STRINDBERG AND HELIUM
An early viral video before videos were viral. Animated by Eun-Ha Paek, with voices by James Bewley and Erin Bradley Perkins. Written by Erin Bradley Perkins with text from August Strindberg’s own writings. Craig Helmholz, sound engineer. Featured at the Sundance Film Festival New Frontiers in 2003 and the YouTube Guggenheim Biennial. Played on Comedy Central as part of the show, Jump Cuts and forever circulated among Goths, English Professors, and curious folks around the world. www.strindbergandhelium.com
Hard to explain, but it was a big deal at the time. Just a classic comedy duo that struck a nerve.
Even the NYTimes appreciated effort, saying the following:
“So one more thing: It's been sometimes difficult in recent months to feel good about America. One needn't recite the litany of pride, arrogance, stupidity and cruelty. But while wallowing in our well-justified gloom, its salutary to come across something as sunny and sweet as ''Strindberg and Helium.'' It doesn't hurt anything (including Strindberg's august reputation; it may even lead some to ''Miss Julie'' and ''A Dream Play'' and all the rest). It's creative and nurturing, and we need all of that we can get.”
MISERYYYYYYY
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MISERYYYYYYY 〰️
HOW THE STRINDBERG GETS MADE
Here’s a great behind the scenes look at what goes into making each episode. Featuring animator Eun-Ha Paek.
WE DID IT…"FOR YOU".
At the last second we made one more EPISODE and submitted it to the youtube guggenheim biennial. it got in. That was pretty fun to see the fellas projected on the outside of the iconic building.
Oh, yeah - and Amanda Palmer even remixed Strindberg and Helium into one of tracks on the album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer. So that happened.
REcently, I went to the Strindberg Museum in Stockholm. I mentioned to the front desk person that I was the voice of Strindberg in a popular internet cartoon. She just looked at me blankly and said, Oh, ok.
