News Summary
The University of Central Florida (UCF) celebrates its quirky campus character, Ratman, in a new documentary titled ‘Have You Seen The Ratman?’. This film recounts Ratman’s viral rise after confronting a bike thief, capturing the laughter and community spirit he inspired. The film, directed by James Berry, received accolades as the ‘Best Florida Short Film’ at the Gasparilla International Film Festival. As students reminisce and hope for Ratman’s return, his legacy continues to bring joy to the UCF community.
UCF’s “Ratman” Returns to Fame with New Documentary Chronicling Campus Vigilante’s Viral Rise
Orlando, Florida – The University of Central Florida (UCF) has found itself in a whirlwind of laughter and nostalgia all thanks to a quirky character known as Ratman. In case you missed the hilarity of yesteryear, Ratman is not your typical superhero, but rather an adult man sporting a makeshift rat mask and tail who patrolled the campus at night, turning a regular evening into a spectacle.
The fun began back in February 2018 when a YouTube video emerged showcasing Ratman confronting a “would-be bike thief.” This video did not just make a splash; it created waves! The clip went viral, bringing Ratman into the spotlight and capturing the hearts of students who began sharing stories and memes about him on UCF’s Reddit page. It wasn’t long before students were humorously debating everything from Ratman’s motives to whether he was a campus hero or just an overzealous prankster.
As if this quirky character wasn’t enough fun on his own, the UCF Police Department got in on the action. They playfully tweeted to Ratman, asking for assistance with campus crime, specifically targeting a vandal in the often-busy Libra Garage. In a gesture of goodwill, officers even met with Ratman and jokingly presented him with an informal certificate of appreciation, although most people still don’t know the real identities of those officers behind the badges!
To add to the excitement of Ratman’s fame, documentarian James Berry decided to bring the story to life with a film titled “Have You Seen The Ratman?” This documentary delves deep into the origins and the unexpected impact Ratman had on the UCF community. It explores the blend of absurdity and humor that surrounded this vigilante character and illustrates how a simple parody project ballooned into a full-fledged phenomenon.
The Ratman saga began when a UCF student named Cameron Cruce created the character as part of a mockumentary project for a film class. With a passion for parodying superheroes, he designed Ratman’s quirky costume with a tail, bandana, gas mask, utility belt, and eye-catching reflective materials that gave the character his iconic glowing eyes. Along with his friends, Cruce staged comical Ratman “sightings” around campus, crafting silly scenarios where Ratman would swoop in to thwart bike thefts or even provide hydration to students during workouts.
With Ratman’s antics sparking interest across campus, it didn’t take long for students to start organizing “rat hunts” in search of the man behind the mask. One notable incident involved a hyped-up online post claiming that Ratman would finally unveil his true identity at the UCF Student Union. This prank led to an unintended crowd gathering, only for students to realize that the post was entirely fabricated. It’s safe to say that Ratman provided plenty of thrills to campus life!
Fast-forward to present day, and Berry’s documentary has emerged victorious, snagging the title of Best Florida Short Film at the Gasparilla International Film Festival. It thoughtfully captures the hilarity and community spirit that Ratman inspired, and many UCF students like sophomore Austin Ponder agree that the documentary is not only entertaining but leaves them yearning for the beloved Ratman’s return to campus life.
With this fresh wave of excitement surrounding Ratman, Berry expresses his eagerness to continue creating lighthearted documentaries that resonate with audiences. If “Have You Seen The Ratman?” is any indication, there’s sure to be more laughter and adventure waiting around the corner for UCF and its students.
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Additional Resources
- Click Orlando: Ratman Orlando Superhero
- Nicholson Student Media: Florida Documentarian Makes Short Film About UCF Ratman
- Sun Sentinel: Florida Panthers Rat Throwing Tradition
- Google Search: UCF Ratman
- Click Orlando: Best Places to Move in Florida
- Wikipedia: Vigilante
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
