Meet the Filmmaker - Jack Bailey // CONTINUUM 01 - South in Self Exile

Meet the Filmmaker: Jack Bailey - Continuum 01 - South in Self Exile

Jack Bailey is a Byron Bay based, contemporary landscape artist with a detailed eye for abstraction, shape and tone. Challenging traditional landscape art, photography and film through fastidiousexploration of formal elements within local and international environments.Jack creates unique works that serve as meditative portals to the natural world.We recently had an opportunity to interview Jack about his experiences in making Continuum 01: South in Self Exile, and here is what we learned.

Firstly, can you tell us a bit about the film?

Produced and Directed by landscape artist, Jack Bailey, “SOUTH IN SELF EXILE” is an abstract visual and sonic essay, recorded during a six week journey traversing South America’s broken spine. From the southern reaches of Chilean Patagonia, to Northern Argentina’s vast desert plains, this cinematic meditation takes the participant through the wormhole into an alternate vantage point on the interface between man and his manifested milieu.Disconnect from the demented devices that exist to exert ever increasing increments of influence through the dis-ease of distraction... force-feeding mass produced misinformation. Lift your head beyond your lap and witness the unfiltered wonder of the natural world.“The more time we spend removed from the mediocrity of society, the less we depend upon it.”Turn on, tune in, Drop out.

What was your biggest inspiration to make this film/How did you get involved or attached to the project?

Nature and a need to find myself momentarily void of homogenized human presence.

As a filmmaker there are many ups and downs in the process, what was your absolute favourite and/or funniest part of making/producing this film?

Poaching campsites in the most mind blowing scenarios. Nocturnal pinch myself moments cocooned by tents and surrounded by cackling wild dogs.

What does a film festival like Byron Bay Film Festival mean to you and your work?

It's my first festival and being local to Byron it is a significant beginning.

Byron Bay Film Festival showcases an array of entertaining, inspiring and thought-provoking films. Do you feel that your film helps people ‘Dream With Their Eyes Open’? And if so how?

100%, it's a meditative journey, an acid trip without the tab, child, grandparent and sober friendly hallucinogens.

What was the most challenging part of the filmmaking process?

Budget, anxiety, judgment (mostly self).

What is the best piece of advice you can give to future independent filmmakers?

Do it today. Regret is a real ball ache.

If some or all of the team is coming to the festival at Byron Bay. Who is coming and what are you looking forward to?

My entire team lives here so we're excited dive into the festival in it's entirety and rub elbows with interesting cats.

Any upcoming projects for you, your team or key creatives involved in your film?

Two big photographic print shows before the years our. Tis art season.

Any upcoming projects for the filmmaking team?

My entire team of two are complete creative gurus, so projects are always rolling.

What drives you as a filmmaker?

Angst, the need to tread on foreign soil. A want to give people a new perspective on the most glorious subject, to evoke viewers emotional re-connection to earth without the mundane scare tactics.

If you are based in the Northern Rivers? What brought you to the region? In terms of filmmaking is there something distinct about the region that feeds into your work? Community? Landscape?

Space.

Anything interesting or unique about the filmmaking process for this film, any hiccups along the way, any happy coincidences that changed the films direction?

The journey to Patagonia and Northern Argentina was originally to be print photography focused, however on return I realized I had subconsciously shot my first film.

Is anything-else you would like to share?

Everything.

Continuum 01: South in Self Exile screens Wednesday 23 October at 7:30pm the Byron Community Centre. Get tickets here.

You can meet many of our filmmakers at the BBFF Filmmakers Breakfast on Monday 21st October at 8:30am and other special events including the Opening Night Gala and Closing Night Gala.