Check Out Eric Bailey Jr’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Bailey Jr.

Hi Eric, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my journey in entertainment when I was about ten years old. My great-grandmother ran a summer youth performing arts program in Pasadena under her non-profit center, The Alkebu-lan Cultural Center, in Pasadena. I began training as a classical vocalist and an actor there. From then on, as you can imagine I began performing through grade school and majored in music as a vocal performance emphasis at Citrus College in Glendora, CA; then majoring in Theater at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA. My journey continued as I began do perform professionally (which I did while in school as well) and found myself directing theater. How I got into film: I acted in a couple of student films in school and found a new love for the craft. It’s so different than theater! I moved to Atlanta and worked full time as a background actor. It’s most certainly not the most glamorous area of the industry, but I loved it so much! I felt it such a blessing to have been able to be a part of the storytelling in any capacity.

When I moved back home to Pasadena a year later, I quickly became SAG eligible and took any opportunity to perform that I could. It’s definitely not easy however. I worked all kinds of jobs to support myself while pursuing the dream, much like anyone else who’s tried to make it in this industry. Worked on staff at my church, for Banana Republic, a Lyft driver, a Teacher at a private school, the list goes on. Teaching was my last “comfort job.” Because of COVID, much like other businesses, the school got hit hard and didn’t survive. I found myself without a job within a week’s notice. After some prayer and talks with my wife, we decided that I would jump back into the industry full-time. I had all these stories that I had been sitting on for years. All this passion and desire to create, but I was filled with fear. Since I needed to be able to contribute financially to my family and didn’t want to go back to working another 9 to 5, delaying my “living the dream,” we decided that I would go PA (be a production assistant). I’ve been working on some really cool projects since this all went down in October. I’m so excited to see these stories come to life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a smooth road so far. I think that while it’s easy to look back at all the things I’ve done that don’t have anything to do with the entertainment industry as a waste of time, I’m actually immensely grateful for those opportunities! God seems to always show up and show out in ways I couldn’t have imagined in the workplace and in different seasons for me. I also have the most encouraging wife, parents and sisters, friends and church community. My church is full of people who have no idea how the industry works! But there are a few people who are in it and it’s so cool when we get to gather and share plans, hopes, dreams, work on projects together, and really lift up one another.

These are the things that keep me going – being surrounded by people who love me and support me, no matter what the journey looks like. They believe in me and always push me to pursue greatness! I’ve for sure had moments, even recently where money is tight, things seem slow, and it’s stressful and can feel somewhat like a defeat. But I have to remind myself of the things that I’ve prayed for and have heard from God for a very long time. This is the industry that I’m meant to be in. This place is my ministry. And that doesn’t mean that I have to tell explicitly Christian stories or that they’re focused on God. Those are cool, but I want to tell stories that empower people, make them think differently about their circumstances, and give hope. I like to think that a lot of the struggles that I’ve faced along the way help me to empathize with others and tell these types of stories well.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Since about May last year, I’ve been on the board of this really cool organization based out of Arizona called The Virtual Theater Lab. I’ve been serving as their Director of Innovation. It’s a platform where stage actors, writers, and directors alike come together and perform original and notable pieces. I’ve directed and have acted in a few of those pieces and it’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done during the COVID-19 pandemic, aside from getting married. This org gave me space to really step into my creativity as a director and helped spark my desire to direct more film. I along with my friend Justin, took another friend’s (Tamara Faith) spoken word piece and turned it into a short film.

After directing the performing arts program at the school, directing both live and virtual theater for years, and having so many stories on my heart to tell, my desire for directing film grew even larger. This piece is my baby. We filmed it with all of $200, a cast of 10, and a crew of 12, all in four days back in November. Now we’re submitting to festivals and already working on the next project! In addition to the short, I’m currently creating and writing along with my friend Charis, a children’s animated series. It’s inspired by my nephew Jerome who’ll be four this year and adventures that I really hope he gets to experience. Actually, it’s a show that I pray will encourage all kids to learn more about the world and go out and experience it when they can. It’s been so fun to be creating this piece and I can’t wait to get it made. The script so far is incredible!

What does success mean to you?
Success for me is what I’m doing now. Working in my industry and doing what I absolutely love. It doesn’t feel like work at all. It’s fun, it’s exhausting, and it’s so rewarding. I may not be making a ton of money right now, but when I look back at this season in the next few years or twenty years, I’ll see and remember how hard and tirelessly I grinned to make things happen. I’ll look back at the people that I’ve been able to build relationships with and brought on this journey with me, and that screams success. I’m learning and growing so much and that is what it’s all about for me.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Ericbaileyjr

Image Credits:
Jessica B Photography for the BTS of the short film Bear Vision Production and Design for the Short Film Poster