My time at GFEST XXI was awesome. It was more intense than last year and extremely exciting for me. I met few friends that I talk to on Facebook this year like last year. The trip was long about 6 hour drive from Dayton Ohio.
I did a lot of panels this year than last year. Here’s a few of the panels I did.
Ghidorah’s 15th Anniversary – King Ghidorah is one of my favorite bad guy monsters. I just love the design of him. Most of the time he got his bellybutton kicked by Godzilla but some of his films, he almost defeated the king of the monsters. The panel was about the films he was in and the various designs of him. The only film he was a good guy was the ’01 film Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: All out Monster attack! (I may got the title wrong)
Godzilla ’14: The Good, The Bad and ?: The so-called discussion of the new film. It was basically a bashing panel because they took most of the time discussing of the bad things. But few of GFANs defended it which made me glad I’m a fan. Us fans are basically a niche group – a double sword if you will. Some fans aren’t happy even if you make a perfect Godzilla film. It reminds me of another niche group I belong to: Flight simmers.
Kaijucast: Sound of Monsters: Basically a podcast I listen to on the web. It was a live broadcast. I had a blast! The discussion was about the soundtracks of Akira Ifukbe and other film composers. Second half was about various monster roars and how they were made. I learned a lot on it.
Kaiju Toys part 1 & 2: Discussion of figure collecting. The panel was about the different Japanese & American companies and the discussion how to take care of them because some of these figures are investments; especially vintage figures (I got 2 from the 80’s and a giant toy from ‘77). The panel went along to the future releases from various companies. I had a friend on the panel too. His name is Rich Eso. He has a figure review channel on Youtube called Fresh Vinyl Reviews. It is called that because most figures are made from soft vinyl. You’ll enjoy his videos. He is very entertaining and informative.
The best parts of the convention are to meet various actors and actresses from various films and even SFX people and suit actors & suit designers. This year was focus on 1975’s film called Terror of MechaGodzilla. It is one of my favorite films in the Showa era. I met one of my crushes in this year’s GFEST. Tomoko Ai (Japanese say their last names first unless they are good friends or dating) was more beautiful than she looked in ’75. While I was in line for her autograph and picture my right hand was beginning to shake. I was very nervous too. When I met her all of my nervousness went away. It was her smile
that made me at ease. My picture was unfortunately was burry but thanks to my mother she arranged another picture taking for me so I got to be close to Ai again
<3 <3 <3. The only complaint about the autograph session was the cost. Last year you could get all of the autographs for ten bucks. Now you need to pay for each actor and actress! I couldn’t get Ai’s co actor Katsuhiko Sasaki’s autograph basically because I was saving my money for the Dealer’s room! Kind of made me a lil ticked off to be honest with you.
The second best part besides the Dealer’s room (LOL) was the in house tv channel full of monster goodness. Every tv series from Iron Knight to Ultraman, every monster movies from The Green Slime to Japanese monster movies was playing. Hell I watched a giant monster movie from Demark with subtitles!
The most unforgettable experience at this year’s GFEST was going to Akira Ifukube 100th Anniversary Orchestra Concert! 3 hours of classic Godzilla soundtrack goodness!
At the Dealer’s room I spent $1,200 total! Enough said! I'll put the pics on here once I figure how to put them on this forum.
Falcon
