Phil Tarley

Phil Tarley (July 13, 1951, 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 his activism and work in the fine art and photography fields.
==Early Life and Education==
Born in Brooklyn in 1951, 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 go live with his uncle in Cleveland, Ohio."Porn Provocateur Phil St. John aka Phil Tarley Opens Wide." Boy Culture. September 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024, from https://www.boyculture.com/boy_culture/2024/09/porn-provocateur-phil-st-john-aka-phil-tarley-opens-wide.html.Douglass, Jerry (April 2000). "Behind the Camera: Phil St John." Manshots, pp. 12-17. 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 work in film in Rome in 1979 where he worked assistant camera for Toninno 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 masters 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 15 years old. 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 as a means of social change. Footage Tarley shot of ACT UP’s 1992 actions are collected by the New York Public Library in the AIDS Activist Video Tape Collection and the Guggenheim."Guggenheim, Stephen – Activist Video." ACT UP New York. Retrieved September 9, 2024, from https://actupny.org/divatv/guggenheim.html.
==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 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)
Category:1951 births
Category:People from Brooklyn
Category:American writers
Category:American people
Category:Filmmakers