A Special Conversation With Anno Hideaki, Chief Director, Gamera 1999, and Higuchi Shinji, SFX Director, Gamera 3, Commemorating the Release of Gamera 1999, a Videocassette Documentary Short Subject Covering the Making of Gamera 3

･ On March 6, 1999, Gamera 3, the last major Japanese SFX film of the 20th Century, opened in theatres across Japan. ･ As has been mentioned many times on this website, Gamera 1999, a videocassette documentary short subject on the making of Gamera 3, was produced by GAINAX's own mighty tag team of Anno Hideaki and Masayuki. To commemorate the release of Gamera 1999, Anno, the video's chief director, and Higuchi Shinji, SFX director on Gamera 3, held a live conversation.

･ The event took place Feb. 28, 1999, at the event hall in the main branch of Yamano Music, on the Ginza. With over 200 fans were in attendance, there wasn't even standing room left. This alone should give you some idea of how much attention this leading combination of visual creators is drawing today. ･ A collection of Gamera photos displayed in the hall lobby. One photo was given to each attendee. ･ The long line of people waiting for the hall to open. Supposedly some people had been waiting since the previous day in order to get seats as close as possible to Anno and Higuchi

･ Before the show proper began, singer Julianna Schanow, who performed the theme from Gamera 3, "Mou Ichido Oshiete Hoshii (Tell Me Once Again)", gave a live performance. (Aside: we tried to verify the correct spelling of the singer's name, but were unable to do so as of this writing. We apologize for any errors.) ･ Born in Austria, this 17-year old vocalist drew tremendous applause with her uniquely clear voice. ･ The song itself plays during the end of the film. With lyrics by director Kaneko Shuusuke, this song is sure to be a hit. Listen for yourself if you get the chance.

･ Ms. Schanow says that her hobbies include shodo (Japanese calligraphy), of all things. Here she demonstrates her skill for the audience. She seems embarrassed, but her craftsmanship is excellent

･ Finally we have our featured guests, Anno Hideaki and Higuchi Shinji ･ As you are no doubt already aware, Higuchi was part of the principal staff on "Nadia of the Seas of Wonder/The Secret of Blue Water", "Neon Genesis Evangelion", and "Top o Nerae!", all of which were directed by Anno. The two of them thus go back a long way together. This fact may have been a factor in the typically reticent Anno being far more talkative than usual, which in turn resulted in a highly lively conversation.

･ Naturally, most of the talk centered around Gamera 1999. ･ Some 300 hours of footage was shot in all to make this video. Furthermore, the high degree of mobility afforded the digital video camera which was used, plus the lack of any sense of the cameraman's presence, seems to have contributed to making this video seem unusually close to the real on-the-set experience, as witnessed by Higuchi's own remarks that he wasn't particularly bothered by being filmed for this video as he went about his work. Anno also seems quite confident of his work in this case, saying that he worked as much as possible to recreate the actual experience of being on the set, rather than an outsider looking in.

Anno on his motivations for making Gamera 1999: "I wanted to see for myself what Japanese SFX moviemaking is like these days" ･ There was also considerable discussion about various recent anime and live-action SFX productions. The audience loved hearing them say various dangerous and humorous things along these lines.

Higuchi on working with Anno in the future: "If he asks, I'll be there."

Anno: "It's organized in such a way that people who see Gamera 1999 and think 'What's going on here? will feel better after they see Gamera 3. Conversely, people who think there's something not quite right after seeing Gamera 3 will have their concerns allayed after seeing Gamera 1999."

Gamera 1999, which depicts the making of Gamera 3 in all its detail, is on sale now. Chief director Anno Hideaki and director Masayuki unveil the secrets behind the powerful visuals of the film in meticulous detail, including comments by key staff members. Fans won't want to miss this priceless video record of the production crew's trials and tribulations. ･ " GAMERA-1999" ･Price: 3800Yen (plus tax) ･Sold by Media Factory

Click here to go to the Official Gamera 3 Website (Japanese Content Only)

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