Blast from the Past #468: April 2, 2005: Re: Revised Main titles for Season 4 of TMNT

Subj: Re: Revised Main titles for Season 4 of TMNT
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2005 1:11:28 PM
From: Peter Laird
To:   Lloyd Goldfine

Lloyd,


Here are my comments on the new season 4 TMNT main title.

1.) This is generally okay, albeit not too exciting. I'm somewhat disappointed that so much of the previous (current) version is being re-used... not that those segments are bad in and of themselves, it just seems that this is an opportunity to really come up with something new to refresh the look of the opening of the show, and we're not making best use of it. Sort of a "putting old wine in new bottles" kind of thing.


2.) Things I don't like:


a.) The new scene of Leo fighting the two Foot ninja near the beginning seems visually boring to me -- very flat. And it's hard to tell what exactly is going on -- is Leo fighting these two guys as all three of them are plummeting to the ground? 


b.) p. 61b: the Turtle in the Shredder armor -- hate it!


c.) My least favorite part of the original title sequence was the "extreme Turtles" (the Turtles roller skating/scootering/bicycling/etc. in the sewers)... I'd really like to take this out and replace it with something cooler.


d.) It's nice to see Leatherhead, but his appearance is pretty boring. I would rather see the Fugitoid in that scene with Don, and give Leatherhead an action bit, maybe fighting another character (Gen? Bishop? Nano?)


e.) Surely there are a lot more supporting characters we can get into this mix, even as quick glimpses, to reflect the richness of the storyline and cast after three seasons? What about Ultimate Draco? Savanti Romero? The Ancient One? (Yeah, I know he doesn't appear until the fourth season, but Casey Jones and the Shredder didn't appear until four or five episodes into the first season, and THEY were in the original main titles sequence.) Shrednaughts? Karai? Renet? Lord Simultaneous? The Entity? Utroms? Yoshi? The Guardians?  The Ninja Tribunal? Klunk? The Super Turtles? The Evil Sliver? Nobody? The Mystics? Mutated Monster Don? The Acolytes? and so on... 


3.) Things I like:


a.) I like seeing Usagi and Gen included (and of course we should get Stan's okay before we use them like this), but it would be nicer to have them actually DOING something. Right now they're just standing there (and we don't really even get to SEE Usagi -- he's just a silhouette).


b.) I like the bit with Mikey and the comic books.


c.) I like seeing April fighting... although it appears she is wearing the outfit she wore in the first bunch of episodes -- the belly shirt, pants, etc.. It would probably be cooler if she were in a different outfit.


4.) On page 51, it's not clear to me who Casey is fighting -- are those Utroms in exosuits, or Foot Tech Ninjas?


-- Pete

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Subj: Re: Revised Main titles for Season 4 of TMNT
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2005 8:24:40 PM
From: Peter Laird
To:   Lloyd Goldfine


In a message dated 4/2/05 6:09:35 PM, Lloyd Goldfine writes:


Hey Pete –
  
 Just so you understand, we were asked to slightly revise the main title by Playmates to feature the more up-to-date vehicles and characters, and to call out each Turtle by name.  We don’t have the time or the budget to do more than that for this season (though as you can see we’ve done more than that anyway). 

Lloyd,


Thanks for the clarification. Now some things make more sense.

The glimpses of characters that you mention (Leatherhead, Usagi, etc.) are basically “Easter Eggs,” little nuggets that we’ve hidden in the opening for astute observers to find.  When animated at speed, these suckers will barely be visible – they’re really just a bonus bit of fun that we’ve thrown in – there’s no time for anything else.
  
 The scene that you hate of Mikey in Shredder’s armor replaces the shot of Shredder saying “Watch out for Shredder!”  Now Mikey says “We Shredded Shredder!” until Karai becomes the Shredder later in the season, and then she takes that spot.  Not sure what’s to hate, but let’s talk about it.  Maybe we can do it a different way.  I’ll call you Monday.

No need to call, though it's always nice to hear from you. I can't approve a "Turtle in the Shredder armor" done in this way, which basically makes the Shredder a gag, a goof. If you want to have one of the Turtles KICKING an empty suit of Shredder armor and having the pieces fly out at the camera (which I believe is sort of what's in that board), that's fine.
  
 The other scene you hate, the so-called “extreme turtles” shot, is the kind of thing that we are constantly being asked to do more of, so I didn’t think it prudent to take it out!  ;D

Now hold on there!!! I didn't say that I "hate" that bit -- I said it was my "least favorite" part. That clarification aside, and given my new understanding of what this effort is all about, I suppose there is not a compelling reason to eliminate it (yet).

We are planning to do an entirely new mian title for season 5 if that makes you feel any better!  
  
 Lloyd

That does make me feel better. 


-- Pete