The Industry Pays Tribute to Beloved Producer Phillip Detchmendy
Little Black Book was saddened recently to learn of the passing of Phillip Detchmendy. Phillip - known affably as ‘Detch’ to many in the industry - passed away on July 11th after valiantly fighting in intensive care for five months.
Phillip was a US production veteran known for his generosity and goodwill. Over the course of his long career, he worked with the likes of Tool, Satellite, The Sweet Shop, RSA Films, Ampersand and Fancy Content in executive producer and managing director roles. Most recently he was an employee of Furlined.
Phillip was also a founding member and committed rider of the West Coast Fireflies, a Californian offshoot of the famed charity bike ride from Lake Geneva in Switzerland to Cannes during the Lions festival. The Fireflies West has raised millions of dollars for City Of Hope, a National Cancer Institute, and its embedded cancer research.
In light of Phillip's passing, we wanted to offer a space for industry friends to remember him.
If you would like to contribute a memory or tribute of Phillip, please contact addison@lbbonline.com.
Diane McArter
President at Furlined
In the fall of 2023, Phillip joined Furlined. We were reunited once again after first working together over 25 years ago. Phillip uplifted and inspired us all with his relentlessly positive spirit. He reminded us what great leadership looks like at a time when we needed it… Phillip came from ‘we’ not ‘me’. He fought hard for the team and he made it feel joyful. For those of you who knew Phillip, I invite you to take a moment and think about how Phillip made you feel.
For me, Phillip’s essence was goodness through and through… a quality I aspire to carry forward in his memory.
Jake Scott
Director at RSA Films
Detch was one in 10 million, a diamond. I met him as one of the first to call themselves a Firefly in those halcyon alpine days. He had a way of making everything sound slightly mischievous, though never with nefarious intention. He could be serious, but if there was ever fun to be had, he was right there, giggling away. Ever thoughtful he had an innately empathetic soul, the loveliest of men, never a single bad word for anyone. Phil exuded positivity and an infectious enthusiasm for possibility. We all loved him dearly.
Courage mon brave xxxx
Matt Miller
President and CEO at AICP
Philip was a real fixture in this industry. Rolling up his sleeves to be involved in AICP activities and ever present when the community came together for both business and social reasons - and initiatives for good. This shocking loss will certainly have long felt ripples.
Ben Hampshire
Managing director at Carnage Films
Phillip was one of the good ones. His charm, and kindness won over colleagues and clients in a long and decorated career as a West Coast EP. We’ll miss him greatly.
‘Detch’ embodied the spirit of The Fireflies. He was part of the RSA family and rode in Europe in one of the first Alps Tours with Bryan, and wore his original jersey through the early West Coast Tours when we had no team jersey of our own. He was the warmth, the kindness and the dogged persistence that embodies The Fireflies, and if you were lucky enough to find him on a ride, his smile and his easy humour stayed with you. And there was no mistaking him on the road - he was infamous for hanging things off his bike with no regard for the aesthetics or the ragging of the rest of us: lights, nose bags, tail bags, waterproofs; there was no end to it. Jake once remarked he looked like a moving yard sale as he flapped happily along. Detch was Firefly Family. Ritu, his wife, was the first ever tour producer and another integral part of the success that the ride is today. We'll find a way to remember him, and more importantly a way to support Ritu and their little boy Max. And we'll miss him greatly.
Allison Amon
President at Superconductor
What I think of first when I think about Phillip is how quick he was to laugh. He was always there, on a Fireflies ride, at a party, at a conference - with a big smile on his face, head thrown back in laughter and a welcome hug for me.
I first met Phillip when I arrived in LA in the late 1990s. He was clearly a connected producer who I needed to get to know if I was going to get connected in LA. Passionate, friendly, funny. He was quick to introduce you to someone you needed to know and find out how your job was going.
Phillip pushed me into the Fireflies. He heard I had been doing a bit of road riding (on a shitty $700 - 10 speed) and hunted me down at a party and insisted I join. I had seen him many times in Cannes, after a ride, still giddy with the endorphins. The Fireflies changed my life, and I owe that to him.
He totally understood the value of human connection and created a community in production and on the bicycle.
RIP Phillip
Philip Fox-Mills
Co-founder at MilkToast
He truly was the nicest man in our business.
We first met when working together back at Satellite in the late ‘90s! Since then we crossed paths ever since, with RSA, AmperSand and lastly Furlined and unfortunately that was too brief. The impact and momentum he had already created is a true credit to how infectious his energy and positive output was - he was a very unique man and second to none.
All the wonderful things Phillip was to all that knew him, I am sure you have seen in multiple emails giving huge tributes to the type of person he truly was.
The biggest thing I will miss the most is his LAUGH, so genuine, engaging and from the belly to the heart and some. A true original, genuine, kind and very thoughtful person who was always looking out for others as I am sure he still is!!!!
He did not deserve what he went through since last January. His last text to me prior to him not ever coming out of hospital ever again was:
"YES.
Alive.
Trying to kick this.
Soon."
Always positive to the last…
He was about to get on an airplane to do a meeting in NYC with me and here we are…
His laugh, his laugh will always be with me!
Years ago we met at Satellite. He was exceptionally kind and welcoming. We kept in touch ever since. Phillip was one of the most positive and generous personalities in our industry who helped to uphold decency and fair values. I will always remember Phillip and will be thankful for the opportunity to meet him and spend some time together. Rest in peace Phillip and thank you for everything.
Daniel Bergmann
President at Stink
Years ago we met at Satellite. He was exceptionally kind and welcoming. We kept in touch ever since. Phillip was one of the most positive and generous personalities in our industry who helped to uphold decency and fair values. I will always remember Phillip and will be thankful for the opportunity to meet him and spend some time together. Rest in peace Phillip and thank you for everything.
Erik Press
Executive producer
Phillip was a one of a kind individual. Smart, caring, passionate, warm, and that laugh. No matter how difficult a problem he was facing, he always seems to find something to smile about. This is tremendous loss for his family and for our industry. What stands out to me is how he was always reaching out to connect to people and welcome them no matter what. His can-do attitude lifted everyone around him and this will always be inspiring. I spent most of my time with Phillip amongst the Fireflies. He was steady as a rock, rolling along at his own pace, handlebar bag swinging from the front of his bicycle (he was ahead of his time with that) always filled with snacks and most memorably, a big, ear to ear grin across his face. This is the image of Phillip that I’ll always remember. He shined in this community as much as he did in production. I will never forget the many hours I spent next to Detch on our bicycles, marvelling at the beauty around us, listening to stories of his adventures and discussing plans for what the Fireflies and life could be. We are all better off for his presence in our lives.
Jimmy Matlosz
Cinematographer
I never had the opportunity to work with Phil but I did ride with him on the Fireflies on day three through Big Sur. I have a fond memory of taking turns pulling each other over each hill, light banter and an appreciation for how lucky we were. Any time I think of Phil,I think of Big Sur and that seems to sum up who he was to so many.
