JUNE 27, 2009: Due to unforseeable scheduling conflicts, the GODZILLA & THE MONSTERS OF MASS DESTRUCTION event slated for the Castro Theatre in San Francisco on August 21-23, has been postponed until further notice. When the event can be rescheduled, we will break the announcement here, and on our official website: shock-it-to-me.com. So, stay tuned!

We thank you for your interest and consideration and hope to see you in 2010!

Best Regards,
August Ragone
Organizer & Producer

Don't be sad... because with the additional time, we can fine tune elements of the presentation and do an even better show when we reschedule!

Excellent! I'm still looking forward to this.

2010!?

In a message from Mr. Nakajima's daughter, she said that he is sad that he won't be seeing his American fans this summer; but they are waiting to reschedule the show, and he is looking forward to meeting everyone soon in San Francisco!

So, basically, Mr. Nakajima's blowing us off for some other gig? That is unfortunate indeed for his fans. . .

Nope. Mr. Nakajima had nothing to do with it; he's a class act and a helluva guy. That's all I'm at liberty to say at this time -- sorry! So, let's not start speculation and unfounded rumors, please -- thanks! This is Show Business; things get rescheduled, cancelled, postponed, etc. We'll reschedule the show and it will probably be better, because we'll have even more prep time (and more vendors)!

Cheers,
August

I know my share about show business, and it is more than regretable that this was postponed. I know a few people who planned to attend, and who believe that next time this is announced that the date will just as iffy. I believe you are trying your best to put help put on a fantastic event, but failure to follow through weakens expectations.

That said, good luck with it.

As far as this is concerned, you certainly do know what you're talking about.

I can't stop crying.....

Wow, such a bummer, but I'm sure it is for you too August. Well, keep us posted.

You apparently don't know as much as you think, because you would be far more sympathetic than you are; and I find you post insulting. completely off-base, and teeming with innuendo. This is disappointing.

I have been an Events Producer since 1989, and have worked primarily in Music Events -- but have put on some gigantic shows (three of which featured 22 bands in two days) -- and I've produced five annual film events at the Castro Theatre with no problems (not including Godzillafest in 2004, which was far larger than this show), and would have "followed through" with this event, as with the others, but circumstances didn't allow for it.

But, the Universe isn't 100% certain, and I didn't see this one coming... But, as they say, "Shit Happens." Sorry, but while you and others are merely disappointed, I was screwed by time and circumstance, and am out a lot of money on this one. It wasn't my idea to postpone the show -- I was forced to either cancel or postpone it, and I chose to do the latter, at my own expense.

When the show is rescheduled it will not be at the Castro Theatre, because it was they who pulled the proverbial rug out from under me. The owners of the theater, not the great people whom I work with each year on the production end, who decided that they wanted to drop co-productions and raise the prices of the theater rental.

If I were to have carried on with the event, I would have had to have paid the Castro Theatre $18,000.00 (with 50% up front), not including what it was costing me to fly over and take care of Mr. Nakajima and his daughter, and I would have had to assume the costs of all of the films, which would have come to $4,000 (not including shipping and insurance). Then, there's advertising, etc. We're taking about a $25,000 risk. I would have never recouped my investment, and in my shoes, you would have done the same.

Previously, the Castro Theatre carried the expenses of the theater and film rentals, and I paid for Guests, Advertising, and other associated costs -- now, they don't want to have anything to do with such co-productions (all of which were handshake deals).

Believe me, I told them that people from across the US -- even several good friends of mine (including one in Japan) -- had already set aside the dates, took their holiday time, booked tickets, etc., but the owners of the Castro Theater didn't care. So, I went to another theater -- in order to honor the original dates -- and they passed. So, I was forced to postpone.

I didn't want to post this, but you forced me to with your snide innuendo, such as "[We} believe that next time this is announced that the date will [be] just as iffy" -- I would strongly advise that you cease and desist such rumors -- thank you.

In twenty years, I have never announced a show that didn't happen, and have a solid reputation in the business -- when new dates are announced the show will happen on those dates. Because I have a lot of money riding on this -- as the producer & organizer -- which is more investment than your disappointment simply as an attendee with postponed dates.

Still, events are postponed all of the time -- we don't like to do it, but when we're forced, we have no choice. Also, I could have cancelled the show outright, but didn't -- because I never give up and I never surrender.

Perhaps when taken out of context.

Gosh, but you are a bit defensive? Drink a tea. Have a warm bath. Relax.

When you announced news of your event, most local fans of Godzilla were very happy to hear it. Then, when you cancelled with little reason given, I know a lot of fans were very disappointed. And, now I know that you have ample reasons to be let down more, but I don't think you should so eaily dismiss the disappointment some locals had also.

Little explanation often leads to speculation, more disappointment, and doubt, even if it is not merited by the promoter’s past successes.

I am sure that you are very important and have a big ego, and I am not trying to bruise it, but I am only stating the obvious. I did not mean to question your reputation, but I stated an opinion, for which I have the absolute right. Your explanation, however, goes a long way in having fans of your proposed event appreciate, in a human sense, your reasoning for the cancellation. Thank you for that.

Here is another statement of opinion: when you read something that gets under your skin, before you just react, let it set for a while, then respond. That way you can better determine friend or foe. I know I have learned much about you, beyond your explanation, in reading your response. I have blown a gasket around here before myself.

I for my part do appreciate your explanation, and that is all part of having everyone here learn better who you are. I have always appreciated your posts, but was way disappointed that an event that I was looking forward to was cancelled. I have heard that you know what you are doing, so I also knew from your first post in this thread that something fairly dramatic must have happened. Now you have confirmed that. It’s good to hear the lengths that you went to prior to the cancellation. All of this helps everyone here learn your reputation firsthand and better appreciate your personal loss in this. We do not all personally know you. You decisions were clearly hard ones, but it sounds like you took the rational course.

I continue to wish you the best of luck with your project.

Gee....I wonder why he was being "defensive". Maybe it was your making assumptions before knowing a damn thing. Maybe a simple PM to August asking for more explanation instead of calling him out on a message board would have been more effective. You sure do have a right to your opinion, even if it's not based on any fact whatsover, unfortunately.

I broke my own rule when I replied here initially. Edited.

It is good to see that August has friends in Seattle, but it is too bad you don't see that his explanation is positive, not negative, to his reputation and his pursuit of hosting this event at a later date.

i like monsters that roar. when the sound effects sound like some wooly mammoth giving birth to a tusked infant, that's when the roar is the best.

filmfest alternative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmx9UfTZIFw&feature=channel_page

I was, actually. Flights booked and everything. Now, it's just a trip to SF...and that's just fine. Sorry to hear you don't like it that you can have an opinion on a message board, but can't handle when someone disagrees with it. It's also unfortunate that you stated your opinion, were proved wrong, but can't get over your own ego to admit it.

Ok, it's settled. I have the Biggest Opinion. I hope you are happy!

Harmond, you of all people should know to pick you words carefully. The fact that you made the assumption that Mr. Nakajima is blowing us off for something else without anything to really go on is just a show of bad character on your part. August must have spent a good amount of time trying to get this organized and then you come and say he's got a big ego. I've met August and if he has a big ego, then I'm just blind. Have you met August? Now you go on to attack hillsy....Ok...while hillsy isn't the most wonderful guy on the planet, he is pretty cool. Again, have you met hillsy?
Lets face it, no one really asked why the event was postponed. Everyone was just bummed out...then you come in and basically lay blame on Nakajima-san with nothing to go on.
Of course this is just my opinion.

Ouch, Bert....that hurts. No more boudoir Christmas photos for you!!

"So, basically, Mr. Nakajima's blowing us off for some other gig?", is a question. It was aimed at getting to the root of why the event was cancelled. It had to be something important, like Nakajima cancelling, the venue failing, or financing drying up. Those are the usual reasons for such a late postponement. Fans are less disappointed with a public announcement of reasons why an event was cancelled. August's explanation is positive to his continued activities. August did solicit his event here.

And, again, despite the feedback, I continue to wish him luck in putting on an even better, bigger, event when things get worked out.

oh thank god!! i was wondering how i could stop you from sending those...hahahaha . See you in August for drinks!!