Exclusive: Eric D. Hill Jr. Talks Brotherly LovePosted by Wilson Morales
April 23, 2015
Coming out this week in limited theaters in Brotherly Love, which was written and directed by Jamal Hill and starring Keke Palmer , Cory Hardrict and newcomer Eric D. Hill Jr.
The film also features Julito McCullum, Romeo Miller, Logan Browning, Quincy Brown, Faizon Love, Macy Gray, Justin Martin, Marc John Jefferies, Little JJ, Teyana Taylor and Malik Yoba.
In West Philadelphia, born-and-raised basketball star Sergio Taylor (Eric D. Hill Jr.) deals with the early pressures of fame. Alongside older brother June (Cory Hardrict), who lost his own hoop dreams to the streets to provide for the family after their father’s death, and sister Jackie (Keke Palmer), whose own musical ambitions are sidetracked by love, Sergio faces life-altering decisions on the streets of Philly known as “The Top” and “The Bottom.”
For Eric D. Hill Jr., who plays Sergio, the role is a breakout for the Bronx native. Best known for his role in the Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black, Eric is ready to make his mark on the film scene. Having done episodic work on Law and Order and HBO’s How To Make It In America, Hill Jr. is out to showcase his talents one project at a time.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Hill Jr. about his role in Brotherly Love.
How would you describe the character that you’re playing, Sergio?
Eric D. Hill Jr.: Sergio is ultimately trying to do what’s right for his family. He’s working really hard to accomplish the goal that his family set up, which is to complete high school without any academic hitches and also trying to stay out of trouble. He’s trying to do all of this to alleviate the pressure that his brother, played by Cory Hardrict, has, which forces him into a life of crime in order to provide for his family financially.
What attracted you to the project?
Eric D. Hill Jr.: As I do with all the projects I’ve done, I had an awesome team that sent me over to the audition. The moment that I read the script, I loved it. When I initially auditioned for the role of Sergio, I had a mustache and casting director Kim Harding goes, “You should shave the mustache. You look a little order with it.” After I read my sides, I realized there are so many different layers to this film and that’s what made me super excited to go into the audition. When I finally booked the role, I was more excited.
How would you relate to Sergio?
Eric D. Hill Jr.: Sergio like myself has his entire neighborhood behind him. I grew up with a mother who really believes in me as Cory’s character June believes in Sergio. As I stumbled along the way, people around me have picked me back up. Even when I tried to hold myself down and without giving away of the film, Sergio has similar influential people around him. So that’s how I connected with him on that level.
Can you talk about working with the cast and learning from Jamal Hill?
Eric D. Hill Jr.: Starting with Jamal, when you are shooting a film that finishes in 21 days with a very short period for pre-production, that sets the foundation for chaos, and amidst all of that, Jamal maintained a level head. Every single person that’s attached to this film feels that Jamal paid attention to them. When you have that person of person handling everything that is happening, it’s very to fall in line with the culture that he presents in front of you, which is to stay focus, stay calm, and complete the task. When that trickles down to a whole bunch of actors who are naturally selfless, it creates the perfect environment for creativity which results what you see on-screen in Brotherly Love. It’s the perfect place for that to exist and to develop and to find its way into every single person that’s attached to it, whether it be one of the lead actors, one of the grips, or one of the extras. I don’t think there is anyone who can walk away from this film who was a part of it and say that they didn’t grow from the experience.
What did you learn from being on Orange is the New Black to this film?
Eric D. Hill Jr.: Working along Danielle Brooks and Lorraine Toussaint, they are so great at what they do, that it looks effortless. What people don’t realize is that when Lorraine Toussaint is in a space, one of the key things that actors have to be aware of is blocking and movement, and she’s meticulous when it comes to understanding what she wants to do. The same thing with Danielle. They just understand what’s required of them in order to work with everyone who’s trying to capture their movement. That may be the director, the DP as well as the script supervisor who keeps them on the task. Watching them and working with them, I brought all of that experience to this set. As an actor, who’s trying to do this professionally on film and television the way that I am, you spend way more time in a classroom than you do on set. I know that there are learning curves but that experience on Orange is the New Black, having filmed in the summer, and booking the role again for another set of episodes, is what I brought to Brotherly Love.
Sergio is a high school basketball player. How good are your skills or was that someone else shooting and dunking?
Eric D. Hill Jr.: I grew up in New York City and here’s what I say. I’m good enough not to get picked last in New York City. That’s how good I am. In shooting the scenes, the entire crowd was like, “Holy crap! This guy can play basketball!” I actually made those shots I took. I don’t understand why they edited the shot. I guess they wanted to create a dramatic effect for time purposes. But what’s funny is that I shoot 40% from the free throw line when it’s game time. When I had to make two straight free throws, it took me like 10 times to make it happen. When it came time to shoot a jumper, that was one shot. I just suck when it comes time for the simple stuff.
Who is the audience for this film?
Eric D. Hill Jr.: This is a film for everyone. The thing that I love about it is that. There are so many times where I see depictions of Black culture from the perspectives of people who are not in the culture. Sometimes, it’s done accurately and I can appreciate it and sometimes it’s inaccurate, and I have stuff to say. This is a film about the hood in Philly and written and directed by a brother, who’s from the hood in Philly. It’s produced by people who are from the hood and it’s a majority black cast and the producer and people behind the scene are all black. Is this a film that black people can relate to? Definitely. It’s about a culture that we are familiar with. There’s also a love story that exists. There’s a story about family and responsibility that exists. There’s a story about trust and loyalty. These are stories that exists and are prevalent in every single culture regardless where you ate social economically or the language you speak. That’s why I’m excited for the world to see this. It’s a project where I’m glad it will live forever. Although it’s a limited release, people will be able to see it on Netflix, and other areas down the road, using what language they can hear it in.
Exclusive Clip – June and Serg
