Phil most recently co-wrote and produced the feature film SONS OF SUMMER, which is set for an international theatrical release later this year. The film starring Temuera Morrison and Isabel Lucas is about four surfing sons who plan a tribute ‘surfari’ to a small beach town where one of their fathers was murdered three decades earlier. However, some road trips are to die for.
Film: Notable film credits include DOUBLE DEALER, SUMMER CITY, LITTLE LOST BOY, BREAKING LOOSE, SHER MOUNTAINKILLINGS MYSTERY, FATAL BOND, EXCHANGE LIFEGUARDS, SIGNAL ONE, TUNNEL VISION, THE FINDER, THE PACT, LIQUID BRIDGE, WILLIAM KELLY’S WAR, AVARICE, and SONS OF SUMMER.
Television: Notable television credits include WAVERIDER, THE FANTASTIC SPORT OF WAVE-SKI SURFING, SHAPIES, and BEHIND THE SCENES.
Phil said, “I’m really looking forward to joining Rob [Woodburn] and RWA as I have admired his history and can identify with some of it. He really understands all facets of filmmaking, and importantly, the balance required between creative and finance. That’s a gift. His roots come from the William Morris Agency and ROAR in the states, which says it all.
“Like Rob, I started at the bottom, in my case graduating from an acting school to multi-task as a stand in/runner/coffee maker with a few lines on the three Goldsworthy productions including THAT LADY FROM PEKING starring Nancy Kwan & Bobby Rydell. Backing that up on THE GAMES with Ryan O’Neill and SQUEEZE A FLOWER with Walter Chairi & Jack Albertson (who won an Oscar during the shoot for a performance in another film), but I was learning from the best. I then graduated to playing ALFRED and being axe murdered on INN OF THE DAMED to follow as a biker on the top-rated TV show at the time – NUMBER 96 – but wait! This was the movie version,” says Phil.
“That was my early introduction to filmmaking in the 70’s when there wasn’t a film industry. I was part of a group known as the filmmaker’s co-operative, with a bunch of enthusiastic ‘wannabe filmmakers’ like Alby Thomms, Frank Shields, Phil Noyce and Peter Weir. We would play our films Saturday night at the ABC theatrette in Sydney. Entry – a box of beer and whatever went with it,” said Phil.
“After many years of writing and producing films, I really admire Australian talent now headlining film and television programs globally. Why? It’s because we/they love what we do, leaving our egos at the door and coming to the set prepared. We mostly work as a collective, not ‘us and them’. 2023 will be a big year – see you at the movies,” Phil went on to say.
Rob [Woodburn] says, “I’m excited to be working with Phil as I’ve been a fan of his work for some time. He and I have similar sensibilities in terms of the screen industry, which will make for a nice partnership. He’s an incredibly talented storyteller.
“Additionally, we’re both goofy foot surfers,” he said with a smile.
ABOUT PHIL AVALON
Phil Avalon is one of Australia’s most successful independent film producers. In his autobiography FROM STEEL CITY TO HOLLYWOOD, Phil tells his story of a kid growing up in ‘Steel City’ … Newcastle, NSW; his memories as a surfer in the early 1970s; as a struggling actor, a Cleo centrefold and later a writer, director and producer. In 1978, he wrote, produced and starred in arguably Australia’s most successful independent film, SUMMER CITY, which unearthed young actors Mel Gibson, Steve Bisley and John Jarratt. Since that time, he has made more than a dozen films starring notable Hollywood stars and captured a master’s World Surfing Championship along the way.
ABOUT ROB WOODBURN AGENCY (RWA)
Established in 2009 by Rob Woodburn, RWA is a highly skilled, fast paced, and results driven talent agency operating out of Sydney [Australia]. To that end, they are leading the way for select artists with expert service, guidance, and results that capitalise on today’s success and make the most of tomorrow’s opportunities. Worth noting is that The Australian Business Journal named RWA one of, “15 Talent Management Agencies To Watch In 2022.”
