Regina Hall: A Call To Diversify Hollywood

You will recognize her from her role in the “Scary Movie” franchise as well as “Law Abiding Citizen,” “Think Like a Man” and the TV show “Ally McBeal.” She usually plays the role of “the girl next door,” but Hall has packed a little diversity under her belt. That diversity is something she wants all of Hollywood to discover and implement.

“You know, I wish we had a diversity of stories. Which would obviously create more opportunities. I wish there were a diversity of stories that we could tell… that didn’t have to do with the same thing, and when I say that, like, if it’s a time period, does it have to be slavery? If we’re pregnant, do we have to be eating or at Church? And it’s not that we need to do away with what we have, we just need to expand it. We just need more. I feel there are a lot of stories that could be told, that would be great!” the actress explained to urban pop-culture website Urban Bridgez.

Acting isn’t Hall’s only strong suit. Originally from Washington, D.C., the actress studied journalism at New York University. Even during school, Hall knew she wanted to be an actress. With a bachelor’s and a master’s degree along with her film experience underway, Hall has made a name for herself. She is known as someone flexible and able to fill any role.

The days of being typecast should be over for Hall. She’s got a method to her practice. Since she plays a comedic role in films like “Scary Movie,” she builds that character. Instead of considering herself a comedian, Hall tries to find what makes a character funny and she builds that into her performance.

“I can just build the character that has funny nuisances. I can’t really describe it, but I try to take what’s on paper and just add to it. Just take it in the direction I can and I do that whether it’s a drama or comedy. A lot of people do ask me if I’m a comedian and I usually say no,”  Hall said with Blackfilm.com, a website dedicated to linking and cultivating the black film community.

Instead of just reading off the lines written for her character, Hall builds a character. Words, movements and facial expressions are all formed around a person. She’s making her career something of which she can be proud and hopes that it helps to open doors for other people. She sees her success (as well as the success stories of others) as something that helps further the black community.

“You know, I think every time one of us works and we do a great job, it just opens up opportunities for people. When it’s successful, people want to see more of it. I think it’s great to see a black family, a black director as well. And when you become apart of films that are successful it opens and leads to great opportunities. Not just for myself, but for other people. That’s the hope!” the actress told Urban Bridgez.

By expanding her acting abilities, Hall is able to create what she craves most out of Hollywood: diversity. She’s building on characters through movements, small nuances that might not be notices on a small scale, but is noticed in her overall performance.

-Geneva Toddy