  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.. 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 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.) Wellington is a whirlwind, smells like HobbitOur 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 set and now is in Wellington, center of NZ’s cinematic empire. WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — I thought, and it makes me chuckle now, that when I landed in Wellington I would finally be based in one place long enough to really crank out some copy. Ha! Instead, Wellington has been a whirlwind but that is a great thing, not a bad thing. I often contemplate cancelling one of the events here so I can spend hours writing and posting photos but I haven’t cancelled anything yet and each time I go to do something, I find that I am very glad to have been along. Some of those events have tourism ties and then end up having direct ties to things here at TheOneRing, even when I think they will not. Other things, like spending the day with the kids at Weta, are directly tied in. None of them so far have been worth sacrificing and time is running out fast. But stories I have in some stage of ready: Review: The Art of the Adventures of Tintin
However, those who are anticipating Belgian writer and cartoonist Hergé’s collection of grand adventure stories put on screen can content themselves with The Art of The Adventures of Tintin book from special effects studio Weta and HarperCollins. TV Watch: Richard Taylor on TVNZ’s ‘Good Morning’
Weta opens shop in Auckland’s Sky TowerLocal news coverage of Richard Taylor, speaking about the new Weta shop in Auckland’s Sky Tower, setup in time for the rugby world cup. [TVOne] Weta Workshop – A Single DreamAn unnamed spy sent us this YouTube video of the WETA ad that was played at the beginning of the extended LOTR editions in cinemas. Take a look! Some old friends in those clips! Join us Monday, June 27th for the ‘Middle-earth Madness’ Launch Event!
The first 150 guests in line at the store on Monday, June 27th at Noon will have the opportunity to get an autograph from cast members of the films. Costume Contest entrants will be judged by your friends here at TheOneRing.net and finalists personally selected by the four-time Academy Award(R)-winning Sir Richard Taylor, co-owner and lead creative at Weta Workshop. Discuss »More about Blu-Ray, Conventions, Creations, Events, Fans, Headlines, John Noble, Lord of the Rings, LotR Movies, Meet Ups, Merchandise, Miscellaneous, Movie Fellowship of the Ring, Movie Return of the King, Movie The Two Towers, New Line Cinema, New Zealand, Other Events, Richard Taylor, Sala Baker, Studios, TheOneRing.net Announcements, TheOneRing.net Community, Tours, Warner Bros., WETA Cave, WETA Workshop Honorary Doctorate Presented to Sir Richard TaylorStephen writes: Special effects wizard Sir Richard Taylor was awarded an honorary doctorate at a graduation ceremony Thursday 26th of May. The honour was conferred at the morning ceremony for Massey University graduates in the Michael Fowler Centre. The doctorate recognises the contribution Sir Richard has made to the film industry and the Wellington creative community for more than 25 years. From Braindead to Black Sheep,King Kong and the global phenomenon of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and current filming of its prequel The Hobbit, Sir Richard and the company he co-founded Weta Workshop, have been at the forefront of Wellington’s emergence on the filmmaking scene. He is a graduate of the School of Design at the former Wellington Polytechnic. The School is a forerunner institution to the College of Creative Arts at the University. Howe, Lee & Taylor Answer Fan Questions on FacebookFrom the LOTR Trilogy Facebook Page: Ever wonder how the design & effects came together in The Lord of the Rings trilogy? Well, now you can ask the experts. Alan Lee & John Howe Illustrators & Conceptual Artists for The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as Richard Taylor, Design and Effects Supervisor for The Lord of the Rings trilogy will be answering YOUR Facebook fan questions! Submit questions below & be sure to let us know who it’s for. More.. Roxy Theater Opening Coverage features Hobbit Cast
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Santino sends along this links to Richard Taylor interview on TVNZ’s “Good Morning” today. Take a look! 
We are just days away! Get your costumes ready and join TheOneRing.net and fellow Ringers at Best Buy in Los Angeles on Monday, June 27th for the midnight launch and celebration of The Lord of the Rings The Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition on Blu-ray! The party starts officially at 12 noon on the 27th at Best Buy’s West side store at 11301 W. Pico. Blvd. [