Teenage Ninja to Mutant Turtle: Becoming the Reel Raphael

This is a book filled with amazing details of how Kenn Scott got to work on both Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 film and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. Starting from his youth through to both of the movies, with more details than I have ever seen released about the behind the scenes of these movies. I highly recommend it, not just for fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but for people who are interested in the behind the scenes of how films are made and a different way to break into the industry.I am one of those people who can say I was a fan ‘when’. I was old enough to remember going to the theater with my family to see these movies. I grew up in a household that made costumes. My father would win world costume contests with his work, was an art director on a show and was guests at many sifi conventions. Behind the scenes was my favorite part of being a fan, even at a young age. When the Ninja Turtles movies came out I would dig through the news stands looking for any story I could find on the movies. Turtles 1, I did not have much luck with finding out about the costumes or the actors in the suites. But Turtles two had a bunch of magazines and even video stories on TV about the behind the scenes. My favorite was a Black Belt Magazine that featured only stories on Ninja Turtles. I carried these magazines in a binder with me to school everyday, all the way through graduation as they inspired me and helped me learn to read better. This is the type of thing that really stood out to me. Which brings me back to Kenn’s book.Kenn’s book is everything I would’ve dreamed of as a child. With details of how he got the jobs that I always saw as my dream jobs. Descriptions of the others on the set, including Pat Johnson, who is just an amazing guy all around. I would love to meet some day. Talking about how hard it was to wear those Turtles costumes. And going into the details on the different stunts and how stunt actors were picked to perform them. He even reveals his mistakes and confessions in this book. Each story written out to take you on a ride through the time it was happening.If anything I would’ve loved more pictures. But that’s just the fan in me screaming that I’ll never see enough of the behind the scenes. As the photos that are included here are some I’ve never seen before. They relate to the stories that are shared, which gives each of these photos more meaning than they would’ve had in a magazine with a two line quote from the actor.Don’t just read my thoughts on this book. Pick it up for yourself and see if you enjoy the adventure that Kenn brings us through. For me, the book made me feel young again as it brought me right back into my youth of grabbing up those magazines and reading them over and over. I got a feeling that not long from now, this book will be just as worn out as those magazines as certain stories will be read over and over! Don’t wait any longer, check it out!

Wow! This is the most enjoyable read I’ve had in years. Kenn Scott’s writing is very relatable. It’s not, “hey look at me, see what I did.” Rather, it’s more like he’s confiding in a good friend. His energetic anecdotes are full of humor, charm, surprise, suspense, a bit of honest vulnerability, and a lot of behind-the-scenes insights into the business of movie making. His wit and charisma as an author are undeniable. Seldom have I found a book as hard to put down as this one. You will be fully entertained with his firsthand accounting, which establishes why Kenn Scott “HAD” to be the one to play Raphael. By the end it will become apparent that, in real life, a good part of Kenn “IS” Raphael. He might not be a turtle, but he was a teenage ninja, and some might say he’s a bit of a mutant… with his diverse combination of talents.

WTB...where to begin? How about with the name of the opening chapter..."WTF!?" Now that was an effective attention getter.I was expecting a simplistic autobiographical read about the movie industry but what I got was a rich, heartfelt, intimate portrait of a determined dreamer destined for success. There are lessons to be learned for all ages. Part comedy, part drama, part action, part...well you get the picture, this book had everything.I bought a copy for each of my boys (young men, 18, 20 and 23). I wanted to share the many lessons of what it takes to manifest your destiny and how to deal with the trials and tribulations that life brings. I bought a copy for my dad because so much of Kenn's toughness and will to succeed I see in him. I didn't by a copy for my partner because she can just borrow mine.Needless to say this book will not disappoint. I'd stake my reputation on it...if I had one.

Kenn Scott does a tremendous job taking the reader on his triumphant journey from a small town dreamer to a bonafide silver screen action star. Chronicling his passion, drive, disappointments and ultimate victory, while the book delivers an uplifting and motivational message, the magic comes from Kenn Scott's gift of story telling and his ability to lure the reader along as if you were there. The book is packed with humor, emotion, fun and behind the scene accounts.This is a must read for any Ninja Turtle fan, but I recommend the book for all ages, for Kenn Scott, intentionally or not, delivers an entertaining masterpiece for all.

The book jumps back and forth between TMNT behind the scenes tales, showing how the author, Kenn Scott, went from being one of Shredders Foot Clan to Raphael the coolest of the ninja turtles, to off the set tales of an actor moving to Hollywood where he went from background extra to leading man. As a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fan, it was funto learn about what it was like making an important movie of my childhood. At the same time, it was really interesting to learn how someone goes from wanting to be in movies to staring in them and making them. Using fun anecdotes, the author really shows the steps he took, not waiting on luck but persistence, a lot of gumption and a good sense of humor. And there was this train... but I won't spoil it. It was well worth the read. Turtle Power!

Loved the book! Great read about making the ground breaking/ blockbuster movie. Awesome behind the scenes stories and photos too.

This book is excellent. It grabs your attention from chapter 1. It’s so well written and so interesting start to finish. I never fathomed what it took to bring TMNT to life, so this depiction of the journey of Kenn becoming Raphael is an eye opener and his story and determination to get there was amazing. I hear he’s writing another book about his experiences after TMNT and I can’t wait to read it.This book is also a super easy read and each chapter is only a couple pages. Makes it so easy to read a bit at bedtime or hell, in the bathroom. Lol.You won’t be disappointed.

Fantastic book on Kenn Scott and his high flying ninja action. Gives you great insight into the behind the scenes of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie(s). Along with that you get a playful look on youth and the ups and downs of striving for your action star dreams. Great breezy read. Highly Recommend!

Great book, written by the guy that played Raphael.Good to get an insight of how the movies were made, from one of the turtle actors.

Das Buch ist großartig und der Film auch :)

Absolutely loved this book. Could not put it down. Highly recommend for any turtles fan 😊

Kenn scotts story of his unrelenting journey to become a movie action hero is extremely well written and fun to read . This is a must for any martial arts or ninja turtle fan was difficult to put down can't recommend highly enough