We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brit Tobin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Brit thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Picture this: late night adventures, anthropomorphic trash and a lawless town that’s their playground. No doubt about it, BLKMRKTMedia’s debut adult animation series “Garbage People” stands out as the most awesome project I’ve been a part of to date. I’ll be the first to admit, Garbage People isn’t like anything that’s been on TV before which has set us apart. It’s absurdist and irreverent and timeless all at once. Garbage People is a riotous odyssey that keeps on giving.

Running this series is a nonstop rollercoaster of unrestrained creativity, storytelling, and real world connections that just blows your mind. We’ve been screened in 40 countries and collaborated with talents from around the globe to bring Garbage People to life. In lieu of the strikes, a pandemic, and all of the drama, we just laughed and said “that’s ShOwBiZ baby”. We had no idea what we were doing, and I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but it was magic. Trash became our treasure, and ‘Trash is Forever’, more than a catchphrase – it’s a reminder that even the craziest chaos can become something meaningful. Every milestone we reach continues to outmatch anything I could have ever directed, written, or improvised– an impeccable manifestation with bizarre timing.

The whole thing is absurd and I love it. It’s like watching a very strange and surreal dream happen right before your eyes. Garbage People’s journey has been nothing short of thrilling in every sense, and so much fun.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Brit Tobin, the creator behind the adult animation series ‘Garbage People’ and founder of BLKMRKTMedia.

Black Market Media has been a long-held vision of mine to empower talent and audiences alike. The story of Black Market Media began amidst the foreboding backdrop of 2020 as an independent film and animation studio that would purposefully operate outside of mainstream channels and the current system- a tall task for what may currently be described as a decaying era in Hollywood. And perhaps, rightfully so. That said, our shining star of the moment is a colorfully dark satire that continues to defy all odds: Garbage People.

Garbage People follows beloved troublemakers Patches and Peel in the lawless dumpster town of Trash. Patches is a jaded plush bunny who’s no stranger to schemes and scams, Peel is a savage banana skin with a penchant for arson and conspiracy theories. Together, they do crimes and live life shamelessly.

Best of all, Garbage People is streaming now on multiple platforms. With more ways to watch than ever, maybe I’ll be the first to say that “underground” is the new normal. *ducks for cover*

You’ve heard the stories about start-ups forged inside of low-rent commercial spaces: there’s a cardboard box for a desk, two plastic lawn chairs from a garage sale, a wood veneer mini-fridge that won’t close all the way, your laptop, a stack of bills, and an exciting (anxiety-inducing) goal.

In the beginning, it was a lot like that. “Animated anarchy”. I had a free editing program, this wild idea of repurposing trash, and some kind of neurodivergent superpower (still unconfirmed). The initial concept started as a stop-motion; I wanted to pay homage to Fred Siebert, 90s Nicktoons, you know, all of the fun and weird millennial nostalgia. In 2022, the series started to catch fire on the Garbage People World Tour festival circuit. We quickly gained a cult following for the show’s cerebral humor, offhand pop-culture references and unique animation style. Garbage People has screened in 37+ countries and continues to rack up accolades (over 70 laurels to date) including, “Best Animated Comedy” at All The Laughs (Atlanta), “Best Music Video” for the defiant metal track “Trash is Forever” at the Europe Music Awards, and “Top Female Filmmaker” at ATX Film Festival.

Earlier this year, I went completely radio silent remastering season one for distribution. I did nothing but edit and write season two for nearly three months getting every frame and every detail just right. Then finally, after many late nights, a diet of Cheez-Its and energy drinks, and generally living through one of the trashiest times to be alive, Garbage People was shot out of a cannon into the abyss. To my utter disbelief we immediately went to streaming, and when we got our official “TVMA” rating, I went absolutely feral. I am ridiculously proud this fun series and everyone who’s been a part of it.

Garbage People is a first-of-its-kind adult animation series that explores the idiosyncrasies of everyday life – those little things that make you go, “Wait, did that just happen?” It’s about living your best life even under the most unsavory circumstances, and serves as a reminder that laughter is the best medicine no matter how trashy life can be.

We love to savor the fine-print details while simultaneously coloring outside the lines with stories that are as nuanced as they are unexpected. The entire show is a non-stop ‘WTF’ party filled with classic shenanigans, social commentary, and meta humor that’ll keep you coming back for more. Garbage People sneaks in all of those “aha!” moments that’ll make you laugh out loud initially and later make you think. Patches’ and Peel’s exploits leave predictability at the door with plot twists and dialogue that’ll make you want to watch again… and again and again. We have another season in the pipeline too, so there will be more garbage! Trash, after all, is Forever.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’d say my never-ending enthusiasm for all things weird and off-putting is one of the major ingredients in the secret sauce. Every episode comes with a trigger warning.

Garbage People dives headfirst into topics and themes intended to raise an eyebrow or two. Patches and Peel aren’t afraid to shamelessly break the rules, and neither are we. There are moments of pure satire that override punchline setups, slapstick schticks juxtaposed with heartfelt moments, and the characters of course, are what makes Garbage People ‘Garbage People’— they’re more than just garbage, they’re pieces of Trash – and maybe your new BFFs.

There’s something for everyone really. You’ll have an episode or two that venture into the surreal, from strange new worlds to incidental time-travel… and more. The more bizarre and thought-provoking, the better. The world I’ve created will make you laugh and cringe, but it’s also a bratty little middle finger to the status quo. And I think that’s special.

You’d think our goal is to shake things up and generate conversations about “taboo” topics, and you’d be right – but hey, is it so crazy to just want to bring people together for once? I see Garbage People as a safe haven in it’s own zany way, a place where kindred spirits can find solace in their quirks and uniqueness. We put the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional.

More than just a show (and more like a Hot Topic circa 2003), we’re an eclectic gathering of twisted humor aficionados. When you join the Garbage People fandom, you’re one of the family… and this family runs DEEP.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Every element of the show from pre-production to air, is either hilarious or insane (or both) which is rewarding in itself. Somewhere along the festival tour, I found that one of my personal favorite aspects has been connecting with people on a level I never could have dreamed of. I mean, think about it – as artists, we have the ability to make someone laugh when they’re feeling down, spark dialogue that brings people together, and maybe even make the world a cooler place.

Recently, beloved musicians and celebrities like Lana Del Rey and Ed Sheeran have embraced the noble art of crafting waffles and serving sausages – a calling that resonates with me all too well. As a format-breaker to the trend, we surprised some fans at a popular chain known for its delectable burgers. Drawing inspiration from Trash’s legendary “Drive-Thru,” I boldly announced that we all hunger for a ‘happy’ meal in the form of binge-worthy adult animation. But before we could thank our hosts at the esteemed establishment, we were met with the most gracious gesture of promptly being shown the exit. It would appear our culinary aspirations were too avant-garde for their hiring process, but a solitary day of food service served as ample dedication to our take on the publicity spectacle. PS. Their secret menu is all the rage.

All jokes aside, seeing a total stranger resonate with a character or scene you’ve created, or be moved in any way by a story you’ve told – is an awesome feeling to say the least. In an instant, you’re suddenly not really strangers and that’s probably my biggest hope for our audience.

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A second season of Garbage People is currently in development by BLKMRKTMedia.

Join Patches and Peel in the town of Trash, where anarchy rules and shenanigans reign supreme. Streaming now!

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Brit Tobin is repped by Jon Kanak at Activist Artists Management.

About BLKMRKTMedia:
BLKMRKTMedia is home for “Grown-up content inspired by nostalgia and fueled on 2020s internet culture with an irreverent vibe and transgressive approach.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blkmrktmedia.com
• Instagram: @brit_tobin
• Facebook: @GarbagePeopleTV
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@BLKMRKTMedia

Image Credits
BLKMRKTMedia