Quendrith Johnson

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent

What are the lyrics to that old Frank Sinatra song? “Love and marriage, they go together like a horse and carriage. This I'll tell you brother. You can't have one without the other.” Of course, in Hollywood, not many people subscribe to that notion. But actor Terence Bernie Hines and writer/director Sonia Machado-Hines might convince you otherwise. Ready?

Q: What was your path to Hollywood from flipping houses?

Terence Bernie Hines: Sonia’s faith in me, and my faith in her helped us to work as a team to pour the coals on our respective fires in each other’s careers. Me, as an actor, and her as a career coach.  And sure enough, about 5 months later, I found myself in New York being directed by Ben Stiller in a movie called “the Secret Life of Walter Mitty”.

That movie opened several doors for me in my career.

Since then, I’ve done several other movies commercials and TV shows.

Sonia did very well in her career coaching, and eventually was so inspired by the business, that she decided to become a director.

Sonia has a passion to tell stories that empower women.

When she told me that, I realized if I was going to be in any of her films, I’d probably have to play the bad guy sooner or later!

And that’s exactly what I do in her latest movie.  So far she’s done quite a few shorts, and documentaries leading up to our current film “Hatshepsut”* which has gotten incredible response so far.

Q: Of course, as the writer on Hatshepsut, I know how amazing you two are when you work together, which is what inspired this Q&A. But how did you two learn to balance power roles in your marriage?

Terence Bernie Hines: Well as long as I remember she’s the boss, it’s all good!

No, but seriously, at this point in our relationship there are certain things she does and certain things I have final say on.

 Sonia Machado-Hines: As as long as we each do our job it’s all good.  We both allow each other to be the CEO of our respective careers, with the final say on what happens. But we use each other as a sounding board or advice whenever needed.

Q: When the kids came along, how did that impact your partnership?

Terence Bernie Hines: It was pretty tough because it takes time and money to care for kids properly - two things we didn’t have much of at the time our kids were born.

We had some rough times of very little sleep, and just did the best we could.

I have to credit my wife for absolutely carrying most of the load on that.

 Sonia Machado-Hines: I think it was my natural instinct as a mom to do whatever I could to take care of our children.

Q: Which project drove you guys close to the brink, and how did you solve it?

Terence Bernie Hines: Pretty much every project (LOL)!

We’re both very passionate about our work.

But seriously, I’d say the most recent project (Hatshepsut) took us to the brink, and back because we both have strong opinions, and are passionate about what we do.

It also didn’t help that I played a really evil guy in the film, had to switch from that personality fairly quickly every day while also working with her as a Producer on set at the same time! 

Sonia Machado-Hines: How we got through that was the way we get through everything.

We know at the end of the day that we love each other and are soul mates.

Even in an argument at the (heat of the) moment, I know he will always have my back and I will always have his.

Q: Did you have Hollywood power couples as a role model, and who are they?

Terence Bernie Hines & Sonia Machado-Hines:  So many! There are more power couples in Hollywood that have lasted than you think! There are certain couples we definitely admire for always having each other’s back like Jay Z and Beyoncé.

Jay Z (stepped out) on her, and she used it as ammunition to create a blockbuster album and a mini-movie!  It was ended up being biggest project of her career. He took responsibility for what he did and did a complete mea-culpa on his next album.

And they remain together stronger and wiser.

You have to respect that!

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith also have seem to really have each other’s back despite everything, as do Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.

They all seem to treat their relationships as a true partnership where even though you may mess up at times, as long as you’re willing to fix things, the partnership can stay strong despite the craziness of the entertainment industry.

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington have weathered the test of time forever.  As have Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance; Samuel Jackson and LaTanya Richardson.  All of them are both in the business, except Pauletta Washington.

You hear more about couples that split up, more than you do the ones that love each other and stay together.

TERENCE BERNIE HINES IS…

Award winning film maker and actor, Terence Bernie Hines has shared the stage and or screen with some of the great actor's in history ranging from Meryl Streep (Stuck on You) and Shirley MacLaine to Alfred Molina (Identity), Harrison Ford (Crossing Over), Beau Bridges (Rushlights), Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty). His recent starring role in the Independent Film “Raising Buchanan” recently won the Best Dramedy Award at the 2019 NY Indie Film Festival. Terence broke onto the scene in the Farrelly Brothers' "Stuck on You." He's been seen on the small screen in such shows as "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia", "ER", "My Name is Earl," and "Raising Hope." He lent his comedic skills to the YouTube sensation "Jedi Gym" and has been featured in a slew of national and international commercials for such iconic brands as Disneyland, Sprint, Nissan and Southwest Airlines and Direct TV. His famous "I Feel Great!" Nutrigrain commercial has been downloaded millions of times on YouTube. Terence has been on set with Oscar alums Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Cher, and Meryl Streep. He's since been seen in dozens of film and television roles.

SONIA MACHADO-HINES IS…

Sonia Machado-Hines is a director, producer and entertainment executive who focuses on not just her own work, but also on helping visionaries realize their own potential success. Sonia Machado-Hines was born and partially raised in Havana. Her native Cuban roots have instilled in her a high work ethic that is inspired by the love of many cultures, which enhances the quality of her work.Her production company Black ++ Productions was inspired as a result of her success with producers, writers and other Hollywood executives over the years, and now the New Hollywood. Sonia Machado-Hines first foray in the industry is the dramatic short "Karbouj." Shot partially in Beirut, it explores the impact of family ties (or sad lack thereof) through the simple act of cooking. She studied at Purdue University, and Sonia began a career coaching business for Entertainment Professionals in 2004, and was promptly awarded the title of "Emerging Business Of The Year" by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Sonia is on the fundraising committee of the esteemed Women in Film organization and a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.Sonia works with the non-profit programs at NYFest and LAFest founded by good friend, Dylan Leiner - Executive Vice President of Sony Pictures Classics, and Jeff Saunders in New York City. Most recently she partnered up with Eileen Fisher to present a documentary on woman’s health in certain stores in the upscale fashion designer’s stores.  She also has another upcoming documentary on the sensational “Hiplet” (hip-hop ballet) ballerinas of Chicago and the route out of the ghetto it’s giving to so many of them.

(HATSHEPSUT, their short film, directed by Sonia Machado-Hines, starring Kelsey Scott and Terence Bernie Hines, also a producer, opens 9/13 at the Santa Monica Laemmle for Oscar consideration, Best Live Action Short Film category, for 92nd Academy Awards in 2020.)

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