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Messages - Makoto Mizuhara
16
« on: November 21, 2003, 11:05:46 pm »
Ah, you're friends with Jenny? I've seen pics of some of her costumes. The one of Merle from Escaflowne was pretty wild. Yeah, I was friends with her. Unfortunately, I haven't spoken to her in quite a while. I don't do cosplay that much and we pretty much attended different cons. Que Sera Sera. It happens. She was one of the biggest perfectionist cosplayers I ever met. Fangs and cat contacts... yai! Oh, wow. I came across those pictures awhile back, but for whatever reason, I didn't know that was you. Great cosplay, dude. Gosh-shucks. Yeah, the OVA 2 outfit will always have a fond place in my heart as the costume that made Rio Natsuki squeal in delight. True Story. The Jason school of CosPlay, where the philosophy is "What you lack in sewing skills, make up for with large encumbersome props that easily overshadow the costume." Ahh, memories... Mostly of lumber and lots and lots of spraypaint.
17
« on: November 19, 2003, 10:02:52 pm »
Cosplay? Man, I haven't thought about that in a while... Now, for the dirty secret... Yes, I used to do it, a bit.  Unfortunately, I really haven't done anything new in recent times, mainly becuase I found I enjoyed making the costumes more than I did wearing them, and unfortunately, making costumes isn't something I have any time to do anymore (and my way of costume making usually involves power tools and several days in the good sunshine.) Anyway, I haven't pulled these out in a couple years, but I did do a couple of El-Hazard cosplay projects... My first Makoto Costume, with my friend Jenny as Iffy... http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/307931/makifu2.jpgMy second Makoto costume. In a bit of tongue-in-cheek good humor, I finally answer the question as to why Makoto has all those far-off gazes in the later series... http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-7/307931/realreasonMakotohasthosefarofflooks.jpgJust what was he thinkin' about... *looks over old pics* Geez, man, I can't imagine myself without the beard and short hair. They almost feel like another person posed for these pics. As to pertaining the topic at hand, to all the aspiring cosplayers thinkin' about joining that new generation of cosplayers...or somethin'... Just have fun with it. Don't obsess with body images and the such. It ain't gonna happen, and as long as you like the character, why should anyone else's opinion matter. It's called CosPLAY, so have fun with it. When I was doin' it, I did and when it stopped being fun for me, i stopped. No biggie. I have a lot of fun memories, plus a whole stack of celebrity photos of people I met as Makoto... Happy sewing...
18
« on: October 31, 2003, 09:26:17 am »
You may want to make a script that can randomly generate the order in which the questions appear for that user.
You may also want to make it so that you have more questions than is neccessary (i.e. they only have to answer 20 questions, but the script can pick randomly from a set of 50 preprogrammed questions).
Yep, Me and Robbie already discussed that. 20 Questions from a Pool of 50?! Ha! I scoff at that number... SCOFF I tell you! My pool is much, much bigger... Remember, these are the E.H.A.T.'s You better get a #2 pencil ready.... I say limit mp3 downloads to those with a significant number of posts on the forum. To keep things in check, If a member with mp3 privilages havnt posted any new posts for a specific ammount of time, revoke their mp3 privilages untill they make a return and stay around.
Though I'd like ta try my wits at an EH trivia I agree with Raven on that one. Of course, this isn't about the MP3's for me, this is a matter of stumping all of you... *G* *cackle's wickedly* You're all gonna have to work for it... 
19
« on: October 29, 2003, 03:42:21 pm »
Well, you're the only one to offer so far to make the whole test. So combined with Saucer's thoughts on implementation we could be set. I trust you certainly Mr. Makoto; you may go do that and get your official contributer stamp.
Aw Yeah, I'm all over that like a hobo on a ham sammitch.  I'll prolly start crackin' tonight. If you're on AIM, I'll try and catch ya since I have some ideas for layout and stuff, but I wanted to run them by you first. ... and the funny thing is, i have no desire to d/l mp3's (I own every CD anyway.) I just wanna get rid of the Lond's Tag... 
20
« on: October 29, 2003, 01:35:27 am »
*Jason gets the Bright & Shiny Eyes* Joooooooy... I think I finally found my calling. Can one get "Contributor" Status by creating the test? Single Answer, Multiple Choice, True or False, hell, even questions that require multiple page long essays... ... *cough* ... Sorry, got a bit ahead of myself. But in all seriousness, I want in on creating the E.H.A.T.'s. And you know I can back up anything I give you. 
21
« on: September 26, 2003, 12:07:19 am »
Stevie wont make an El Hazard Movie anyway so whats the use??
Stevie makes his own movies from his own ideas. So why would he create this El Hazard Movie? That would insult him... I think planning to make an EH movie is stupid...
Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings Movies are better....
Um... bit touchy on the subject, eh? Not to criticize your opinion, which everyone is entitled to have, but you may have been just a bit um... mean-spirited in your delivery. Actually, Mr. Spielberg quite often does movies that are not based on his own ideas. In fact, in the last 20 years, the hat he's worn most of all is that of "Executive Producer" which means that he may not be directly responsible for actually making the movie, he (Or in most cases, his comapnies Dreamworks or Amblin) is responsible for funding the films, making sure that they get made on time and on budget, and making sure people go out and see them. Some Notable films that Spielberg is attached to the credits but did not create: Back to the Future Shrek An American Tail Taken Men In Black Evolution Plus several TV projects too numerous to count, including one of my favorite TV series as a child "Amazing Stories." So, I'm not sure how much of an "Insult" it would be to suggest that he could produce an El-Hazard Movie, considering he's been doing projects based on other people's ideas for longer than most of us have been alive and pretty successfully too. As for why people want to discuss their own hopes for such a thing as a Live-Action verison of El-Hazard, I see no need to call it "stupid." Do I think it will ever happen? Probably not. Nor do I really see AIC reviving the franchise. But there's no need to go about and attack other people's wishful thoughts. If they want to dream and speculate and hope and desire, why should the more cynical of us try and stomp on their fun. They're merely expressing their fandom in the way they wish and I say "More power to them." I express my fandom for El-Hazard in my own way. Robby expresses his in his own way. So does Spanner, and Yes, even LGJ (Though, his expression of fandom, for some reason, seems to constantly call for my head.) Fandom is about being a fan of the work, not trying to be the "Best Fan."
22
« on: September 24, 2003, 11:19:43 pm »
Ha. Good point there "Mak Daddy".
Page 44
Page 45
And that CD per your link seems at least mildly interesting. Maybe I'll look into it more some time.
Um... right back at ya "Robby-kins" As for the CD-Rom itself, I'm not gonna say that the Ad-comic in question is an Ad for that particular CD, but it seems pretty feasible, or at least it may be an ad for some form of El-Hazard on CD-Rom. Considering that the release date on the Ad in question is March of '97, it seems unlikely that it's a "Preview" of the series (it came out in '95 as we both know). It could be a preview of OVA 2 (Which did come out in '97) but it seems odd to not see the number "2" anywhere in the Ad or anything from OVA 2 in general. :| It just looks to me, in my opinion, like an ad hyping up the re-release of El-Hazard on a new format. Of course, this is all speculation seeing as I don't read Japanese. Probably the best way to clear up any confusion would to write AIC and ask 2 questions: "Did you ever Release El-Hazard on Japanese CD-Rom?" "If so did you advertise it?" Hey... wait a sec...  Why doesn't someone do just that?
23
« on: September 24, 2003, 10:47:33 pm »
That "CD-ROM" thing there is only a part of the advertisement but the whole image itself is from a preview of the OAV.. It's in a comic form...
SEE? Ifurita and Makoto...
Then, the others come along with them...
And those water-colored images on the end of the OAV, I protest that it is only a fanart...
Actually, I did find some info on the CD-Rom release of the First OVA. Unfortunately, the page is in Japanese, but it does show the cover and the interface. http://www.clubhobi.jp/products/kus/kus_ee/The only reason I point it out is that it doesn't seem so far-fetched that the comic-ad in question was advertising this particular release.
Try this link
http://www.geocities.com/knights_of_queen_aya/ehem.htm
[Rob edit: corrected URL]
ITS IS NOT AN ARTBOOK, ok?
Um...  Actually, yes it is. It's page 44 of the "Etranger" Artbook, and the other image(From a previous post) is page 45. I'm pretty sure Rob has it here.
24
« on: September 23, 2003, 09:44:36 pm »
I'm a little confused... The image in question, I'm pretty sure was an advertisement for an El-Hazard CD-Rom. I have a couple different ones (Adverts, not CD's). I know that there was a "Visual File CD-ROM" for Win '95(Basically a giant promo Cd with Art, story stuff, etc.), but whether this particular ad is for that CD, I'm unsure. It seems unlikely as the ads I have have conflicting release dates. See it here --> http://www.geocities.com/knights_of_queen_aya/coav.jpg As for this particular ad, It wouldn't surprise me in the least that this was for an Official AIC release of El-Hazard on CD-Rom (A.K.A. Computer VCD's) considering what a technophile haven Japan is and how many formats that consumers support there. Semi-decent Quality CD-Roms may just be the alternative for consumers who either didn't have LD or DVD or, more importantly, couldn't AFFORD DVD and LD (Considering that 30 minute tapes and discs cost the equlivilent of an average of 40-60 US dollars.) Check this out
http://www.geocities.com/knights_of_queen_aya/84.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/knights_of_queen_aya/85.jpg This is throwing me off, because this isn't part of any Cd's. They're art book pages. Unless I missed part of the conversation.  Anyway, Robbie, nice job over the last few months. You've really stuck with it with the the Site. Makes me want to get off my lazy backside and finish up and revamp my own stuff. *Thinks to self* Really must apologize to Aaron for vanishing for 2 months...again...Anyway, kudos.
25
« on: August 27, 2003, 10:33:08 am »
Posted by: fesodes Posted on: Aug 26th, 2003, 4:02pm
Makoto, you have any idea how much such a production would cost? Btw, anyone know how much OAV 1 cost to produce?
If this one is directed to me, then I guess I'll try to answer it, assuming that it wasn't a rhetorical question. Question: How much would a movie production cost? Answer: As much as the financial backers are willing to spend. Yep, the great burden that directors have to bear is that they have to often work around the limits of what they have, be it talent, resources, or funds. Anything under the 5 million budget mark is usually considered to be a "Low Budget Movie." (Yeah, "Low"... I know I would kill for that kind of budget right now.) However, low-budget doesn't necessarily mean "bad." I've seen several movies that were produced for under 100,000 and they were terrific. However, those movies were not dependent on high profile effects or expensive equipment. Those movies were good because of quality scriptwriting and acting. A lot of famous directors started off by doing these "low-budget" films and even though the movies looked "cheap" they provided these people a chance to show what they could do when they don't HAVE the budget of their big studio brethren. Because they can produce good movies without the high funds, studios were willing to give them shots on high profile projects with large budgets. Kevin Smith, Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson, etc... However, back to the topic: The budget for an El-Hazard film. It's difficult to guess. First of all, if you were trying to sell this license to a studio, you would have to convince people that THIS would be a movie that people will go out to see and therefore, any money invested will be made back and then, there will be a profit. In all honesty, if you wanted to produce a GOOD version of El-Hazard on film, you would need a HUGE Budget. Imagine the task you have staring you in the face: Creating another world, creating armies of robotic-like bugs, creating a giant satelite in the sky. For all these, you would have to build both sets and create special FX. This type of project is something comparible to Lord of the Rings, which means you are looking at a likely 100 Million dollar budget requirement. Now, if you can convince financial backers that an El-Hazard Movie would make that much to cover costs and then actually make a profit, then you are a silver tongued devil. That's not to say that you couldn't do an El-Hazard movie on a smaller budget. Corners can always be cut. Just remember this Hollywood adage: "You get what you pay for." Sorry to be a buzzkill, but Hollywood is a cruel bitch-goddess.
26
« on: August 18, 2003, 02:50:21 pm »
And knowing is half the battle.
*Sings* G.I.Jooooooooe!!!
Ahem.
Sorry 'bout that.
Anyway, wow. That was quite an exposition. You almost make me think that a thing like this is remotely possible. And that's in spite of the fact that your whole point was to point out how very difficult such a thing would be. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no. Personally, I would love to try and adapt El-Hazard to a 2-hour screenplay. I have a few ideas rolling around in my head that would work for the more action oriented western audience while staying true to the heart of the story. The hardest thing would securing any sort of funding along with licensing... which is the biggest pain with any sort of adaptation.
27
« on: August 18, 2003, 12:59:34 pm »
Boy, am I late joining this topic or what? :|
Actually, I haven't been around anywhere lately, being kept away from message boards and such faire. I would like to say I've been spending the time away working on finishing the website, but alas, it's been spent on things like scanning a huge portfolio of old photos and career planning. And seeing as I rented Silent Hill 3 this weekend, any spare time I DID have was going into that so as to beat the story before it needed returning.
*ahem*
Anyway, onto the topic at hand...
Let me tell you, as a graduate of a television, radio, and film program, adapting anything from one source to another is a hard process filled with the stress of constantly trying to walk a fine tightrope.
Some people see a "can't miss" property and think that if they turned it into a movie/television show/video game it would be a sure hit.
Look at the last five years and the adaption of comics and video games to film. Some were thought to be sure thing big budget blockbusters and ended yup not covering the costs of production. What went wrong?
Well in a lot of cases, they didn't take care enough in the adaptation process. Sometimes it was the script, or the casting choices, or the choice of director. Sometimes, producers complete misunderstood or misunderestimated their target audiences.
One of the best examples of a Adaptation done well is the American version of "The Ring." I've seen both versions and read the original novel. All three are different in many key areas, yet all three work very well because in each case, the adaptation process was carefully considered.
How could what was originally a Japanese horror story work so well for an American audience? Because they didn't just xerox the script and then throw in big name American actors or a popular director. They tweaked and changed the story as to keep the key story elements, yet they worked more on WESTERN psychological fears by using easily recognizable western icons.
*ahem*
But that is starting to stray off the topic. So lets get to the meat of the matter, shall we?
We have this property, El-Hazard: The Magnificent World. Let's just say that some financial backers and a studio see this property as an opportunity to make money, so they decide to invest a lot of money into making a movie to be released say, in the summer, as their big money summer film. (Time of film's release do play into some decisions, but I won't get into that here.)
So, now we have a property greenlit for adaptation. We now have several key decisions to make.
1. Which El-Hazard Property are we going to use to adapt?
- Well, we have a few choices. OVA series, TV Series, or the Manga storyline. Since all other El-Hazard stories have a connection to one of those three or at least are similar to one of those three, we'll narrow our choices to one of those three.
Well, Let's scratch TV off because the entire story took 26 1/2 hour episodes to tell it's story. In order to adapt this series, too much would have to be cut out and changed.
OVA would seem like a good choice. The original story only took about 4 hours to tell, which could easily be trimmed down to fit a 2 hour time frame. A lot of revisions to story would have to be made, but it shouldn't pose too much of a problem to a talented scriptwriter.
Surprising the best choice would the Manga. It's only 16 chapters. The pacing is fast-paced with grandoise battle scenes while it still keeps the core story in tact. It would be a very good choice to adapt for a film.
Yes, I know that El-Hazard fans would cry foul over that choice, but remember this decision of what choice would be the best to be adapted is made to appeal to the largest audience possible. Hard core El-Hazard fans are a small minority at best.
So who is the audience we have targeted? Well, beside anime fans who would most likely go to see it out of curiousity (Because despite the fact that it would be an American live action film, it will still probably be reported as an adaption of an anime story by the Hollywood trades.) That makes up a small chunk, along with the El-Hazard fans.
However the biggest core audience would be Patrons of Adventure Films. Heavily Male between the ages of 13 and late 40's. Like stories that involve adventuring with a bit of action. Fight Scenes, expolosions, and special effects are appreciated but not required (As opposed to the ACTION Movie Patron.) The most important part is the adventure part of the story. New locales, inventions, and romantic interests. A sort of escapist fantasy as it were. Examples of the movies a typical adventure film fan would watch: Indiana Jones, James Bond 007, The Mummy Series, etc.
Okay, so we've targeted our audience and our source material. We want to create a two hour adventure movie that will keep audiences glued to the story while still adding enough action and romance to attract the other fringe audiences.
So, now we have a scriptwriter(s) working on adapting our adaptation. For argument's sake and to appease the hardcore fan, let's say that they are adapting the original OVA story. Let's also say that budget is not that much of a consideration and it is extremely well funded (Though, in real life, such a risky prospect of converting an anime into a live-action film would have a hard time securing a blockbuster budget. Though, not impossible. The Evangelion LA Pic in pre-production now is proof of that.)
Now we need to start choosing production staff to turn the now adapted original image into something that will appeal to a mass audience. We need a director.
For El-Hazard, we have a few good choices (and again this is an imaginary world where anyone we wanted was readily available or willing to take on the project.)
First up is George Lucas. He's got experience in creating new worlds for film and has experience in adventure story telling. His special effects studio is second to none and it would definately be a visual delight. The problems with him is that he likes to tinker a LOT with his creations and also tends to put himself on script duty and casting, both of which he has not had a steller record as of late. He'd be a good choice if we keep him away from the script and casting.
Next up is Ridley Scott. Again, good at creating an entire world (Gladiator.) However, he is often more associated with more action-oriented films and that may give people the false impression about this movie.
The third choice would be Peter Jackson. His name would garner instant attention, plus he has experience on producing big budget films that require all three of our needs. An adventure story, an adaptation of an original source, and story that needs an entire world created.
Jackson seems like the best choice because he has recent success (which appeals to backers), he has a good track record of staying loyal to source material while also making it accessible to a mass audience (that would appease hardcore fans), and he has the tools to create El-Hazard as a display for the eye and mind.
So, now we picked our director. Okay, now word has gotten out that Peter Jackson has just signed on to direct a new movie. An adaptation of an Japanese anime, no less. Another benefit of picking a big time director is that things he does create a buzz, which help in advertising and generating interest in our film.
Now, it's time to start casting. Obviously, we need to remember that we are trying to appeal to an American Audience, so like LGJ said earlier, there will have to be some name changes. However, I see no need to change the overall setting (in terms of El-Hazard. An Arabianesque world would definately be appealing for an adenture type film, as opposed to a Asian setting, which has lately been flooding the market and audiences may see it as "another Crouching Tiger/Jackie Chan affair.)
However, back to casting, I see this film as opportunity to bring in several new young talents who are relatively unknown or only known inside a small circle of devoted fans. I would however choose, 1-4 "marquee" talents to help give the film credibility.
Why wouldn't I make this a star studded affair or a "dream cast" project? Simple. There's only so much spotlight to go around. A lot of times people think that if they put 10 Oscar winning actors on screen at the same time, it will be a hit. What happens a lot of times is that the actors end up trying to bring the focus on themselve and away from the story. Also, there are things like on on-screen chemistry and the backstage egos to consider(all of which can make or break a film project.)
So, new names aside, whatever they may end up being, here is some casting choices:
"Makoto" - Toby MacGwire. A slightly nerdish looking, but still attractive actor who is starting to make himself big. He still passes for 17-18 and like Makoto, he can look nerdish but still be athletic and popular.
"Nanami" - Though I'm not a fan of Buffy, I think Sarah Michele Geller would do a good job with this character. Tough, independent, yet still occasionally childish.
"Mr. Fujisawa" - Though, I think this may be a role best suited to a relative unknown. I do have a soft spot for Bruce Campbell, who can flex his muscles, has great screen presence and doesn't take himself too seriously, which is why he would be well suited to take on the role of our favorite drunko.
Those are the only cast members I can think of at the top of my head at the moment. though, if we do rely on casting new/unknown/lesser known actors, roles like Jinnai and Ifurita may very well provide the opportunity for a new break-out star to emerge in Hollywood.
This is getting rather lengthy so I'll wrap this up. I know we still have the final script to figure out which will determine things like the pace of the story, which scenes get cut/altered and maybe even some characters get left on the cutting room floor.
Anyway, now you know a little more about what an incredible pain in the ass it is to try and adapt anything.
And knowing is half the battle.
28
« on: July 22, 2003, 12:26:01 am »
Everyone always wants to pick on the Mak-daddy...
One-on-one fight winner? Probbaly Jinnai... by default...
Why would Mak-daddy want to bother with a stupid fight when it would seriously cut into his pimpin' time?
Ergo, Jinnai would win because Makoto wouldn't show up because he'd be busy pimpin' it up big-time.
Makoto: Yo Shayla, get your holy ass back in mah car befo' I make yo' taste dah back of mah hand!
Shayla: You ARE the Mak-daddy Pimp-mastah!
Makoto: Yo' damn right. Now let me show you why I'm da real "Mastah of da Staff."
Deleted scene from the deleted series "El-Hazard - The Blaxploitation World"
Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile so I figured I make it stupid and pointless.
29
« on: July 15, 2003, 12:04:57 am »
FYI, if no one else has mentioned it yet. That fan art is by Tsutaya Katsuodou. (I got the link from the Yahoo! club.) Take a look at his El-Hazard gallery, "works" list, and "Under construction" English page. Yeah, Katsuwo is a great artist and a stand up person to boot. KTW helped me out a few years backwhen I was looking for chibi pics for my first El-Hazard page, and even created a custom Qawool chibi for me as a gift (One I still use to this day.) KTW also sent me a stack of doujinshi CD calanders that were simply gorgeous and it was a real pity that they were only good for one year. There is one piece I still have on my wall that unfortunately is not in the galleries Ifurita, with pig tails and tank top holding up Ura. It just screams out "Wholesome Girl Next Door." Prolly the reason why it still hangs on my wall, even though it hasn't been relevant to the actual date for 3 years. ^_^
30
« on: June 24, 2003, 11:05:04 am »
Kashimashi Shugyou, definately that one is my favorite. If I only had to choose one EH related song... That or 13 gatsu no kakumei... Seeing as Karaoke is the only actual con-related activity I still participate in actively at cons, with the occassional panel (mainly if I'm on said panel). You name it, Jrock, Jpop, Eurodance, Japanese lyrics, English Lyrics, etc; I've prolly done it at a con. Which has led to some interesting stage shows... 
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