Sideshow Inc. of Westlake Village, CA has partnered with Weta Workshop of New Zealand to develop multiple lines of polystone collectibles based on the upcoming film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Weta Workshop is the Special Effects Company that created the effects for all three Lord of the Rings films. [More]
Day: April 25, 2001
For Immediate Release: Sideshow Toy & Weta Workshop Create Unique Partnership for New Line Cinema’s Lord of the Rings
Sideshow Inc. of Westlake Village, CA has partnered with Weta Workshop of New Zealand to develop multiple lines of polystone collectibles based on the upcoming film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Weta Workshop is the Special Effects Company that created the effects for all three Lord of the Rings films. The Sideshow / Weta collaboration will be responsible for the development and marketing of five lines of polystone collectibles: statues, busts, miniature weapons, miniature armor and helmets, and wall plaques.
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is a New Line Cinema production and is based on the J.R.R Tolkien classic fantasy series of books. The films are currently in post-production in New Zealand with the first film; “The Fellowship of the Ring” slated for a December 2001 release. Peter Jackson, a native New Zealander, whose credits include “Heavenly Creatures” and “The Frighteners”, is directing the trilogy. The international cast features Sir Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Liv Tyler, and Elijah Wood.
The Sideshow / Weta partnership bring together two respected and talented organizations. Sideshow is the creative force responsible for the highly praised line of figure collectibles based on the Universal Studios Classic Monsters. The Sideshow team has been recognized for its ability to consistently achieve character likenesses in both collectible toys and statues. Weta is New Zealand’s foremost Effects facility, which was established fourteen years ago to support New Zealand’s fledgling film and television industry. Among Weta’s credits are several of Peter Jackson’s earlier films and also television’s popular Xena and Hercules’ series. Weta is comprised of a group of artists united in their love of art and film – from blacksmiths to leatherworkers, skilled prosthetic technicians, miniature makers, painters to wigmakers, casting and molding experts, engineers and swordsmiths.
The Weta Workshop has been immersed for more than four years in the conceptualizing, creation and the on-set operation of the creatures, miniatures, armor, weapons and special make-up effects for the three epic films. Weta’s focus has been to create a unified look throughout the three films while capturing the very essence of the books that are held so dear by millions of readers around the world.
It is the same Weta designers and technicians that have created the different armies and creatures within Middle Earth that have chosen to create the high quality collectibles under the Sideshow / Weta brand. The integrated experience that these designers and technicians have had in the creation of the films and their unique relationship with the actors and director will result in the most authentic figure and miniature collectibles possible. A preview of the upcoming collectibles can be seen at www.sideshowtoy.com where regularly updated info about the collectibles will be available.
The Sideshow / Weta collectibles will be released over a period of eight months beginning with Series I due to be in stores in September, 2001. Each additional series will be released at approximately 45 day intervals. Sideshow / Weta plan to release 24 statues, 32 busts, 16 helmets (also known as helms), 7 environments, 7 wall plaques and 14 assorted weapon sets based on the first film. Each of these items have been meticulously crafted, expertly reproduced to the highest standards, and are meant to bring the discerning collector a lifetime of enjoyment. Series 1 product, as well as future releases can be viewed now at www.sideshowtoy.com.
Founded in 1967, New Line Cinema is the entertainment industry’s leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical motion pictures. New Line licenses its films to ancillary markets including cable and broadcast television as well as to international venues. The company, which is a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc., operates several divisions including in-house theatrical distribution, marketing, home video, television acquisitions, production, licensing and merchandising units.
© 2001 New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
“The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of The Ring and the characters and the places therein, TM The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.”
Barliman’s head honcho Jincey spotted something rather ODD in the Moria Gate picture from Elostirion.com. !SPOILERS! [More]
Barliman’s head honcho Jincey spotted something rather ODD in the Moria Gate picture from Elostirion: TENNIS SHOES?!? Now, either Frodo is a big fan of Nike, or something else is afoot (pun intended).
![\[ Nike Shire \]](http://img-www.theonering.net/images/042501_shoes_sm.jpg)
Possible explanations?
1. This is a photograph of a quick run-through before the scene is shot.
2. A bunch of rocks or roots that just look like shoes.
3. This is a fake picture (very well done)
4. Nike paid 30 million for an endorsment.
Our investigators will be pounding the pavement to get to the bottom of this mystery.
update:
Paul sends in the following comments:
“About the Tennis Shoes. Well look carefully and do you see anything else interesting? Where are Boromir and Aragorn? As well as Sam and Bill the Pony for that matter? Given that most of the good shots on Elostirion do in fact look motionless, that is a deliberate still. I think we can conclude this is just another publicity shot and or rehearsal that was photographed. There is a chance this was a framing test but unlikely! You may also notice the lighting is in fact natural. As in the temperature of the light is indeed sunlight. Most big budget movies that use sunlight use filters and other lights to decrease the effectiveness of the Suns own light colour temperature. If this was really a shot taken from film it would look a little different. “
update:
Greenleaf, from Elostirion.com, sends in more information about the picture:
“I hope you find out what lies behind the tennis shoe mystery. Those are definitely tennis shoes. I for one focus on the absence of Aragorn, Pippin and Gimli.
You can tell that the lighting wasn’t set up for shooting because there are two black bars of shadow on the right part of the door, probably filming equipment.
I don’t know if you’re on to this, but these tennis shoes might be a simple device to drag Frodo (or some kind of dummy – that would explain the legs) into the water, using some rig provided by the thing that is crawling out of the waters right up to Frod’s tennis shoes.
Harry of AICN described a similar scene, but that time three hobbits were standing behind Frodo, the shot bagan with the real Elijah Wood lying down and being dragged at formiadable speed into the murky pool. http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=7722.”
update:
Ringer fan HotBlack sends in these further comments:
“I have noticed some discontinuities in the picture. First, though, Greenleaf states that he focused on the fact of several individuals being missing from the frame, one being Gimli. Gimli is in frame, with his back to us (braided hair and helm). An explanation as to why Sam, Aragorn, and Boromir are out of frame may be found in the book, where, Gandalf task Sam and others to unload Bill the pony PRIOR to his opening the gates, to prepare for the journey through Moria.
The things that I noticed (Some of which may be addressed by Lighting / CGI in the actual film):
1. A visible seam line in the gate is noticeable., The book specifically states that no crack or joint could be seen in the face of the stone with the gates closed.
2. The encounter at the gate takes place at or shortly AFTER sunset, as moonlight is necessary to see the mithril engravings in the door (the book makes mention of the sunset as they begin the journey around the lake, and the moon being out and illuminating the engravings on the door). 3. The engravings in this picture appear golden – this is most definitely different from the book, which states specifically a silver color. “
BTW, thanks to everyone for providing some quality speculation! 🙂
Wow! Greenleaf over at http://www.elostirion.com/ has a wonderful picture of the Moria Gates. I’m sure you will join me in being utterly speechless. !!SPOILERS [More]
update
The discussion on the image and some small inconsistancies continues in spy reports.
Check out this weeks crop of LOTR goodies!!! [More]