I posted previously about Free Range Studios and their thought-provoking online videos. Shortly after my post, I found out about a new project of theirs, called The BioDaVersity Code. This time they have teamed up with Environmental Defense, World Wildlife Fund, the Sierra Club, and many other organizations to create a spoof of The Da Vinci Code that focuses on biodiversity.

The movie stars Robert Penguin and Sophie Minnow, who are trying to solve the murder of a polar bear. In solving the mystery, they learn of the "Priory of Species," representatives of several key species in the web of life on Earth. The moral of the story is that all species are connected, and in a delicate balance that the human race is threatening with unsustainable lifestyle choices. The BioDaVersity Code introduces biodiversity and shows the significance of every species on the planet.

This movie reminded me of a favorite quote of mine, attributed to Chief Seattle:

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.

Since we are connected to everything in the web of life, our actions have consequences that not only hurt ourselves, but all living creatures as well as our support system, the Earth. As The BioDaVersity Code shows, we are disrupting the delicate balance of the web of life. Our choices may have more far-reaching effects than we may realize. I think this is an important message for everyone to hear, and, as usual, Free Range Studios is spreading the message in style.

Watch the BioDaVersity Code, or find out more about Free Range Studios.

Humor can be an effective way to reach people and get them to think. When you add good design and presentation, you've got an even more powerful (and potentially more funny) message. The folks at Free Range Studios seem to know this very well. This design and multimedia firm specializes in communicating messages with meaning and inspiring change through their design work. They sum up what they are all about very nicely on their web site:

We know we could be using our talents to sell cheeseburgers or sneakers. But as message shapers and image makers, we choose to inspire, educate and move people toward action.

That's why we concentrate on offering top-quality design, communication and strategy services to companies and organizations whose vision goes beyond turning the world into a strip mall. And while our clients range from world-wide activists like Amnesty International to corporations focused on sustainable business like Clif Bar, they all share our belief that in each of our actions there is potential for positive change.

These sound like my kind of people! Free Range Studios has produced numerous communication materials promoting green living, sustainable food choices, and the greater good, and I have been following their progress for several years now. They are probably best known for their hilarious and effective Flash movies. These videos explore serious topics such as conflict diamonds, politics, factory farming, and organic food using a bold graphic style and a barrel of laughs.

One of the first of their movies that I saw was "The Meatrix," an animated short film inspired by The Matrix, starring farm animals who expose the truth behind America's factory farming industry. This movie was very successful and educational, and was certainly an influence in my decision to go vegetarian. They have since created two sequels to the movie, which star Moopheus the cow, Leo the pig, and Chickity the chicken."The Meatrix" won several awards and spread the truth about where our meat comes from.

Soon Free Range Studios was at it again, this time promoting organic food. Their hilarious spoof on Star Wars, called "Store Wars" features the Organic Rebellion, a group of organic foods fighting the dark side of The Farm in a supermarket not far away. The video follows Cuke Skywalker's mission to rescue Princess Lettuce from Dark Tater, all while educating consumers about how conventional food is grown and why they should choose organic options. This movie was influential in my choice to eat organic food whenever possible.

The latest humorous video from Free Range Studios is "The Mouth Revolution," a film in which the mouths of the world unite in refusing to eat unwholesome food. The mouths (pictured above) stage an "international shut-up" demanding real food and refusing to open for artificial ingredients and chemicals. Their "mouthifesto" demands no trans-fats, no GMOs, no pesticides, and no artificial anything. The mouth revolutionaries fly banners saying "Real Food Now!" and spit out food that doesn't fit their mouthifesto. They cut off pesticide supplies and topple fast food giants while spreading the revolution around the world. This video is hilarious and inspiring, and you can join the revolution by uploading a picture of your mouth on the web site. Viva la Mouthalution!

After you're done laughing at these funny videos, Free Range Studios inspires you to think and act. Their videos have certainly helped convince me to change my lifestyle for the better, and I hope they continue to have the same effect on many others. Now, I wonder if they're hiring…