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Ed Kavalee's 'Cop This' brings fast, furious comedy to Australian screens

Police comedy shot in 12 days raises questions about new production model for Aussie TV

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
Ed Kavalee's new police comedy 'Cop This' is a rapid-fire, gag-driven film shot in just 12 days, a pace the actor and co-director compares to the Australian classic 'The Castle'. The film, co-directed with Peter Lawler, aims to prove that fast, lean production can deliver high-quality comedy, and the question it poses to the industry is whether this could become a new template for Australian television.

On set in late March, Kavalee and Lawler were rattling through scenes, typically nailing a shot in a couple of takes. Kavalee says they are shooting the entire film in 12 days, though he notes that 'The Castle' was done in just 11. That film was made by the Working Dog crew, whose approach to fast, efficient comedy is a touchstone for this production.

The film, described as a madcap police comedy, delivers a relentless assault of gags. The question underlying the project is whether its production model — stripped down, fast, and focused on comedic density — could offer a blueprint for Australian TV production, which often struggles with budgets and competing with international streaming giants. The article suggests this approach may be worth watching as a potential new template for the local industry.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The film's 12-day shoot could demonstrate a cost-effective model for Australian comedy production at a time when local TV faces funding challenges.
  • If successful, it might encourage other producers to adopt rapid, low-budget approaches for genre content.
  • The comparison to 'The Castle' highlights the enduring appeal of Australian underdog comedies made with limited resources.

Background

Working Dog is the production company behind iconic Australian films and television comedies, including 'The Castle', known for its quick, low-budget production. Ed Kavalee, a well-known Australian comedian and actor, has co-directed 'Cop This' with Peter Lawler. The film aims to continue that tradition of efficient, gag-heavy comedy.

Key Perspectives

The filmmakers: Kavalee and Lawler embrace the fast production pace, arguing it keeps the comedy sharp and spontaneous, as evidenced by the set visit where most shots are done in a couple of takes. Industry observers: The article raises the possibility that this model could address budget pressures in Australian TV, offering a way to produce local content quickly and affordably. Skeptics: The source does not include critical voices, but some may question whether quality and polish are sacrificed in such a compressed schedule, or whether the model is replicable beyond a specific creative team.

What to Watch

  • Audience and critic reception of 'Cop This' when it is released.
  • Whether other Australian production companies experiment with similarly short shooting schedules.
  • Any industry discussion about funding models for local comedy in the wake of this release.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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