“Don’t worry… we’ll find a way to make it work.” These are the words we’ve said the most at The Post Lounge over the last twelve months as the production boom sees more and more projects start rolling in Australia.

We checked in with three members of the post house’s management team across their three studios in Queensland, Victoria and now New South Wales.

Dan Lake, Longform Business Director
Melbourne Studio

Any trends you’ve seen in post over the last six months?

Producers are getting in touch at early stages in their projects to work through post which is great – what I’ve learnt in the last three years at the company is that post isn’t just about quoting, it’s about working as a team to find ways to not only increase production values but be smarter. Obviously with the pandemic that has been even more important but I think it will continue.

What’s on in the Melbourne Studio at the moment?

After a constant but lockdown-affected 2020, we’re really busy in Melbourne which is great. We’re providing full post for two series – from dailies right through to delivery (one of them being NBCUniversal’s La Brea). We also have an ambitious Australia-New Zealand Co-production and an indie feature in offline, and we finished a large number of feature documentaries for this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival. If there’s (COVID-safe!) desk space – it’s got people on it.

What are you watching at the moment?

I have just started The Sopranos for the first time (I know, I know!) and it’s incredible. I’m just a little bit excited to have 86 episodes of a series ahead of me.

Kurt Royan, Managing Director
Sydney Studio

Any trends you’ve seen in post over the last six months?

Being in post, we’re a technology based business, so it’s always exciting playing with the latest toys. Our new flagship facility in Sydney is fully equipped for 4K+ HDR mastering, and we’re working on how we can make sound post even better with our installation of Dolby Atmos mix suites. Given COVID, everything is able to be seamlessly transitioned to secure remote workflows at a moment’s notice.

What’s on in the Sydney Studio at the moment?

It’s been a fun challenge facilitating both our post services and our fit out construction at the same time, but fortunately the building is large enough that we can section off different areas to accommodate each. It’s great to have three feature projects and a factual series already working in the building, and the feedback on the new facility has been exceptional – everyone is loving the creative vibe. Given the current restrictions in Sydney we have moved all applicable crew to be remote, but we’re working through it and looking ahead to a very bright and busy future.

What are you watching at the moment?

I’m obsessed with Australian Survivor at the moment, great for tuning out. The latest season of Rick and Morty is epic. Also I loved Hacks.

Bronwyn Ketels, General Manager
Brisbane Studio

Any trends you’ve seen in the last six months?

A real focus on COLOUR! Which I love! Our grading theatre in Brisbane has been back-to-back with all different types of projects, and we completed the biggest Dailies colour job we’ve ever done in the last 12 months, so it’s been awesome to see the fruits of the labour of the amazing colourists we work with, and to see our in-house colourist Kim step into the limelight a bit more. I think there’s real attention on getting images on screen to POP and to stand out from the rest, at the moment. A lot of people upgraded their TVs over the last year (as we spent more time in front of them) so it’s nice to be able to be work on projects that really make use of their new screens… or for those back at the cinema, to be able to wow people in that fab darkened room.

What’s on in the Brisbane Studio?

• Taylor’s Island for Fremantle and Nickelodeon is in dailies, editorial and is about to kick off in grade and sound.
• We’re working on three features concurrently, and one is just starting DI and sound.
• We’re doing grade look development for a music documentary.
• Most importantly, the Lux bar is stocked!

What are you watching at the moment?

The Handmaid’s Tale, GLOW and I just finished re-watching Puberty Blues (I’m a sucker for anything set in the 70’s and 80’s, and with strong female leads).

Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of The Post Lounge.

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