[The-Shredder]

Originally Posted by SaurusX

Wow. It's a trip back in time with those contemporaneous threads taking place as the episodes first aired. Thanks for the explanation.

No problem. I love this show and you can tell a lot of passion was put into it, especially with this episode. Peter Laird's TMNT Blog has an amazing collection of email conversations with Lloyd Goldfine while the episodes were being produced. Apparently it cost $12,000 to redo the ending!

Sunday, June 1, 2003

Spoiler:

Subj: "The King"
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2003 12:44:41 AM
From: Peter Laird
To: Lloyd Goldfine

Lloyd,

I'm really happy that we were able to do this episode. I thought the dedication card with Kirby's signature looked VERY cool. I'm also glad you were able to make those changes to Raph coming out of the shower, the drawings staying on the page even after they came to life, the writing on the paper airplane note, etc. -- they were small but significant changes.

However... as fun as this episode was, I'm still a little disappointed. I don't know if you checked out the fan reaction online -- it was mostly very positive, with several saying that it was the best episode yet. But a number of people also said that they were -- like me -- disappointed by the fact that the episode, which followed the original comic so well and so faithfully, didn't end like the comic (wherein the paper airplane flies out of the shrinking portal, Don picks it up and looks at it -- though we don't see what's on it yet, Don tucks it in his belt and walks back upstairs, Raph -- who's been waiting impatiently for hot water -- yells at Don about whether or not he fixed the water heater, Don gives him a withering look as he goes into his room, Raph scratches his head and says "Geez -- what's eatin' him?", Don sits alone near a window in his room and looks again at the note, and here is where we see the note and Kirby's drawing of Don, and fade out).

I want to do what is necessary to bring the ending of this episode more in line with what I hoped it would be, and if 4Kids does not want to spend the money necessary, I'll put it up myself. The extra time needed to fit in this stuff could be balanced by editing out an equal number of seconds of fight scenes or scenes of monsters running at the camera, which we seem to have quite a lot of. It would be cool if we could get this thing going as soon as possible so that the revised episode would definitely be on the DVDs.

How do we begin?

-- Pete

P.S. I listened to the voice tracks of the first two "Turtles in Space" episodes and I loved them! I think these are going to be some cool episodes.

P.P.S. Can we put a Segway or two in an episode in the second season? You know you want to!

-----------------------------------

Subj: Re: "The King"
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2003 5:31:13 PM

From: Peter Laird
To: Lloyd Goldfine


In a message dated 6/1/03 9:12:19 AM, Lloyd writes:

<< Hey Pete -

I'm really sorry that you were unhappy with the end of the Kirby
episode; we went to a lot of trouble to rearrange the ending so it ended
as it did as per our conversation. Let's talk Monday about what can be
done.

Happy Sunday,

Lloyd >>

Lloyd,

To be clear -- I truly appreciate the hard work you and your crew did to make those last minute changes, and they did in fact accurately reflect what we talked about on the phone. I knew we didn't have time to make it exactly the way I wanted it.

To say I'm "unhappy" about the ending is perhaps an overstatement -- I used the word "disappointed" in my email and I see that as a step or two back from "unhappy". Perhaps I should have even gone so far as to say "mildy disappointed", as that is probably closer to reality.

We've talked before about the numerous little things in the episodes which, given enough time and resources, we would like to change, but we realize the reality of the situation does not allow us that degree of fine-tuning, and we live with that. This Kirby story, though, is -- for me -- different. I have a more personal connection to it than any other Turtle story I've ever worked on, and I would really like to see the animated version be as close as possible to it, in emotional terms. It's already amazingly close... I'd just like it to be that little bit closer.

Anyway, hope we can accomplish what I'm suggesting without too much travail. Talk to you soon!

-- Pete

Friday, June 13, 2003

Spoiler:

Subj: Re: Kirby fix
Date: Friday, June 13, 2003 1:25:18 AM
From: Peter Laird
To: Lloyd Goldfine

In a message dated 6/12/03 11:38:15 AM, Lloyd writes:

<< Hey Pete -

Here's the script for the fix at the end of the Kirby show.

Lemme know.

Lloyd
>>

Lloyd,

The fix is in!

In all seriousness, it (as reproduced below) is perfect. Thanks!

One comment (NOT a problem): I suspect that near the end when Don walks by Raph, there will be a medium closeup of Raph with the towel wrapped around him and his "clothes" (bandanna, kneespads, elbow pads, etc.) off. The fans would LOVE it if they can see Raph's actual beautiful brown eyes in this shot.

-- Pete

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
"Kirby"
(show # 1488-016)
REVISED ACT FOUR END SCENE
6/12/03


INT. KIRBY’S BASEMENT APARTMENT - ?

On Don as he leans against the wall, unfolds the plane, and looks at the note.

CLOSE ON DON - his somewhat sad react to the note.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. APRIL’S BASEMENT – CONTINUOUS

Don comes slowly up the stairs(NOTE: he has the note from Kirby tucked into his belt until he takes it out later).

CUT TO:

INT. APRIL’S HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS

A naked-except-for-a-towel Raph meets Don in the hall as Don reaches the top of the stairs. Don continues on his way, ignoring Raph, until…
RAPAHEL
So what’s the scoop? You’ve been gone for ages – we got hot water or what?!
CLOSE ON DON AND RAPH
Don gives Raph a cold, withering stare then EXITS FRAME. Raph scratches his head, confused at his brother’s reaction.
RAPHAEL
Geez… what’s eatin’ him?
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. APRIL’S APARTMENT - CONTINUIOUS
Don enters, closes the door behind him, leans his staff against the wall, pulls the note from his belt and takes a seat near the window. He unfolds the note and stares at it.
CLOSE ON DON as he stares at the note.
CLOSE ON NOTE –It is a drawing of Don (see original comic) with the words "Don, Life at best is bitter sweet. See ya around pal, Kirby," written on it.
WIDE ON DON – He looks up from the note as camera slowly TRUCKS OUT.
DONATELLO
Hmmm…
FADE OUT

Tuesday, July 8, 2003

Spoiler:

Subj: Re: Revised Show 16
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2003 11:15:20 PM
From: Peter Laird
To: Lloyd Goldfine

In a message dated 7/7/03 3:45:34 PM, Carole at 4Kids writes:

<< Dear Peter,
We now have all of the information we need to know regarding the
re-animation/post of the "Kirby" episode in order to accommodate your
requested revisions.

There will be a minute of new animation, add'l music and effects, slugging
and sheet timing for the section as well as additional talent and studio
costs. I spoke with Norman about extending the running time of the FoxBox
master (add'l :30) and he is fine with that. We have already delivered the
show to many territories internationally and I presume that it is not your
intention for us to recall those masters, correct? >>

Carole,

That is correct.

<< We would also need to
close caption the new master, which we would be able to use for the DVD
release as well. We would also create a new international master for future
sales.

All in all the cost would run $12,000. Peter, as soon as you approve these
additional costs, I will let you know when we can deliver the new master, as
the animation alone takes 4-6 weeks (including retakes) to produce.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best
Carole >>

That all sounds reasonable and approvable. I look forward to seeing the finished result. Thanks!

-- Peter