Respondent: Benjamin Goldberg
Position in Company: Director/Writer/Producer
Company: BFG Images
Show Title: The Ocean
“(At Fringe) you can break the conventions of traditional storytelling because the audience has no expectations for what they’re about to see. The freedom to explore in these unconventional ways is why so many of us create art.”
[Ed note: This interview was completed during a previous title/version of BFG Image’s show, which has since been updated. Fringe! It’s like that! Anyway, this interview was broad enough that it seemed like it still worked for the ner version of their show. Will it still apply? Let’s find out together when we get our tickets for this year’s festival!]
- Why should people see your show?
It feels so cliché to say but it really is important to support local art. All of the people involved in this show are working artists living in Atlanta; while not all of us hail from here we have been here long enough to consider this home. We have put in a ton of time and effort to grow Atlanta’s artistic community and I have a tremendous amount of respect for everyone involved in this show.
- What about festivals intrigues you? And why the Atlanta Fringe?
I’ve always viewed festivals as a medium for experimental performance. You can break the conventions of traditional storytelling because the audience has no expectations for what they’re about to see. The freedom to explore in these unconventional ways is why so many of us create art. And at the end of the day festivals are a great way to just have fun and collaborate with your friends.
- What inspired you to create this?
Atlanta has a tremendous sense of community, with a collective of artists who support each other. I wanted to be able to do something that allowed me to work with the people I’ve enjoyed working with. I am a big fan of David Cross and Bob Odenkirk’s “Mr. Show.” How they are able to thread together seemingly unrelated sketches by recycling characters to form one fluid piece. It’s very reflective of how they see the world around them, which is something I wanted to do with this show.
- Life has been weird the last few years, to say the least. How has the “real world” affected the art you’re creating?
I know this is probably a question about COVID, but all I could think about is how billionaires are not your friend. Not enough people realize we live in a fundamentally broken system; where there’s no point in trying to game the system because for most people the deck is stacked against them. Even when you think you’re being handed an advantage, those in power are always one step ahead of you.
- What have you learned from working on your show so far?
Problem solving and the way that a concept can evolve. I started with one idea for how I saw this show going and as we’ve added collaborators they’ve each brought their own ideas and additions to it. We hit a couple of hiccups and have had to readjust, but if you surround yourself with good people it makes that part easier.
- A mysterious stranger asks to meet you and your cast and crew after loving your show. In your WILDEST DREAMS, who is it? (Bonus points if your mysterious stranger is an Atlanta celeb.)
Well I mentioned him before and I hear he’s from around here, Mr. David Cross. If we made him laugh even one time I would consider that a success.
[Ed. note: also, the staff of the Atlanta Fringe would LOSE ALL OF OUR MINDS.]
- Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: are you inviting your family to this show are “Hey, maybe sit this one out you guys…”
Yeah absolutely, I’ve been lucky enough to have a family who have always supported me in everything. They’re no strangers to the weird.
- Will your show change the world?
Probably not, but maybe we’ll change a few perspectives if enough people come to see it.
- AI: the death of our art form or just a new tool to create?
Definitely a new tool to create, I’m not sure AI is up to speed on actually creating fully cohesive pieces, but there are a lot of creative things it can be good for. I think I thought of an idea for a future fringe show while writing this.
- We’re making an excellent Fringey Feelings playlist. Describe your show in two or three songs we can add to keep the jams flowing.
Julius Fucik – Entry of the Gladiators
Star Wars Cantina Band
Sounds amazing, right? Click here to learn more and get your tickets to this show today.
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