Ask Ben Hurley to answer some questions and it’s no surprise to get back a comedic response. He is inspired for five minutes of the day and he gets his material from a homeless guy called Gary. However the 2008 Fred Dagg Award winner has a seriously good answer for surviving in the creative industries.

“Be nice to your fellow artists. Artistic industries have a weird Karmic thing about them that the more people you help out, mentor or give advice to the more comes your way."

Ben Hurley was the 2004 Billy T Award winner and is a regular headliner on the international comedy circuit. This year Hurley is bringing his new show Actually, I Do Mind, to the NZ International Comedy Festival in May. 

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Between the hours of 9pm and 9:05pm.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Big, Hairy and funny.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Getting on a tangent on stage and making it all up for a few minutes.

How does your environment affect your work?
When I work outside birds sometimes land on me.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
It all depends on what’s in the picture!

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Be nice to your fellow artists. Artistic industries have a weird Karmic thing about them that the more people you help out, mentor or give advice to the more comes your way. If you go around with an air of competitiveness all the time you will just alienate yourself. Collaboration makes good art!

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
One that I did on Volcanoes when I was 8.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
The Briscoes Lady. How long has she been doing it?!  Good on her!

How did you first get into comedy?
When I took a parrot back to the pet shop where I bought it because it was dead and the sales clerk tried to convince me it was just resting.

Were you the jokester at school?
Wasn’t everyone? As I recall school was everyone trying to be funny all the time.

Is it hard to turn off the comedian in your personal life or do the two worlds intertwine?
Depends on how much sleep I’ve had. Sometimes, I’m grumpy so it’s very easy to turn off!

Where do you get your material from?
A homeless guy called Gary.

Tell us about your show at this year’s Comedy Festival.
Its about the 90s, The music, The politics, The Flannel.  I was 10 when the 90s started and 20 when it finished so I did the bulk of my growing up during that decade. This show is all about the major events of the decade both for me and for the world. I grew up in a small town in rural NZ so most of the major events took a few years to get to us anyway

What are the strengths and challenges for the NZ comedy scene?
One of its strengths is that it’s a small industry so it’s more like a family. One of it’s challenges is that it’s a small industry so it’s more like a family.

What advice can you give to aspiring professional comedians?
Go be a doctor

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I did! I wanted to play cricket for a living. However, this profession did not choose me

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
McDonalds? They are everywhere.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Live. It’s louder that way.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
I don’t know, but MacGyver would!

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
I’m not sure I can answer this truthfully. There may be kids reading.

What's great about today?
One day closer to the NZ International Comedy Festival opening than yesterday – bring it on!

What’s your big idea for 2009?
More sleep and more time at home with my wife

• More information

NZ International Comedy Festival - May 1-24, Auckland, Wellington and Nationwide

Notorious Entertainment Proudly Presents

Ben Hurley – Actually, I Do Mind
THE 90’s. THE MUSIC, THE POLITICS, THE FLANNEL.
AUCKLAND
Dates:     Saturday 2 & Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 May, 8.30pm
Venue:     Transmission Room, Cnr Mayoral Dr & Queen St
Tickets:   Adults $25 Concession $20 Groups 10+ $20
Bookings:  0800 TICKETEK, www.ticketek.co.nz