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John Bailey, who presided over the film academy during the initial #MeToo reckoning, dies at 81

by Joshua Brown
6 comments
John Bailey Academy President

John Bailey, the acclaimed cinematographer and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the pivotal #MeToo movement, passed away at the age of 81 on Friday. His wife, Carol Littleton, reported that he passed away peacefully in his sleep in Los Angeles, according to an announcement by the film academy.

Bailey, whose work spans films such as “Ordinary People,” “Groundhog Day,” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” made history as the Academy’s first cinematographer president, serving from 2017 to 2019. His tenure coincided with challenging times in the film industry, marked by declining Oscar ratings, criticism over lack of diversity (#OscarsSoWhite), and the notorious envelope mistake during the 2017 Oscars that overshadowed “Moonlight’s” best picture victory. Shortly after Bailey’s appointment, explosive revelations about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct emerged, leading to a wider industry reflection on power dynamics and abuse.

The Academy swiftly expelled Weinstein following the reports. Faced with inquiries about other members accused of misconduct, Bailey emphasized in a memo that while the Academy would not act as a tribunal, it was committed to setting behavioral standards and supporting those at risk due to ethical breaches by peers. This led to the introduction of a conduct code against abuse of power and status, alongside more robust mechanisms for member suspension or expulsion.

Despite being a self-described “75-year-old white male,” Bailey expressed his satisfaction at the 2018 Oscars luncheon about the dismantling of some of Hollywood’s deep-rooted abusive practices. However, Bailey himself faced an accusation of inappropriate behavior on a movie set a decade earlier, which he denied. An Academy investigation in March 2018 concluded that no further action was required, and he was reelected for a second term.

Bailey’s term also saw controversial proposals to revamp the Oscars, including the addition of a popular film award and shortening the broadcast by relegating some categories to commercial breaks. Despite initial resistance, including concerns over marginalizing blockbuster films like “Black Panther” from the best film category, the “outstanding achievement in popular film” award was later shelved.

Bailey highlighted the importance of acknowledging “middle pictures,” those with significant budgets yet not typical award favorites, in an interview with The Big Big News. He underscored the Academy’s ongoing relevance and its efforts to evolve alongside the industry, countering criticisms of its perceived detachment.

Bailey leaves behind his wife, Littleton, a respected film editor and former Academy governor, known for her Oscar-nominated work on “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” She was set to receive an honorary Oscar this year, but the Governors Awards ceremony was postponed due to Hollywood strikes.

Reflecting on the Oscars’ evolution, Bailey emphasized its dynamic nature and commitment to recognizing industry changes, challenging the notion of the Academy’s irrelevance and highlighting its role in sparking industry-wide discussions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about John Bailey Academy President

Who was John Bailey and what was his role in the film industry?

John Bailey was a renowned cinematographer and the first cinematographer to become the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He served from 2017 to 2019, a period marked by significant challenges and changes in the film industry, including the #MeToo movement.

What were some of the major challenges during John Bailey’s tenure as Academy President?

During Bailey’s presidency, the film industry faced issues like declining Oscar ratings, criticism over lack of diversity (#OscarsSoWhite), and the 2017 Oscars envelope mistake. Additionally, the industry grappled with the fallout from the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the ensuing #MeToo movement.

How did John Bailey respond to the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein scandal?

Under Bailey’s leadership, the Academy quickly expelled Harvey Weinstein following the reports of his sexual misconduct. Bailey also emphasized the Academy’s commitment to ethical behavior, leading to the introduction of a conduct code against abuse of power and status.

What was the controversy surrounding John Bailey during his presidency?

John Bailey faced an accusation of inappropriate behavior on a movie set a decade prior to his presidency. He denied the allegation, and following an Academy investigation in March 2018, it was concluded that no further action was required.

What changes did John Bailey propose for the Oscars ceremony?

Bailey’s tenure saw proposals to revamp the Oscars, including the introduction of a popular film award and plans to shorten the broadcast by moving some categories to commercial breaks. These changes, particularly the popular film award, faced backlash and were later shelved.

How did John Bailey view the evolution of the Oscars and the Academy?

Bailey emphasized the dynamic nature of the Oscars and the Academy’s commitment to recognizing and adapting to changes in the film industry. He challenged the notion of the Academy’s irrelevance, highlighting its role in fostering industry-wide discussions.

More about John Bailey Academy President

  • John Bailey’s Filmography
  • Overview of the #MeToo Movement
  • The Oscars Envelope Incident
  • Harvey Weinstein Scandal Explained
  • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Code of Conduct
  • The Evolution of the Oscars Ceremony

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6 comments

Liz_and_Film November 13, 2023 - 2:59 pm

it’s good to see the academy trying to adapt and change, but there’s still a long way to go, the diversity issue is still pretty big.

Reply
Greg K November 13, 2023 - 8:09 pm

So they tried to introduce a popular film award at the oscars? weird idea, glad they didn’t go through with it.

Reply
Sarah J November 13, 2023 - 11:31 pm

wow, didn’t know all this about John Bailey, really shows how much the film industry has changed since the #MeToo movement started.

Reply
JennyLovesMovies November 13, 2023 - 11:56 pm

I remember the Weinstein scandal, it was huge! shocking to see how deep these issues ran in hollywood. Bailey had a tough job for sure.

Reply
Cinephile101 November 14, 2023 - 12:17 am

Bailey’s tenure was def a turning point for the academy, interesting to see how they navigated those controversies.

Reply
Mike_H November 14, 2023 - 1:29 am

is it just me or does the oscars always have some kind of drama? envelope incident was embarassing tbh.

Reply

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