We’ve been hunting for this interview for almost two years now, and with some progresses and stepbacks, we finally got it!
Rhys Darby is best known to everyone for his amazing role as Murray Hewitt, the manager in Flight of the Conchords, but his career spawns through many different areas including stand-up, film, viral video, and animation.
Without further ado, let’s go:
When did you first realized you we meant to work on the creative industry?
The thought crossed my mind many times but it was cemented while I was prancing about on stage wearing purple tights in my first year of university. – 1995
How important was stand-up comedy in your career (not just the launch of it, but impact on writing and other creative aspects of your professional life)?
Very important. It was and always will be the crux of what I do. It gave the option to create my own world, my own dreams… and then act them out.
It also made me the boss of my own fortune.
You wrote and acted in an animation short – is that animation something you are passionate about? If so, what you like most about when working in an animation project?
I love the freedom of improvising in a sound booth. Animation also lets your imagination go wild. You can become anything and do anything… the animator just has to draw it.
I love the simple use of the voice in it’s many shades. Dropping the image and physicality of your real self and just using your voice is refreshingly fun.
You were also involved with a HP video campaign that went viral, having also had some clips (like the Yo Gaba Gaba, the Green Peace poem video etc) be spread around a lot throught the web. How do you see these types of media today, the rise of online and viral video that quicky travels through the masses in a short ammount of time?
It’s amazing. Technology and the use of media imagery and advertising within art is so ingrained into the system we call ‘life’ now that it’s easy to spread the joy. Thanks to the internet and now smart phones, anyone who has talent can be picked up and made into a star. We’re living in a world where we are all ‘connected’ like never before. I like being part of that.
In regards to comedy in general, what do you think is the most important in comedy?
The most important thing about comedy? To make people laugh. There’s so many levels and styles but at the end of the day… the very least we’re trying to do is put a smile on someone’s face.
Murray Hewitt is a brilliant character, do you think character is also important when doing a short ad – viral type video?
Character is everything. If you believe the character and if you like the character, you’ve won half the battle. The problem is… not everyone can perform ‘a great character’. There’s so many small details that need come into play.
I think that’s why there’s only about a dozen ‘great comedy characters’ that you can think of in the world when you think about it…
Cannot say enough how amazing your work on Flight of the Conchords is, did you realize back then when shooting that it would be such a great success?
No we had no idea. We thought it was funny but then, we’d been performing these characters for a while and really only to ourselves or small audiences. We thought our friends would laugh… but not the whole world!!
Between all your TV, film and stand-up work, what gives you more pleasure doing, as a professional?
I love acting for television. It’s an absolute buzz, and they often record it so I can see how funny it is. Stand-up is gives me great pleasure on the night though. Nothing can compete with the instant gratification you get from a huge crowd.
Can you tells us a bit about Awesomeness International?
Awesomeness International is the name of my company. The wife and I produce live comedy shows for the New Zealand International comedy festival.
Would you like in the future to further write and possibly direct any project of yours? What kind would it be?
I would love to write my own TV series and direct. I’m just waiting for my kids to grow a little bit older so they can be of use instead of insisting I play ‘knights and dragons’ with them!!
I’ll probably end up writing a show about knights and dragons.
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And there you have it, short and sweet! Thank you very much to Rhys for taking the time to answer these, and best of luck with all his current and future projects!