Meet Eddie Bailey | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eddie Bailey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eddie, how do you think about risk?

In my opinion, there are two types of risks; a leap of faith and a calculated risk.

It had been a year since I graduated from Howard University, and I was living in Virginia with my mom trying to figure out my next move. I had always wanted to move to New York, so I decided to room with a classmate who was living in Brooklyn until I got on my feet.

When I moved to Brooklyn, I had about $20 to my name. My bank account got closed due to non-payments, I didn’t have a cell phone, and I wasn’t entirely sure of how I would make it. Fortunately, I had a great counselor, Ms. Carol Dudley, who connected me with someone running a boutique production company in New York. Through this connection, I started interning. Subsequently, I started connecting with some folks that I went to school with who were working in the industry, and I became part of a network that started my career in production.

That is an example of a leap of faith – stepping into the unknown with your eyes wide shut, and praying your feet land on solid ground. Twenty years later, I am a bit more conservative in my risk taking endeavors.

When I decided to make my first feature film, Memphis Majic, I was deeply prudent in my approach. I had and still have a weekly contracted position as a producer and editor at a cable TV station. Films cost money, and I used that money along with money that I was making on the freelance circuit to fund my film. The making of the film required that I had to be in Memphis, so I had to have my trips planned out with great detail to avoid wasting time and money. I hired a crew that shared my vision, and one that I could afford, I employed all that I learned in TV over twenty years, looked at a lot of YouTube videos on DIY filmmaking, built a team, adopted a marketing strategy, and made a feature movie that eventually got distribution.

That is an example of a calculated risk. It requires that you make every move count because there is little to no time to be wasted in the abstract.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am a filmmaker who makes films about race, the complexities of life and relationships, and how policy impacts our culture and destinies. I find myself more interested in how policy informs our culture, and I use that approach whenever I produce or direct a film.

With regard to me getting to where I am today, it took a lot of work, time, and knowing the right people. I could be cliché and tell you that it only takes talent and hard work but I would be lying. Who you know matters, and who likes working with you matters.

Lastly, nothing that truly means something to you is going to be easy to attain. Your path will almost always take the shape of a maze before you can see the straight and narrow, and even then you still have more to go. I will say that prayer, a community of people, family, and faith in the Almighty is sufficient enough to become successful.

I used to think success meant reaching all my goals but now I see success radically differently. Your dreams may not work out exactly as you envisioned, and that’s ok. Success is not always being the person who you envision but being proud of who you are, and what you’ve accomplished right now, at this very moment. It is being deeply grateful about your present, and not what you think you’re supposed to be in the future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

1. The first thing I would do is go to Brooklyn Bridge Park to get a nice view of the city. From the park you can also get a more up and close view of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. People who’ve never been to New York always love that view.

2. From there I would take the F to 2nd Ave. in Manhattan, and have a drink at the Public Hotel along with some appetizers.

3. From there we could walk to SoHo and the Village for some shopping.

4. I would jump on the A/C trains, head back to Brooklyn and hangout a couple of hours in Bed-Stuy on Tompkins and Putnam, and get some grilled jerk chicken and rice and peas. Maybe a couple of brews from Bed-Vyne Brew, too.

5. Then I’ll head back to Ft. Greene, my neighborhood, and see what’s going on.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I want to shout out all of the people who served as mentors for me along my journey.

First, the late, great Jonathan Hicks, who used to be a columnist at the New York Times. There was a time in my life that I was lost in my career, and to a large extent in my life, too. Jonathan had the unique ability to pinpoint your issue with acute accuracy, and speak life into your situation. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude. Brother Hicks, you are truly missed.

Secondly, I want to shout out to my attorney and friend, Kervin A. Simms. This is someone who takes considerable time and interest in his clients. That means a lot for independent artists like myself who are trying to make it in this crazy business. He’s someone who’s honest and fair, and this brother sees things for you that you don’t.

Lastly, I want to shout out a legendary filmmaker — someone who’s not mentioned in our film lexicon enough, and friend of mine, Warrington Hudlin. I owe a great deal to my wife, Andrea Fairweather Bailey, for our introduction. Warrington is someone that if he believes in your talent and abilities he’s willing to open up doors for you. He’s always stayed true to that when it comes to me. I appreciate you.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3013499/?ref_=tt_ov_dr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savoymediagroup/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-bailey-22bb8116/

Image Credits
Sabrina Thompson