Meet Brit Tobin | Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brit Tobin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brit, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Teamwork makes the dream work – I say it everyday. A close second would be a positive attitude and good vibes, which is usually just a component of teamwork. When I launched blkmrktmedia in 2020, there wasn’t a glimmer of a team in sight. Just myself and my partner wading through the darkness of uncertainty. The pandemic hit, work and productivity methods shifted, and the way we all connected with each other transformed greatly. I, for one, deeply missed the company of friends and colleagues, in-person lunches, and mundane human interactions. That said, you have to make due with what’s available, and that’s exactly what we did. This article could alternatively be called “if you’re lonely, write a show.” Ironically. Because in a typical sense, the outcome would most likely be the complete and total opposite of that. But I like people. Usually. Blkmrktmedia launched as a home for our flagship series Garbage People, but there’s a lot more to it than an edgy monicker that happens to be perfectly suitable for the current ethos. In fact I don’t think it’s very edgy at all. It’s sort of just the way I’ve always done things, and hope to continue doing. It’s an out-of-the-box approach that’s worked well for us so far. The more I think about it, the theme of a ‘black market’ encompasses everything we do on the show in the sense that we don’t rely on one-size-fits-all resources across the board. It gives us the opportunity to diversify, explore, and continue generating fresh ideas. It’s a blessing. One that might not have presented itself in such a way if not for the pandemic.
We’ve been able to work and connect with professionals from all over the world in the making of Garbage People and other concepts in development – that’s a huge level-up from previous ways of doing things! Pretty innovative for this industry as well, I’d say.
It’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people. Everything else falls into place.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our current project Garbage People (adult animation) is a world of its own. Literally. The show takes place in a dumpster outside of a mini mall on Ventura Blvd. We’re making progress like I’ve never seen as far as development and production goes. I’ve been in a constant state of awe and hustle especially since the start of the year. It’s the perfect flagship series for blkmrktmedia, too, because it’s an example of what’s to come for future content that’s stylistically rule-breaking and satirical in a post post-modernist sort of way, but you know, without the pretension. And phrases like “post post-modernist”. And phrases like “post post-modernist”. I’m obsessed. Right now we’re on a meet n’ greet flash tour with the stars of our show, Patches and Peel — a jaded plush bunny and a sassy banana peel. So far so good, the only downside is they haven’t been shy about reminding us how much they dislike the cramped overhead compartments on planes. The reality is, I wanted a new show to watch so I made it. I figure that’s a good rule of thumb for any product or invention: make something you want (or need) and there’s a good chance others will either want or enjoy it too. At worst, you did it. At best, you still did it but with an audience.
From concept to completion episodes generally take about a week on average to make, but overall it’s been about a year or so in the making. And what you see is exactly what you get: discarded sentient trash living their best seond-lives in a dumpster. I’m absolutely adamant about an evolving 90s aesthetic that sets the foundation of the show and incorporating variety when it comes to voices in comedy. It’s what makes Garbage People Garbage People.

Prior to Garbage People, I worked on a variety of indie films, served as a ghostwriter for a 1950s news anchor’s raucous and drug-fueled ‘behind the scenes’ biography, made my rounds with various sketch groups and comedy crowds, played hookie at a 9-5 where I was occasionally mistaken for cast with the humble payout of free craft services, earned my chops working as an assistant, and doctored some of the cheesiest Lifetime drama pitches that thankfully never made it to TV. You know, the usual. I’m learning a lot as I go and that’s normally my go-to advice for others. Just start and keep learning as you go. Variety is the spice of life and the unknown isn’t as scary as you think.

I’ll rattle off my inspirations to anyone who will listen without hesitation. It’s a long list so I’ll keep it brief, in-theme, and off the top of my head: the entire Fred Seibert era of animation, sketch comedy (too many to name), and filmmakers like John Waters.. Ok. Let’s be real, there’s no other filmmaker like John Waters. My current dream is for him to voice a character on Garbage People. He is the pope of Trash after all.

I’ve learned a lot about the process of making a show, and I’m not sure how it all fits in my head some days. But if it’s something you’re passionate about, the neurons will fire off magically it seems. It’s a ton of fun, a lot of work, and every once in a while I get to actually relax and enjoy it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Itinerary idea: brunch, check out a film, go for a hike, dinner and/or drinks… no particular order (have breakfast for dinner. You can. Who’s stopping you?). You can find almost any random cuisine you’re in the mood for here- there’s a ramen-burger place in Ktown, an awesome vegan restaurant in Canoga Park, and funnel cake factory in Woodland Hills. LA classics are tacos, burgers, and donuts of course, and I’m not picking favorites. Maybe you’ll find a place that has all three. It’s probably easier to just say if you want bagels and pizza you’re in the wrong state. See a film at The New Beverly or The Electric Dusk Drive-in. Hike Malibu Canyon (hit the Topanga Canyon shops on the way there) or Eaton Canyon. There’s a lot of gorgeous scenery to be found in nature around LA, believe it or not. If you’re short on time and feeling dangerous, people watch in Hollywood or West Hollywood. That’s always fun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to all the likeminded folks who have a special place in their heart for dark humor and all things weird. You get me.

Website: www.blkmrktmedia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brit_tobin/

Other: Garbage People on facebook: www.facebook.com/GarbagePeopleTV

Image Credits
Screen ATX, BatCity Scareground