s, wife Kasi Lemmons, he
explained that “this character has a great arc. I really needed a strong actor, some eye candy, but someone who would do a great job.”
Life it seems for the Hall family revolves around film and acting. Vondie’s wife, director Kasi Lemmons is shooting her fourth film in Candada, titled Talk to Me.
Kasi along with one of Vondie’s sons also star in Waist Deep.
Finally, Vondie’s biggest advice to anyone seeking similar career paths is to do just what he did when he enrolled in film school and took enrichment courses to
develop his craft. “Get the tools, get the tools in order to be able to compete. Get as many tools as you can. Approach it as a business, not if I don’t get famous
in three years I’m going to quit.”
was very clear about what he wanted. In fact two of entertainment’s biggest stars are in the movie.
For Tyrese’s character, Vondie wanted a “good looking, strong, sexy guy, so I waited for him.”
For The Game, he wanted “somebody who really was from where the movie takes place. Same with Tyrese. [The Game] wanted to do the movie, he’s got the
right vibe, and not overexposed as a film actor. This is his first movie, major motion picture. He’s great in the movie and I felt I could work with him and get
what I wanted for this character.”
For Larenz Tate’s character, “I wanted something where there could be some humor, but have a solid actor in that role and not have a comedian. I wanted a solid
strong actor. I’ve wanted to work with Larenz for a long time. Since Menace I’ve wanted to work with him.”
And for Megan Goode’s character, who burst onto the scene in the 1997 movie, Eve’s Bayou, which ironically was directed by Vondie’s, wife Kasi Lemmons, he
explained that “this character has a great arc. I really needed a strong actor, some eye candy, but someone who would do a great job.”
Life it seems for the Hall family revolves around film and acting. Vondie’s wife, director Kasi Lemmons is shooting her fourth film in Candada, titled Talk to Me.
Kasi along with one of Vondie’s sons also star in Waist Deep.
Finally, Vondie’s biggest advice to anyone seeking similar career paths is to do just what he did when he enrolled in film school and took enrichment courses to
develop his craft. “Get the tools, get the tools in order to be able to compete. Get as many tools as you can. Approach it as a business, not if I don’t get famous
in three years I’m going to quit.”
| Tyrese Gibson (left) and Meagan Good (right) star in Vondie-Curtis Hall's WAIST DEEP, a Rogue Pictures release. |
| Actor, Larenz Tate stars in Vondie-Curtis Hall's WAIST DEEP, a Rogue Pictures release. |
| Compton's own the Game (aka Jayceon Taylor) stars in Vondie-Curtis Hall's WAIST DEEP, a Rogue Pictures release. |
| |||||||||
| Scroll Down to see Movie Trailer for Waist Deep |