''Breaking Loose'' is a 1988 Australian film. It was a sequel to ''
Summer City
''Summer City'' (also known as ''Coast of Terror'') is a 1977 Australian drama thriller film, filmed in Newcastle, Australia. The film also features Mel Gibson in his debut role.
Plot
In the early 1960s, Sandy, Boo, Scollop and Robbie drive to ...
'' (1977).
Production
Avalon had dropped out of the film industry after an unhappy experience on ''Little Boy Lost''. Having bought a surf shop he continued surfing competitively and continuing his acting career in movies. One day Alan Dickes who had directed Avalon's first film, ''
Double Dealer
was a Japanese hard rock/power metal band formed by Takenori Shimoyama ( Sixride, ex- Saber Tiger) and Norifumi Shima ( Concerto Moon) in 2000. They toured France in the same year as an opening act of Symphony X
Symphony X is an American ...
'' suggested he do a sequel to ''Summer City''. Avalon paid Dickes a fee to write a script, which Avalon was unhappy with - but still keen on a sequel. After writing an outline and draft he contacted and hired Rod Hay to direct. Together they continued on the screenplay when Avalon contacted
Denis Whitburn
Denis Whitburn (born 13 September 1944) is an Australian film writer and producer.
Selected credits
*''Crosstalk'' (1982) - writer
* ''The Last Bastion'' (1984) - writer, producer
*'' Breaking Loose'' (1988) - script editor
*'' Bodysurfer'' (198 ...
to do a final draft script.
The movie was originally announced in 1985 as ''The End of Innocence'' when it was to be written and directed by Alan Dickes and to star Christopher Pate.
[David Stratton, ''The Avocado Plantation: Boom and Bust in the Australian Film Industry'', Pan MacMillan, 1990 p36-361]
Avalon later wrote he felt Rod Hay and Denis Whitburn "were definitely not on the same page" when it came to the storyline, Rod wanted more action, whereas Denis was more into the character and history of the original. A large percentage of the $1.3 million budget was invested by Hotel Owner and developer Eric Jury. Avalon raised the balance through his Newcastle friends.
Filming
Some filming was done at Eric Porters Studio in North Sydney which had been bought by Jury to convert into a squash court. After the film was completed and released Jury approached Avalon re a partnership offer to update and convert the studios into a fully fledged movie studio. The deal done, Avalon modernized and rebuilt the film studio which became the Avalon Film Studio with films and TV series booking it constantly.
Location filming was done at Catherine Bay. According to Avalon, there were some difficulties on the set involving Hay and the actors so he approached cast member Vince Martin to help smooth the relationship. Avalon later repaid Martin by offering him a chance to direct a feature, the ''
Sher Mountain Killings Mystery
''Sher Mountain Killings Mystery'' is a 1990 Australian film directed by Vince Martin and Phillip Avalon. This film is categorized as an "Ozploitation" horror film. The synopsis for this film is “Nobody trusted that the Gem has mysterious powe ...
''.
Reception
Avalon says he sold the film for over a million dollars to various territories before it had been even finished. He also had success with a "Breaking Loose" clothing range.
[Avalon p 197]
References
External links
''Breaking Loose''at
IMDb
''Breaking Loose''at Oz Movies
Australian action drama films
1980s English-language films
1988 films
1980s Australian films
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