By The Eva Monkey on Thursday, June 12th, 2003
Updated a number of different sections, no content was added, just revised the arrangement and such.
Also, though its been out for a bit, here’s a scan of the concept art for the live action movie that was published in NewType.
By The Eva Monkey on Wednesday, June 11th, 2003
Today I added the two ADV press releases to the written statements section, and finished typing up the Personnel Files section of the Magi Archives. I also updated the Eva Units section of the glossary. And finally, I added two FAQs to the Questions? section.
By The Eva Monkey on Monday, June 9th, 2003
I was a guest on Waste Saturday night. Though Evangelion wasn’t a topic of discussion, we discussed video games, comics, and other such assorted nonsense. A good time was had by all, and a capture is available for download.
I started off the Toys & Models section with some shots of the Evangelion Kubrick figures, and I also updated the glossaries section, primarily the content from Magi Archives on the Death & Rebirth DVD.
By The Eva Monkey on Friday, June 6th, 2003
Been spending quite a few evenings working till the early hours of the morning, which is taking its toll. I submitted Eva Monkey to Anipike, and was rejected. The reason, my site was “Under Construction”. OH NO!!! A site that’s under construction! That’s unacceptable! Blah, its been a crappy day, and I was hoping for good news on that front. I did more work on the Omake section, added the concept art montage, and added the Excel Saga screen shot with the Eva figure on the dresser. Also typed up some more of the Magi Archives. Making progress, whee.
By The Eva Monkey on Wednesday, June 4th, 2003
Well, FanimeCon is all but out of the question. Which is a major dissapointment, however I do have something else to look forward to. Otakon has offered me a slot to run an Evangelion Q&A panel. That should be very interesting, and will surely be the highlight of the convention for me. Given that fact, expect lots of additions to the site in the coming months as I get this site presentable.
Also of note, Hideaki Anno’s live action films “Love and Pop” & “Ritual” will be shown at the New York Tokyo Film Festival. No appearance by Anno, but still an interesting event to say the least.
By The Eva Monkey on Tuesday, May 20th, 2003
Just in, ADV has announced a joint project between itself, Gainax, and WETA studios to produce a live action Evangelion film. The details are scarce, but check the press release to read more.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES LIVE-ACTION THEATRICAL VERSION OF JAPANESE ANIMATED TITLE “NEON GENESIS EVANGELION;” VISUAL EFFECTS BY “LORD OF THE RINGS” STUDIO WETA WORKSHOP LTD.
THE MOST INFLUENTIAL JAPANESE ANIMATED SERIES IN MODERN TIMES TO COME TO LIFE AS A FEATURE FILM
CANNES, FRANCE, 19 May 2003—In an announcement sure to make waves in the entertainment industry, ADV Films President and CEO John Ledford today publicly confirmed industry rumors that the firm has acquired the rights to produce, and has already begun development of, a live-action feature-film based on the Japanese animated television series “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” a multi-million dollar worldwide franchise and perhaps the most influential anime title in the history of the art form. The project is a collaboration between ADV Films, Gainax and Weta Workshop, Ltd.
The Participants
ADV Films is the leading producer-distributor of Japanese animation in North America. The Japanese anime and game studio Gainax Network Systems was one of the original production studios responsible for “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” and Weta Workshop, Ltd. is the New Zealand-based special effects studio that created the effects for Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
“The three main players here represent something of a ‘dream-team’ for a project like this one,” said Ledford. “Between the quality and significance of the Gainax title, Weta’s industry-leading skill in the creation of special visual effects, and our expertise in the marketing and promotion of anime and anime-related content, this project is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The Story
“Neon Genesis Evangelion” is the story of a reluctant young hero, called upon to pilot an immense robotic weapon in battle against alien invaders. Including both a 26-episode television series and at least two animated motion pictures, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” has long been both a fan favorite and an extraordinary critical and commercial success, with the worldwide franchise producing many millions of dollars in revenue.
Timetable
The “Neon Genesis Evangelion” live-action motion picture is in the earliest stages of development. Ledford confirmed, however, that the timetable is an aggressive one, and that more information on the project is forthcoming.
About Weta Workshop, Ltd
Founded in 1987 by Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Peter Jackson and Jamie Selkirk, Weta is a physical and digital effects company providing creatures, special make-up effects, prosthetics, miniatures, armor, weaponry and digital effects for the film and television industry. Over the past sixteen years the company has provided effects for Jackson’s “Meet the Feebles”, “Braindead” (aka “Dead Alive”), “Heavenly Creatures,” “The Frighteners,” and “The Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy, as well as for advertisements and television shows including the popular “Hercules” and “Xena” series. At the height of production on “The Lord of the Rings,” Weta Workshop employed 150 physical effects technicians and 350 digital effects technicians at Weta Digital. Weta’s work on “The Lord of the Rings” has garnered worldwide praise including two Academy Awards in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup), and one in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects). The British Academy has also honored Weta’s work by awarding two BAFTAs in 2002 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup) and two more in 2003 (for Best Visual Effects and Best Costume).
About Gainax
Gainax was founded in 1984. It began as a corps of amateur filmmakers, centered around current company president Hiroyuki Yamaga and anime director Hideaki Anno. Their first work, “Wings of Honneamise,” continues to garner praise worldwide. Gainax’s highly original style of filmmaking spans the generations, appealing to fans both young and old. 1995’s “Neon Genesis Evangelion” whipped up an anime fever of extraordinary proportions, receiving attention not only from anime fans, but also from many other corners of society. Hideaki Anno, who directed “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” commands respect from even the likes of “Spirited Away” director Hayao Miyazaki.
About ADV Films:
In 1992, ADV Films began to forge the international market for Japanese animation (“anime”) by combining unique titles, outstanding production values and efficient large-scale distribution. Today, ADV Films is the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation to the North American market, with the firm’s holdings including such premier titles as “NOIR,” “Sailor Moon,” “Samurai X,” “Hello Kitty’s Paradise,” “RahXephon,” “Spriggan,” “Robotech,” “Full Metal Panic” and “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” In addition, ADV Films’ product line has expanded to include other forms of genre programming, including live-action science fiction programs “Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda,” “Mutant X” and The Jim Henson Company’s “Farscape,” and classic science fiction such as the updated “Gamera” trilogy. ADV Films’ parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., also publishes Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly in the English-speaking world, and operates The Anime Network™, broadcasting anime and anime-related programming via digital cable, 24 hours a day. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, with additional offices in the EU and Japan, and distribution on four continents, ADV is fast becoming an international entertainment powerhouse.
By The Eva Monkey on Thursday, May 8th, 2003
The following release was posted on ADV’s website sometime during April:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADV FILMS TO RELEASE “NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: DIRECTOR’S CUT” EPISODES
FINAL SIX EPISODES OF ACCLAIMED TELEVISION SERIES TO BE RE-RELEASED ON TWO DVD VOLUMES, EACH INCLUDING ORIGINAL AND DIRECTOR’S CUT VERSIONS.
HOUSTON, April 28, 2003—ADV Films today announced formally that the firm will release the Director’s Cut of the final six episodes of the enormously influential anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” These Director’s Cut episodes include additional footage, never before released in the U.S. ADV Films expects to release the Director’s Cut in two three-episode DVD volumes; each volume will include both the extended Director’s Cut versions and the original versions of the episodes.
ADV Films Co-Founder and Senior Producer Matt Greenfield produced ADV Films’ original release of “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” and he is at the helm of the firm’s Director’s Cut release as well. “It’s very exciting to be working on ‘Evangelion’ again after so many years,” said Greenfield. “The release of the original series was a pivotal moment in the development of the North American anime market, and we’re very eager to see how fans will react to the revisions and refinements the creators have made to their original vision.
“By including both the original and revised episodes,” continued Greenfield, “we’ve made it possible for Eva-philes to get an inside look at the directorial decisions that went into the creation of one of anime’s most brilliant and original series. If you’ve ever wondered what Eva’s really all about, these new collections will get you closer than you’ve ever been before.”
Release Plans
ADV Films has not yet announced release dates for “Neon Genesis Evangelion: Director’s Cut” (note: this is a working title only).
By The Eva Monkey on Wednesday, May 7th, 2003
FanimeCon has offered me press passes for their convention. Now all I gotta do is figure out a way to get there.
By The Eva Monkey on Friday, May 2nd, 2003
Began work on a section for 2015//The Last Year of Ryohji Kaji, I typed up two of the poems I found interesting. Check the books section.
By The Eva Monkey on Tuesday, April 29th, 2003
Put two articles entitled “The Thin Veneer Known as ‘Evangelion'” and “Saving What Counts: Reflections on the End of Eva” in the written statements section. Also, got my hands on scans of Evangelion Manga Vol. 7, and let me just say, it was great, I just couldn’t resist reading it. It comes out during May, I’ll be sure to pick it up then, you should too.