WELCOME TO G-CON '98 ONLINE!

THE WORLD'S 1st INTERNATIONAL GODZILLA CELEBRATION!

In 1969, four computers communicated with each other for the first time in history. Email came about a year later, enabling researchers and scientists to share information as never before. In 1972, a satellite networked researchers in London and Norway with the States. In the '80s, the U.S Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and NASA became involved. Colleges and universities joined the exchange. By 1990, anyone could connect to the World Wide Web and the public discovered email.
Since 1988, the Internet has doubled in size every year. By 1996, 6.6 million computers were interlinked, serving over 30 million people in over 160 countries. Hundreds of thousands of new users come on line every month. The Internet has been described as the alternate channel for mainstream culture and a main channel for alternative culture.
Godzilla fans also used to be isolated from one another. The advent of G-FAN magazine brought many together, in America as well as overseas. The first G (for Godzilla) CON (convention) was held in Chicago in 1994 when some 30 fans got together to celebrate the King of the Monsters.
Now we have the first ever EURO/G-CON, taking place in Amsterdam, Holland as we reconvene for the fifth time here in Chicago. Saiko Genso, creator of GOJI-WORLD (http://www.inteleco.com/gojiworld/index.html) and the G PROJECT (http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/index.html) has singlehandedly taken the first giant step in introducing the kaiju convention to Europe. New York is also the site of the East Coast meeting of fans known as KAIJU-CON. This years' event will be the third at this venue.
It was only natural that Godzilla fans would combine their love of Japanese science fiction with the possibilities of the Internet. John Rocco Roberto, convenor; Jim Cirronella, importer; webmasters Aaron Smith, Mark Gibbs, Saiko Genso and Gertrude Smith; John Lipartito and Larry Wauchop have pooled their talents to bring G-CON and EURO/G-CON to the World Wide Web. Our warmest greetings to kaiju fans everywhere from Chicago, Illinois, USA, home of G-CON '98 via the World Wide Web.


G-CON '98 ONLINE! WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROSITY OF THESE FINE SPONSORS:


 

DAIKAIJU ENTERPRISES & PRODUCTIONS


Behind the Scenes with G-CON '98 ONLINE!


 
 
If you wonder how we brought G-CON '98 to the Internet, our communications via e-mail and posts to news groups and message boards set the stage and laid the groundwork. Saiko Genso reported from Amsterdam, Holland on the first EURO G-CON (which he organized). John Rocco Roberto, Jim Cirronella, John Lipartito, Lenell Bridges,Todd Torres, myself and many more kaiju fans transmitted from Chicago, thanks to Mark Gibbs and Flash.Net. Aaron Smith and his outstanding GODZILLA NEWS website kept fans everywhere posted on convention activities on two continents.


--Gertrude Smith gsraptor@arkansas.net

From: TwoZbar Date 7 May 1998 To: Saiko Genso, Gertrude Smith, Aaron Smith

Hi, everyone:

Sorry that I've not been around much but I was swamped finishing up KAIJU-FAN so that the latest issue will be ready for G-CON.

I've read all the notes and am pleased to see that things are moving along rather quickly. To take a step back from all the details, let me just address a few basic points:

1.) John does know about the G-CON Internet plans beside the Sci-Fi chat. His wife, Carol, probably doesn't, though.  Basically, I told him that Gertrude would bring her computer to the show and set up in one of the parlor/conference rooms, enabling easy access to the fans and the show itself. From there, she can run the Internet activities during the CON and send updates to GODZILLA NEWS, G PROJECT/GOJI-WORLD and/or the KAIJU-FAN/DE&P site. John agreed that it's a good idea and a big plus for the convention. He just wants me to give him a rundown by the end of this week as to where it all stands.

2.) Aaron's G-CON ONLINE! site looks great. One thing though: we can't use any photos of Godzilla or other copyrighted characters. I'll send you some photos from previous G-CONs. Pick whichever you like best. I have a great photo of a fan in a homemade Gamera costume that actually looks pretty professional.

3.) Let me just reiterate that a lot of what will happen at the show rests on Gertrude's shoulders because I'm going to be swamped with other stuff. She'll basically set up in the Internet Room and however frequently she wants to run activities during the show is up to her. I'm figuring she's also going to want to enjoy the show a bit and not be limited by the computer activities. At the very least, I'll be able to help her at the end of each day to prepare the photos and updates that she will send out to the various sites.

4.) In regards to the Schedule questions: the show is basically going to revolve around the Japanese guests' Q & A sessions. They requested that they each go on separately so most likely we will space this out over the course of the day, giving each guest 45 min. to an hour.

G-CON's hours are roughly 10AM-6PM. The first guest probably won't go on until 12 noon. Say we put an hour slot between each guest and Nakajima goes on at 12, Tsuchiya at 2 and Satsuma at 4. After his session, they all sign autographs from 5 to 6 or 6:30 or so. From there, we will arrange all the other presentations around that basic format. We usually schedule something for the smaller children (like the Coloring Contest or Story Corner) opposite the Q&A. Young children aren't usually very interested in sitting through these sessions.

I'll send everyone a more detailed schedule as we nail it down (probably by this weekend).

5.) In regards to the Sci-Fi Chat, my involvement basically boils down to securing the computer and software needed (John is helping with that) and arranging for the guests to be available.

From: Gertrude Smith Date: 07 May 1998 To: Saiko Genso CC: Aaron Smith, TwoZbar

Here is a detailed listing of the schedule for Friday night, posted 4/25/98 by John Roberto on alt.movies.monster:


CHARDONNAY BALLROOM

6:00pm Advanced Weekend Ticket Registration - Weekend ticket holders will be able to register for the convention, receive their weekend passes (no waiting on line Saturday morning), and their special Godzilla collectors pin! [Tickets can be purchased until May 20th, 1998, at which time we must present the theater with a seating plan. To order tickets, check out our web sight at the address listed below.]

6:30pm The G-CON (Free!) Pre-convention Party - Convention goers (weekend ticket holders and non ticket holders alike) can meet and mingle with our very special guests from Japan. At around 7:30pm (8:30pm if we see a 10:00pm showing) we will board our own very special bus (The Magical Godzilla Tour?) which will take us to the theater.

9:00pm (10:00pm?) Tri-Star's GODZILLA - Depending on the time of the showing, all weekend ticket holders will enjoy (or dislike) Tri-Star's Godzilla on the big screen. Sure, you could go to Madison Square Garden and sit with a bunch of Toho suits (probably writing down everyone who utters the name Godzilla as a copyright infringement) or you could see it with The Men Who Played Godzilla!

11:00pm (12:00pm?) Magical Godzilla Tour - We will embark onto the bus for a return trip to the hotel where every good girl and boy can settle down in their nice warm beds and dream of the kaiju heaven that awaits them the next morning (except me, who never sleeps during these conventions). And they say Christmas comes but once a year! Of course, if the film is not released we already have plans to fill the evening with interesting entertainment. I may even sing, Not! But let us cross that bridge when and if we come to it!

SATURDAY

Panels, Presentations, Guest Speakers Q&A including Toho in America, The DaiMajin Files and much, much more!

Displays & Contests! Fantasy Films & Costume Party, Autograph Sessions, the Southern  Rock All-Star Band

SUNDAY

More Panels, Presentations, Guest Speakers, Q&A! Amateur Video Contest!

Model Contest! Win Prizes! More Fantasy Films! Autograph Sessions. Godzilla Blood Party.

John Rocco Roberto
Daikaiju Enterprises and Productions (sine 1882)


It's a start!

Gertrude

From: Gertrude Smith Date: 10 May 1998 To: Saiko Genso CC: TwoZbar, Aaron Smith, JR

Saiko Genso wrote:

> I've included JR Lipartito (from now on just JR, not to be confused with JRR) to these mailings. Maybe the rest of us can do the same. I think we need the G-PROJECT mentioned also.
How about with a tag-line something like: "G PROJECT will provide the location for chats and discussion, with the support of some of the G PROJECT staff, Gertrude Smith, JR Lipartito and Saiko Genso." List the home page also: http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/
> One other minor point, which most people don't know, in the G PROJECT we have decided to write the name without a hyphen, thus G PROJECT and not G-PROJECT.


OK.

> > Gertrude wrote: I'm looking into getting a banner (reinforced vinyl kind w/grommets) at least 2' x 3' for our G-CON location. I should be able to get with the graphics guy Saturday. One wasn't there today but I'll have all day Monday and Tuesday to work with TWO sign shops here. We need to have on it (in my opinion) the G-CON '98 ONLINE! logo, flash.net's logo (made possible by...) and a EURO/G-CON logo. Probably G-CON '98 ONLINE! on top Next: G-CON '98 (logo) -- Made possible by flash.net (logo) (or other wording -- EURO/G-CON (logo) Bottom: Sponsored by: Daikaiju Productions & Enterprises, Club Daikaiju, G PROJECT (any others?) THESE WILL PROBABLY BE STANDARD FONT RATHER THAN LOGO. I'll see if his computer system can handle the graphics as we have them. If not, there could be some simplifying but we should still be able to get the appropriate colors. I'll know more Monday.

SAIKO: Do you have the kanji (?) characters in the G PROJECT banner by themselves somewhere? I don't have the Japanese character reader loaded yet but if the signage computer can handle it, I wouldn't mind trying to get it on the banner.

> I have not made a EURO/G-CON logo but I'll see what I can come up with. What about using the G PROJECT logo if possible instead?
In place of a EURO/G-CON logo? Also, notice this use of the slash instead of another hyphen: What does everyone else think if there isn't already a logo/alphabet designation?


> I made a demo version of a G-CON ONLINE! banner for our pages. The whole thing is just over 40K now, but since we will only be using it for two weeks, I thought that would be OK. Go to: http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/extra/test.html. Let me know what you think.

Can you lighten up the left hand side? --"LINE!" is barely showing up on my screen (Netscape 3.05). The right side animation is sharp! If the left won't ligthen, that double logo might could carry it alone with the center text. Or: G-CON '98 (center text) ONLINE! with no animation, but using the font. Don't go overtime if it's too much of a problem to fix.

AARON AND SAIKO: Let us know when the G-CON site and banner are ready and we'll put the banner on our sites.

JIM: Let me know what kind of digital camera you're using and what I need in the way of computer stuff. We've got a good shop here that should be able to do any upgrading we need. And don't forget to bring the floppy/CD drivers or whatever if they're needed for what we plan to do. I'll look at the schedule and try to come up with a NEWS REPORT and PICS PLAN/SCRIPT so everyone can get an idea of what we might want to try and get for the site. If you can think of any pertinent background articles, etc. that are already handy, let Aaron know. I got the recipe for "GODZILLA BLOOD"...:)

Gertrude

From: Gertrude Smith Date: 14 May 1998 To: Saiko Genso CC: TwoZbar, Aaron Smith, JR

Saiko Genso wrote:

> First, as Aaron has reported, flash.net had their problems, making monsterzero.org unavailable. This should be resolved today (hopefully).

> I think it may be a bit too late now for any additional publicity.
There have been a lot of plugs on a.m.m. As soon as monsterzero is up and running, we might as well let everyone know what we're up to. An official promo would be ideal.
> I run on Windows NT 4, which is not supposed to crash.
Says who? :)
> So now I am without a usable system at home.
Will this affect your coverage of EURO/CON if you can't get it going again?


> The kids sessions are another story. I therefore need some fixed time slots which I can announce to the G-KIDS members. And I need them soon, as I need to make the announcement to the G-KIDS. It doesn't matter if we have one or two each day, but I think it would be nice to have sessions both Saturday and Sunday. Gertrude or JR will need to be on station at G-CON to help and supervise. I envision that the kids at G-CON will crowd around the computer and the 'supervisor' will type in the questions/answers. Jim, have you any suggestions as to when to have these sessions?

I hope to start work on a "shooting script" tonight and will probably post it on my server for everyone's reference. This will basically be a schedule of events with accompanying notes (times in all pertinent zones, who's doing what. Here are additional items:

Tonight - Thursday May 14: I believe everyone will be watching Seinfeld tonight to see a new trailer. Sunday - May 17. All times are EDT: MTV schedule 12 - 2 p.m. Monster Movie Countdown 2:00 - 2:30 Summer Movie Preview 6:00 - 8:00 Monster Movie Countdown 10:00 Ultrasound: Godzilla Rocks Monday (?)-Wednesday May 18-20: seeing the movie first chance we get!
Wednesday, May 20: The guests will be at Randlhurst Mall (Chicago) from 5-8:30 PM EST (I guess).


> I think it would be helpful to let the rest of us know where we will be when over the next 10 days... And I think it is good to use CST (Chicago time) as the common zone.

Here's mine:
Thursday 14 - 1PM to 8AM work
Friday 15 10AM-1 PM sleep 2PM to 8AM work. I should be able to check in around 8-10PM
Saturday 16 10AM-1 PM sleep 3PM to 8AM work. I should be able to check in around 8-10PM
Sunday 17 10PM to 8AM Monday work. Then I'm on vacation! :)
Monday 18 - pick up banner, wash car, the usual preliminary stuff
Tuesday 19 - whatever I didn't get done already
Wednesday 20 - 7PM see movie! JIM: Can you send in a report on the Mall affair?
Thursday 21 - last ditch efforts to get organized, sleep, SCI-FI CHAT Aaron: What did you find out about them having it saved on their site or are you going to post it?
Midnight - head out for G-CON
Friday 22- 11AM should be there and get set up, run tests, stash all the loot I already ordered for half the county, etc. Send initial report.
6 PM-Early registration
6:30- a.m.m. dinner, go to movie
Midnight-report on above, crash
Saturday 23 - 10AM begin CON schedule (TBD) later-costume party/band, day's wrap-up report
Sunday 24 - 10AM begin CON schedule (TBD) later- Blood party, day's wrap-up report
Monday 25 - Sign off, knock down, load it all up, head south
Tuesday 26 - crash
Wednesday 27 - 2PM back to the real world :( Hey! This is going to be fun!


> I think we should schedule one or two chat sessions, before the CON to nail down our thoughts, ideas and planning. It would be nice to have Jim involved, but he may be too busy. The rest of us should definitely find a common time.

Definitely! I guess my schedule is the most restrictive today and Friday but that's the breaks sometimes. Let me know when we can all meet before leaving town and I'll probably be able to work around it.
Gertrude

From: Gertrude Smith Date:15 May 1998 To: TwoZbar

Jim: Here are the logos from G-CON ONLINE! Sponsor Page and such. The EURO/G-CON one is in the same style as the animated one (they match nicely). Aaron doesn't know about the GODZILLA NEWS mention. This logo is without the Melting G head. I might take my computer to the local shop tomorrow but it should be just a short time off line.

Gertrude

From: Club Daikaiju Date: 16 May 1998 To: Gertrude Smith

Okay, I'll put the G-CON ONLINE! flyer together today.
BTW, can you do a Godzilla vs. the Internet presentation? I need to fill one 45 min. time slot on Sunday. All you will have to do is talk about the various Japanese sci-fi resources on the Internet (pretty simple). You can divide it up into news, retailers, official sites, fan sites, etc. I'll make up a flyer that you can hand out during the presentation which will list most of the major online resources.


Let me know if this is cool.

Thanks,
- Jim


From: Gertrude Smith Date: 17 May 1998 To: Mark Suggs

Mark: Jim C. said you mentioned doing an alt.movies.monster panel discussion at G-CON. He has a 45-min. slot on Sunday and is thinking of a talk about the various Japanese sci-fi resources on the Internet like news, retailers, official sites, fan sites, etc. He also suggested a flyer to hand out during the presentation which will list most of the major online resources that are referenced. John Lipartito will also be available, as well as Todd Torres, Jim C. and other webmasters we might can draw in. Think we can help out? G-CON '98 ONLINE! is going to be up and running so examples will be right at hand also. Imagine! All the a.m.m. crew in one place! Scary! :)


Gertrude Smith
 

From: Club Daikaiju 18 May 1998 To: Gertrude Smith

Gertrude Smith wrote:
> We missed you at the G PROJECT chat session yesterday!
Sorry. I've been way too busy.
> John L. is raring to go and Saiko needs to tell the G KIDS when their sessions will be. If they are to be opposite the Q&A, we need to know WHEN they will be for running the chat AND transcribing the Q&A.
The G Kids Chat doesn't necessarily have to be opposite the guests' Q & A sessions. That's simply when we schedule any kids events. Here's the schedule as it stands now. Please distribute it to the others. Keep in mind that we will have presentations running simultaneously in two rooms.


Bourdeaux Room - Saturday

10:00 General Registration Opens (Dealer Room opens)
10:30 Opening Ceremonies with John Rocco Roberto and Video Greeting from Akira Ifukube
11:00 The Daimajin Chronicles with Keith Sewell
11:45 Haruo Nakajima Q & A
12:30 Toho In America with Brian Culver & Robert Biondi
1:15 Yoshio Tsuchiya Q & A
2:00 Yoshihiko Shibata (Ifukube presentation)
2:45 Kenpachiro Satsuma Q & A
3:30 The Monster of All Panel Discussions
4:45 Film Presentation: GAPPA
5:00 Autograph Session begins in Parlor Room 101
6:00 Dinner Break
8:00 Costume Party featuring Jay Johnson & the Southern Rock All-Stars


Chardonnay Room - Saturday

11:15 Kaiju Kids Story Korner
12:00 Kaiju Fan Club Meeting (Chicago area club)
12:45 Kids Kaiju Koloring Kontest
1:30 Steve Ryfle
2:15 Alt.Movies Monster Panel Discussion
3:00 The Trading Card Challenge
3:45 Trading Card Forum
4:15 Fanzine Central
5:00 Kaiju Sound Effects Contest


Bourdeaux Room - Sunday

10:00 Registration Opens (Dealer Room opens)
10:30 Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot Retrospective with Keith Sewell
11:15 Haruo Nakajima Q & A
12:00 The Kaiju Film Contest
1:00 Yoshio Tsuchiya Q & A
1:45 Tri-Star’s Godzilla Panel Discussion
2:30 Kenpachiro Satsuma Q & A
3:15 The Future of G-CON
4:00 Film Presentation (Autograph Session begins with guests in Parlor Room 110)
5:00 Convention Closes


Chardonnay Room - Sunday

11:00 Kids Kaiju Koloring Kontest II
11:45 Kaiju Video Review
12:30 Kaiju Kids Story Korner
1:15 What's Up with KAIJU-FAN
2:00 Godzilla vs. the Internet with Gertrude Smith
2:45 Trading Card Challenge
3:15 Trading Card Forum


> Also, for the fans not able to attend, will they have a chance to submit emailed questions to the guests at their scheduled sessions and get answers to post on the website? If the Q&A runs over, would the guests be willing to provide answers later for posting? Inquiring G-folks want to know...

I don't think it's a problem to submit questions before hand. If we have time to get them answered, then great. I would encourage Aaron or Saiko to have people submit questions to them now and I'll do my best at the convention to have as many answered as possible. Then you can send the answers to Aaron and Saiko who will post them. (Example: Joe Smith of Anytown, PA asks Haruo Nakajima, "Etc., etc., etc.")
In terms of scheduling a chat with one or more of the guests, I would encourage people to attend the Sci-Fi chat on Thursday. The only other chat that we should set up is something directly with Saiko's EURO-CON, just to keep it special. This way, the chat on Sci-Fi is for everyone and any chats with EURO/G-CON are exclusives to that event.
For the time being, we're going to have to keep this open as I'm going to have a difficult time scheduling anything else until I'm at the convention. What I need from Saiko is a schedule of times when it will be possible for us to conduct a chat with his gathering. (Example: 1:00-2:00, 4:00-5:00 on Saturday, etc.) Then I'll do what I can to get one or more of the guests to be available for one or more of the time slots that he has given us. We'll probably be able to notify him at least one day in advance of the scheduled time. It will be a lot easier when I am actually in Chicago and can meet with everyone involved.
Other than that, I'm leaving tomorrow so I don't know if I'll be in touch again before then. If not, I'll see you in Chicago!


- Jim

P.S. I'll have those flyers finished for G-CON ONLINE! and for your Godzilla vs. the Internet presentation.


From: Gertrude Smith 18 May 1998 To: TwoZbar, Aaron Smith, JR, Saiko Genso

Jim C. wrote:
> Gertrude Smith wrote:
SEND A MESSAGE (AOL AIM, email) WHEN YOU ARE ONLINE WITH THE ADDRESS SO WE CAN RE-ESTABLISH CONTACT! A "howdy!" for ONLINE!, too! I'll also sign off on this end when I disconnect and head out (midnight CST, Thursday May 21)
> P.S. I'll have those flyers you can hand out during the Godzilla vs. the Internet presentation which will list most of the major online resources. Also for G-CON ONLINE!.
No, we're not recapping the Rise and Fall of the Sony Empire! It is more our version of Monster Island: All the monsters are here, along with all the wired G-fans, up-to-the-minute news, shopping heaven, fan fiction to enjoy, various Japanese sci-fi resources on the Internet. Probably go into particulars on news, retailers, official sites, fan sites, etc. I just picked up a copy of YAHOO Internet Life 6/98 to see what they had to say about G.: "GODZILLA AND OTHER SCALY LIZARD SITES!" "He has risen from the depths to rid the world of Titanic fever, and he has had his first victory online." I gather this pub aims to be helpful, just like Kaiju-DIRECT! I would also like input from you all on outstanding sites, resources you've found on the Net for Godzilla hunting, study, or just plain fun! We are as much part of the Godzilla scene now as anything and continuous participation over the years has been the key to our fandom being what it is today.
Keep in touch!


Gertrude
 

From: Saiko Genso Date: 19 May 1998 To: Gertrude Smith CC: TwoZbar, Aaron Smith, JR


Hello, Everyone

> > The G Kids Chat doesn't necessarily have to be opposite the guests' Q & A sessions. That's simply when we schedule any kids' events.
I think it will be better to schedule the Kids' Chat sessions when there isn't another kids event going on at G-CON. I propose the following, which I have told the G-KIDS is not yet confirmed:
Saturday 12:00-12:45 G-KIDS / G-CON Kids Chat session #1
Sunday 3:00-3:45 G-KIDS / G-CON Kids Chat session #2
I think this will fit in the schedule nicely. Jim, Gertrude and JR, let me know if this sounds all right to you.
Jim, the prime-time for the EURO/G-CON / Special Guest chats will be anytime Saturday between 1:00 and 5:00 pm CST. I think 20 minutes will be fine for each chat. We don't want to wear your guests (or especially your translator!) out. Then we can maybe run them back to back over one hour but that's up to you. If I know by Friday night your time, that will be enough advance warning to build our schedule here around the Chats.
Gotta get some sleep now.


Saiko

GODZILLA NEWS & G-CON '98 ONLINE!
From: Aaron Smith Date: 05/14/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster


Yesterday sometime, Flash.Net's servers had a major screwup while upgrading. When it will be back up is unknown :-( Of course, this happens right before the movie opens and when people want info fast. Anyway, keep trying the addresses for GODZILLA NEWS ( http://fandom.com/godzilla ) and for G-CON '98 ONLINE! ( http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/gcon98/index.html ). If you can't get on and want to be entered in to the online drawings for prizes during the convention, please e-mail your name, email address, and home address to me. Everyone is welcome to enter.

Aaron J. Smith
Godzilla News
Japanese Monster Movie List


From: Russell Joyner Date: 05/14/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

Thanks for the update, Aaron. I just visited GN without any problems. Unfortunately, there was no new G news after May 12th. Hope to read some new G news soon and as usual, keep up the good work.

Russ J.
U of PA


Posted by Aaron Smith on 15 May 1998

Hey, everybody! Just want to remind you that G-CON '98 ONLINE! is the official website for the Chicago G-CON this year. We're going to have live chats, photos, and more! So stop by http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/gcon98/index.html and be sure to sign up for the online contest. We're giving away some really cool stuff!
GODZILLA NEWS and monsterzero.org are back up. I guess a lot of people missed it or just found out Godzilla is coming because I got nearly 20,000 hits tonight!


Aaron

From: Steve Harris Date: 05/16/1998 Newsgroups: alt.movies.monster

You know, Aaron, you (and Barry) are going to get bombarded over the next week as major papers and national magazines talk about Godzilla and how you guys were on the forefront of unmasking GODZILLA early on...That's probably where all those extra hits are coming from...Congrats!

Posted by Gertrude Smith on 18 May 1998 (in response to Re: G-CON '98 ONLINE! posted by Manda on 18 May 1998)

> So where are the hours of the convention (general and dealer's area) posted? I see the dates but no times. I want to know when to get there Friday!

The schedule is now up at G-CON '98 ONLINE!  http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/gcon98/index.html

From: The Japanese Monster Movie List May 21, 1998

NOTE FROM THE LIST OWNER: This is the last announcement that the Sci-Fi Channel is having a web chat with Ken Satsuma and Haruo Nakajima (The Men Who Played Godzilla) tonight at 8:00PM CST/9:00PM EST. Links and info can be found at the G-CON '98 ONLINE! website at http://www.inteleco.com/gproject/gcon98/index.html


And the deadline for the contest is Friday night at midnight CST. Pics and info are at G-CON '98 ONLINE!. Also, photos of Satsuma & Nakajima will be online tonight from Chicago. A report on their reaction to the new Godzilla film will be posted tomorrow night!

Lastly, I thank everybody for their Godzilla reviews. I won't have time with all the G-CON web work and the general frenzy of this weekend to post them but I will A.S.A.P., along with other items of intrest on Gamera 3, etc.


Aaron

P.S. I'm not posting another list until next week so as to let some of the frenzy die down. Please continue to send your contributions. Everything is appreciated.

Lights, Camera, G-CON '98 ONLINE!

From: Aaron Smith 20 May 1998 23:24:59 +0000 To: gcon98 CC: Mark Gibbs, The Dominion Feedback


On 20 May 98 gcon98 wrote:

> Aaron: Okay, I finally got it to work. I logged onto Sci-Fi and was able to join a chat in the Auditorium, no problem. The only problem is that I don't know if I have the e-mail configured correctly. If I don't, then you won't be reading this right now so I'm gonna call you tomorrow just to double-check. Anyhow, pass this info on to Sci-Fi and I'll be free tomorrow if necessary to run a test.
> - Jim
Jim: I am reading you loud and clear! Success!! I'll tell Sci-Fi right now! Sean, if you are reading this then we got our problems solved. We apologize and we can have a test tomorrow morning with Jim. Please let us know! It's all a go now.


Aaron

From: Gertrude Smith Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 08:31:02 -0500 To: GCON98

> This is Jim over at G-CON (in case you can't tell from the funky screename).
It could just as easy be "Godzilla" !
> I finally got the laptop up and running and was able to log on to the Sci-Fi Chat Room with no problem so we're all set for tomorrow night.
I wonder if folks will ask "spoiler" questions?
> But I'm not sure if I have the e-mail configured correctly so I hope that you are seeing this!
It works! :)
> Two things: 1. Sorry, but I wasn't able to finish those handouts for you: the G-CON ONLINE! flyer and the Internet Resources Sheet for the Godzilla vs. The Internet presentation.
Re: G vs the Internet - Still looking for angles but want to stay away from a treatise of how he did in this movie.
JUST RECEIVED A SUGGESTION OVER AIM:
How about we have a "Name the Monster" Contest on the ONLINE! site? Really get Devlin's goat!
> 2. Sue Victors called me and asked if I could contact you. She wants you to call her because she lost your phone number.
Will do!


> We'll see you when you get here!

Leaving at midnight and should be there by noon. How is the weather? Saw rain on the forecast. That could slow traffic if it's heavy. I have the banner and will pick up a roll of cord to hang it.

G.
 

From: Aaron Smith Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 01:37:06 +0000 To: gcon98


Hey. Any of you jokers getting this :-) If you are, how are things? I'm looking forward to reading the guests' opinions on Dudzilla. I heard from someone that Devlin is majorly pissed at some fans (me included) and that he thinks we were trying to thwart the film! Wow! I never thwarted anything before :-)

Aaron
 

From: gcon98 Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 11:03:41 -0500 To: Aaron Smith

Schedule update - Here's the new stuff. You should be able to post it as is:
G.


From: gcon98 Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 16:34:20 -0500 To: Saiko Genso

Goji-World wrote:
> > Calling G-CON, Come In G-CON...Hello G-CON ONLINE! People. Do you read me? It's 10:30 pm here. I'm still waiting for some word from Chicago. Can one of you please let me know what is going on? We have only a couple of hours left to have the Chat session. What time is it there now?
Hey, there!
> > I saw nobody from G-CON on the G KIDS chat. Can we make sure it happens for tomorrows' session? I would like to send the G-KIDS another e-mail a.s.a.p.
I'll get with Jim to make sure we get it scheduled. I copied your msg so he has a nice little reminder of the urgency.
> > Wondering, waiting, but still having fun.
We are too. Have you seen the pictures from the movie visit on the website? Even "Godzilla" was there! We also posted a recap of registration and there's more to come.


Gertrude

From: gcon98 Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 17:26:11 -0500 To: Aaron Smith

How can we get the newsgroups here?
G.


From: Saiko Genso To: GCON98 Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 18:32:52 +0000

Hello, all!
I haven't heard from anyone. Is everything OK? Please let me know you are online and alive!
I hope the G-KIDS Chat is going to happen in a half an hour! I'll be there. Hope to hear from Gertrude or JR very soon!


Saiko G.

P.S. My screen name during the G-KIDS Chat will be 'Dr. Yamane'.


From: gcon98 Date: Sat, 23 May 1998 20:17:38 -0500 To: beldri - Brian Eldridge

Eric & Barbara Davidson wrote:
> > I'm not hard-core. You need to meet Gertrude. She goes to all the conventions and last year she met the 2 men who played Godzilla in all the TOHO movies. And she built a G Costume that looked real :)
Hi! Gertrude Smith here at G-CON '98 in Chicago. Got a copy of Eric's post to you (see above). Email me at gcon98@flash.net!


From: gcon98 Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 11:16:27 -0500 To: Aaron Smith

John Rocco Roberto, publisher of KAIJU-FAN magazine reports: "Overall, fan reaction to the film was fair but the most telling point was when Ken Satsuma got up and walked out of the theater. Guess Centropolis should have accepted my offer for help from the Godzilla guys when I first offered it. Look for the full review of the Tri-Star Godzilla in the next issue of KAIJU-FAN."


From: gcon98 Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 13:22:35 -0500 To: Saiko Genso

Goji-World wrote: > > > > Great, I'll send out another reminder right away. Will you be there helping the kids or JR? You have the Internet presentation near that time, right?


> > 3 PM Chicago, should be 10 PM here, seven hours difference.

I'll be there!
> > Saiko: 3 PM our time is fine for the kids chat today.
Yes. Me and JRR. Hopefully even the audience from my talk. See you then!


Gertrude.

From: gcon98 Date: Sun, 24 May 1998 15:19:19 -0500 To: Saiko Genso


We are having trouble connecting to the chat!

From: "Goji-World" Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 07:48:07 +0000 To: gcon98


Hi, Gertrude.

I guess you worked it out! We just finished. I asked one of the kids who was helping. He said, "Just some lady who works here, but she's gone now." Ha! Just some "lady"! Well, thanks for all you got done. I'm waiting to hear all about what went on and what went wrong this weekend! I'm going to bed now. Still only slept 9 hours over the last 59 hours!
'Til next week.


Signing off,

Saiko


From: gcon98 Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 11:10:07 -0500 To: Aaron Smith

COME ON LINE!
We're ready to pack and need the URL on S***ZILLA


From: gcon98 Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 12:49:39 -0500 To: Aaron Smith

URGENT! Aaron: You won't believe the poster we got! We need the URL it is at to post to the G-board. If you are still up, get on AIM. If not, we'll be back downstairs in the morning before tearing down.
G.


From: gcon98 Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 14:32:31 -0500 To: Aaron Smith

Hey, Aaron! The linked items aren't showing up in the Netscape browser. The color is too dark or something went wrong. I'm signing off and pulling the plug now and should be in Sikeston in about 8 hrs. Hope it is not too late for you.
G.


Wrap-up

From: Gertrude Smith Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 Organization: Kaiju-DIRECT! To: Aaron Smith


Did we send you this already?

We ran a copy off and hung it by the door for everyone to see!


G.

Subject: Mr. Cranky savages "Godzilla" Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 10:26:34 -0600 (MDT)


"Godzilla" Mr. Cranky's rating: 4 bombs

Director Roland Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin were obviously raised by birds. As I imagine the hordes and hordes of stupid people going to see this film I can only visualize one thing: As the movie starts, the hordes tilt back their empty heads, open their mouths wide, and wait for Emmerich and Devlin to come round and regurgitate popcorn and jujubees into their mouths, because they're little more than helpless, brainless, baby birds.

There isn't an original or creative moment in this entire film. Godzilla is but an inflated "Jurassic Park" T-Rex running around New York City. When Godzilla jumps in the water and is chased around by a submarine, Emmerich and Devlin are quick to rip off "The Hunt for Red October." When Dr. Niko Tatopoulos (Matthew Broderick), Philippe Roache (Jean Reno), Animal (Hank Azaria) and Audrey (Maria Pitillo) discover Godzilla's lair in Madison Square Garden, the film wastes no time in ripping off "Alien." After two hours of this, the only rip off I was waiting to see was Emmerich's or Devlin's head.
The story is paper-thin, the dialogue could have been scripted by an ESL student, and the character development makes one pine for the complexity of an Emilio Estevez tour de force. Who the hell makes Matthew Broderick the lead of an action film anyway? Make pubic hair a leading-man requirement and these kinds of mistakes can be avoided.
How bad is this movie? Here's Emmerich and Devlin's idea of humor: The mayor's (Michael Lerner) name is Ebert. His assistant's name is Gene. Ebert eats a lot and calls Gene names. Jesus, Emmerich and Devlin should have just cut straight to the gratuitous scene of themselves sucking Siskel's and Ebert's chubbies. Hell, why not just have Ebert whip out his fifty-foot long penis and beat Godzilla to death with it? If you're going to suck up for positive reviews, you might as well go all the way.


Mr. Cranky's Rating Scale: One bomb........Almost tolerable.

Two bombs.......Consistently annoying.
Three bombs.....Will require therapy after viewing.
Four bombs......As good as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Dynamite........So godawful that it ruptured the very fabric of space and time with the sheer overpowering force of its mediocrity (special instances only).


This mailing is sent exclusively to those sage souls who have chosen to subscribe to the Mr. Cranky mailing list. If you'd like to unsubscribe because such e-mails aggravate your current lactose intolerance, simply e-mail zone-list-request@internet-plaza.net and include the word "unsubscribe" as the text of your message.

From: Gertrude Smith Date: 18 Jun 1998 Organization: Kaiju-DIRECT! To: Saiko Genso

> Here are a few questions the guests here came up with for the Japanese guests in Chicago. Maybe you could get them to answer them and send us an e-mail.

I have finally had a chance to start transcribing my tapes from G-CON and getting the info typed up. John Roberto also did a presentation on the movie analyzing its many faults which I hope to write up next. Everything is in HTML on disc if your email will accept files. I hope to get more tape/transcripts from other folks who attended and try to put together a more complete package for the G-CON website. Let me know if you want copies for GOJI-WORLD or where you have posted EURO/G-CON reports. Hopefully, everyone has had a chance to recover and we can look back at all the fun we had. I also have some other people's video from 1996 that has questions and answers from Satsuma and Nakajima that we might can use. John and Jim are also working on their reports for the next issue of KAIJU FAN magazine so the excitement shouldn't be over for a while! I am also thinking of combining the various internet messages we shot back and forth for a cyber view of what we were up to. It is rather funny at times and almost a story in itself!


Gertrude

From: Aaron Smith Date: 16 Jul 1998 To: Gertrude Smith, Saiko Genso


Hey, people. I was talking with Jim about the next issue of KAIJU-FAN coming in August. My next KAIJU BYTES column will be about G-CON '98 ONLINE!. Can you write some comments on your experiences with it? Gert, you could comment on how it went at G-CON itself. Saiko-- some comments on EURO/G-CON '98, etc? And if we run pics with it, can we use the image of the flyer you made for EURO/G-CON and images from the get-together? Anyway, let me know what you all think.

Aaron

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