Fanime Con '98 will be a fun-filled, two-day Japanese animation
convention, to be held on Saturday & Sunday, February 14 & 15, 1998 at
Foothill College, in Los Altos, California (with evening activities at
the Sheraton Four Points Hotel as well!).
REGISTRATION
------------------------
Sorry, the pre-registration deadline has passed. All pre-registration
sent after Jan 7th, will be returned.
The at-the-door price will be $25 per person($15 for one day). We also
offer a group discount as well. Get 10 or more folks together, fill out
a form for each person, add it all up and take 10% off (send us one
check). Sorry 10% discount does NOT apply to parking passes. Color
badges will only be made for those folks who pre-register for both
days.
HOTEL INFORMATION
-------------------------------
We have a special arrangement with the Sheraton Four Points Hotel to
provide cheap lodging and late night activities. The special con price
is just $75 a night (1-4 people) tax included! This rate applies for
Friday and Saturday nights only. Normally these rooms go for over $200
a night. To get this special rate, call the Sheraton at (408) 745-6000
or (800) 836-8686 and tell them you are with Fanime Con 98.
The hotel is located close by the convention and the San Jose
International Airport. A free shuttle service is available for pickup
and delivery to the airport (a modest wait of 10-30 mins. may be
necessary, so plan ahead). The shuttle may be called from the airport
from one of the special hotel phones available in both baggage pickup
areas (ask for directions if you don't see them).
GUESTS
-------------
Fanimecon '98 has some super-special Guests of Honor to introduce to
you, each of whom will be presenting their own unique, special panels
just for the fans!
HIROYUKI YAMAGA is a founder of one of the hottest studios currently
running in Japan - Studio Gainax. This studio has tackled some of the
biggest, toughest projects in the industry, including the creation of
an anime film with the largest budget, staff and pre-production
research commitment in history - "ROYAL SPACE FORCE-THE WINGS OF
HONNEAMISE," directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga, and which premiered on March
10, 1987. The film won the Seiva Award, the Japan Anime Award, Animage
Editor's Poll for 'Best Movie of the Year,' and developed an
international fan following. It is seen as pointing the way for modern
visionary works such as Mamoru Oshii's "Ghost in the Shell", Katsuhiro
Otomo's "Memories", and Shoji Kawamori's "Macross Plus".
Studio Gainax went on the create some of the most beloved anime,
including: "AIM FOR THE TOP! GUNBUSTER" (1988), "NADIA IN THE SEAS OF
WONDER" (1990), "OTAKU NO VIDEO" (1991), and most recently, the smash
hit TV and film series, "NEON GENESIS EVANGELION" (1995-97), which
Yamaga co-produced. As anime advances towards the end of the century,
fans and professionals alike look forward to Yamaga's new film project,
"BLUE URU", to amaze audiences once more.
Mr. Yamaga honored us by celebrating the tenth anniversary of "Wings of
Honneamise" at FanimeCon '97 - his first visit to American in a decade.
We are delighted that he has returned again in 1998 as our Japanese
Special Guest of Honor.
KUNI KIMURA was born in Japan. Formerly a translator/editor of an
American comic publisher. Upon resigning from the publisher, he had
formed a Multimedia Manga publisher, Studio Ironcat L.L.C., with his
comrade Steve Bennett. Currently, he is enthusiastically working on the
GAINAX CD-ROM project. As a freelance translator, Kuni has worked on
numerous OVAs such as "NEON GENESIS EVANGELION" and "CAPRICORN".
SCOTT MCNEIL, a seasoned actor from the British Columbia area, has
auditioned and gotten some of the most sought-after parts in more than
a few Japanese anime shows, including: Piccolo the Demon King from
"DRAGONBALL" and "DRAGONBALL Z", Captain Harlock from "GALAXY EXPRESS
999", Principal Kuno from "RANMA 1/2", Tokai from "SANCTUARY", Mari
from "PROJECT A-KO", Blanka from "STREET FIGHTER", Merman and Raptor
from "DARKSTALKERS"...as well as numerous other primary and secondary
character voices, in shows like "The Hakkenden: Legend of the Eight Dog
Warriors", "Reboot", "Transformers: BeastWars", "HeMan", "G.I. Joe",
"King Arthur and the Knights of Justice" and "Ranma 1/2".
In addition, Mr. McNeil has also appeared in many film and television
roles, including: "VIPER", "HIGHLANDER - THE TV SERIES", "THE COMMISH",
"KILL OR BE KILLED", "NINJA TURTLES", and "BEACHCOMBERS"
Throughout the convention, Mr. McNeil will be participating in some
Question & Answer panels, live programming events and autograph signing
sessions for fans to meet and greet. He is eagerly looking forward to
speaking with the attendees and staff members of the convention. In his
own words, "Thank you for asking me to come on down to California and
meet all of you. I can't wait!"
LALAINIA LINDBJERG has starred in some very exciting Japanese anime
series as some of the top name stars, including: Bulma from
"DRAGONBALL" and "DRAGONBALL Z", Alice Sakaguchi from "PLEASE SAVE MY
EARTH", Mia from "RONIN WARRIORS", Karumi from "RANMA 1/2 OAV: AKANE
AND HER SISTERS", Mana from "MERMAID SCAR", Princess Fuse from "THE
HAKKENDEN: LEGEND OF THE EIGHT DOG WARRIORS"...as well as voices from
such popular American cartoons as "GI Joe", "Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles: The Next Mutation", "My Little Pony", "Battletoads" and
"Cinderella."
In addition, Mrs. Lindbjerg has all portrayed characters in many
popular live-action television shows and movies, including: "THE
X-FILES", "SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH", "21 JUMPSTREET", "VIPER",
"GENERATION X", "SILENT CRADLE", "MACGYVER", "WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT",
"DEAD GIVEAWAY", "THE ANNISA AYALA STORY", "ANNIE O", and "THE
HEIGHTS."
Finally, Mrs. Lindbjerg has also been involved in many on-stage
productions, including: "Peter Pan", "Annie", "The Music Man", "The
Wizard of Oz", and "Anne of Green Gables" (which was shown in
Vancouver, Charlottetown and JAPAN!).
STEVE BENNETT was born in 1966 on the Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. In the
early 1980's, he saw his first anime TV episode. Inspired by the work,
Mr. Bennett visited the animation production studio the very next day.
On a stroke of luck, he was hired by Studio Aoyama and studied the
benevolent art of anime. He has worked as an animator on Anime series
such as "URUSEI YATSURA", "CRUSHER JOE", "MAGICAL EMI", "MAGICAL FAIRY
PERSIA", and " PLA-WRESTLE SANSHIRO". With his professional drawing
skill and knowledge about the industry, he helps Studio Ironcat produce
their quality works.
ALLEN HASTINGS first learned computer programming and made his own
sci-fi films in high school. With a B.A. in Computer Science from the
University of California at Santa Cruz, Allen bought a Commodore Amiga
and started a 3D animation program for his own use. After showing some
of his work, he was approached by Aegis Development, who marketed it in
1987 as 'VIDEOSCAPE 3D'. Later, NewTek Inc. asked him to create a new,
more advanced 3D animation program, to be dubbed 'LIGHTWAVE 3D'. NewTek
decided to bundle it with their Video Toaster system, and it went on
sale in 1990.
LightWave 3D soon attracted the interest of Todd Rundgren, who created
several music videos with it. Since then, LightWave has been used for
television special effects in such shows as "SEAQUEST DSV", "BABYLON
5", "VIPER", "STAR TREK: VOYAGER", "STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE", "WIERD
SCIENCE", "HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNIES", and "SPACE: ABOVE AND
BEYOND", as well as characters in recent M&M ads. LightWave 3D has been
used in theatrical films as well, including "STAR TREK VI", "JAMES BOND
007: GOLDENEYE", "THE FIFTH ELEMENT", and "TITANIC". Allen also
consulted with the creators of the series "HYPERNAUTS", which made
heavy use of LightWave 3D to render scenes involving huge alien fleets,
"mech-suits," and Miyazaki-inspired airships, among other things.
Allen is also an avid user of the program, and his art and animations
have been featured in nationwide TV commercials and on half a dozen
magazine covers. His interest in anime recently led him to develop a
new feature that simulates the look of traditional cells, and the use
of this option is now being considered by animation studios in the U.S.
and Japan.
In 1993 he received an Emmy award for his part in the development of
the Video Toaster system.
FRED SCHODT is an accomplished interpreter who often worked with Osamu
Tezuka when he visited the states. he began seriously reading manga in
1970, and has worked on both sides of a book since then, writing and
translating.
His book translation credits include the series of "GUNDAM" novels by
Yoshiyuki Tomino and "GAKU STORIES" (published here as "MY BOY: A
FATHER'S MEMORIES") by Makoto Shiina. Mr. Schodt has also translated
various manga, including co-translation credit on "BAREFOOT GEN: A
Cartoon Story of Hiroshima", Volume 2; "THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES",
Volumes 1 and 2; Osamu Tezuka's "TSUMI TO BATSU" (CRIME AND
PUNISHMENT"); co-translation of Masamune Shirow's "ORION" and "GHOST IN
THE SHELL" with Toren Smith.
Not to be stopped with simply translating, Fred Schodt has also written
a number of insightful reviews of the Japanese situation. These
include: "MANGA! MANGA! THE WORLD OF JAPANESE COMICS (for which he was
awarded the Japan Cartoonist's Association special "Oscar"); "INSIDE
THE ROBOT KINGDOM: JAPAN, MECHATRONICS, AND THE COMING ROBOTOPIA"; and
"DREAMLAND JAPAN: WRITINGS ON MODERN MANGA".
Fred Schodt's other accomplishments include a monthly column on manga
for the Mainichi Daily News in Tokyo; various articles and reviews in
'ANIMERICA' and 'MANGAJIN'; the Anime America "Osamu Tezuka Award" for
"Outstanding Contributions to Manga and Anime" in 1993; and screenplay
consulting credits on "HI NO TORI 2772" ("PHOENIX 2772") in 1980.
CARL HORN is an associate editor at 'ANIMERICA' magazine and the
current "Manga Scene" columnist for 'WIZARD: THE GUIDE TO COMICS'. He
has written for 'PROTOCULTURE ADDICTS', 'V-MAX', 'ANIME UK' and 'ANIME
FX'.
Fanimecon '98 is pleased to announce these Special Guests of Honor to
the convention! We are honored to have them attend, and hope that the
fans will take this opportunity to come meet them all as well!
GAMES & CONTESTS
-------------------------------
Everyone and anyone is invited to participate in the Masquerade/Costume
Event. The masquerade will be held Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in the Main
Theater. You can walk on or perform a simple skit (note: skits will be
limited to 3 minutes and technical assistance will not be supplied).
Nikaku Animart has donated a cash prize of $300.00 for first place in
the masquerade, so get out your sewing machine and your imagination!
The Ani-Mayhem Tournament will be back. We are working on some really
good prizes for the tournament.
A Modeling Contest sponsored by Hero's Club is a special event at this
years Art Show.
1st place is a gift certificate for $300 good at Hero's Club. Judging
will take place Sunday afternoon at 3:00 and the results will be
announced at the Closing Ceremonies. All Models must be brought to the
Art Show and entered into the contest by 5:00 Saturday afternoon. All
entries must be made by fans with Fanime Con memberships, no dealer
entries please.
"Anime Jeopardy" returns this year - back by popular demand! Come win
prizes, and test your anime eclectic knowledge against others of your
kind. Are you _really_ an otaku or do you just think you're one?!?
Here's your chance to prove yourself - are you up to the challenge?
Based off of the popular Japanese hit game show, "Buff or Bluff: The
Wacky World of Anime" is all-new for this year's live programming
events! Groups of brave Fanimecon registered otaku will team up into
threes, and be asked questions by the Game Show Host. They only need to
answer the questions correctly to win points. The team with the most
points wins the game. Sounds easy right? WRONG! We're throwing in some
of our very own special Guests of Honor to confuse our 'heroic trios'.
Now the trick is, which guest is telling the truth, and which is
lying?! Pick the right one, and win the points! Do you have what it
takes to win some fabulous prizes & be at the top of the bragging food
chain?! Come test your skill...
ART SHOW
----------------
If you have any anime-related art that you have produced, then the Art
Show is the place for you. The Art Show will be from 9:00 a.m. Saturday
until 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon with an ongoing Silent Auction all
weekend (final bids need to be in by Sunday at 3:00 p.m). If you are an
artist and would like to display your artistic abilities and/or sell
your artwork, you may bring your work (2-3 pieces) by Saturday Morning.
Only artists with Fanime Con memberships may display in the Art Show.
All Art displayed at the show should be clearly labeled on the back
with the Artists Name, Contact Information, Asking Price for immediate
sale, a Minimum Bid price for the Art Auction or No Sale tag. Art that
is not labeled will not be included in the auction. Fanime Con will
retain 10% of the final sale price for this service.
If you would like to ship your art work directly to Fanime Con or have
additional questions, you may contact, Kirk Shanley at 408-761-1998
before 6:00 PM. While the Art Show area will be closely monitored, any
damage or losses incurred during the Art Show or while in transit to
and from the Art Show will not be the responsibility of the Anime
Resource Group, Inc.
ARTISTS ROW
---------------------
We have a limited number of Artist Row tables available. Tables are $10
a day. They are 6' long and will be covered. Contact the Artist Row
Coordinator, Ted Brunst for information and an artist's row contract at
(408) 258-2707 or e-mail him at: mystic_arts@hotmail.com. Table prices
do not include the cost of a Fanime Con membership. Be sure to
pre-register to save.
BE A GOPHER
--------------------
Fanime Con is always glad to have gophers help on the day of the
convention. Gophers still must register for the Con, but if you work at
least 2 shifts a day, you will get that day's registration refunded.
Duties may include ushering in Video Rooms, or assisting dealers and
staff members. If you indicated on your registration form that you
would like to be a volunteer, then your name and address has already
been given to Tracy Brown, the Volunteer Coordinator. If you would like
more details about volunteering, you may e-mail her at:
dotsumi@pacbell.net or call her at (408) 280-7054 before 9:30 p.m. You
can also use our online gopher reg form to sign up.
PARKING
--------------
One final note, Foothill College has raised the price of parking to
$2.00 per day. You can pre-purchase your parking passes when you
pre-register, or you can buy them there (better bring 8 quarters). When
ordering passes, please indicate whether the pass is for Saturday or
Sunday or Both.