Photo © James Melkonian. Readers of Vantage Point Interviews probably know James Melkonian for writing and directing the mid-1990s comedies The Stoned Age (1994) and The Jerky Boys (1995), but he got his start in the film industry at New World Pictures in the '80s, working in the post-production department. During this time, he worked … Continue reading GODZILLA GETS A TRIM! James Melkonian on the Post-Production Process of ‘Godzilla 1985’ at New World Pictures!
R. J. Kizer
REVISITING THE LEGEND’S REBIRTH! Director R. J. Kizer’s In-Depth History the Americanization of ‘Godzilla 1985’!
R. J. Kizer stands in front of a New York City theater showing Godzilla 1985. Photo © Francoise Charlap. R. J. Kizer, born and raised in the New York City area, attended New York University Film School, from which he graduated in 1976. Following graduation, Mr. Kizer moved to Los Angeles in 1978. In May … Continue reading REVISITING THE LEGEND’S REBIRTH! Director R. J. Kizer’s In-Depth History the Americanization of ‘Godzilla 1985’!
GODZILLA’S LINE PRODUCER! Andrea Stern on Godzilla’s Mid-1980s Comeback!
Andrea Barshov Stern served as associate producer of the American version of Godzilla 1985 (1984). Before working on the Godzilla series' first-ever reboot, she line-produced commercials in New York for several years and worked on The Cars' groundbreaking music video “You Might Think.” After that, she moved to Los Angeles where her career has mostly … Continue reading GODZILLA’S LINE PRODUCER! Andrea Stern on Godzilla’s Mid-1980s Comeback!
BURNING GODZILLA INTO OUR MEMORIES! Ernest Farino on Creating the Main Title Sequence for ‘Godzilla 1985’!
It’s not every day that the editor and publisher of a magazine devoted to Ray Harryhausen ends up working on a Godzilla film. Ernest D. Farino did just that by designing the opening title sequence for the New World version of Godzilla 1985 (1984). He performed the same job on such blockbuster sci-fi films as … Continue reading BURNING GODZILLA INTO OUR MEMORIES! Ernest Farino on Creating the Main Title Sequence for ‘Godzilla 1985’!
GODZILLA GETS AMERICANIZED! Straw Weisman on Rewriting ‘Godzilla 1985’!
Straw Weisman, born in Brooklyn in 1952, is a successful writer/producer/director. Among his credits, he has directed the horror film Dead Mate (1988) and Man of the Year (2002) with John Ritter, which was shot with 20 cameras and 25 actors in one house in one night. He’s also worked on over 2,500 movie advertising campaigns, … Continue reading GODZILLA GETS AMERICANIZED! Straw Weisman on Rewriting ‘Godzilla 1985’!
GODZILLA MAKES THE CUT! Editor Michael Spence on Trimming ‘Godzilla 1985’!
Michael Spence began his career as an editor, working for Sunn Classic Pictures. His first television program was an episode of The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams. Following that experience, he edited the films Hangar 18 (1980), The Boogens (1981), and One Dark Night (1982). Overall, Mr. Spence has cut about 30 feature films and TV movies. … Continue reading GODZILLA MAKES THE CUT! Editor Michael Spence on Trimming ‘Godzilla 1985’!
ON GODZILLA AND RAYMOND BURR! ‘Godzilla 1985’s’ First Assistant Director Lee Berger Shares His Memories from the Set!
(Note: The following introduction was written in 2006.) Lee Berger earns his living making the impossible possible. As one of Hollywood’s leading visual effects producers at Rhythm & Hues Studios, he’s dazzled movie audiences over the years in some of the biggest blockbusters of recent memory. Having worked on such films as Titanic (1997), The Ring … Continue reading ON GODZILLA AND RAYMOND BURR! ‘Godzilla 1985’s’ First Assistant Director Lee Berger Shares His Memories from the Set!
KEEPING AN EYE ON GODZILLA! Patrick Feren on Working on the Set of ‘Godzilla 1985’!
Patrick Feren was born in Germany as an army brat and was raised in California's Bay Area. He later moved to Los Angeles while also spending eight years in New York City along the way. He has worked in all forms of media, including commercials, film, and television, which involved a stint on the TV … Continue reading KEEPING AN EYE ON GODZILLA! Patrick Feren on Working on the Set of ‘Godzilla 1985’!
URBAN RENEWAL! R. J. Kizer on Directing Godzilla’s 30th Anniversary Reboot for American Audiences!
R. J. Kizer, born and raised in the New York City area, attended New York University Film School, from which he graduated in 1976. Following graduation, Mr. Kizer moved to Los Angeles in 1978. In May 1979, he began working at Roger Corman’s New World Pictures. There he met Tony Randel and pursued a career … Continue reading URBAN RENEWAL! R. J. Kizer on Directing Godzilla’s 30th Anniversary Reboot for American Audiences!
GODZILLA ATTACKS THE NEW WORLD! Producer Tony Randel on Bringing ‘Godzilla 1985’ to American Shores!
Tony Randel is a successful filmmaker, screenwriter, and film editor, whose credits as a director include Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988), Children of the Night (1991), and Ticks (1993). In the mid-1980s, Mr. Randel produced the American scenes of Godzilla 1985 (1984) for New World Pictures, which were directed by R. J. Kizer. More recently, Mr. Randel directed the … Continue reading GODZILLA ATTACKS THE NEW WORLD! Producer Tony Randel on Bringing ‘Godzilla 1985’ to American Shores!
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