Signed Donatello picture from first TMNT movie

nontoxic99 · 12-10-2012, 06:20 AM

What I have here is something I got back when the first TMNT movie first came out. I was in karate and where I had a tournament, Ernie Rays Jr was there signing autographs. I didn't know who he was all i knew or cared about was that he was in Donatello's costume. I'm not sure if I had the magazine already or he was selling them there but I got his signature on this photo in it. Had i Known he was short round from indiana jones I would have been a lot more excited. Well probably not, but I would be if i had met him today.

Here is the back of the page. Since it is so blurry ill tell you what it says

"The Turtles Come To Life"
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles presents something that has never been seen on screen before. Director of Photography, John Fenner, describes it as if the animated Flintstones suddenly came alive. "With the turtles, we're lifting cartoon characters right off the pages of comic books and making them physically three dimensional. It's a Jim Henson engineering marvel-- and very exciting!"
Fenner, responsible for capturing the actors and the set as images on film, had the headache of making the turtles look natural. The worst thing that could happen is for the audience to think they were watching stuntmen in big, green costumes. "I knew if I could get the audience to accept them in the first ten minutes of the picture, then later, when they see them more closely in the lighter exteriors, they would get to know the turtles and believe them". Using colored lights and lense filters, Fenner was able to accomplish this, but things weren't so easy when they came to the scenes where turtles and humans are seen together. Not only would the humans suffer under the special lighting rigged for the turtles, but thier presence would actually change the lighting texture of the scene.
Even when every element of each scene was lit properly, there was still something missing when the dailies were developed. The turtles' and Splinter's eyes were not showing the spark associated with living creatures. "We needed a kick in their eyes, so we rigged up a tiny flat light by the side of the camera. That little extra eye glint made the characters come to life."

That is verbatim. It's actually pretty interesting now that I sat here and read it. Gives some insight into what went into making the turtles come to life. It looks like a one shot and thats all there is to it. I could be wrong though. We may never know unless someone out there has the same magazine it came from.

Well, what i would like to know is, is there a market for something like this amongst TMNT fans? Or is the sentimental value more valuable? I know its in rough shape, but it's from 22 years ago and it's been to hell and back with me lol

*Powder* · 12-10-2012, 03:13 PM

It's in absolutely horrible shape & Ernie can be approached to this day for autographs. There's no real value for it short of your sentimental appreciation.

Redemption · 12-10-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

It's in absolutely horrible shape & Ernie can be approached to this day for autographs. There's no real value for it short of your sentimental appreciation.

agreed.....

nontoxic99 · 12-10-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

It's in absolutely horrible shape & Ernie can be approached to this day for autographs. There's no real value for it short of your sentimental appreciation.

Thanks for the input. I had a feeling the condition was far too degraded.

*Powder* · 12-10-2012, 04:06 PM

If it's any consolation, even in good shape it wouldn't be worth much at all. Ten bucks, maybe. Ernie's very accessible to fans & (with no disrespect intended) not a highly sought after actor or anything.

nontoxic99 · 12-10-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

If it's any consolation, even in good shape it wouldn't be worth much at all. Ten bucks, maybe. Ernie's very accessible to fans & (with no disrespect intended) not a highly sought after actor or anything.

Oh i know. I've been doing some research on the signature and it appears its one of his earliest. I know when the signature was acquired effects the price. Wishful thinking I suppose lol. Still a awesome memory. Being 8 years old I literally thought he was Donatello.

12-10-2012, 06:20 AM	#1
nontoxic99 Mouser Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 7	Signed Donatello picture from first TMNT movie What I have here is something I got back when the first TMNT movie first came out. I was in karate and where I had a tournament, Ernie Rays Jr was there signing autographs. I didn't know who he was all i knew or cared about was that he was in Donatello's costume. I'm not sure if I had the magazine already or he was selling them there but I got his signature on this photo in it. Had i Known he was short round from indiana jones I would have been a lot more excited. Well probably not, but I would be if i had met him today. Here is the back of the page. Since it is so blurry ill tell you what it says "The Turtles Come To Life" Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles presents something that has never been seen on screen before. Director of Photography, John Fenner, describes it as if the animated Flintstones suddenly came alive. "With the turtles, we're lifting cartoon characters right off the pages of comic books and making them physically three dimensional. It's a Jim Henson engineering marvel-- and very exciting!" Fenner, responsible for capturing the actors and the set as images on film, had the headache of making the turtles look natural. The worst thing that could happen is for the audience to think they were watching stuntmen in big, green costumes. "I knew if I could get the audience to accept them in the first ten minutes of the picture, then later, when they see them more closely in the lighter exteriors, they would get to know the turtles and believe them". Using colored lights and lense filters, Fenner was able to accomplish this, but things weren't so easy when they came to the scenes where turtles and humans are seen together. Not only would the humans suffer under the special lighting rigged for the turtles, but thier presence would actually change the lighting texture of the scene. Even when every element of each scene was lit properly, there was still something missing when the dailies were developed. The turtles' and Splinter's eyes were not showing the spark associated with living creatures. "We needed a kick in their eyes, so we rigged up a tiny flat light by the side of the camera. That little extra eye glint made the characters come to life." That is verbatim. It's actually pretty interesting now that I sat here and read it. Gives some insight into what went into making the turtles come to life. It looks like a one shot and thats all there is to it. I could be wrong though. We may never know unless someone out there has the same magazine it came from. Well, what i would like to know is, is there a market for something like this amongst TMNT fans? Or is the sentimental value more valuable? I know its in rough shape, but it's from 22 years ago and it's been to hell and back with me lol

12-10-2012, 03:13 PM	#2
Powder 40 Years of TMNT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shell-Ri-La Posts: 26,954	It's in absolutely horrible shape & Ernie can be approached to this day for autographs. There's no real value for it short of your sentimental appreciation.

12-10-2012, 04:06 PM	#5
Powder 40 Years of TMNT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shell-Ri-La Posts: 26,954	If it's any consolation, even in good shape it wouldn't be worth much at all. Ten bucks, maybe. Ernie's very accessible to fans & (with no disrespect intended) not a highly sought after actor or anything.