Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailie Robinson.
Hi Bailie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Bailie Robinson. I grew up in Oakland, California—aka the Bay Area—and truth be told, I had a pretty great upbringing. My parents worked hard to provide my sisters and me with everything we needed, and most of what we wanted, too. My journey into the film industry began when it came time to choose a college major. It might sound simple, but for me, it wasn’t. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I entered college as “undecided.” After I committed to a school, my mom sat me down with a very long list of possible majors. She read through them one by one—until she got to Film and Production.
It was a lightbulb moment. I had never considered filmmaking as a career—not because it wasn’t possible, but because no one ever presented it as an option. It just wasn’t something people in my world talked about. But the idea stuck. I chose Film and Production, with an emphasis on directing, and two colleges later, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Production. I started working in the industry during my last year of college, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. My classes were online, which turned out to be a blessing—it allowed me the flexibility to begin working. I was fortunate to have someone in my close circle with connections who was willing to vouch for me, but only after making sure I was ready and committed. That meant a year of mentoring, phone calls, and preparation before I landed my first job. That first job was on a kids’ show, working in the COVID department. I treated it as an opportunity to prove myself—to show that I was hardworking, dependable, and ready to grow. Since then, I’ve worked consistently in the industry, moving through various departments to figure out where I truly belong. I’ve been part of the Assistant Director team, worked in props and set decoration, and eventually found my way into costumes, where I feel most at home. It’s been quite a journey—especially navigating the challenges of joining the union, which has become even harder with the industry slowdown. I go back and forth about whether I want to continue down this path or explore something new. But no matter what I choose, I know that part of me will always love being in film. It’s a tough, demanding field—but it’s also thrilling and deeply rewarding, especially when you see a project come together. And along the way, you meet some truly incredible people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The film industry is far from “smooth.” Working as a PA, especially in the AD department where I started, can be incredibly challenging. It’s a high-pressure environment—juggling the emotions and outbursts of others while constantly being blamed for things outside your control. It’s a lot to handle, and that’s ultimately why I chose to switch departments. The constant stress and demands just weren’t for me.
Breaking into the union has also been a struggle. I’ve been working in the industry for about five years now, and while I’ve made the switch to a different department, it’s still difficult to get in. The reality is, no one wants to lose a reliable PA because they’re hard to replace. But that leaves us in a tough position—we want to do great work to keep getting hired, but at what point does that actually help us reach our long-term goals? Sometimes, it feels like you’re stuck in a cycle where your efforts don’t necessarily get you closer to where you want to be.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve always been passionate about fashion—the way it allows people to express themselves and tell the world who they are. It’s endlessly fascinating to me. In costume design, there’s a similar element: you’re bringing a character to life. Who is that character? What do they do? What are their preferences? While there are many layers to costume design, it’s one of the most powerful ways to tell a story.
Another thing I love about my work is that I get to express myself through my own outfits when I go to work. Since we have the freedom to wear what we like, it becomes another avenue for self-expression. I’m most proud of my growth throughout this journey—really finding my own sense of style and embracing my creativity. This has pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, and it ultimately led me to create my own brand, which will be launching very soon.
What sets me apart, I think, is that I stay true to myself. I’m me, 24/7. I don’t try to be anything other than who I am, because at the end of the day, what’s the point if you lose yourself in the process?
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Honestly, with AI and all the changes happening in the industry right now, it’s hard to say exactly what the future holds. The pace of innovation is so fast that anything could be on the horizon. I do think we’re going to see more and more attempts to replace human roles with machines, especially in areas like post-production and even some creative processes. Will it actually work? Who knows—but I definitely think they’ll give it a try. It’ll be interesting to watch how the balance between human creativity and machine-driven efficiency plays out over the next decade.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bailiedawn/
