McLaren, Philip

Philip McLaren was born in Redfern although his family comes from the Warrumbungle Mountain area, New South Wales and he is a descendant of the Kamilaroi people. McLaren has worked as a television producer, a director, designer, illustrator, architect, sculptor, lifeguard and copywriter. He has been a creative director in television, advertising and film production companies both in Australia and overseas. His filmography includes (as Art Director) The Mavis Bramston Show television series (1964); The Mike Walsh Show television series (1973); Grand Old Country (known in the USA as The Ronnie Prophet Show) television series (1975) and It's a Knockout television series (1985) and, as Production Designer, The Beachcombers television series (1972); Country Joy television series (1979) and the 1983 film Hostage (aka Hostage : The Christine Maresch Story and Savage Attraction). After this varied career, McLaren focused on writing and was among the first Aboriginal writers to pen novels in the thriller genre.