G-Fest XXVI (2019) Panel: Alien Invasions w/Giant Monster Messages

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Kaijuvision Radio

This is our G-Fest Conference panel, which took place at 12:00pm (CDT) on July 14, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. In it, we compare and contrast alien invasion stories in movies from the Godzilla franchise and from American kaiju/sci-fi movies. I connect the stories from the Godzilla movies to events and trends in Japanese history, while Taylor connects the stories from American films to events and trends in American history. I highlight events from World War II, post-war globalization, nationalism, and the Japanese stock market crash in 1989/1990. Taylor highlights events from the Great Depression, the Red Scare, resource management, and technology.

I’d like to send a shout-out to our patrons Kyoei Toshi, Sean Stiff, William Mize, and Eric White. Thank you for your support! I really appreciate it.

MP3:

Co-Hosts: Brian Scherschel and Taylor Hensley

Editor/Director/Video: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Crowne Plaza O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

“Torii Gate” Banners: Kevin Geary (kevincgearydesign.com)

Logos: Nanoparticles (www.fiverr.com/nanoparticles)

G-Fest XXV (2018) Panel: Godzilla and the Japanese National Spirit

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Kaijuvision Radio

As promised, here’s the audio and video of our G-Fest Conference panel, which took place at 3:00pm (CDT) on July 13, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. We had a larger-than-expected turnout, including several attendees who were listeners and a university professor who was impressed with our presentation. If he was amazed, we know you’ll be, too!

In this, we discuss Godzilla (1954), The Return of Godzilla (1984), Shin Godzilla (2016), and Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), and the international relations issues that were surrounding them when they were made.

We introduce ourselves, the podcast, and its mission. Then Nate examines the 1954 and 1984 movies with respect to the JSDF, the US-Japan Alliance, and Japanese domestic issues. Brian then updates the audience on what has happened in Japan and the world between 1984 and 2016. Nate examines the 2016 movie across the same issues. Brian analyzes Godzilla vs. Gigan and all that the movie communicates to the audience about globalization. Brian finishes the panel by mentioning what all will happen to Japan in 2019 and 2020, and gives a spirited case for defending democracy.

MP3:

Host: Brian Scherschel

Co-Host: Nathan Marchand

Editor: Brian Scherschel

Video Location: Crowne Plaza O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

Video: Brian Scherschel

Music: Audiophiliac (http://www.fiverr.com/audiophiliac)

G-Fest XXV Preview

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Kaijuvision Radio

by Nathan Marchand

We’re just one week away from G-Fest XXV! The show will be held July 13-15 (with some preliminary events July 12) at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois.

Brian and I will be part of several panels throughout the weekend, including a live episode we’ll be recording in the Kennedy Room Friday at 3pm (CST) titled, “Godzilla and the Japanese National Spirit.” Besides that, here’s the rest of our panel schedule:

Brian: “Zilla’s 20^th Birthday” – Friday 12pm (CST) Ballroom 1
Nate: “Godzilla Stories” – Saturday 10am (CST) Kennedy Room
“The Art of Kaiju Writing” – Saturday 1pm (CST) Kennedy Room
“Pacific Rim 2” – Saturday 2pm (CST) Ballroom 1

We’ll have exclusive content for our Patreon supporters throughout the weekend, including pictures, videos, and other updates. We’ll also give supporters exclusive early access to the recording of our panel either Friday night or Saturday morning. If you’d like to be a part of that, become one of our patrons on Patreon!

If by some chance you don’t know what this is, here’s a brief description from the event’s website:

G-FEST is the largest regular gathering of Godzilla and Japanese monster fans in the world. Held each summer, it typically attracts more than 1000 attendees, but has seen a gradual increase in attendance over the past few years. G-FEST 2014 was the most successful convention to date, bringing in about 3000 Japanese science fiction and fantasy film fans!

G-FEST is a family-oriented convention which caters to a wide variety of interests within the kaiju genre. G-FEST features presentations and Q & A sessions by actors and crew from the Japanese Godzilla films, fan presentations on topics of interest, contests and gaming, new and classic kaiju movies, the western world’s largest kaiju-oriented dealers room, and lots of fun and camaraderie.

The guests for this year include Megumi Odaka, who famously played psychic Miki Saegusa in the Heisei Godzilla films; suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma, who’s best-known for playing Godzilla himself in all seven Heisei films; actor/wrestler/mixed martial artist Don Frye, who played Capt. Gordon in Godzilla: Final Wars; and suit and model maker Keizo Murase.

Sadly, due to surgery, the great Akira Takarada, the “godfather of G-Fest,” will not be able to attend. We here at Kaijuvision Radio wish him a speedy recovery and hope he will return to the convention soon.

The nearby Pickwick Theatre will be screening kaiju films starting Thursday with The Valley of Gwangi and Dinosaurus! in the afternoon and then Mighty Peking Man and Pacific Rim: Uprising that evening. There will be a screening of Rampage, starring Dwayne Johnson, Friday night and a special screening of Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth Saturday night with an introduction by Megumi Odaka (and, I assume, Satsuma-san).

We can’t wait to spend an exciting weekend with our fellow G-fans and kaiju lovers!