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American Morning

Interview of John Singleton, Director

Aired March 22, 2002 - 08:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: It is, of course, Hollywood's biggest night, and on Sunday, the Oscars could also make some history. Three African-Americans are nominated in the major acting categories. It's just the second time that's happened. This year, Will Smith in "Ali" and Denzel Washington in "Training Day" are up for best actor, and Halle Berry is nominated for best actress in "Monster's Ball."

Now, if one of them wins, it will be only the second time an African-American has walked away with the gold statue in the acting categories. Is the tide turning in Tinsel Town? Will Oscar be color blind? Joining us now from Los Angeles, director John Singleton. He was, of course, nominated for an Academy Award in 1991 for his film "Boys in the Hood," and we are very pleased to have him with us. Good morning, thanks for being with us.

JOHN SINGLETON, DIRECTOR: Good morning.

COOPER: Three African-American nominees in the top acting category. Is this a sign of real change in Hollywood?

SINGLETON: I think it's a significant sign, but I'd be careful to make too much of a snap judgment about it. I mean, they're all three great, talented people, but they're all three are very established actors. It's not as if, you know, three obscure black actors came out of nowhere with phenomenal performances and then, boom, there were Academy Award nominations.

COOPER: I've heard even Denzel Washington saying in print that it is hard for him to find good roles, good scripts. Do you think that is true for -- and he is the top -- arguably, the top African- American actor.

SINGLETON: That's a blanket statement for any actor in Hollywood, it's hard to find good material.

COOPER: Are the roles out there for African-American actors and actresses?

SINGLETON: I think the roles are very limited for any ethic actor in Hollywood. It's -- look at black actresses. It's phenomenal that Halle was able to secure that role, but for black actresses, it's worse than anything. I think it's better for black males than it is for black actresses. COOPER: Is there a moment -- if change has come, any level of change, is there a moment that you point to and say, that made a difference, that was the beginning of the change?

SINGLETON: I'd say a lot of people don't really think about this, but there was a year, in 1989 for the '88 Oscars, that Eddie Murphy went up to present best -- it was the best picture Oscar, and he made a statement, and he said he probably wouldn't get an Oscar in the future for this, but he made a statement about how the Academy traditionally hadn't been very forthcoming for the achievements of African-Americans, and it brought out a kind of a -- it was slow pause, and a quiet hush, and a couple boos in the audience. But if you look back from that moment on, there were like several years where people were either nominated or won, right after Eddie Murphy made that statement, Denzel won his Oscar for best supporting actor for "Glory," Whoopi Goldberg won for "Ghost." Morgan Freeman was nominated, I was nominated. So there was a slew of years, I don't know, maybe five, six years right after Eddie made that statement that there was a succession of African-Americans being considered in major categories.

COOPER: As you mentioned, you were nominated in 1991 for best director. It's pretty amazing to realize there have been no African- Americans nominated in that category since then. Has there been change behind the scenes for directors, for producers?

SINGLETON: I think there has been -- the most significant change within Hollywood for African-Americans has been behind the scenes. I think that it has been great that -- I guess two of the nominees up this year, Denzel for "Training Day" -- Denzel was directed by a young black man named Antoine Fuqua, and Halle's film was produced by a young black man. I forget his name, I think his name is Lee.

I mean, those are very significant changes, because, you know, if you look at the history of American film, with African-American actors or talent, most of the people behind the scenes have not traditionally been black. So for me, I think that's the most significant change.

COOPER: Critics have also pointed to the fact that there are not many African-Americans who are actually in the voting pool for the Academy Awards.

SINGLETON: That's true. I mean, the Academy Awards -- the Academy is like a high school. It's -- actually smaller than most high schools. There's like 6,000 people in it, and, you know, it's not really reflective of, I guess, America at large. You know, Hollywood is such a very insular community. It's like a small club, and, you know, you have to -- I guess one of the rules for getting in the Academy are you have to be nominated or you have to do a succession of films, at least four or five films. And there are very few people in this business that make maybe two films.

COOPER: All right, well, thanks very much for joining us, John Singleton. We will see if -- what happens Sunday night. I agree with you, I always say Hollywood is like high school with money.

SINGLETON: Yes, it is. I'll be there, though. I can't wait to see the outcome.

COOPER: All right. Well, we'd love to talk to you after the Academy Awards, and see what happens. Thanks very much for being with us, John Singleton.

SINGLETON: OK.

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