Phil Tarley Aka Phil St. John
- Director
- Producer
- Cinematographer
Phil Tarley (Brooklyn-) is an American writer, filmmaker, critic, curator, and photographer. He is best known for his contributions to the adult film industry under the pseudonym Phil St John, as well as for his activism and work in fine art and photography.
Early Life and Education Born in Brooklyn, Phil Tarley's early life and education shaped his diverse career interests. Phil’s father died early in his childhood. Phil ran away once to Puerto Rico and once to the Lower East Side. During his second runaway attempt, he was caught shooting out the windows of empty subway cars and ordered by the court to live with his uncle in Cleveland, Ohio. In Cleveland, Phil became a major acid dealer, which brought him out to San Francisco. He studied photography at the City College of San Francisco's Photography Laboratory, where he developed an interest in cinematography. Tarley pursued further studies in creative writing and earned his B.A. in Film and Drama from San Francisco State University. He is also a Cinematography Fellow of the American Film Institute. Phil was briefly Kenneth Anger’s assistant in 1975, before making Times Square porn loops funded by the mob while doing literary coverage for Stephen Bach at UA in 1978. His work with the mob and housing Bernardo Bertolucci’s friend took him briefly to Rome in 1979, where he worked as an assistant cameraman for Tonino Delli Colli and also played a soldier in La Pelle (1981).
Career in the Adult Film Industry Under the name Phil St. John, Tarley made significant contributions to the adult film industry as a producer and director. His career spanned three decades, during which he directed and produced numerous gay adult films globally. Notable films in his filmography include "The Arousers" (1984), "Below the Belt" (1985), and "Craving Foreskin" (2001). Phil started in porn in 1978, producing film loops for mob-funded Times Square peep shows, which took him to Italy to work for Toninno Delli Colli. A master's at AFI brought him back to the states, which ultimately led to the start of his Los Angeles-based porn career.
Phil is credited with debuting and naming porn superstar Chad Douglas in Below the Belt(1985). Phil also took gay double penetration from hardcore to mainstream in Double Delights(2003).
Activism Phil Tarley's first foray into activism was attending Mattachine Society meetings at age 15. He has participated in organizations such as Queer Nation, ACT UP, and the Gay Liberation Front, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Tarley's activism intersects with his artistic endeavors, reflecting his commitment to using creative expression to effect social change. Footage of Tarley’s 1992 ACT UP actions is held by the New York Public Library in the AIDS Activist Video Tape Collection and by the Guggenheim.
Photography and Fine Art Career Tarley's career extends beyond filmmaking into the realms of photography, criticism, and curation. He has served as the fine art photography critic for Fabrik Magazine, as a member of the LA photography council, and as the Creative Director of the Artist Corner Gallery.
Additionally, Tarley curated the Round Hole Square Peg Biennale International Photography Competition, showcasing queer artistry on an international stage. Round Hole Square Peg was the first all queer exhibition at the LA art show.
Filmography Porns The Arousers (1984) Below the Belt (1985) Getting It (1985) Scared Stiff (1985) Don't Kiss Me, I'm Straight (1991) Beach Head (1998) Skateboard Sliders (1999) All American Beauties (2000) All American Surfers (2000) Craving Foreskin (2001) Foreskin Island (2001) Getting It at the Rave (2001) Young, Gay and Gorgeous (2002) Double Delights (2003) Taggers (2003) Czeski Friends (2004) Truck Stop Muscle (2004) Way Below the Belt (2005) Fever (2006) Code Red (2006)
Awards GayVN Award: Hall of Fame (2009) GayVN Award: Best Specialty Release (2005)
Early Life and Education Born in Brooklyn, Phil Tarley's early life and education shaped his diverse career interests. Phil’s father died early in his childhood. Phil ran away once to Puerto Rico and once to the Lower East Side. During his second runaway attempt, he was caught shooting out the windows of empty subway cars and ordered by the court to live with his uncle in Cleveland, Ohio. In Cleveland, Phil became a major acid dealer, which brought him out to San Francisco. He studied photography at the City College of San Francisco's Photography Laboratory, where he developed an interest in cinematography. Tarley pursued further studies in creative writing and earned his B.A. in Film and Drama from San Francisco State University. He is also a Cinematography Fellow of the American Film Institute. Phil was briefly Kenneth Anger’s assistant in 1975, before making Times Square porn loops funded by the mob while doing literary coverage for Stephen Bach at UA in 1978. His work with the mob and housing Bernardo Bertolucci’s friend took him briefly to Rome in 1979, where he worked as an assistant cameraman for Tonino Delli Colli and also played a soldier in La Pelle (1981).
Career in the Adult Film Industry Under the name Phil St. John, Tarley made significant contributions to the adult film industry as a producer and director. His career spanned three decades, during which he directed and produced numerous gay adult films globally. Notable films in his filmography include "The Arousers" (1984), "Below the Belt" (1985), and "Craving Foreskin" (2001). Phil started in porn in 1978, producing film loops for mob-funded Times Square peep shows, which took him to Italy to work for Toninno Delli Colli. A master's at AFI brought him back to the states, which ultimately led to the start of his Los Angeles-based porn career.
Phil is credited with debuting and naming porn superstar Chad Douglas in Below the Belt(1985). Phil also took gay double penetration from hardcore to mainstream in Double Delights(2003).
Activism Phil Tarley's first foray into activism was attending Mattachine Society meetings at age 15. He has participated in organizations such as Queer Nation, ACT UP, and the Gay Liberation Front, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Tarley's activism intersects with his artistic endeavors, reflecting his commitment to using creative expression to effect social change. Footage of Tarley’s 1992 ACT UP actions is held by the New York Public Library in the AIDS Activist Video Tape Collection and by the Guggenheim.
Photography and Fine Art Career Tarley's career extends beyond filmmaking into the realms of photography, criticism, and curation. He has served as the fine art photography critic for Fabrik Magazine, as a member of the LA photography council, and as the Creative Director of the Artist Corner Gallery.
Additionally, Tarley curated the Round Hole Square Peg Biennale International Photography Competition, showcasing queer artistry on an international stage. Round Hole Square Peg was the first all queer exhibition at the LA art show.
Filmography Porns The Arousers (1984) Below the Belt (1985) Getting It (1985) Scared Stiff (1985) Don't Kiss Me, I'm Straight (1991) Beach Head (1998) Skateboard Sliders (1999) All American Beauties (2000) All American Surfers (2000) Craving Foreskin (2001) Foreskin Island (2001) Getting It at the Rave (2001) Young, Gay and Gorgeous (2002) Double Delights (2003) Taggers (2003) Czeski Friends (2004) Truck Stop Muscle (2004) Way Below the Belt (2005) Fever (2006) Code Red (2006)
Awards GayVN Award: Hall of Fame (2009) GayVN Award: Best Specialty Release (2005)
