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Mark Bailey (writer)

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Mark Bailey
BornMark Daniel Bailey
(1968-11-21) November 21, 1968 (age 56)
Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationWriter, filmmaker
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Vermont (1991)
Years active1999–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1999)​
Children3
Website
www.markbaileywriter.com

Mark Daniel Bailey (born November 21, 1968) is an American writer, best known for his documentary films, including Last Days in Vietnam (2014), Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (2022), and The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari (2022). Bailey, together with his wife, filmmaker Rory Kennedy, own Moxie Films, a documentary film production company.[1] The company produces documentaries "for broadcast and cable networks, including Netflix, HBO, PBS, A&E, National Geographic, Showtime, Discovery Channel, MTV, TLC, Lifetime Television, the Oxygen Network, and the Sundance Channel as well as for educational foundations and philanthropic organizations."[2]

Life and career

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Mark Bailey was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and grew up in the nearby town of Summit.[3] He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1991 and subsequently attended Georgetown University, where he studied for a master's degree in English. He moved to New York City in 1997 and began writing in 1999.

Films

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In 1999, Bailey wrote the film American Hollow, about "the complex ties that bind [an] Appalachian family to a cycle of deprivation,"[4] which was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and a Primetime Emmy for best documentary.[5] In 2003, he wrote Pandemic: Facing AIDS, a "five-part documentary series about the lives of people dealing with the disease in various parts of the world."[6] For his work, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for outstanding writing.[7] Both American Hollow and Pandemic were broadcast on HBO.[8]

Subsequently, Bailey was one of the producers of Torte Bluma, a 2005 dramatic short film starring Stellan Skarsgård and Simon McBurney.[9] The film, which won "best of the festival" at the Palm Springs International ShortFest in 2005 and was nominated for best narrative short at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2006,[10] was distributed by Phase 4 films as part of a compilation called Guilty Hearts.[11]

In 2007, Bailey cowrote (with Jack Youngelson) the film Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, "an examination of the prisoner abuse scandal involving U.S. soldiers and detainees at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison in the fall of 2003,"[12] which was nominated for six Primetime Emmys, one of which it won—for best nonfiction special.[13]

In 2011, Bailey was hired by Marvel Studios to write the script for Black Panther, a narrative feature film based on the African comic-book character of the same name.[14] In 2015, Joe Robert Cole was hired to take over the script,[15] and Marvel's film was released on February 16, 2018.[16] Bailey commented, “Given that the film would go on to become the third-highest-grossing film in U.S. history, it would be hard to argue that Marvel’s decision to replace me was unwise.”[17]

Bailey also wrote the 2012 film Ethel, which "chronicles the life of Ethel Skakel Kennedy."[18] Ethel was nominated for five Primetime Emmys, including one for Bailey (outstanding writing for nonfiction programming).[19] Bailey was also awarded the Humanitas Prize for his work on the film.[20]

With Keven McAlester, Bailey cowrote Last Days in Vietnam (2014), which "reconstructs . . . the tragic final days of the American presence in Vietnam."[21] The film was nominated for an Academy Award.[22] For his work on the film, Bailey was nominated for a Writers Guild Award[23] and a Primetime Emmy Award.[24]

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, produced and cowritten by Bailey,[25] premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2022, “before making its Netflix debut on February 18.”[26] The film occupied “eighth place on Netflix’s list of most popular films worldwide, fiction or nonfiction,”[27] and Bailey and his cowriter, Keven McAlester, were nominated for a 2023 Writers Guild Award in the category of best documentary screenplay for their work.[28]

That same year, Bailey produced and cowrote, along with Dallas Brennan Rexer, The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari, a documentary feature about the “eruption of Whakaari on White Island off the coast of North Island in New Zealand on December 9, 2019,” which resulted in the death of twenty-two people.[29] The film was released by Netflix on December 16, 2022,[30] and five days later, it was ranked “the number one film in the U.S.” as well as in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and “much of Europe.”[31] The same week, it was ranked among the official Netflix Global Top 10.[32]

In 2019, it was announced that Bailey would produce and write the film Adrift,[33][34] which compares the story of the 1939 voyage of the German ocean liner St. Louis to the plight of international refugees today.[35] The film, which in February 2023 was described as “nearing completion,” is produced through a partnership between Moxie Films and AR Content, founded by the Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky.[36]

In 2024, Bailey produced and co-wrote The Synanon Fix, a documentary series for HBO Documentary Films revolving around Synanon.[37][38]

Books and works in print

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Bailey is the author of three books that were illustrated by Edward Hemingway, a grandson of Ernest Hemingway.[39] Of All the Gin Joints: Stumbling Through Hollywood History (2014) is a "collection of 70 anecdotes about renowned Hollywooders with 40 cocktail recipes to accompany" the stories.[40] Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide to Great American Writers (2006) "brings together classic cocktail recipes, literary history, and . . . anecdotes about famous American literati."[41] Tiny Pie (2013), which Bailey coauthored with Michael Oatman, is a picture book for children ages three to six to which Alice Waters contributed a recipe.[42] In addition to his collaborations with Hemingway, Bailey conducted interviews that appeared in the 1999 book American Hollow, based on the documentary of the same name.[43]

Bailey is also the editor of the compilation Nine Irish Lives: The Thinkers, Fighters & Artists Who Helped Build America, in which nine contemporary Irish Americans, including Rosie O’Donnell, Michael Moore, and Tom Hayden (in his final written work), present the stories of nine Irish immigrants who through their lives and work had a hand in shaping the United States.[44] In addition, he served as editor of photography book The Tibetans: A Struggle to Survive (Umbrage Editions, 1998), by Steve Lehman.[45] He is also the creator of Courts Illustrated: Surf, Sand, and Supreme Court Justices, a satirical 2017 wall calendar.[46]

Other works

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In 2016, Bailey debuted a line of plush toys called Tiny Headed Kingdom with the tagline "Tiny Heads. Big Hearts."[47] The initial offerings were a lion, a tiger, and a bear.[48] The line has since grown to include five other plush animals as well as hats, T-shirts, stickers, and other items.[49]

Marriage and family

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On August 2, 1999, Bailey married Rory Kennedy, the eleventh and youngest child of former United States senator and attorney general Robert F. Kennedy.[50] Together they have three children: Georgia Elizabeth Kennedy-Bailey, born September 30, 2002;[51] Bridget Katherine Kennedy-Bailey, born July 4, 2004;[52] and Zachary Corkland Kennedy-Bailey, born July 16, 2007.[53] In 2013, the family moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Los Angeles, California.[54]

Works

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Filmography

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Year Title Production Co. Distributor Genre Contribution Reference
1999 American Hollow Moxie Films HBO Documentary feature Writer [55]
1999 Epidemic Africa Moxie Firecracker Films Children Affected by AIDS Fndn. Documentary short Writer [56]
2003 Pandemic Moxie Firecracker Films HBO Documentary series Writer [57]
2003 A Boy's Life Moxie Firecracker Films HBO Documentary feature Writer [58]
2005 Torte Bluma DMC Films, How Town n/a Drama short Producer [59]
2007 Ghosts of Abu Ghraib HBO, Moxie Firecracker Films HBO Documentary feature Cowriter [60]
2008 Thank You, Mr. President Moxie Firecracker Films HBO Documentary short Writer [61]
2010 The Fence Moxie Firecracker Films HBO Documentary short Writer [62]
2012 Ethel Moxie Firecracker Films HBO Documentary feature Writer [63]
2014 Last Days in Vietnam Moxie Firecracker Films American Experience/PBS Documentary feature Cowriter [64]
2014 Women in Hollywood Kunhardt McGee Prodns. PBS Documentary series episode (Makers) Consulting producer [65]
2014 Women in Politics Kunhardt McGee Prodns. PBS Documentary series episode (Makers) Consulting producer [66]
2017 Take Every Wave Moxie Firecracker Films n/a Documentary feature Cowriter and producer [67]
2018 Above and Beyond Moxie Films Discovery Channel Documentary feature Cowriter and producer [68]
2022 The Volcano Moxie Films Netflix Documentary feature Cowriter and producer [69]
2022 Downfall Imagine Documentaries Netflix Documentary feature Cowriter and producer [70]
2024 The Synanon Fix Moxie Films HBO Documentary Films Documentary series Cowriter and producer [71]

Awards and nominations

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Year Title Award Category Result Reference
2004 Pandemic Primetime Emmy Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming Nominated [72]
2013 Ethel Primetime Emmy Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming Nominated [73]
2013 Ethel Humanitas Prize Documentaries—Special Awards Won [74]
2015 Last Days in Vietnam Academy Award Best Documentary, Feature Nominated [75]
2015 Last Days in Vietnam Online Film and Television Association Best Writing of a Nonfiction Program Won [76]
2015 Last Days in Vietnam Writers Guild of America Best Documentary Screenplay Nominated [77]
2015 Last Days in Vietnam Primetime Emmy Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming Nominated [78]
2015 Makers News and Documentary Emmy Outstanding Historical Programming, Long Form Nominated [79]
2018 Downfall Writers Guild of America Best Documentary Screenplay Nominated [80]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ “Moxie Films.” Backstage.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  2. ^ “About Moxie.” MoxieFilms.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  3. ^ "Washingtonpost.com: Rory: The Quiet Kennedy". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  4. ^ COOPER, RICHARD T. (1999-11-29). "Hard Life on a Hard Land". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  5. ^ Bowling, Bascum; Bowling, Clint; Bowling, Edgar; Bowling, Iree (1999-05-26), American Hollow, retrieved 2017-04-25
  6. ^ Miller, Laura (June 14, 2003). "The Stories Statistics Won't Tell" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2004)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  8. ^ HBO. "HBO: Addiction: The Films: Filmmakers Bios: Rory Kennedy". www.hbo.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  9. ^ “Torte Bluma.” IMDb. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  10. ^ Skarsgård, Stellan; McBurney, Simon; Arden, James; Bates, Benedick (2005-09-26), Torte Bluma, retrieved 2017-04-25
  11. ^ "Phase 4 Films [ca]". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  12. ^ Rivera, Israel; Graner, Megan Ambuhl; Davis, Javal; Bush, George W. (2007-01-19), Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, retrieved 2017-04-25
  13. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2007)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  14. ^ "Mark Bailey to Pen BLACK PANTHER for Marvel Studios". Collider. 2011-01-20. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  15. ^ "Marvel's 'Black Panther' hires a writer". EW.com. 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  16. ^ "Everything you need to know about Black Panther". Digital Spy. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  17. ^ “About.” MarkBaileyWriter.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  18. ^ Goldstein, Gary (2012-10-04). "Review: A moving portrait of 'Ethel'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  19. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  20. ^ "Humanitas Prize (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  21. ^ "Last Days in Vietnam". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  22. ^ "Academy Awards, USA (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  23. ^ Nixon, Richard; Kissinger, Henry; Herrington, Stuart; Valdez, Juan (2014-01-17), Last Days in Vietnam, retrieved 2017-04-25
  24. ^ "Mark Bailey". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  25. ^ “Downfall: The Case Against Boeing.” IMDb. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  26. ^ Schager, Nick (2022-01-23). “The Infuriating Sundance Documentary Exposing Boeing’s Deadly 737 MAX Cover-Up.” The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  27. ^ Carey, Matthew (2022-02-25). “Netflix VP Lisa Nishimura on ‘Tinder Swindler’ & ‘Downfall’ Making Streamer History: “It’s Incredible for Our Filmmakers.” Deadline. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  28. ^ “2023 Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees.” WGA.org. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  29. ^ Kite-Powell, Jennifer (2022-12-29). “When Humans and Nature Collide: Netflix’s New Documentary on the Whakaari Eruption.” Forbes. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  30. ^ “The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari.” Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  31. ^ Donnelly, Matt (2022-12-21). “Rory Kennedy’s ‘The Volcano’ Erupts with Viewers on Netflix Charts.” Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  32. ^ Donnelly, Matt (2022-12-21). “Rory Kennedy’s ‘The Volcano’ Erupts with Viewers on Netflix Charts.” Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  33. ^ Barraclough, Leo (2019-10-22). “‘Last Days in Vietnam’’s Rory Kennedy to Direct AR Content’s Refugee Documentary.” Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  34. ^ “Adrift.” CreativeVisions.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  35. ^ Grobar, Matt (2022-02-10). “‘Downfall: The Case Against Boeing” Filmmaker Rory Kennedy Signs with UTA.” Deadline. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  36. ^ Macnab, Geoffrey (2021-02-15). “Producer Alexander Rodnyansky on Building a Fresh, High-Profile Slate Since Fleeing Russia.” Screen Daily. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  37. ^ Otterson, Joe (2022-08-17). “Synanon Documentary Set at HBO from Director Rory Kennedy.” Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-12/
  38. ^ "HBO Original Documentary Series THE SYNANON FIX Debuts April 1". Warner Bros. Discovery. March 20, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Mark Bailey, writer". www.markbaileywriter.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  40. ^ "Hollywood History, a Funky Mayor, and Unicycling Across America | Books for Dudes". Library Journal Reviews. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  41. ^ Bailey, Mark (2006). Hemingway & Bailey's Bartending Guide To Great American Writers. Algonquin Books. ISBN 1565124820.
  42. ^ "Children's Book Review: Tiny Pie by Mark Bailey and Michael Oatman". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  43. ^ "Washingtonpost.com: Photo Galleries - American Hollow". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  44. ^ Bailey, Mark (2018). Nine Irish Lives: The Thinkers, Fighters & Artists Who Helped Build America. Algonquin Books. ISBN 9781616205171. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  45. ^ Lehman, Steve (1998). The Tibetans: A Struggle to Survive. MarlowesBooks.com. ISBN 9781884167201. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  46. ^ "BrownTrout Publishers, Inc. - Connecting People to Their Passions". www.browntrout.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  47. ^ "SBD Brands Unveils Tiny Headed Kingdom | License! Global". www.licensemag.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  48. ^ “The Tiny Headed Kingdom Line of Stuffed Animals Debuts in the US.” StuffedParty.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  49. ^ TinyHeadedKingdom.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  50. ^ "Rory Kennedy". www.kennedy-web.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  51. ^ "Kennedy Family Tree". thosekennedys.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  52. ^ "Kennedy Family Tree". thosekennedys.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  53. ^ "Kennedy Family Tree". thosekennedys.tumblr.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  54. ^ "Rory Kennedy buys Malibu foreclosure with ocean views for $2.9 million". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  55. ^ Bowling, Bascum; Bowling, Clint; Bowling, Edgar; Bowling, Iree (1999-05-26), American Hollow, retrieved 2017-04-25
  56. ^ Curtis, Jamie Lee; Tutu, Desmond (1999-12-01), Epidemic Africa, retrieved 2017-04-25
  57. ^ Glover, Danny; John, Elton (2003-05-01), Pandemic: Facing AIDS, retrieved 2017-04-25
  58. ^ Kennedy, Rory; Doob, Nick (2003-05-09), A Boy's Life, retrieved 2017-04-25
  59. ^ Skarsgård, Stellan; McBurney, Simon; Arden, James; Bates, Benedick (2005-09-26), Torte Bluma, retrieved 2017-04-25
  60. ^ Rivera, Israel; Graner, Megan Ambuhl; Davis, Javal; Bush, George W. (2007-01-19), Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, retrieved 2017-04-25
  61. ^ Bush, George; Bush, George W.; Bush, Laura; Carter, Jimmy (2008-08-18), Thank You, Mr. President: Helen Thomas at the White House, retrieved 2017-04-25
  62. ^ Kennedy, Rory (2010-09-16), The Fence (La Barda), retrieved 2017-04-25
  63. ^ Kennedy, Ethel; Kennedy, Rory; Bunche, Ralph; Castro, Fidel (2013-04-12), Ethel, retrieved 2017-04-25
  64. ^ "Last Days in Vietnam". lastdaysinvietnam.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  65. ^ Women in Hollywood, 2014-10-01, retrieved 2017-04-25
  66. ^ Women in Politics, 2014-11-01, retrieved 2017-04-25
  67. ^ Kennedy, Rory (2000-01-01), Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton, retrieved 2017-04-25
  68. ^ “Above and Beyond: NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow.” AppleTV+.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  69. ^ “The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari Full Cast and Crew.” IMDb. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  70. ^ Kennedy, Lisa (27 January 2022). "'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing' Review: Damning Aviation Doc Feeds Your Fear of Flying". Variety. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  71. ^ "The Synanon Fix". Moxie Films. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  72. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2004)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  73. ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  74. ^ "Humanitas Prize (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  75. ^ "Academy Awards, USA (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  76. ^ "Online Film & Television Association (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  77. ^ "Writers Guild of America, USA (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  78. ^ "Mark Bailey". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  79. ^ "News & Documentary Emmy Awards (2015)". IMDb. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
  80. ^ “2023 Writers Guild Awards Winners & Nominees.” WGA.org. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
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