Sir Ian McKellen Blogs From Middle-earth

February 22nd, 2011 by Earl | Source: McKellen.com | Discuss | | 8 Comments »

Fans will recall that prior to Peter Jackson’s coming down with that nasty stomach ulcer earlier this month (the man’s doing fine now, bless him!), filming of The Hobbit was supposed to begin on 14th February 2011, with Ian McKellen’s first day of filming due yesterday, 21st February 2011.

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:

I hadn’t intended last Thursday to arrive in Wellington for The Hobbit filming, five weeks early. Yet, what’s new? Just a year ago I had expected to start shooting in July 2010, with Guillermo del Toro in charge… A year on, filming was to start at the end of February 2011. Then, Peter Jackson had his stomach operation. The insurance company has insisted on five weeks recuperation. Which is why, yet again, I’m here early. Waiting for Bilbo.

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!

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More about Andy Serkis, Guillermo Del Toro, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, Ian McKellen, Other Crew, Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Rumors Spy News

Weta Digital gets $7m from government

December 10th, 2010 by xoanon | No Comments »

Wellingtons film industry is getting a further boost of government funding, with special effects workshop Weta Digital one of six fast-growing, high-tech companies awarded $7.2 million each under the new Technology Development Grant Programme.

The announcement by Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp follows the government decision in October to add more than $30 million in subsidies to secure filming and production of The Hobbit movies in New Zealand. More..

Sir Richard Taylor And Tania Rodger Convey Their Heartfelt Thanks

October 27th, 2010 by Earl | Source: wetanz.com | Discuss | | No Comments »

Below is the statement just released by Sir Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger over at wetanz.com:

On behalf of all our friends and colleagues at Weta Workshop, we send our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the people from around New Zealand and the world who have sent us their messages of support.

Everyone here has tried to stay optimistic for a positive outcome but in the darkest days of the past week it has been the amazing support from the fans of LOTR and our family and friends which has given us the resolve to stay cheerful and positive about the outcome for these films.

It is a fantastic result reported tonight by our Prime Minister, the Honourable John Key, and we are grateful for the support of our Government in recognising the challenges our film industry was facing.

We are also very pleased that Warner Bros are happy to continue to see these films made in New Zealand – and thank them for their efforts.

Most importantly our thanks go out to Peter, Fran and Philippa, for their unrelenting efforts to see these films made in our country.  We are very lucky to work with such passionate film makers.

All our best and cheers to you all.

Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger

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!

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More about Crew News, Director news, Hobbit Movie, MGM, New Line Cinema, Other Crew, Peter Jackson, Production, Richard Taylor, Studios, The Hobbit, Warner Bros.

More Hobbit Rally Coverage: ONE News

October 25th, 2010 by xoanon | No Comments »

Hollywood studio bosses go into talks tomorrow in Wellington with a loud and clear message that The Hobbit should be filmed in New Zealand.

Wellington Rally of Hope to support filming of “The Hobbit” in New Zealand

October 25th, 2010 by Calisuri | Discuss | | 4 Comments »

Thanks to Hunter Abbey for sending in this video of the Wellington Rally of Hope!

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More about Director news, Events, Hobbit Movie, Locations Sets, MGM, New Line Cinema, New Zealand, Other Events, Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Studios, The Hobbit, Warner Bros.

Party Atmosphere at Wellington Hobbit Rally

October 25th, 2010 by Tehanu | No Comments »

It’s a serious topic for the hundreds of film and tourism workers among the 2000-strong crowd, but Wellington’s Save the Hobbit rally had a terrific positive energy. The party atmosphere was helped by the music – Wellington bands like Fly My Pretties (I think!), Poi E! from the movie Boy, and when the time came to concentrate our attention on the subject at hand, a beautiful rendition of Pokarekareana.

The crowd fell silent and after an introduction from our newly-elected mayor (Celia Wade-Brown, who’s something of a tech geek), we heard Richard Taylor address the crowd, which he did with his usual blend of sincerity, passion and gentle humour.

Fantastic ‘Hobbit’ rally images from Robert Catto

October 25th, 2010 by MrCere | 1 Comment »

Photographer Robert Catto sent us a link to his collection of excellent photographs of Wellington’s “Hobbit,” rally. There are a lot of snapshots of the event but Catto’s work is worth this click..

Another account of ‘Hobbit’ rally

October 25th, 2010 by MrCere | 2 Comments »

Markus writers: Hey guys – I just came back from the rally in Wellington. I estimate about a thousand people there. I was a little late but I counted 6 speakers. All said heart-touching words about their history with the lord of the rings, their impression of the film industry in New Zealand and how their own life was changed.

Noldor blog reports from the rally

October 25th, 2010 by MrCere | No Comments »

The Noldor blog reports from the pro-Hobbit rally in Civic Square in Wellington, reporting that it was attended by thousands. Images and words available right here.

Video Pours in from NZ Action

October 20th, 2010 by xoanon | 2 Comments »

As news of the apparent resolution to this whole Hobbit mess hits the wire, we have more video to show you of the protest, and the local news coverage. First take a look at a fan made video of the protest, then a news report featuring Helen Kelly, president of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.

Richard Taylor Speaks on Hobbit Issues

October 20th, 2010 by Altaira | Discuss | | 4 Comments »

Ataahua keeps us informed from New Zealand once more. From Richard Taylor’s in interview 10 minutes ago on Newstalk ZB:

“This is incredible madness. It’s unfolded so quickly with so few people causing so much harm to so many. It’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck unfolding before your eyes. I’m not a spokesperson for the film industry – I don’t know the intricate details (of the movie’s future) as well as you think I would. I speak for myself. While I represent the voice of the team who work at Weta Workshop I have the same emotions and feelings as the Wellington film technicians who make a livelihood from the film industry.”

In response to Helen Kelly’s comments about yesterday’s meeting ‘winding up’ the film technicians:“That’s completely untrue, unfortunately like many of the things Helen Kelly says. She’s in the corner, she’s realising she’s made an incredible blunder. She’s empowered a very small group of people to put our film industry in jeopardy. I can’t imagine how they’re feeling now about themselves. “I sent an email at 3pm yesterday suggesting anyone who wants to talk were welcome to come along. I was amazed at the number of people who turned up. Obviously it was incredibly impacting and a statement in itself that so many technicians turned up – we figured maybe 30 or 40 times the number of actors that had turned up in support of the New Zealand Equity side.

“It was decided as a group to go down to the meeting (of NZ Equity) and try to verbalise our concern as the other side of the film industry, the other point of view, the people who are the film makers in New Zealand. The fact that the group that were gathered were emotional is understandable, although passionate is more appropriate. I believe the film industry is fired by passionate people. You don’t make a movie like The Lord of the Rings without passion, drive, determination and motivation, and that’s what the film technicians demonstrated last night.”

Stay tuned to TheOneRing.net for more breaking news as we get it.

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More about Director news, Hobbit Movie, Locations Sets, New Zealand, Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Studios, The Hobbit, Warner Bros.

Video of Protest against The Hobbit Boycott

October 20th, 2010 by Calisuri | Discuss | | No Comments »

Hunter Abbey (hunterabbey.co.nz) has sent us an exclusive video of the protest last night:

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More about Hobbit Movie, Locations Sets, MGM, New Line Cinema, Peter Jackson, Production, Richard Taylor, Studios, The Hobbit, Warner Bros.