/News 23.07.20

CUTTING EDGE DOES QUIRKY COMEDY…QUICK!

Cutting Edge helps to bring a little humour into US and Australian living rooms

Mini-golf enthusiasts take on an outrageous course, while beloved Australian comedians let us into their homes. Cutting Edge has spent the last three months providing a full picture and sound post-production package across two comedic and equally unique series for ABC US and ABC Australia respectively: Holey Moley Series 2 & At Home Alone Together.

Both shows may be considered light entertainment, but their importance in the world at the moment is not to be underestimated with audiences gravitating to these shows during the uncertain times of COVID-19. Holey Moley Series 2 and At Home Alone Together are full of humour and vibrancy, and audiences can’t get enough. And the proof is in the ratings. Both series have rated well with Holey Moley Series 2 hitting the number one spot in its timeslot in the US week after week.

But its success isn’t a surprise. Holey Moley Series 2 is family fun at its finest and stars big names including NBA legend Stephen Curry as the golf pro, and commentators Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore. Cutting Edge has had a blast working on the series, bringing lots of colour into the Sydney facility. It marks the 6th collaboration with prolific Australian-based company Eureka Productions. Cutting Edge has provided post-production services on a number of Eureka’s shows, including Drunk History (Network 10), Dating Around (Netflix), The Amazing Race (Network 10 & Disney), The Irwins (Discovery) and of course series 1 of Holey Moley (ABC).

We are delighted to collaborate with Eureka and ABC TV on two outstanding series. Holey Moley & At Home Alone Together could not have come at a more pivotal time. It is great to see these series provide comical relief during these crazy times. To see them so well received in their respective markets, confirmed it was exactly what viewers craved. Great ‘laugh out loud’ television!

Marcus Bolton, Head of Features and Television, Cutting Edge

Post-production services included grade, online, post sound and mastering. After working on series 1, Cutting Edge was excited to jump back into the next series. Having an insider’s understanding from the first series was crucial in the success of the second. This knowledge was particularly invaluable given the tight schedule of the show. ABC was keen to get the show on the air, so Cutting Edge signed on to the post schedule which saw the delivery of an episode a week. This was also at the height of the restrictions in New South Wales for COVID-19.

In challenging times during the COVID crisis Cutting Edge have been great partners as Eureka Productions has worked to deliver prime time hit series both in Australia and Internationally.

Chris Culvenor, Co-CEO, Eureka 

Back in Australia, At Home Alone Together also brought solid numbers to its 9 pm timeslot on the ABC. And whilst the 9-part series has finished airing weekly on Wednesday, it is still available on ABC iView and continues to attract strong viewership.

A satire of the Australian lifestyle television format, At Home Alone Together saw Australian comedians film themselves whilst in isolation at home and take a different look at life in lockdown. The series was commissioned by Screen Australia & the Australian ABC at the height of the pandemic.

Similar to Holey Moley Series 2, the ABC in Australia was keen to broadcast At Home Alone Together quickly, particularly given the nature of the show. Cutting Edge worked closely with ABC to deliver a show a week.

Comfortable, classy and painless post-production, that’s all you need when you’re turning around a weekly sketch comedy show during a pandemic. Cutting Edge bent over backwards to ensure that At Home Alone Together made it to air on time and looked and sounded great. The team are fast, cheerful and professional, and the facilities are a joy to operate out of. I can’t wait to bring my next post-production project to them.

Dan Ilic, Showrunner

The fast-paced nature of the show required complete focus and undivided attention. The whole team were dedicated to the show to ensure they never missed an air date! The key production team from the ABC set up camp at Cutting Edge to drive the show making decisions live on the go to create the most polished comedy they could.

We made an unprecedented show, in an unprecedented time. At Home Alone Together went from an idea to on-air in six weeks, and every week after that it was a week to week turnaround. The challenges on this show and how it was made was unlike any other – everyone working remotely, one person crews, no sound team, incredibly quick turnaround – somehow the magical team at Cutting Edge made it look and sound like none of those challenges existed. Each week we threw a new curveball at them and they never flinched, always calm, professional and delights to work with.

Nikita Agzarian, Producer

Utilising remote workflows and moving media across the country from various locations to Cutting Edge in Sydney, post-production for At Home Alone Together was completed in a three day period! This included edit, grade, online, full sound and mastering. The series went to air each week without delay. A huge accomplishment for the ABC and Cutting Edge.