A Great Day with a Former Toho SFX AD!

Yosuke Nakano. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, despite heavy rains and winds, I took a long train ride out to the Nerima area to have a visit with former Toho SFX assistant director Yosuke Nakano. Nakano-san began working in that capacity on Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) an continued on through Rebirth of Mothra II (1997). But he continues to be involved in tokusatsu and animation to this day.

It was great to hear many stories from his career. I'll have more to say about Nakano-san in the near future. Keep your eyes peeled on my other website!

Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla Celebrated!

Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla! Photo by Brett Homenick.

I just returned from a reunion party focusing on Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994). While admittedly not the strongest entry of the Godzilla series, it was quite pleasing to know that the folks who worked on the movie generally had a positive opinion on it.

Masahiko Shiraishi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Many of the Toho SFX staff on hand were people I've met several times in the past. Masahiko Shiraishi was among them.

Kazuki Hayashitani. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Kazuki Hayashitani is not just a Toho SFX alumnus; he also organized the night's event. So I have to credit him for a job well done.

Yosuke Nakano. Photo by Brett Homenick.  

Former Toho SFX assistant director Yosuke Nakano was also there. I probably spent the most time talking with him. As you can probably tell from his T-shirt, he champions Space Godzilla as a film.

Tsutomu Kobayashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.  

It was my first time to meet Tsutomu Kobayashi. He worked as a sculptor on the Heisei Godzilla and Mothra films, working closely with suitmaker Tomoki Kobayashi (no relation).

The venue was a bit cramped, but the event itself was enjoyable. Space Godzilla isn't my favorite Godzilla film, but I'm glad that many of the SFX staff members who worked on it have such fond memories. Many thanks to those who attended!

REBIRTH OF MOTHRA II! The Director Joins SFX Alums for a Special Screening!

 Director Kunio Miyoshi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I attended a special screening of Rebirth of Mothra II (1997), which was the first time I'd seen the film in many years. Overall, it was OK. I expected worse, and even though it bored me to distraction a few times, I still had a good time with it.

The guest of honor was Rebirth of Mothra II director Kunio Miyoshi. Prior to his helming Mothra II, e was an assistant director on Conflagration (1975) and Deathquake (1980), as well as chief assistant director on Sayonara Jupiter (1984), Reiko (1991), Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon (1994), Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (1994), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), and Rebirth of Mothra (1996).

Toshifumi Shimizu. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Production manager and assistant director Toshifumi Shimizu was another guest. He worked on every Godzilla movie in the Millennium series as either assistant director or visual effects supervision assistant.

From left to right: Yosuke Nakano, Kunio Miyoshi, yours truly with a shooting script, and Toshifumi Shimizu.

SFX assistant director Yosuke Nakano was another guest, as well. I really regretted having to leave the event a bit earlier than I usually do, but that's life. As brief as it all was for me, it was a heck of a good time.