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Vicangelo Bulluck The NAACP Image Awards Interview with Kam Williams
Hollywood Power Broker Vicangelo Bulluck is the Executive Producer of the NAACP's 38th Image Awards. Despite his stature, Vic, a mild-mannered Renaissance Man, is utterly unpretentious, evidence of an executive who's secure with his station in life.
In his dual capacity as an Executive Director/Producer of the venerable organization's Hollywood chapter and its Awards show, he is dedicated to building bridges designed to provide opportunities to all qualified people of color. Under the capable leadership of NAACP President/CEO Bruce S. Gordon, Vic is committed to making major strides in the prestige that the Image Award carries for its honorees.
Bulluck promises that this year's show, which is set to air live Friday March 2nd at 8PM on Fox (check local listings), will be the best yet. Here, he weighs-in on his work and on what the Image Awards have come to represent.
Kam Williams (KW): How would you describe what you do as director of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and Executive Producer of the Image Awards?
Vicangelo Bulluck (VB): Well, obviously, I have a variety of different responsibilities' ongoing responsibilities as to the NAACP's diversity initiatives in Hollywood and working with the networks in regards to employment of minorities in front of and behind the cameras. Then there is the seasonal work of the Image Awards and overseeing the production of that program.
KW: When does planning for an Image Awards show begin?
VB: It starts as early as the day after the last one finished.
KW: Who picks the air date?
VB: The date is chosen in coordination with the NAACP and Fox, the Network that broadcasts the show.
KW: What do you have to say to those people who think the NAACP has outlived its usefulness, especially since it still has the seemingly outdated term ’colored’ in the name of the organization.
VB: These are two different issues you're raising. The name and the use of colored people, on one level, may be perceived as dated, and then on another level, it's perceived as progressive. If you talk about just in the context of African American, to be colored may feel dated, but if you talk about the colored people of the world, it's progressive. The NAACP is essentially a civil rights, human rights organization that came about because of the injustices against the African-American community. We maintain the work we do in the African-American community, but we also feel there are lessons to be learned for all colored people around the world and all those who are suffering under any form of oppression, which is why the NAACP also is active internationally. In regards to people feeling that it's a dated organization, all I can say is the NAACP is still very active, it's very vital. The African-American community has come a long way, but there are still many issues taking place daily that center around the inequities of race. Whether it's the work place where reports continually verify there is discrimination based on race and color, education or health disparities. The NAACP has remained continually active fighting on behalf of disenfranchised people. So, those who feel that the organization is dated and done with are probably not people who are politically aware.
KW: Why are the Image awards so important especially since there are other award shows that also recognize achievers of color?
VB: That may be true but the Image Awards was here first. If you just look at the legacy of those who have been recognized by the Image Awards in the past, like mega stars Ellie Fitzgerald and Sammy Davis Jr., it's a qualitative difference between what we do and what takes place on other Award Shows. I can actually only think of two others, and the Image Awards is the only one airing on a primetime network.
KW: I assume that the idea of the Image Awards is to honor outstanding people of color in entertainment, but with limited roles on movies and television for those artists, it appears the same actors are being nominated each year. Aren’t some outstanding artists being overlooked somehow?
VB: I think there is some truth in that. I think the other truth is that our communities are very loyal loving fans and so when they take that performer or artist to heart they track that artist for a long time. We have had people that anytime they were nominated you wouldn’t want to be in the category competing against them. Whether it was back in the day when Della Reese, Luther Vandross or Denzel Washington won for a stretch. I think you do see lots of changes as new talent comes along.
KW: I've felt some frustration in the past over the small pool from which the Image Awards winners seem to be selected.
VB: That's kinds the nature of award shows in general. The nominees are picked by a committee but then vote on individually. So, it's not like there's a gathering where they go ’Oh wow. Let's vote for so-and-so.’ I think if you look at the history of all award shows, the unfortunate reality is that an actor's first major performance rarely gets any recognition. It's the body of work that's tends to get rewarded.
KW: If the NAACP is representing people of all colors, how come the nominees are always black?
VB: This year, we have America Ferrera, George Lopez and Penelope Cruz. And in our independent Foreign Film Category we have ’Curse of the Golden Flower’ and ’Volver.’ Mario Vasquez is also nominated as Outstanding New Artist and Dora the Explorer is up for Outstanding Children's Programming. The point is that the nomination process is open in that regard.
KW: Anything new about this year's show?
VB: We are going live, so people will get to know who wins as the envelope is opened. We’ll be taping at 5pm on the West Coast, and simultaneously airing live at 8pm for the East Coast.
KW: How do you think that will change the program?
VB: We’ll just have to be tight and punctual.
KW: Good luck with it.
VB: Thanks.
Related Links
Report on the 38th NAACP Image Awards
http://reviews.aalbc.com/38th_naacp_image_awards.htm