CAMILLIA RAZO NBC, Manager, Program and Talent Contracts - Artículo Breve

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2002 by Haydee Vicedo

Quick Facts:

* Member of the National Notary Association

* An active producer; she worked on such projects as: "A Salute to Latinos In Television" and "Diversity in Motion: Resurrection Boulevard/Soul Food" for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

For more information, please contact: Email: camille.razo@nbc.com

One would bet that there are a lot of people out there who would commit interesting acts to find out what's in our favorite television star's contract. Does Jay Leno require a special parking lot for his bevy of cars? Do the Friends cast members need extra room for their grooming aids? Are these types of requests even really that prevalent in the entertainment industry? It would certainly take a special type of person to work and negotiate with the self-absorbed and diverse set of entertainers that run amuck in the television industry. Fortunately for National Broadcasting Company (NBC), one woman, a very fierce and knowledgeable Mexican-American, is manning the booths with over thirty years of industry experience. This incredible mujer is Camillia Razo.

California-born Camillia has certainly carved her own niche at NBC, heading the network's contracts and negotiations process at their Burbank, California headquarters. What began as a total coincidence became a lifelong career for this lady. An entertainment paralegal by trade, she was first hired in to the Law Department and has remained with the network for three decades. It's a love-love relationship between Camillia and NBC; she loves her job and colleagues and they hold her in the highest esteem. "If you work hard, you prove yourself, and you get the job done, you'll be fine," she states nonchalantly, citing this quick recipe for success as her badge of honor. Modest in nature but innately confident, Camillia still offers the old school "working hard and following your heart" adage as a surefire way to success. Growing up in Los Angeles, Camillia experienced being part of the only Latino family in their Westside neighborhood. Even through a lot of the taunts and teasing that she endured from being "different", she is thankful that her parents gladly moved into the upper-middle class neighborhood when the family's financial situation brightened. She credits being around various types of people as a source of much strength. For Camillia, in order for one to move out of their closed perceptions of the world, they should diversify their surroundings (physically and mentally).

The wonderful thing about Camillia is that even though she's now a part of the higher echelons in the entertainment industry, she does not and will not forget to help those who are just starting out; specifically minorities in the industry. An active member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Camillia was personally asked by the CEO to chair a committee that would help diversify the organization. For two years Camillia met and worked with numerous talented individuals who, for one reason or another, could not break into the industry without help. She understands that it's important to uplift those around her, even though she herself is riding high on her successes.

Currently Camillia is still putting her words into action by being involved in various notable projects. Besides the Academy, she just joined the Imagen Foundation as a Board Member and will be working closely with the organization's goal to bring forth talented Latino/as into the spotlight. She has also been involved with Women In Film since 1982; capturing an Outstanding Member award in the 1980s. Camillia sincerely believes in helping the younger generation to the next level. Growing up in the 1960s, she struggled firsthand without visible Latin role models to look up to, and managed to make a visible crack in the glass ceiling. Luckily for the next wave of fierce women getting ready to beat down the barriers, we have Camillia Razo to look up to.