The Extractor

The Extractor was a 6 minute short animation. It was produced in 1992 as a self-funded project. It tells the nightmare tale of a mercinary high-tech tooth fairy and hapless cat! Budget restrictions neccessitated a simplicity of style, this ultimately added to the finished 'Dr. Caligari' look of the film.

The Extractor was inspired by American cartoon shorts of the 1940's and 1950's yet has a distinctly European feel. Effectively a silent movie with added music and effects. It was with this in mind that the possibility was raised during the production for the film to be publicly screened with live music and effects performed by composer Paul Robinsons 'Harmonie Band', who have also toured Europe providing musical accompanyment to silent classics such as 'Nostferatu' and Buster Keaton's 'Sherlock Jr'.

The live performance of 'The Extractor' was unfortunately never realised but the film was received enthusiasically by audiences at the National Film Theatre after it was shortlisted for public choice screenings at the 1996 British Animation Awards.