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An Interview with Pooch Hall of TV's “The Game”
By Mary DeBerry

“Pooch” Marion Hall is one of the stars that shine in the television series, “The Game”. A spin-off from “Girlfriends”, “The Game” is about the up and down relationships of three women and the men in their lives that play for a professional football team. The team is the fictional San Diego Sabers. Hall stars as the ambitious rookie of the team, Derwin Davis.

I discovered in this young man, “Pooch” Hall, much more than meets the eye. And, if I may indulge my girl self for a moment, I have to say - girls, hold on to your hearts! Hall has no trouble filling out the football uniform with his muscularly fit frame. His eyes are intense and warm, and I could just feel the charm oozing through the phone lines during our recent interview. And it was honest charm – not oily charm.

(Whew! Back to professional self.) All of Hollywood knows that looks will only take you so far. To truly be successful you need a lot more to back it up. Hall not only brings talent to the table; he also brings determination, focus, a solid work ethic, a good business sense and an optimistic but well-grounded attitude. “Your circumstances change” intimates Hall, “so your responsibilities change”.

It's easy not to notice Hall's depth at first since he has so much charm and personality. But after chatting with him recently, I found out at the center of all that looks, charm and talent is a man with his head on straight. Despite his success and his substantially larger paychecks, he keeps a balance in his life that allows him to keep looking ahead. “This a lot more money than I've ever had before” admits Hall. “But the best part is the larger opportunities” that this current gig has opened up for him.

While on hiatus for three weeks from “The Game”, most cast members are vacationing. But Hall is not complacent. He is hustling around town doing interviews, promotions and more auditions. “This is the kind of part [on “The Game”] that allows me to audition for bigger roles” Hall says happily. Last week he was flown in for talks with Brian De Palma about a part in De Palma's next film, “Redacted”.

Hall says he makes sure to learn from every experience. He gives credit to his cast mates on “The Game” for helping him grow as an actor. Hall says working opposite Tia Mowry (from the WB's “Sister, Sister”), as Derwin's girlfriend, Melanie, is a fantastic experience. “Our parts are more straightforward or normal”, says Hall – as opposed to many sitcom characters that play strictly for laughs. “We do drama and comedy”, which Hall is grateful for. “Being able to play someone very close to yourself is the best part”.

Also starring in “The Game” are Wendy Raquel Robinson (from “The Steve Harvey Show”), Brittany Daniel (from the series “Sweet Valley High”), Coby Bell (from “Third Watch”), and Malik Wright (“For Your Love”). Hall credits the entire cast with helping to make the series a success. “There's so much talent and good people on the set, and I have fun there every day”.

On another television series, “Pepper Dennis”, Hall played a character named “Garfield”. He reports that there was a “great vibe” and some “very good chemistry” on the set. But the ratings didn't follow so, unfortunately, the series, starring Rebecca Romnijn, was canceled.

Hall was cast in a Spike Lee film in New York called “Miracle's Boys”. I asked what it was like working with such an icon. “I learned so much about the craft from him”, reports Hall. Then there's Hall's horror film with Snoop Dog. Hall laughs heartily. “You got to do your horror film”, says Hall. Just let everyone know. You got to do it”.

Hall is a real athlete. He still maintains the discipline that took him to a Southern New England Golden Gloves win in 1994. You can hear the focus and dedication in his voice. He also credits coming out of New England (he was born in Brockton, MA) and spending time in New York for his mental toughness. “That all helped me not be afraid of anything” says Hall.

“You've got to keep at it”, he advises. “It took years of really hard work for me to get where I am.” If you don't have an automatic “in” with the Hollywood system, “you just have to keep working really hard” to make your dream come true. Hall is quick to credit others with his success, too.

It was Boston that first discovered me”, says Hall. “I have to thank Tyghe & Doyle Casting”. Hall also says that he's gotten some solid advice from his agents and lawyers. He was advised at just the right time to make the move from New York to LA. Marni Rosenzweig at the Abrams Artists Agency represents Hall in California.

Hall's biggest concern about his career is avoiding stereotype. Unfortunately in Hollywood, once you have been “categorized” or attached to one character or type, it is hard to escape it. Hall has so much to offer as an actor, and is so hard-working, I don't think he will have to worry about playing football players for the rest of his career. And he should continue to have a dedicated fan base. His accessibility is enviable, and he remembers where he came from.

I received the honor of this interview because the founder of Image Icon Entertainment, Jamie Benti, has a history with Hall. Benti and Hall car-pooled together back and forth to New York for auditions a years ago. Hall was enthusiastic about his old friend. “When I first met Jamie”, reminisces Hall “I saw a mirror image of myself. I saw that same drive and dedication. It does not surprise me that Jamie has been successful in his own way in his own [neighborhood].” Benti is a filmmaker, artist and entrepreneur who recently finished up the first annual Ruff Cutz Film Conference in Boston, MA. Benti has numerous other business ventures in different stages of development as well as independent acting gigs.

As for advice to other people who want to make it in the acting business Hall insists that they “can't take it too seriously”. Hall says this is a mistake many young people make. “You have to do it because you love it - because you are having the time of your life. The only thing you have control over is yourself. If you take it all too seriously, it gets in the way”.

A casting director can make a huge difference in your career advises Hall. “When the producer and director walk into an audition, they often already know who they want for the part. So it pays for you to focus on the audition and do the absolute best job you can with it and have fun! If you walk out of there and know you did the best you could, and you had fun, that's a win. But the casting people may remember you and may hire you as a backup, or for another job. If you actually book the gig from an audition, that's a bonus.”

Hall has a new film coming out in May 2007 called “Blind Dating” in which he stars with Chris Pine. “Blind Dating” is a comedy of errors involving a relationship complicated by gender and cultural differences. Hall is excited about the film's release.

I found myself smiling through the night after the interview. Hall is so smart, talented, charming and accessible. Before we hung up the phone Hall said, “Mary, let's do this again.” Absolutely Mr. Hall. Anytime, anywhere, I'll be there.