Spotlight on Women Directors: Lizzy Bailey
As part of a regular series with Free The Bid Australia, Campaign Brief shines the spotlight on top female commercials directors in Australia and New Zealand…
Lizzy Bailey is a director represented by Guilty.
Three best spots:
1. Ardmona
2. Solo
3. Swisse AFL
Growing up in a musical family in New Zealand, when Lizzy wasn’t on stage doing Tina Turner impressions in the drama school play she was pointing the family video camera at everyone and anything. She set her sights on filmmaking from an early age not only because she couldn’t put the camera down but because it incorporated many passions; performance, writing, photography and music.
In 2006 Lizzy moved to Melbourne to study documentary filmmaking at VCA and 12 years on she has put her roots down in Australia. During this time she has worked in various film industry roles from production to post-production, developing a rounded knowledge of the industry which she draws on as a director. She has directed commercials for brands such as SPC, Origin, Solo, NAB, Barbie, Kellogg’s, Big W, Kmart and Bonds. Whether she’s working with actors or non-actors she looks for believable, genuine performances that tell honest stories. Her passion for photography hasn’t waned since her time as a kid in New Zealand, and her desire for storytelling in cinematography leads her to explore bold visuals.
Says Bailey: “I love working in both documentary and narrative forms; both allow me to delve into people’s worlds and explore the human condition. Whether the script is emotive, funny, playful or melancholic, I like to ook for the light and shade that makes up our existence. I’m fascinated by people; what motivates us, moves us and how we fit into the world. I see filmmaking as a powerful art form with which to inspire an audience and explore themes that affect us.”
Since launching a year ago, Free The Bid has 200 Australian Women Directors on its searchable database. Free The Bid now has over 20 major agencies that use the database to find the right director for each of their projects and have committed to putting one female director in the mix for every job.