USQ alumnus works with Hollywood great

USQ Alumnus Phil Lepherd has recently achieved a career milestone: seeing his name in the same credit crawl as long-time hero Martin Sheen.

‘Growing up I was absolutely staggered time and time again with the sheer brilliance of Apocalypse Now. It's inspiring to see your path cross that of someone who's work you've admired for many years.'

Phil works for Independent Post, the UKs leading post-production agency, editing major comedy and entertainment shows for the BBC and Channel 4. The Martin Sheen collaboration came about as a result of Phil's main project, a seasonal show called The Sunday Night Project, a studio-based comedy show that guest stars a new host each week. Previous hosts have included Pamela Anderson, Simon Pegg, David Hasselhof and Mariah Carey, and the show consistently attracts over four million viewers.

‘I have made 34 episodes so far, with the most recent being the show starring Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez, who travelled across to London to assist with some comedy sketches. They are very warm and agreeable fellows.'

Phil completed a Bachelor of Arts (Media Production) in 1994, and began his career working as a director for WIN Television in Toowoomba until he moved to London in 2001. He says that although he always saw himself working in film more than TV he is enjoying the path that TV is taking him.

‘The gap between film and TV continually closes (in terms of production techniques and technology) and I find my skills are becoming more and more relevant to film.'

However, Phil continues to pursue his passion for film and spends some of his ‘spare' time directing short-films. "Give & Take" was filmed in Paris with a French cast and crew, and was exhibited at Cannes Film Festival 2007 and nominated for Best European Short Drama at the European Independent Film Festival 2007. His latest film, "Love Bombing" has so far been shown at six international film festivals, including its premiere at the Chicago International Short Film Festival. It was nominated for Best European Short Drama at the Florence International Film Festival and also at the upcoming European Independent Film Festival in Paris.

Phil, his wife and two children call London home now, and he gives some of the credit for his success to the vibrant city.

‘Anytime I've wanted to do ANYTHING, London has presented the opportunity in a short space of time. London is very good at initially presenting oppressive barriers to ambitions, but they're just a thin facade. You can pretty much do whatever you want with a fair amount of chutzpah and a sunny disposition. I've found it to be quite a playground, career-wise. I do fear that I would struggle to find anywhere else as diverse, career-wise and culturally.

London isn't without it's problems, which are manifold. On balance it's worth the effort.'