Reginald and Alexander in a biplane
Reginald and Alexander Hudlin prepare for a biplane flight over Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate Alexander’s 7th birthday.
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Reginald and Alexander Hudlin prepare for a biplane flight over Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate Alexander’s 7th birthday.
Comment + PermalinkMy first experience as a freelance director (as opposed to directing material I developed) came from me meeting Steven Bochco at a birthday party of a mutual friend. I introduced myself and asked him why, in his expert opinion, haven’t black dramas succeeded on television. He said funny you should ask that since he was doing a black medical drama that fall and by asking I had just volunteered myself to work on the project.
The show was CITY OF ANGELS and the cast included Blair Underwood, Vivica Fox, Hill Harper, Maya Rudolph (great in a dramatic role), Viola Davis, Octavia Spenser, a young actress named Gabrielle Union,….I even got to work with Ossie Davis in a guest appearance.
As the creator of the modern television drama with shows like HILL STREET BLUES, LA LAW, NYPD BLUE and many more, Bochco runs a tight ship but it’s a fun cruise. Working there taught me television and I use those lessons everyday.
Steven and I became friends and we would hang out personally. When my then girlfriend would leave the table at dinner, he would grab my arm and tell me I was an idiot if I didn’t marry that girl right away. Two kids and over a decade later, he was very right.
I know it doesn’t look like it but we’re actually having fun together in this shot!
I’ve been lucky enough to work with Steven on several shows, but the MURDER IN THE FIRST experience was exceptional. It was old home week with some of the best crew people in the business who are always there for Steven, and an amazing cast including the very quick witted Taye Diggs; the awe-inspiring James Cromwell, who delivers two page monologues with the greatest of ease; and Tom Felton who is as nice in person as he is awful as his character. The entire cast was spectacular and we spent a lot of time pitching each other ideas for season two.
Me and Taye Diggs on the set of MURDER IN THE FIRST. Boy, that guy is handsome!
Me and Tom Fenton on the set of MURDER IN THE FIRST. Magical.
The show debuted to great ratings; I directed episode six. Check it out.
Talk about it on HEF – the Hudlin Entertainment Forum
Comment + PermalinkComing Wed, September 3rd
Marcus Miller and I have been working together since I asked him to score the original HOUSE PARTY back in 1989. From BOOMERANG to the pilot of EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, we had a lot of success together.
Our latest collaboration is BLACK MOVIE MUSIC, a celebration of black music in the movies from STORMY WEATHER through SHAFT, SUPERFLY, PURPLE RAIN all the way through to HAPPY! The music will feature the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Marcus Miller and an all-star band, and all kinds of guest stars and cool video clips from your favorite movies. Here’s a video I did to give to give you a feel for the event:
This has nothing to do with my concert but here’s recent footage of Marcus Miller in Morocco jamming with Moustapha Baqbou at Festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde.
Me and fellow director Allison Anders on the set of MURDER IN THE FIRST
James Cromwell and I on the set of MURDER IN THE FIRST
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