A Special Announcement

A Special Announcement · 10:51 PM

SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKERS!

First and foremost; this is not a comeback to 3dmm. However, regarding this announcement I couldn't think of a more appropriate means to send this message considering what it is and what it means.

Youtube:

If you've watched it;

No, this is not a joke. This is really happening. I've been in serious limbo for the last few years concerning where I'm going with my life. I've slowly been boiling to a point where I've almost completely given up on everything, quit my job and gone travelling. Thankfully though I've finally had some sense knocked into me and after doing some serious thinking and hard research, I know it's time that I listened to everyone and got back into animation, properly. I've been told by friends and family alike (including a few people here) to do this for years, both before and after I quit 3dmm but I was too stubborn and determined to move on that I failed to realize that I could really make something of this.

To those who don't know, Toon Boom Harmony is the industry standard animation software, the same kind that's used to create shows such as Rick & Morty. With that in mind, I knew if I were to bring back Mike and Sam I would have to do it properly, as in write it in a way that it actually appeals to other people than myself and my friends (which is essentially what the 3dmm series was). Why Mike and Sam though? Because I still watch the movies every now and then and see certain moments to which I think "that's actually pretty genuinely funny, why didn't I make more moments like this and not so much TTS babble and random as fuck jokes." This will not be the 3dmm Mike and Sam, this will be very different in both tone, writing, style and substance while still honoring the original series and concept.

This will be a collaborative effort, I have one or two guys helping with the writing, original music being composed for the series and actual voice actors lined up. All this being said, the series is still in early development. Storyboards, character designing, scripting, actually gaining/learning to use Toon Boom. But I am confident in the future and excited to share it.

I quickly made this preview tonight after randomly discovering my old text to speech program on my downstairs computer, it just seemed fitting to announce this new series in the style and format of the old one. I gotta admit it was fun using 3dmm for the first time in four years, not to mention bringing these characters back for the first time in six years. For now though it's back to work on the new series.

I will present more information when there are further developments, not to mention an actual webpage or something when it's closer to completion. For now though I just figured I'd say something here, where it all originally started. Feel free to voice your opinions, suggestions, etc. All is welcome.

Old Rivers · 03-22-2018, 01:28 AM

You're continuing the series without 3d movie maker? Booooooo!

Ben Rice · 03-22-2018, 02:32 PM

more like starting again

youtube added! any chance of a sticky?

Compcat · 03-23-2018, 12:36 AM

Hey cool, I remember this series and enjoyed it back in the day. I think that sounds like a good idea to attempt to go into serious animation, since your 3dmm history definitely shows a natural love and talent for it. Also "Toon Boom" sounds like "Tom Bown."

OmniromX · 10:20 AM

The meta-stuff is cool. The part about cheese and milk and yoghurt is funny. That's awesome you're going to do toon boom!!! Best of luck, looking forward to seeing more stuff.

Only advice I have is to consider your audience. Jokes about down syndrome might offend some in a wider audience.

Solo-Rock · 04-02-2018, 02:09 AM

Nice! Can't wait to see what you and the crew come up with. Lately I've been feeling like I should leave a lot of things behind, because my own passion is what I ultimately want to base my life off of. That said, I commend you for following your passion and taking it seriously. Best of luck, Ben!

Tony Clay · 04-06-2018, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Rivers

You're continuing the series without 3d movie maker? Booooooo!

Da Future Bytes

Ben Rice · 05-04-2018, 12:13 AM

Just posting this here to show I wasn't bullshitting or anything, it's cost me an arm and a leg to get this far but I now have a beautiful monster of a new computer and am finally experimenting with Toon Boom Harmony.

Nothing to really show just yet, I have a TON of stuff to learn from this software still. I'll start focusing more on quality to detail in character/scenery design once I've gained a greater understanding of the softwares many functions. When the time is right I will start creating actual content, including of course the new Mike and Sam.

Old Rivers · 05-04-2018, 12:54 AM

Hopefully Microsoft won't sue you for character design theft.

Evil Ash · 05-04-2018, 01:25 AM

Protip: No gradients.

Ben Rice · 05-09-2018, 10:10 PM

noted. i'm just taking a simple design approach while i learn the program.

only just picking up the actual animation part as well as learning the complexities of designing characters. all their body parts have to be layered on top or beneath each other so they don't cross or overflow one another, it adds further complications to animating them as like with 3dmm HMC's, the parts have to be animated separately, there are some shortcuts to a degree but it's still ridiculously time consuming. given i've assumingly only learnt to use like 1% of the software i may be taking the completely wrong approach. my draw tablet arrived today so i gotta learn to utilise that now as well. as of right now, to animate these two doing even the most simple of actions and/or interacting could take me hours, even days.

this is of course what i signed up for. it's probably gonna be a year or so before i'm even ready to start working on the actual series. as i've said though voice actors are lined up, music and additional help here and there. script's slowly being worked on but it's been put to the side for now while i learn to animate again.

Harrison · 05-11-2018, 02:43 PM

Good luck man. I always had fun watching the Mike and Sam series.

Ben Rice · 05-22-2018, 06:44 PM

Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk · 05-31-2018, 12:07 PM

Hey Ben Rice! Can You Do A Voice Acting Of Yourself Please? Cause I Will Work On A 3DMM Animation Including You! Here Is The Quote:Ouch! What The Hell Was That?! Who Ever Gets In My Why I Will- Uh? Oh I'm Sorry! I'm Ben Rice And Who Are You Orange Cat? Garfielf? That's A Werid Name... So Tell Me Where Did You Come From? Are You From The Cartoon Art Universe? Wow That's Nice To You! So Follow Me Guys To The Cafe! So You Were Guys Just Got Chased By Those Guys? Who Are They? Jon Arbuckle Nermal And Arlen? Is Arlen Your Girlfriend? Ah Yes And So- What The- Oh Shit... Oh Alright... I Gotta Go! Bye Bye!

Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk · 05-31-2018, 12:09 PM

And That's All So I Need Those Voice Acting Right Now So I Need Them As Those Files! And Send Them To Me On Mediafire!

Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk · 05-31-2018, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk

Hey Ben Rice! Can You Do A Voice Acting Of Yourself Please? Cause I Will Work On A 3DMM Animation Including You! Here Is The Quote:Ouch! What The Hell Was That?! Who Ever Gets In My Why I Will- Uh? Oh I'm Sorry! I'm Ben Rice And Who Are You Orange Cat? Garfielf? That's A Werid Name... So Tell Me Where Did You Come From? Are You From The Cartoon Art Universe? Wow That's Nice To You! So Follow Me Guys To The Cafe! So You Were Guys Just Got Chased By Those Guys? Who Are They? Jon Arbuckle Nermal And Arlen? Is Arlen Your Girlfriend? Ah Yes And So- What The- Oh Shit... Oh Alright... I Gotta Go! Bye Bye!

Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk · 05-31-2018, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk

And That's All So I Need Those Voice Acting Right Now So I Need Them As Those Files! And Send Them To Me On Mediafire!

Phil Williamson · 05-31-2018, 04:38 PM

making four posts in a row demanding a specific person do voices for you is not a good approach. if you actually want someone in particular, send them a private message. if you're just looking for voice actors in general, make a thread in 3dmm Chat.

Old Rivers · 06-01-2018, 12:12 AM

Lol he did the same thing in the immunity thread, but directed at tuna.

Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk · 06-01-2018, 01:02 PM

Oh My Mistakes! I'm Sorry! He He! But Tell Me Where Is The 3DMM Chat You Talking About?

Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk · 06-01-2018, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk

Oh My Mistakes! I'm Sorry! He He! But Tell Me Where Is The 3DMM Chat You Talking About?

Old Rivers · 06-01-2018, 02:53 PM

http://3dmm.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

Ben Rice · 06-04-2018, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk

Hey Ben Rice! Can You Do A Voice Acting Of Yourself Please? Cause I Will Work On A 3DMM Animation Including You! Here Is The Quote:Ouch! What The Hell Was That?! Who Ever Gets In My Why I Will- Uh? Oh I'm Sorry! I'm Ben Rice And Who Are You Orange Cat? Garfielf? That's A Werid Name... So Tell Me Where Did You Come From? Are You From The Cartoon Art Universe? Wow That's Nice To You! So Follow Me Guys To The Cafe! So You Were Guys Just Got Chased By Those Guys? Who Are They? Jon Arbuckle Nermal And Arlen? Is Arlen Your Girlfriend? Ah Yes And So- What The- Oh Shit... Oh Alright... I Gotta Go! Bye Bye!

haha i appreciate your enthusiasm and all but as phil said what you're asking for is a lot given how rarely i visit here nowadays. i'm sure there are other people here who might do voices for your movie if you make a casting call in 3dmm chat. if not you can always do it yourself! everyone loves a good impression if these lines really are supposed to be me talking.

Super Taco Land · 06-06-2018, 07:21 AM

A legend returns

Msdeefi · 06-21-2018, 08:02 AM

You mean Mike Shapiro right?

03-22-2018, 02:32 PM	#3
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220	more like starting again youtube added! any chance of a sticky?
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220

03-23-2018, 12:36 AM	#4
Compcat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 8,810	Hey cool, I remember this series and enjoyed it back in the day. I think that sounds like a good idea to attempt to go into serious animation, since your 3dmm history definitely shows a natural love and talent for it. Also "Toon Boom" sounds like "Tom Bown."
Compcat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 8,810

03-24-2018, 01:52 AM	#5
OmniromX Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 824	The meta-stuff is cool. The part about cheese and milk and yoghurt is funny. That's awesome you're going to do toon boom!!! Best of luck, looking forward to seeing more stuff. Only advice I have is to consider your audience. Jokes about down syndrome might offend some in a wider audience.
OmniromX Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 824	Last edited by OmniromX : 03-24-2018 at 10:20 AM.

04-02-2018, 02:09 AM	#6
Solo-Rock Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 16	Nice! Can't wait to see what you and the crew come up with. Lately I've been feeling like I should leave a lot of things behind, because my own passion is what I ultimately want to base my life off of. That said, I commend you for following your passion and taking it seriously. Best of luck, Ben!
Solo-Rock Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 16

05-04-2018, 12:13 AM	#8
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220	Just posting this here to show I wasn't bullshitting or anything, it's cost me an arm and a leg to get this far but I now have a beautiful monster of a new computer and am finally experimenting with Toon Boom Harmony. Nothing to really show just yet, I have a TON of stuff to learn from this software still. I'll start focusing more on quality to detail in character/scenery design once I've gained a greater understanding of the softwares many functions. When the time is right I will start creating actual content, including of course the new Mike and Sam.
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220

03-22-2018, 01:28 AM	#2
Old Rivers Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 6,985	You're continuing the series without 3d movie maker? Booooooo!

05-04-2018, 12:54 AM	#9
Old Rivers Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 6,985	Hopefully Microsoft won't sue you for character design theft.

05-04-2018, 01:25 AM	#10
Evil Ash Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 15,534	Protip: No gradients.
Evil Ash Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 15,534

05-09-2018, 10:10 PM	#11
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220	noted. i'm just taking a simple design approach while i learn the program. only just picking up the actual animation part as well as learning the complexities of designing characters. all their body parts have to be layered on top or beneath each other so they don't cross or overflow one another, it adds further complications to animating them as like with 3dmm HMC's, the parts have to be animated separately, there are some shortcuts to a degree but it's still ridiculously time consuming. given i've assumingly only learnt to use like 1% of the software i may be taking the completely wrong approach. my draw tablet arrived today so i gotta learn to utilise that now as well. as of right now, to animate these two doing even the most simple of actions and/or interacting could take me hours, even days. this is of course what i signed up for. it's probably gonna be a year or so before i'm even ready to start working on the actual series. as i've said though voice actors are lined up, music and additional help here and there. script's slowly being worked on but it's been put to the side for now while i learn to animate again.
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220

05-11-2018, 02:43 PM	#12
Harrison Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 329	Good luck man. I always had fun watching the Mike and Sam series.
Harrison Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 329

05-22-2018, 06:44 PM	#13
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220
Ben Rice Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 10,220

05-31-2018, 12:07 PM	#14
Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 21	Hey Ben Rice! Can You Do A Voice Acting Of Yourself Please? Cause I Will Work On A 3DMM Animation Including You! Here Is The Quote:Ouch! What The Hell Was That?! Who Ever Gets In My Why I Will- Uh? Oh I'm Sorry! I'm Ben Rice And Who Are You Orange Cat? Garfielf? That's A Werid Name... So Tell Me Where Did You Come From? Are You From The Cartoon Art Universe? Wow That's Nice To You! So Follow Me Guys To The Cafe! So You Were Guys Just Got Chased By Those Guys? Who Are They? Jon Arbuckle Nermal And Arlen? Is Arlen Your Girlfriend? Ah Yes And So- What The- Oh Shit... Oh Alright... I Gotta Go! Bye Bye!

05-31-2018, 12:09 PM	#15
Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 21	And That's All So I Need Those Voice Acting Right Now So I Need Them As Those Files! And Send Them To Me On Mediafire!

05-31-2018, 04:38 PM	#18
Phil Williamson Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 16,900	making four posts in a row demanding a specific person do voices for you is not a good approach. if you actually want someone in particular, send them a private message. if you're just looking for voice actors in general, make a thread in 3dmm Chat.

06-01-2018, 12:12 AM	#19
Old Rivers Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 6,985	Lol he did the same thing in the immunity thread, but directed at tuna.

06-01-2018, 01:02 PM	#20
Zeyad We Ahmed Rezk Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 21	Oh My Mistakes! I'm Sorry! He He! But Tell Me Where Is The 3DMM Chat You Talking About?

06-01-2018, 02:53 PM	#22
Old Rivers Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 6,985	http://3dmm.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

06-06-2018, 07:21 AM	#24
Super Taco Land Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 6	A legend returns

06-21-2018, 08:02 AM	#25
Msdeefi Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 167	You mean Mike Shapiro right?
Msdeefi Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 167