Can we get some more details about SK Revolution at Anime Matsuri?

[Mr. Goodkat]

This is Mr. Goodkat for Kats Eye News (sorry, I couldn't resist ).

@MoDaD: Now that we all know that you've been at Anime Matsuri and actually worked together with Christian & Yvon Tremblay and Lance Falk, I think it would be a good idea if you could answer some questions that the citizens of Megakat City probably have. Although I'm sure that I already know more than most of the other kats here (since I was involved in some of the preparations and also made sure that the Periscope video streams don't get lost), I think there is still a lot I don't know for sure.

So let's get this started with the following questions:

• How did it happen that you became the official media guy for this event?
• Which job(s) did you have during these two days being at the convention?
  We already saw that you filmed the second panel and parts of the autograph session, but I have the feeling that the rabbit hole goes way deeper. So, you got any comment on this?
• What kind of footage can we expect in the next few days/weeks in the newly created SWAT Kats channel on YouTube?

@All citizens of Megakat City: Feel free to add your questions to this thread. Let's see if MoDaD is gonna answer them.

[Cait]

I LOVE this post... Sorry, MoDaD, but it's time to reveal yourself! *Thinking a question*

[MoDaD]

You've brought up an excellent topic, and thank you for making the thread. Let me collect my thoughts (and also allow others to ask as well), and I'll try to start answering later this evening.

[AkaneKitty]

Was it discussed how Feral's character would be treated? Like will he be a non villianious antagonist or a villian? Or will Feral be there at all?

I have no preference either way (though I lean toward Feral being a NVA). I just don't want him to be trounced so others look cool.

[MoDaD]

Was it discussed how Feral's character would be treated? Like will he be a non villainous antagonist or a villain? Or will Feral be there at all?

I have no preference either way (though I lean toward Feral being a NVA). I just don't want him to be trounced so others look cool.

One of the audience members asked a question similar to this here: https://youtu.be/45vj3igmtyM?t=46m48s

Though in the moment he accidentally refers to Felina as "Felicity," an understandable mistake. Anyway, the vibe that I got at the time, particularly as they mentioned Gary Owens' passing earlier, is that there's a chance that Feral may have died in the line of duty at some point, and someone else may be in charge of the Enforcers. Now, keep in mind, that's HIGHLY speculative of me, but that was the immediate thought that went through my mind as I was recording. But, Brock Peters has also passed since the show ended, and they really want to keep using Dark Kat... so I don't have a concrete answer, other than both Commander Feral and Lt. Felina Feral are planned to be involved somehow.

I also recall there was a mention earlier in this about the show's already established characters. I need to make a highlight cut of this at some point that's around 5-10 minutes. If anyone's already watched it and can point out the most interesting or newsworthy segments it'll help get me started.

And, my apologies to everyone. I'm running a little late on this. I have to admit I'm still distracted by the news from the other day (and still processing it), so please forgive my lateness.

[TazKat]

I saw the panel and was super excited at what I heard thus far. I'll hold off on my comments as well for now until we have more concrete things to work with.

Can't wait!

[MoDaD]

One thing that I should explain, and I know that several of you have been wondering this, is why the secrecy? Why didn't I make some kind of announcement well in advance telling everyone I was going and what I would be doing? These are good questions.

Here's some background: I wasn't actually planning on going. I've had a number of personal things going on that have been taking up a lot of my attention and time. They're career-related things, and one of them didn't go the way I had hoped (spectacularly bad, actually). The latest of those happened about 9 days before the convention. It was really dismaying. So, partially in an effort to distract myself, I booked flights and bought tickets the next day for the convention. Same time, I contacted Christian. (At the behest of Mr. Goodkat) I explained my background, and he was on-board with the idea of having someone do a lot of event pieces comprised of photo, video, audio and anything else I could put together, as it would help them showcase just how popular SWAT Kats is even after 20 years for some studio meetings he'd be having the week after the convention. Got in contact with the event organizer, cleared my press credentials, and have everything set.

Now, the secrecy...

I've had a lot of bad experiences as press with conventions like these in the past (denied access, obstructive event staff, having a press pass that isn't worth the laminate it's printed on), so I was really dubious about the success of this (even with the Tremblay's blessing). I don't like to announce projects or ideas until they're either done or a near certainty. Too many times in the past others have made bold proclamations only to have them fall flat. This would've been one of the boldest, and if I failed, it would've been one of the most disappointing ever. I didn't want to risk getting people's hopes up only to crush them with disappointment. I knew this would be a controversial decision.

Anyway, I just wanted to reiterate that if you were not informed it wasn't because I didn't trust you, it was because I didn't trust the circumstances and I didn't want to lift anyone's hopes with promises I couldn't keep.

Now, some of you might be thinking, if that's true, why did I tell Mr. Goodkat? Well, there's some pragmatic reasons for that. In my mind there was a 99% chance of things not working out, and I had a backup plan. I wound up not having to use it, and I won't go into the details, but it would've required the needs of a technically savvy person outside of the United States. I'll just leave it at that.

Anyway, I just wanted to make that point clear before I continue on with details about how I had contracted a severe illness in the days leading up to the event, and why (if you happen to catch sight of me during any of the footage) why I look like a zombie. I'll also tell about ANIME MATSURI and how they should be the shining example for how staff should treat their guests and press.

[MoDaD]

So, I’ve booked my flights and have my tickets. I start to get my equipment together, and I had to call in a few favors (most notably for the telephoto lens and Go Pro, a big thanks to Kevin, my old boss at a college publication and best friend for that). Bought a second Nikon d3200. Not the greatest camera ever, but affordable and excellent for shooting 1080p video in addition to stills. Could easily swap between both modes without having to juggle another piece of equipment (also critical for limited carry-on space). Also had a TASCAM audio recorder (mixed success with this) a lapel mic, shotgun mic, a handheld SONY audio recorder running as backup, a strobe, multiple tripods, lots of extra batteries and other equipment I’m probably forgetting about. With all of this stuff I’m a little disappointed by the quality of certain things because I had limited time to setup on the fly, and I’m admittedly a little rusty when it comes to event coverage (it’s been a few years since I last did something like this), but oh well. Portable lighting and a boom mic would’ve been awesome, but I have no idea how I would’ve carried it.

So, I get all of that stuff together, and the weekend prior I start to feel ill. My sinuses, eyes, ears and throat just start killing me. Every day leading up to my flight I’m getting worse. I wind up having to take a sick day from work the Tuesday before. Haven't been able to go to the gym all week. I go to the doctor, they’re convinced it’s something that can be treated with antibiotics and some over-the-counter medication. I start to develop a nasty cough at nighttime, and the Wednesday prior I’m really starting to doubt whether I can make it. Aside from the money invested at this point, I also didn’t want to disappoint the Tremblays and even though I haven’t announced my involvement publicly, I didn’t want this event to disappear for all of you. Going on no sleep for two days, I finalized my last minute things Thursday, and at 7pm started a series of flights and layovers all the way to Houston that lasted until 8am the next morning. My symptoms intensified on the flights. My eyes were so red I could barely see out of them. I raided the airport stores for various things like Visine and other Could/cough remedies, and they helped, but the longest flight from LAX to Dallas almost killed me (I was a coughing mess much to detriment of the passengers, though to be fair, I wasn’t the only one, the entire plane seem to be filled with sick people).

After I arrived in Dallas I ate something and had some coffee, took more meds, and got on the last flight, arriving in Houston. Once there, the WONDERFUL staff at the Holiday Inn let me check in exceptionally early (about 7 hours early) so I could prep. It was about 9:30 am local Houston time at this point, so I didn’t stick around long. Going on two days with no sleep, I loaded up my gear and walked to the convention center (8 blocks). Once I arrived, I checked in with Christian on the phone. At this point, my illness started to become secondary (maybe the meds started to kick-in) as I started the job.

[Felix Kayne]

Holy cow... That is some wicked dedication man. I hope you're doing better.

[Poecat]

Dedication indeed. I'm not sure I would had been able to stand the pressure on a head cold like that and flying for as long as you did. Along with the little sleep and RL stuff going on.