[sohmer]

The funny thing about this business we like to refer to as ‘entertainment’, is aside from the fact that we all enjoy the hell out of our jobs 80% of the time, the ends really do tend to justify the means.

Despite the long hours, the repetitive and at times tedious effort that goes along with creating something for mass consumption, despite the disagreements and the sometimes cranky temper that comes from replacing sleep with Red Bull...despite all of that, if at the end of the day you find yourself with something unique, something special, something ‘good’, then it was all worth it.

3 Months ago, my team here at Blind Ferret Entertainment, including Marie, Nancy, Nat, Maxime, Eric, Martine, Lar, Randy, Dave and Ryan started production on an animated short that I am proudly, finally, able to show you folks today.

Without further ado, allow me to present Slaughter The World:


(To rate and comment on this video, please follow this link to YouTube)

If you watched that to the end, you’d have noticed that card regarding a certain feature film. I won’t talk about it much at this point, except to say, that yes, it’s true. Looking for Group: The Movie (working title is ‘Looking For Group: The Origins of Dick’), a full 75-85 minute feature film is currently in production here in our studio, with a target release of late 2008.

More on that in the coming months.

For right now, I want to mention a few things about the short, a teaser if you will, that you just viewed.

Casting any role, whether it be in traditional, live or voice form is never an easy task to take. It’s even harder when the role happens to be an existing character, one whose voice already sounds through many people minds.

That said, there was never any doubt that Dave Mitchell would not be Richard. I’ve worked with Dave many times over the last few years, and aside from being one of the most talented and professional guys in the business, he’s also one of us. Beyond that, Dave and I have developed a relationship where we simply get each other personally and creatively. He’s always come through.

If you have a moment, please head on over to Dave's MySpace page and tell the voice of Richard that he did right by us.

While 4 minutes may not seem like a long time, let me assure you that in the world of animation, it is indeed, a very, very long time.

For a studio the size of Blind Ferret to take on this project would be impossible if not for the dedication of our people. I am ridiculously proud of my team, for every hour, every minute they put into this, for every night they slept in the office, for every meal they ate at their desks.

That’s impressive in itself, but consider the fact that they also had to work very closely with me. That ought to rightly increase your admiration of their skills...and patience.

So for now, folks, I ask that you take a look at our short, pass it around to every single person you know and do let us know what you think.

As for us?

We’ve got a feature film to make.

-Because I Can.

[Guh?]

Tres bien. I was afraid that it was going to be choppy and the voice out of place, but it was reeeeeallllly good.

This should be avaliable as an mp3, as I want it on my ipod.

[GutterBall]

Dave Mitchell is a voice-over god. He sounds exactly like the Richard in my head. You know what they say: it's not the voices in my head that worry me, but the ones in yours.

At any rate, I just about hurt myself when he booted that puppy. Seriously. Hilariously well done, guys, and thanks a million for sharing.

Rise up, all ye Disney-weary! Our hour is at hand!

[Starsong]

I am so god damned proud of you guys. Words cannot express.

[Hozak]

That was 7 different shades of awesome. Nice work

[Psychoticman]

Wow that's the best parody of "Part of our World" i've heard in my entire life lol.

Any chance you could post the song in a link to download?

Great work all around and i can't wait for the movie!

[Lunaya]

*bows before the awesomeness that is Blind Ferret Entertainment*

You guys all..freaking..rock! And Richard's voice is perfect. I just love a guy with a deep voice. Thank you! I really, really needed this today.

[ivesjd]

That was really amazing. I have done some very very simple animation and it is amazingly hard to do well.... or at all. Can't wait for the movie!

[Anfortas]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, and her skanky sister Sally, YES.

YES, Sohmer, yes.

[TomaO2]

Great animation.

I enjoy this comic a lot and am very impressed by all the work you put in.

You make sure that it's on time and never misses an update along with making nifty maps and cartoons.

I was wondering though if you's post your cartoon on Newgrounds.com too. It's a great place for animations and I'd bet you'd win a monthly prize which I believe is 250$ plus prizes. I know Youtube is the most popular place for user content but newgrounds has a huge audience as well. Many hits originated there such as "The Numa, Numa Dance".

Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

[Phaiths]

I kinda agree with the above poster. Wanna spread the word on LFG? Post it on newgrounds as well.

Amazing work guys, can't wait for the movie. I'd also like to have the song on an MP3 =P

[Caffinated_Psych...]

That just made my day. Glee! And please tell me you'll be releasing a soundtrack with the movie. That would be amazing

[Kapyrna]

I had to register for the forums just for this. This is, on a scale of one to ten epic-ness, a fifty. I agree that an MP3 would be nice, and will go on the music player as soon as possible.

Regards,
Kapyrna

[Ragnarok]

I thought that was absolutely hilarious. Top-notch. I don't know if it was deliberate or not, but there's a kind of 80s-cartoon feel to the whole affair, but with a better script and better voice acting. I thought the bird at the end was predictable, but instead of being bad about it, it was kind of like the cherry on top of the sundae.

On an unrelated note, I'm looking to break into voice acting one day and I'd love to work on this project in any way shape and form I can in that respect. I don't know that you really want my unsolicited offer of help, but if you're looking you can find my amateur internet radio show at http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkC...2686&cmd=tc .

Thanks, and best of luck with the 'Feature Film',

-Ragnarok

[Kaelora]

That was amazing!
I'm afraid I'll have to be another to say "I'd love the mp3 file".

The voice is what gets me. It's just so close to what I had imagined!
In fact, it sounds virtually identical!
I had imagined a slight ringing echo to his voice, due to 'dark magic' or something, but otherwise exactly the same!

Blind Ferret entertainment... I can see that becoming a household name...
Well, I'd love to... So keep up the incredible work, guys!

Best of luck with the project - from what I can see, it's going to be absolutely terrific!
Will it be a direct to DVD movie?
Seconding the motion for soundtrack.
=)

[Hexeter]

If it didn't bring a smile to my face watching Richard slaughter a slew of villagers I'd shed a tear of joy at finally seeing him brought to life. Well..in as much as an undead Warlock can be brought to "life" as it were. Especially endearing to me is the fact that dear Richard seems to be something of a BoomLock as is my WoW Warlock.

Well done all around to everyone involved in this effort. So far the proposed Movie for 2008 is the only entertainment I am looking forward to for next year.

[Dracolix]

The short didn't really do it for me...

I always thought Richard's voice was higher... perhaps with echoes or resonance or some other mystical effect to it, particularly during casting (for pony!), but he just doesn't have the well... deep voices are for those of less intellectual power and stockier build in my mind.

And well... in the comic richard constantly surprises me. Basically in the short he killed what was convenient to kill using a convenient (though) comical method... but well... he was so Blas'e about it.

The Richard I remember from the comic took great pleasure in killing and would often go to extreme lengths to do it in insane and interesting ways...


But all that being said - it was still good (animation & song especially), it'll probably grow on me, and I'm definitely looking forward to the movie.

And hey, I'll get used to the voice and from the comments it looks like you picked a voice that makes sense to most of the readership, which is impressive.

[monkey3000]

As i said at your Comc-con premier, "This is the Best ****ing thing I've ever seen!!"
the song and animation were great! the only thing that i worry about fo rthe movie is that I hope you will keep with the comics version of him having a similar reaction to 'a kid in a toy story' when he kills people. Other than that i give you made props on this short animation and hope for the best for the movie in 2008!!

P.S. hopefully, LFG will have spread a lot more (with the post of this video) so that next year more people will bring red bull so you guys can build an even bigger tower of cans at comic-con!!

[Rae-Rae =^.^=]

Wow that's the best parody of "Part of our World" i've heard in my entire life lol.

I particularly liked the Ariel-esque slow-motion hood turn (to Ariels hair flip) right at the end; that sealed the deal for me.

I'll be visiting the Youtube and Mr. Mitchell's page in just a moment. He was a wonderful match for Richard. I have to say I was hoping for something a bit more gravely, but perhaps it was because he was singing. Not an insult, by any means, just comparing it to the mental version I always had of Richard's voice which, as stated, can't always be identical with everyone.

Best of luck with the production!

[Keever]

Gaah? BUDDABAAH! ESHADA... WHA!!! AND THEN HE KICKED THE PUPPY!

You guys... that was... oh my... BAAH!

I can't wait. THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!