/News 30.08.19

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST TV DRAMA AT TIFF – TOTAL CONTROL

Total Control will have its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). 

Leading Australian production and post-production specialists, Blackfella Films and Cutting Edge respectively, share their insights around the filmmaking process, and combining forces to fuel the success of this uniquely Australian production.

Director, Rachel Perkins, commented on the success of the series; “you can be so immersed in the creative process of filmmaking, that you become unsure of what you have at the end of it. News of our acceptance into Toronto, particularly given our television series is one of the few chosen across the world, was, therefore, a high point and a huge relief. Screening at Toronto is also special on a very personal level. It marks the twentieth year of my collaboration with actress Deborah Mailman. My career has been built around her prodigious talent, and I look forward to following our leading lady onto the red carpet.”

Marcus Bolton, Managing Director at Cutting Edge, expressed his joy at working alongside Blackfella Films on such an important and poignant Australian story; “to be associated with what is Australia’s very first television drama project, to be shown on the international stage at TIFF, is very special.”

An established relationship built around mutual trust and creative alignment created a sense of oneness between the companies; “Our creative team have had a long-term association with Blackfella Films and collaborating with Rachel, Miranda and Darren. We feel as though we have grown alongside them, culminating in this incredible opportunity to share this Australian content with the world, on an international stage.”

“Cutting Edge has become our creative home. We curl up there with our rushes in the dark comfort of the edit suite. With support of the staff we have worked with for years, our projects are nurtured through the post-production process. We know that we can trust their experience to problem-solve, polish and bring the best out of our work.”

Rachel Perkins, Director.

“It was exciting to be accepted into such a prestigious film festival and immensely reassuring to know that we would be able to deliver on time, and to the highest standard, thanks to the the team at Cutting Edge’s ability to quickly switch gears into the theatrical space, and accelerate the work to meet new deadlines. Being able to have that confidence in the process at such a high-pressure time is priceless.” Miranda Dear, Producer. 

Senior Colourist at Cutting Edge, Dwaine Hyde, was thrilled to be working alongside Cinematographer Gary Phillips: “Having worked with Garry on other projects in the past, it was fantastic to collaborate with him once more. Garry always delivers beautiful cinematography, and the pictures for Total Control were no exception.”

“The distinctive architecture and coolness of Canberra, versus the warmth of Winton, and the uniqueness of the Australian Outback, allowed us to play with two very different looks. Garry shot with those in mind using the Arri looks workflow, which followed through shoot to offline, and gave us a good starting point in grade. The show is full of epic outback landscapes and amazing aerials of Canberra, it has been an absolute pleasure to work on.”

Marcus expressed the advantages of being Australia’s only studio with full post-production services under one roof; “it enabled a direct line of communication and seamless transition between departments, including editorial, colour grading, VFX, online, QC and delivery, allowing us to make the experience for the creatives, second to none.”

“I’ve cut many projects at Cutting Edge and as always, their bespoke approach to work-flow and the execution of it has been impeccable.  During the shoot, we edited remotely in Canberra and Winton and we could always rely on the gear being where it needed to be when it needed to be there. With an air date fast approaching, our very tight fine cut schedule was helped immensely by the team around us ensuring multiple episodes were (and still are) going through their paces at the highest standards within the tightest deadlines. These guys are a well-oiled machines and more importantly, lovely people, which makes the long days so much easier to cope with!”

Deborah Peart, Editor.

Stewart Dean, Senior Post-Producer at Cutting Edge, and long-term collaborator with Blackfella Films had this to say; “my association with Blackfella Films has lasted for over a decade with Total Control becoming the 20th project I have had the pleasure of being involved in. I have watched Rachel and Darren grow from producing and directing short films, through to creating landmark documentaries, award-winning drama series and acclaimed tele-features. Partnering with them is always a very collaborative affair from day one of pre-production through to final delivery. I am very excited to see Total Control and Blackfella Films taking total control at TIFF!”