Weta Workshop – A Single Dream
An 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!
Posted in Richard Taylor, WETA WorkshopArchive for the ‘Richard Taylor’ Category
Join us Monday, June 27th for the ‘Middle-earth Madness’ Launch Event!
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. [Best Buy Store Info/Map]
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.
Posted in 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 WorkshopHonorary Doctorate Presented to Sir Richard Taylor
Stephen 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.
Posted in Events, New Zealand, Richard TaylorHowe, Lee & Taylor Answer Fan Questions on Facebook
From 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..
Posted in Alan Lee, John Howe, Lord of the Rings, LotR Movies, LotR Production, Movie Fellowship of the Ring, Movie Return of the King, Movie The Two Towers, Richard TaylorRoxy Theater Opening Coverage features Hobbit Cast
There are quite a few articles out today about the re-opening of the Roxy theater in Miramar, NZ and The Hobbit cast and crew taking a break to celebrate. The $7m 3D cinema was rebuilt by Sir Richard Taylor’s wife Tania Rodger and film editor Jamie Selkirk. Follow the links for complete coverage and check out the video above from 3 News NZ (provided by Ringer Linuxelf) [Video] [3 News Article] [Scoop.co.nz Article] [Roxy Theater]
Sir Ian McKellen Blogs From Middle-earth
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!
Posted in Andy Serkis, Guillermo Del Toro, Hobbit Cast News, Hobbit Movie, Ian McKellen, Other Crew, Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Rumors Spy NewsWeta Digital gets $7m from government
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..
Posted in New Zealand, Richard Taylor, WETA DigitalSir Richard Taylor And Tania Rodger Convey Their Heartfelt Thanks
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!
Posted in 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
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
Thanks to Hunter Abbey for sending in this video of the Wellington Rally of Hope!
Posted in 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
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. (more…)
Posted in Events, Fans, Hobbit Movie, Other Events, Richard Taylor, The HobbitFantastic ‘Hobbit’ rally images from Robert Catto
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..
Posted in Alan Lee, Hobbit Movie, Locations Sets, New Zealand, Production, Richard Taylor