  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] Sir Ian McKellen Blogs From Middle-earth
So it only makes sense that with the films’ official start date now pushed to 21st March 2011, the Grey Wizard is EARLY! He consequently took the time today to make his first blog post ‘From the middle of Middle Earth‘ in a neat little section titled Notes from Imladris on his official website. Excerpts follow:
In related news, our friend Jack who lives down in New Zealand has updated his ‘Noldor Blog‘ with an interesting post. Between running into Sir Richard Taylor and Peter Lyon, he also ran into none other than Andy Serkis this last Saturday night at a diner in Wellington. Looks like the place is abuzz with activity with The Hobbit shoot now less than a month away! Sir Richard Taylor And Tania Rodger Convey Their Heartfelt Thanks
I might add we’re lucky to have such passionate people as our friends at WETA working on these beloved stories too. Our very best wishes are with you as you embark on your journey into Middle-earth once again!  Discuss »More about Crew News, Director news, Hobbit Movie, MGM, New Line Cinema, Other Crew, Peter Jackson, Production, Richard Taylor, Studios, The Hobbit, Warner Bros. Calling all budding artists!Daniel Reeve, (LOTR Calligrapher, Cartographer and Artist), is leading a 7 Day Tour of Northern New Zealand, October 3rd to 10th,for people interested in developing their artistic talent while enjoying scenic Northland, NZ. The tour includes an overnight cruise in the beautiful Bay of Islands and visits to stunning remote locations. For those who may want it, a ‘Lord of the Rings Tour’ throughout NZ follows this. Details are on Red Carpet John Slowsky Dinner in LA
Comments Off A wonderful Sunday of panels at the Angel Orensanz Foundation
From greendragon: By now you’ve probably read many reports about the fabulous weekend in New York City, when many Tolkien fans gathered together to hear Howard Shore’s music played in Radio City Music Hall, with The Fellowship of the Ring projected on a huge screen behind. The culmination of this magical weekend, on Sunday 11th October, was a day of presentations on Tolkien, the movies and the music. We were fortunate, on a sunny Sunday in Manhattan, to be heading for a spectacular venue. Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts maintains an amazing building on Norfolk St, which they had generously donated for our use that day. This former synagogue is absolutely beautiful – you can read more about the venue here: Comments Off Weta and GDT send Anniversary Wishes
“Dear Tehanu, Xoanon, Corvar, Calisuri and thousands of other friends, No website has provided such a platform for fandom and creativity across literature and film as TheOneRing.net and for that we salute you! Past, current and future crew at Weta will be forever spiritually connected to TORn and we are absolutely relishing the opportunity to take on future journeys together – there… and back again… naturally. Check out the high res version of the Weta birthday card (pictured) and the TORn tribute video at the link above. You won’t want to miss it. Discuss »More about Books Publications, Collectibles, Daniel Falconer, Fran Walsh, Guillermo Del Toro, Merchandise, Other Crew, Other Merchandise, Richard Taylor, Sideshow Collectibles, WETA Digital, WETA Workshop Comments Off Warner Brothers to release a LOTR soundtrack “Rarities Archive”
“This means that CONSIDERABLY more music is now available for the project! You will see why this qualifies as something “major,” I promise. And as I’ve said, there is some incredible LOTR music that no one has ever heard.” It can get a bit confusing even to those of us who keep abreast of the subject so I’m going to be very methodical and touch on what’s already been relesed, what we know will be released in the future and what is new as of September 26… Comments Off Peter Lyon is on his way to the Royal Armouries
A reminder: the “Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of Weta” exhibit runs until November 16 at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Read more in our previous article about the exhibition, or at the Exhibition Site. Comments Off Academy of Motion Pictures “Great to be Nominated” FOTR Screening Report!
Anyhow, the Samuel Goldwyn theater at the Academy is a wonderful room to see a film in. It’s just tops in screen and sound, which makes sense, since it’s an Industry venue. Seeing Fellowship again on the big screen was magical, you pick up on so many details you miss watching it at home. And the sound was amazing, I heard background dialogue I’d never heard before, and I’ve seen the film, well, more than a few times. Comments Off Dambusters filming set for next year
Peter Jackson has finished filming The Lovely Bones, and is now moving on to producing the first Tintin film as well as The Dambusters. Actor Andy Serkis, who will play Captain Haddock in the Tintin films, told BBC radio that filming will begin in September in Los Angeles, with Spielberg as director and Jackson as producer. Serkis, best known for Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, said Jackson will direct the second Tintin adventure, and Jackson and Spielberg may jointly direct the third. Read the full story at stuff.co.nz. Comments Off Reminder – “Fellowship” screening in Beverly Hills – June 30th
“Following the screening, producer Barrie Osborne, executive producer Mark Ordesky, film editor John Gilbert, supervising sound editor Ethan Van der Ryn, Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Jim Rygiel and U.S. casting director Victoria Burrows will participate in a discussion about the film.” Check out vfxworld.com for more information. Thanks to message board member diedye for the reminder. Oh, and if any of you are lucky enough to be there, be sure to send a report to us at spymaster@theonering.net! Discuss »More about Barrie Osborne, Events, Film Screenings, Jim Rygiel, Lectures & Education, Lord of the Rings, LotR Movies, Movie Fellowship of the Ring, Other Crew Comments Off |
 
|
For those of you who weren’t able to attend the Sunday Radio City events in NYC, message board member greendragon sends in this wonderful recap of the presentations that rounded out weekend. Having been lucky enought to attend, I would be remiss if I didn’t add to her report that her beautiful singing as part of the first presentation: The Music of The Hobbit, enchanted us all and, as our mistress of ceremonies, she was gracious and entertaining. Thanks, greendragon!
TORn’s 10th Anniversary bash keeps getting better and better. Our good friend Magnus from Weta just posted a birthday card to TORn from Weta on in the 
Having the Orcs completely surround you, auditorily, was just so cool. 
