   TORn Message Boards Weekly Roundup – January 23, 2012
Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past week. Peeder Jigson’s Video Diary – Making Music (with Howard Shore)Hubbard director Peeder Jigson chats to composer Howard Shore (The Last Mimzy, Mrs Doubtfire) as he takes a first listen to some of the music for the new upcoming Hubbard movie. New Zealander of the Year finalists announced
The shortlist for the main award, New Zealander of the Year, includes Dame Suzie Moncrieff, Sir Richard Taylor and Dr Sharad Paul. Nominations were whittled down by panels of judges made up of such figures as Jim Bolger, Sir Ray Avery, Michael Basset, Teresa Gattung and Peri Drysdale. More.. Wired: “Why the Hobbit Trailer Creeps Me Out”
What’s he on about? Well, he noticed something in the teaser (one that many other people did as well), but he’s gone a step further and drawn some interesting parallels to one of the most controversial and bizarre changes that Walsh and Boyens made for The Return of The King. Of course, this being the internet, your mileage may vary. Naturally, there are movie spoilers. Read the full article on Wired. Shinan: For homegrown film composer Howard Shore, it’s all about harmonyShinan Govani writes: Is there any way Howard Shore is not going to the Oscars? The made-in-Toronto composer, having already score-scored with The Lord of the Rings — three golden statuettes for his work with the trilogy — is once again on the tips of awards-watchers’ tongues. The source of all this sweet clamour? His lift-off for Hugo, a collab with Martin Scorsese — his sixth! — that lushly wish-fulfills “a Paris train station into a 12-year-old’s Neverland of sparkling strings, accordions and the pure bliss of movie creation,” as one observer raved in print. One might say that the Shore-Scorsese kinship is a simmering bromance! Although — hey! — our own David Cronenberg had him first; Howard’s additional composition this season for A Dangerous Method is the 10th time — 10th! — he’s worked with the Canadian auteur. More.. Can’t Wait For “The Hobbit” Soundtrack?The Hobbit trailer hit last month (as most of you know!), and besides the stunning visuals and memorable character introductions, the two and a half minute video also featured some glorious bits of music – some familiar, some new. If, like us, you too can’t wait until the official soundtrack for The Hobbit releases, here’s something to tide you over. Dan from Germany alerted us to a YouTube video that he created. He writes:
Bob Anderson Statement from Peter JacksonThis statement from Peter Jackson on the passing of Bob Anderson was sent to us a few days ago, unfortunately we were unable to post it until now, thanks for the kind words Sir Peter: “It is a rare, even within the film industry, that you get to work with a legend which was why I was thrilled when Bob Anderson agreed to come on board The Lord of the Rings as our sword-master. In fact, it took a while for it to sink in that I was going to get to work with the same man who had helped create some of cinema’s greatest fight sequences – from Star Wars to ThePrincess Bride. Bob was a brilliant swordsman and a gifted teacher; I will remember him as a wonderfully patient man, possessed of a terrific sense of humour. It was a privilege to have known him.” Legendary sword master, Bob Anderson, dies
Bob Anderson was a behind-the-scenes name little known to many fans but who had a tremendous impact not only on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but on cinema itself. Anderson’s many credits include: Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Princess Bride, Highlander and much more. [Read obit from AP] From thelordoftherings.net: “Bob Anderson, the world’s top sword master who has consulted on such films as Star Wars and trained the legendary Errol Flynn, was also brought in to train the actors in different fencing techniques. An expert in medieval arms, Anderson read the novel and then developed sparring methods based on Tolkien’s descriptions of each culture.” The story of Anderson’s career and background was captured in the documentary, “Reclaiming the Blade.” According to director Daniel McNicoll, Anderson once told him, “You know I don’t feel like I found the sword, I feel like the sword found me.” [Watch 'Reclaiming the Blade' on Netflix] MrCere talks NZ, Weta, Hobbit, trailer on SUVUDUSohaib Awan from the radio show Fictional Frontiers also does a segment on SUVUDU that focuses on fantasy and science fiction books, movies and comics. He spoke with our own MrCere this week about his trip to New Zealand including Weta Workshop and Richard Taylor. They talk Hobbit of course, Hobbit trailer insights and a lot about travel possibilities for anybody. Listen to the segment right here.  Discuss »More about Hobbit Movie, Hobbit Movie FAQ, MrCere in New Zealand, New Zealand, Richard Taylor, Tours, WETA Cave, WETA Workshop FOTR 10th Anniversary Exclusive: An interview with Plan 910 years have passed since the release of the first of the films in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and fans will surely recall Frodo’s “chicken dance” at Bilbo’s Birthday party, Merry and Pippin singing in the Green Dragon Inn, Frodo and Sam watching the Wood-elves leaving Middle-earth, and Éowyn singing a dirge at the burial of her cousin Théodred. The songs and the music for all these scenes, termed “diegetic” or “cultural” music, were composed and performed by Plan 9 (consisting of David Donaldson, Stephen Roche, and Janet Roddick) together with David Long, who also collaborated with them on certain aspects of the sound design for the Dead Marshes, the Ents, and the One Ring. In celebration of the The Fellowship of the Ring’s 10th Anniversary, TheOneRing.net brings you an exclusive interview with Plan 9.  "The Elvish Impersonators" (from L to R: David Long, Steve Roche, Janet Roddick, David Donaldson) working on The Lord of the Rings in December 2002 Join us as we talk to them about how they came on board Peter Jackson’s crew working on the three films, and how they approached composing, performing, and selecting instruments that would lend credibility to the fictional cultures that inhabited Tolkien’s Middle-earth. All this, and also some talk of their as-yet-unreleased music for the films. Weta Cave big part of movie tourism in WellingtonOur story so far: Peter Jackson made three Middle-earth movies and people loved them. Now he is making two more and people already love them too. MrCere, Senior Staff, Writer and Photographer at TheOneRing.net (around since 1999) went to NZ to see what he could see. Landed in Queenstown, found lots of LOTR stuff, drove north to see the people of the ring, visited Hobbiton visited Wellington, center of NZ’s cinematic empire, and will soon leave NZ. However, much more content will follow.
My time in Wellington would need to include a visit of some kind with the very busy people who are working on The Hobbit, but as I have often joked (even though it is at least partially true) Weta’s second best talent is making special effects for movies. What they are really best at is keeping secrets from TheOneRing.net. I had no illusions that anybody was going to tour me around the workshop (I asked anyway, just in case) during the height of The Hobbit production, but they were kind enough to invite me along to a group they were hosting from a cruise ship that included one of our own message board members. (Her identity is her own to reveal.) Ares Games releases War of the Ring™ Second Edition
The epic board game inspired by Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” is back! Publisher Ares Games announces the release of War of the Ring Second Edition, featuring several changes from the previous edition, principally a new graphic design, larger Tarot-size cards and revised rules. The English edition is now shipping to distributors and will reach the stores in North America in mid December. The first edition was published in September 2004 by Nexus Editrice and the game has been acclaimed as one of the best thematic games of all times, winning several awards. In August 2011, Ares Games announced the acquisition of publishing rights from Sophisticated Games, as well as the upcoming revised edition. Created by the Italian game designers Roberto Di Meglio, Francesco Nepitello and Marco Maggi, the strategy board game “War of the Ring” allows players to immerse themselves in J.R.R.Tolkien’s classic story, leading the Fellowship in its quest and the armies of the Free Peoples against the assault of the dreadful minions and armies of the Dark Lord, Sauron. The original illustrations were created by John Howe, one of the world’s foremost Tolkien illustrators. |
  
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If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun! MINOR SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T READ THE HOBBIT
Wired’s Erik Wecks makes a compelling case for Tolkien fans to not get too excited about the Hobbit.
