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If I'm reading this right the 8+2 preview was directed by Ichiro Itano, which suddenly explains literally everything about the choreography of it.
Another interesting tidbit is the direction called for some kind of sword to be used and the only reason the Magrok was used was because the digital department had a model of it that was used for the Super Eva action figure made a long time ago.
EDIT: I think, more specifically Yamashita is referring to the ANIMA version of the Magrok being used because it's the only version they had at the time as a 3D model, vs. the original 90s Magrok design which might have been intended to use. Not entirely sure though.
The preview finally makes perfect sense. Anno just went "lol, let Itano do it".