"Aw, a Fellow Chucker, Eh?"

"Looked like sort of a big turtle, in a trench coat."

Ever since I saw Raphael roll over that cab along with the rest of the trailer for the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie way back in 1990 I was hooked on film. Several other films added to this endeavour over the years, but it all started with those heroes in a half shell some twenty years ago. Mutant turtles, a young boy, and a Burger King Kids Club VHS the dream is born.

"Can anyone tell me who or what this is? Don't know, but I bet it never has to look for a can-opener."



At the age of five when I first saw the trailer for the film I was convinced the turtles where not just a cartoon as I previously thought. They were real! Indeed, in a way they were real. Physically they existed outside of a computer tower and monitor. Sure, they were men is suits circa Gojira, but they were on set to interact with the actors in every scene. NO RENDERING NEEDED. Why can't it be done practically on shooting day(s) with the other players? The move away from this has given us some performances that leave much to be desired. Namely, a lack in believability in most cases. Looking at green dots in terror just doesn't come across well most of the time. Sorry, Miss Fox. Hello, Mister, Hamill.

I've said it before, and I'll write it here. My goal as a filmmaker is to due the same to this and future generations of youth. Leave an impression on them to the same effect. Using real effects whenever possible. It's real and thus comes off more so on celluloid or in our case still mini dv tapes. Working on changing that, folks. With the magic of film, and a little ingenuity, pride, effort, and a bit of luck anything is possible. Anything and everything. Ask, James.



Been watching a lot of films as well as working on finalizing the script for Gone to the Undead. Peep the link to read the blog for the film. Spent this last weekend watching the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trilogy. Radical!

Best wishes to Avatar tonight at the Academy Awards. I feel in my heart of hearts it is due the Best Animated Feature award!

"Hey, didn't they use this place in The Grapes of Wrath?"

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