Between India and Melbourne is Gen Bailey, a filmmaker whose documentary,
I Am Eleven will debut at this year's Melbourne International Film Festival. Here she shares the special moments that make up an average day in her life, from best buddy Bosco to a molasses-thick milkshake.
I Am ...
Name: Genevieve Bailey
Occupation: Filmmaker
Finish this sentence “I am... far too much of a thinker to finish the sentence I AM without thinking too much about it! I am eleven, at heart, there we go ha ha... “
Describe a day in your life: I have just finished my feature documentary
I Am Eleven after shooting it in 15 countries around the world, in 12 languages. So an average day could see me waking up on the other side of the world and hitting the streets looking for film subjects, or back in Melbourne editing for 15 hours in a row. There is plenty of work to do leading up to the release and I am super excited to premiere in July at the Melbourne International Film Festival and then the film will screen around the world. A day in my life is as long as I want to make it, often jammed packed with shooting, editing, keeping up with friends and work contacts all over the world which means many time zones to check in to. One thing that is a constant is my partner in crime Henrik Nordstrom. We work rest and play together, like the MARS ad right? But he is much better for me than chocolate.
Share an insider secret about your industry most people wouldn’t know: Hmmm, I am not sure it is a secret but some people may be surprised to know that most filmmakers don’t make much money, they are just addicted to their craft and can’t help but do it even if it makes them broke!
What inspires you? I am a bit like a kid in that I get really excited by life pretty often! I am inspired by things that remind me I am lucky to be here, now, doing what I love. I also get really high from being around other people who are doing what they are meant to be doing, I like that feeling. I am inspired by the opportunity to translate peoples stories on to screen and share them with people all over the world. Learning inspires me, knowing that I will always have more to learn. I am inspired by the children we work with all over the world, but particularly in India, their resilience humbles and energises me big time.
What you can’t make it through the day without? Henrik. Well I can but I choose not to!
Make sure you check out Gen's photo diary in the gallery above, and you can also see the trailer for her documentary
I Am Eleven below.
I Am Eleven - trailer from I am Eleven on Vimeo.