(C) 2014 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may
be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from
Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.
Erica Hubbard - TV
By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
www.twitter.com and Facebook (Like Me)
Erica Hubbard
Charms The Little Screen
With Class!
Photos
Courtesy of BET
|
Erica Hubbard |
Staying busy with work as an actor is a
lofty chore in tensile town. So when one is blessed enough to land two series
back to back that have lasted four seasons each, this is really something to
tell the captain. Erica Hubbard has had roles come and go but the two series
thing is rare especially for actors of color. Fans will fondly remember Hubbard
as Cassie Sutton on The ABC-Family Network’s hit drama series “Lincoln Heights,” that ran for four
seasons. Now she is the mainstay younger sister Kita Whitmore on the hit
BET series “Let’s Stay Together,” which
has entered its fourth season. It is very rare for a series to last four
seasons these days considering that the average pilot is lucky to get picked up
then only see five episodes air before being cancelled. What factors does
Hubbard attribute to her show’s longevity? She reflects, “I’m so happy to say
that I have been on two series that have been on for four years or more because
there is a formula. Most definitely it starts with the writing. When you have
brilliant writers and a talented cast and crew, it all works. When you do these
productions you just can’t put this stuff together. You can’t just hire this
friend and that friend; you really have to pick people who are talented.”
Hubbard explains the magic formula
further. “When it comes down to writing, people must have stories to tell and
brilliant stories so we can act them out and perform them and people can be
intrigued by our performances. And also the chemistry. I know this year people
are tweeting me about Kita and Troy, Kita and Troy. So I love working with
Christian Keyes who plays my love interest and I think chemistry is the best
component you can have when you’re casting and when you are actually working on
a production. You have to be able to love and like the person that you’re
working opposite with and it brings something to life. When I did “Lincoln
Heights,” I really, truly enjoyed working with Robert Adamson who was my love
interest Charles on that show. So a well rounded cast will help production last
many, many seasons.”
|
Erica Hubbard as Kita Whitmore |
Of course having one of Al Green’s biggest
hits “Let’s Stay Together” was a slick attention getter for the show to kick it
off. Hubbard agrees saying, “I absolutely agree with you that titles mean
everything. It’s catchy (the show’s title), and basically it speaks for itself
let’s stay together. And that’s what we’re trying to send out to the community.
Everybody in a relationship work it out and I think people get it.”
Every individual in Hollywood who made it
had their own way of doing it. There are no set a rules, procedures or secrets.
What would Hubbard suggest for those Hollywood hopefuls who plan to venture
out? She laughs, Hang around people who are already established in the
industry. Professional business people; hang around and see if you can get
mentored by them. Personally, I did a lot of theater and you had people in
there who already had agents and managers and were working professionals. They
always referred me saying you should see this person or that person. So I
stayed busy doing a lot of stage work with this group called “Town Street”
theater and I got a lot of mentors from that organization and ended up working
doing a lot of television and film from referrals and people requesting me from
seeing me on stage.”
©
2014 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM
(You
DID Hear It From Me!)
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)