Claudia Bailey
(they/them)
Claudia Bailey is an award-winning non-binary filmmaker and writer.
They make work that celebrates queerness.
Hey Claud! Could you tell me a bit about yourself?
Nope. Perceiving myself is too scary. But if I had to, I’m a filmmaker and a huge fan of burritos.
When did you first start falling in love with film / directing, and how?
I was one of those kids who just always was. I was always forcing my cousins to dress up in costume and make (god awful) music videos.
But if you want the love at first sight moment, it was Twilight. I was utterly obsessed and had a copy of the Directors’ Handbook. It was more a marketing ploy than an actual insight into Catherine Hardwicks’ directing process but there was this page that featured everything in her bag. And I remember, I was thirteen, and I said to myself ‘I want to be a director so I can have a bag filled with this stuff’. And it was really from that moment.
And now I have a bag I bring on set with an iPad and notes and a vape for me to hit in the toilet.
You’ve been the recipient of the Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year Award - that’s pretty damn cool. Awards are great, but what would you say has been the most defining moment in your already impressive career?
Hm. I don’t think I can pinpoint it to a moment but it’s more of a feeling. A feeling of community and support around me. I know that if I wanted to make something, I could rally up a team of talented, kind and inspiring people to help me and I think that is pretty cool. World-at-your-fingertips feeling.
Also my first directing paycheck was a very proud moment. Paid for what I love to do? Sick.
Headshot of Claud by @screenkate
I watched a screening of Sunburn at MIFF and absolutely adored it. I find it so cool how people can capture such a whirlwind of emotions in such a short timeframe. What was the inspiration for this story of intense friendship?
Something Jas (the director) and I always say is “friendships can be the love of your life”. We believe it, which you can probably tell from ‘Sunburn’. It takes friendship seriously, as seriously as romantic relationships are often portrayed. Friendships involve pain and longing too.
My friends are my favourite people in the world. They’re patient and kind and hilarious. I’m obsessed with all of them. Can ya blame a guy?
@zoeterakes (Ace) & @audmasonhyde (Grace) in Right Here
Photography credit: @lucy__deverall
You’ve stated that your main aim as a film maker is to celebrate queerness and to provide hope to queer youth. Your newest short film, Right Here, is a perfect example of this. Could you explain this more, and why is this so friccen important?
‘Right Here’ follows Grace, a non-binary freshly fifteen year-old, the night they come out to their parents. It doesn’t go so well. But that’s not the point. They materialize at their future selves’ birthday party and see the life that is waiting for them.
I wanted to make something that acknowledges how tough it can be to know who you are but be in an environment that doesn’t support it. That’s a super hard thing about being a teenager, you cannot control your home life. I really wanted to provide some hope to these queer kids, to say ‘hey, it might be really hard right now but I promise you that there is a world of people who will love you for you and they’re waiting for you.”
This is a promise.
@joelgarrett_ in Right Here
Was there a particular moment for you that inspired you to create Right Here? It’s honestly so heartwarming, and has such an ethereal feel to it. Is the story around Grace / Ace something that sits deep within you?
There actually was. I was going through a period where I didn’t feel like myself. I felt so disconnected to my sixteen-year-old self who was so in love with life, a real romantic. The poetry of life wasn’t there.
In ways, I made this film to connect back with my younger self. In turn, I’ve found a lot of healing in connecting to my younger self. It has helped me to see how far I’ve come, pushes me to live the life I’ve always wanted to and keeps me grounded.
And now, I’m romantic garbage again.
central station | MAY-A - directed by Claudia Bailey & Charles Buxton-Leslie
How was the casting process for Right Here? And, did you know Aud before you cast them as Grace?
We did a huge call-out for a trans, NB or Gender Queer teenager on social media. And fuck, it was so beautiful. We got over 50 self-tapes from queer teens. I asked for each of them to prepare a monologue addressing their future selves. It was really special.
We ended up casting Audrey Mason-Hyde. Zoe (who plays Ace) suggested Aud and of course, I became obsessed. Aud is the coolest person I know.
They did a Ted Talk at age twelve?!
A climate warrior. Actor.
Kid to Sophie Hyde, one of my favourite filmmakers. It was literally a match made in heaven.
And then I got an email from Aud asking about the film. A part of the callbacks, I asked for people to film themselves dancing to song that made them feel joy. Aud sent me this video of them dancing to ‘Make Me Feel’ by Janelle Monae and I knew we found our Grace. They express joy so naturally. It exudes off them. Contagious.
Claudia & @audmasonhyde
Photography credit: @lucy__deverall
Photography credit: @lucy__deverall
Do you think the industry is changing? If so, how?
Changing – it’s still happening and it will keep happening. There is so much work to still be done which I won’t go into right now but believe me, there is a lot. But I wish to talk about something magical that is happening. I look around at my cohort of filmmakers who are on the rise and my god, it’s a magnificent sight.
The filmmakers around me care. They have their hearts in the right place. They have seen the industry for all that it is and wish for it to change. They push each other up. It’s an honor to be among them.
What advice would you give to other young queer film makers hoping to make it in an industry that is only just starting to recognise such voices?
Be naïve. Everything I’ve gotten is from not knowing how things work but just going for it. I look back to my first film, ‘Cherry’, and if I had known how hard it was going to be, I probably wouldn’t have done it. Naivety and grit gets you a long way.
Try be a good person from day one. You’ll make mistakes. Relationships will break down. But keep trying to be a good and honest person. It makes a huge difference.
Spend time finding your voice.
@daandiiiiii in Right Here
And, any advice for all queer youth (who will definitely be reading this) who are still figuring themselves out, to help them get through tough times?
It’s a fluid process. You don’t have to get to a destination. Please allow me to give you another sappy quote, “you will spend your life losing yourself over and over again, and finding yourself over and over again”.
If you’re not in an environment where you can be yourself, find refuge in stories. It has saved the lives of many queer people for generations. And it will continue to do so.
Tell your own stories. Perhaps it will help someone else out there.
It’ll happen. All the stuff you’ve been waiting for and dreaming about. It will happen. Keep waiting and dreaming about it. Don’t give up on it.
Finally, do you have any more upcoming films, after Right Here, in the works?
Oh yes. Top secret stuff but oh yes, I’m very excited.