Yutaka Hayashi, who played the race car driver Hiroshi Jinkawa, in Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), followed an unusual path in becoming part of the movie business. In 1966, Mr. Hayashi debuted as the drummer for the pop band The Village Singers, which immediately started releasing records. In 1972, The Village Singers ultimately disbanded, and Mr. … Continue reading RACE CARS, DRUMS, AND MONSTERS! Yutaka Hayashi on His Varied Entertainment Career!
Toho
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!
REWRITING GODZILLA! Lisa Tomei on Americanizing ‘Godzilla 1985’!
Born and raised in New Jersey, Lisa Tomei is a Clio- and Emmy Award-winning visual effects artist whose credits span a broad range of media, including: commercials, broadcast promos, show opens, episodic television, and music videos. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Ms. Tomei entered the entertainment industry as a production assistant and ultimately … Continue reading REWRITING GODZILLA! Lisa Tomei on Americanizing ‘Godzilla 1985’!
THE HUNT FOR RED GODZILLA! Dennis Falt on Playing ‘Godzilla 1985’s’ Russian Submarine Captain!
Vantage Point Interview readers know him as the captain of the Russian submarine in Godzilla 1985 (1984), but Dennis Falt has enjoyed an extensive acting career in both the United States and Japan. Born in San Carlos, California, Mr. Falt attended San Carlos High School where he studied drama. During his senior year, Mr. Falt … Continue reading THE HUNT FOR RED GODZILLA! Dennis Falt on Playing ‘Godzilla 1985’s’ Russian Submarine Captain!
CAPTAIN DOUGLAS GORDON REPORTS FOR DUTY! Don Frye on Starring in ‘Godzilla: Final Wars’!
Don Frye is an accomplished Ultimate Fighter and mixed martial artist who made the transition to movie star with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), the Big G’s 50th anniversary film. Mr. Frye, as Captain Douglas Gordon, won praise even from Final Wars’ harshest critics for his witty one-liners and his commanding screen presence. When it comes … Continue reading CAPTAIN DOUGLAS GORDON REPORTS FOR DUTY! Don Frye on Starring in ‘Godzilla: Final Wars’!
‘GUNHED’ MEMORIES! Brenda Bakke on Her Starring Role in Toho’s Futuristic Actioner!
Brenda Bakke is an American actress who landed one of her first starring roles in Japan. Born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Ms. Bakke grew up in Beaverton, located in the outskirts of Portland. When she reached the age of 18, Ms. Bakke moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of acting. Because she wanted … Continue reading ‘GUNHED’ MEMORIES! Brenda Bakke on Her Starring Role in Toho’s Futuristic Actioner!
DEFENDING THE EARTH! Actor Jonathan Legg Remembers Shooting ‘Godzilla: Final Wars’!
American-born Jonathan Legg is an actor and model who has worked on both sides of the Pacific. When he lived in Japan, Mr. Legg appeared in Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) as an Earth Defense Force soldier. In 2007, Mr. Legg shared his memories of the shoot with Brett Homenick. Brett Homenick: How did you get involved … Continue reading DEFENDING THE EARTH! Actor Jonathan Legg Remembers Shooting ‘Godzilla: Final Wars’!
A BURNING LOVE FOR GODZILLA! Kyle Cooper on Designing the Opening Title Sequence for ‘Godzilla: Final Wars’!
Since the early 1990s, Kyle Cooper has been and remains one of Hollywood’s leading title designers. Mr. Cooper has widely been credited with revitalizing the craft with his main title for the hit movie Se7en in 1995. In the years since then, Mr. Cooper has served as title designer on innumerable motion pictures, such as … Continue reading A BURNING LOVE FOR GODZILLA! Kyle Cooper on Designing the Opening Title Sequence for ‘Godzilla: Final Wars’!
Vantage Point Interviews 