The Essential List: Lizzy Bailey
Melbourne based Kiwi Lizzy Bailey describes herself as a self confessed ‘curious creative at heart’.
Her work is narrative fiction, creating films that are honest, warm, engaging and at times funny. At times dark, however always with a humorous aesthetic. Her love for people makes her a powerful director, looking for ways to push the boundaries, sometimes making us laugh in the process.
Lizzy’s love for filmmaking began at a young age as she documented everything making short films with the family video camera. She then studied Film at Canterbury University in NZ, before moving to Melbourne to attend VCA.
Her inimitable observations of people are demonstrated in the way she directs her talent, develops her characters and communicates a story. Bailey’s work is authentic, rich and unique – an inquisitive director always exploring ideas.
Lizzy has directed commercials for brands such as Citibank, SPC, Origin, ShareCover, Solo, NAB, Kellogg’s and Bonds.
She won Best Female Director “Frothing Female Award” at the Freshflix Festival and was a finalist for best comedy at Setting Sun Festival.
Her current short film “Lil” is doing the festival circuit.
Lifestyle
o Place of birth: New Zealand
o Hometown: Christchurch
o Staycation: Camping in a national park somewhere in Victoria
o Vacation: I’m always mixing it up - trying to eventually see the entire world
o Pet: None - too busy!
o Place of work: Home office, hotel room or a cafe near wherever I’m located at the time
o Place of workout: Living room (was the gym pre-pandemic)
o Side project: Various shorts and music videos
o Mode of transport: Car, walk, tram or bike
o Bonus travel essential: A pile of books from Readings
Culture
o Artist: Mika Rottenberg
o Musician: Peggy Gou
o Commercials / music video director: Fiona McGee
o Film director: I really respect and admire Agnes Varda - she made it as a female director in the 1950s! Her work is so thought provoking, experimental and beautiful.
o Photographer: Alec Soth
o Film: American Honey, directed by another director I hugely admire, Andrea Arnold.
o Series: Succession - those insults!
o Commercial: I’ve always loved this Dove ‘Beauty On Your Own Terms’ commercial.
o Music video: TOMMY CASH - LITTLE MOLLY is fantastically weird.
o Video game: It’s been a while but I always have a soft spot for Mario Kart
o Board game: Balderdash
o Book: Outline by Rachel Cusk - the first in the trilogy. Her writing is brilliant and insightful.
o Graphic novel: Hmm not really into these that much but I do appreciate them! I recently bought my niece a Shaun Tan graphic novel which was beautiful.
o Podcast: My Dad Wrote a Porno
o Newspaper (off or online): ABC News online
o Magazine: Dazed on Instagram
o Bonus culture essential: CCP Gallery in Fitzroy
Food and Drink
o Breakfast: Avocado Toast
o Restaurant: Yakimono
o Cheap bite: A1 Bakery all the way! I don’t think the prices have changed since 1999, neither has the quality of food.
o Working lunch: Left overs or a salad
o Favourite dish: Mushroom Pasta, preferably with shaved truffle if I’m feeling fancy
o Signature dish: I make a mean Fondue thanks to a French ex
o Snack: Vintage cheddar and crackers (you’ll see there’s a bit of a cheese theme going on)
o Guilty pleasure: Egglab Chicken Burger
o Bar: Old Palm Liquor
o Booze: Wine but more specifically I’m pretty obsessed with orange wine at the moment
o Not booze: Pour over coffee or an iced oat latte if it’s hot
o Bonus food: Tacos - made by me or eaten out. They’re a staple in my diet.
o Bonus beverage: Assembly Dong Ding Tea
Kit
o Phone: iPhone 7 Plus (time for an upgrade)
o Computer: Macbook Pro 13” M1 Chip (just had an upgrade)
o TV: LG or a projector for watching a film
o Headphones: Sennhesier PXC550
o Camera: Canon 60D or Canon AE-1 for film
o Soundsystem: Vintage Pioneer amp, vintage Sansui speakers, Audio Technica turntable
o Pen / pencil: Whatever I can find lying around
o Where you document an idea: In notes on my phone, often in the middle of the night
o Casual clothing: Jeans and t-shirt
o Smart clothing: Anything by Arnsdorf or the occasional piece by Maison Margiela
o Footwear: Doc Martins or sneakers
o Watch: My phone
o Collection: Records
o App: NTS Radio
o Website: Don’t really have one - I just use Google or Instagram
o Favourite social media feed: @Puttingcase
o Work program: Adobe Indesign
o Digital work tool: Bluetooth mouse and keyboard
o Analogue work tool: Pen and paper - mainly when drawing up storyboards.
o Morning grooming / makeup essential: Toothbrush
o Bonus kit essential: One of my Spotify playlists I’ve made specifically for working - mainly electronic/ambient stuff with no vocals
