Pitching The Turtles

Bruce Von Stiers

Screenwriters, directors, producers and even actors, know that when you pitch an idea, it has to really resonate. If you can't get your ideas across right, or if they don't have enough oomph, nothing's going to happen.

But what if you pitch an idea that is far removed from the day's standard fare? How would you pitch the idea and sell it?

Well, that is the premise for a hilarious short comedy film, Italian Turtles. The tagline for the film is “ever wonder how the pitch meeting went down for the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' back in the 80's?”

Kevin and Peter have created something that they think is spectacular. They have written this comic book series and want to turn it into an animated program, slated for children. They meet with Karl, Pat and John, who represent the television network, or something like that.

The guys begin with a basic principle of crime fighting turtles. No, not tortoises like Pat thinks, but turtles. With each added layer of the presentation, Pat and her cohort Karl, interject their own thoughts. Which makes things go off the rails a bit. But John, who appears to be the boss, tries to make sense of the pitch.

By the end of the pitch, all of the elements that Kevin and Peter envision for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are laid out. But something is missing. Will this missing piece derail the pitch and send the boys home empty handed?

Kevin was played by Nick Piacente. He has appeared in an episode of Cross and one of FBI. Chris D'Amato played Peter. He has appeared in Blue Bloods and The Better Sister.

Timothy J. Cox played John. He has a ton of screen credits, including a few films I've reviewed like Friends Forever, Static Cling and Let Dan Go.

BJ Gruber played Karl. He starred in Static Cling and co-starred in Life On Pause. Janel Koloski played Pat. She appeared in episodes of Servant, Juju and Dynasty.

Mary Ortega played the office secretary, who added an additional slice to story. She was the makeup artist and stylist for the film, along with co-producing it.

Vin Nucatola was the writer and director. He has been the production coordinator on several television shows and a producer's assistant for Mad Men.

Brian Morgan was the director of photography and the other co-producer for the film. He has been a camera operator for Ozark, Bad Girls Club and Returning The Favor.

Italian Turtles is really a fun little comedy. You've just got to root for Kevin and Peter to get the pitch right. Because if they can't, Kevin will have to go back to selling lobsters and Peter will be drawing flowers for a local newspaper. All of the characters, like the turtles themselves, are a bit over the top. But that's part of the fun.

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© 2026 Bruce E Von Stiers