Podtalk: Director Miranda Bailey Feature Film Debut is ‘Being Frank’

CHICAGO – Miranda Bailey has a proven track record as a film producer of big title independent films, and has worked as a writer and actor. She has now conquered the creative side, as she makes her debut as a feature film director with “Being Frank.” The film features comedian Jim Gaffigan in the title role, and also features Anna Gunn, Samantha Mathis and Alex Karpovsky.

“Being Frank” has Jim G. as a father, which he also famously is in real life, but this Dad has a twist. Somehow, someway Frank has managed to maintain two families, and take them to maturation. This bigamist jig is slowly coming apart as the film begins, when Phillip (Logan Miller), the son of the Mom portrayed by Anna Gunn, begins to suspect that something is amiss. Meanwhile, in Frank’s second family (where the Mom is played by Samantha Mathis), his daughter Allison (Danielle Campbell) takes a role in the unraveling. It’s time for Frank to “be frank.”

The Director: Miranda Bailey of ‘Being Frank’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com

Miranda Bailey grew up in Colorado, and studied acting in college. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film career, and has acted, wrote, produced and directed since then. Her early producer credits include “The Squid and the Whale” (2005) and the dark parody “Super” (2010). In 2013, she co-founded the theatrical distribution company, The Film Arcade, and directed her first short film, “Another Happy Anniversary.” She also runs Cold Iron Pictures, which has produced “The Diary of a Teenage Girl,” “Don’t Twice Twice” and “Swiss Army Men,” along with “Being Frank.” 



In Part One of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, director Miranda Bailey talks about the development, casting and personal statements in “Being Frank.”

In Part Two, Miranda B. reflects on the emotional tone of the film, plus the new show biz landscape of streaming services and the relative handsomeness of Jesus.

[20]	By PATRICK McDONALD [21] Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [20]