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	<title>Hobbit Movie News and Rumors &#124; TheOneRing.net™ &#187; WETA Digital</title>
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	<description>Forged by and for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien</description>
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		<title>Happy Hobbit: Complete SDCC Coverage</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/08/09/76649-happy-hobbit-complete-sdcc-coverage/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/08/09/76649-happy-hobbit-complete-sdcc-coverage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Aug 2013 14:33:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kili</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Artwork]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[camping Badali Jewelry]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=76649</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are happy to share with you our complete coverage of the happenings at Comic-Con 2013! Check out the video series below! Meet The Hobbit Artists Meet several of the artists who worked on The Hobbit and learn more about what they&#8217;re up to, along with several other talented folks at Weta, including Greg Broadmore [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We are happy to share with you our complete coverage of the happenings at Comic-Con 2013! Check out the video series below!</p>
<p><strong>Meet The Hobbit Artists</strong><br />
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zDWvNaEAulw" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
Meet several of the artists who worked on The Hobbit and learn more about what they&#8217;re up to, along with several other talented folks at Weta, including Greg Broadmore and the comedic antics of Daniel Falconer! [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDWvNaEAulw">Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Meet the Hobbit Artists</a>]</p>
<p><strong><span id="more-76649"></span>Collectibles</strong><br />
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FMSjOigZVqg" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Meet the lads! From Bridge Direct Toys to our very own Elessar and Weta&#8217;s Senior Model Maker David Tremont, learn a bit more about collecting and miniature-making&#8230; and have plenty of laughs along the way. These guys are a kick! Read David Tremont&#8217;s story of creating Barad-Dur here: http://www.wetanz.com/the-making-of-barad-dur-article-series-by-david-tremont/  [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMSjOigZVqg">Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Collectibles</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Badali Jewelry</strong><br />
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ddngiMntHUs" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Check out Badali&#8217;s latest Lord of the Rings/Hobbit jewelery and find out more about the stories behind each piece! [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddngiMntHUs">Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Badali Jewelry</a>]</p>
<p><strong>The Hobbit Extended Edition</strong><br />
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AXV6RUcUPm0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Hear a little bit about the upcoming DVD/Blu ray of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and glimpse what Comic-Con is like long after the crowds have departed! [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6RUcUPm0">Happy Hobbit Goes to SDCC: Extended Edition Teaser and Farewell</a>]</p>
<p><strong>Meeting Evangeline Lilly</strong><br />
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/w1vhLpCxIj4" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>And of course, the completion of &#8220;Hobbitception!&#8221; [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1vhLpCxIj4">Hobbitception: Meeting Evangeline Lilly</a>]</p>
<p>You can join in the fun at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TORnHappyHobbit">Happy Hobbit Facebook page</a>!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Happy Hobbit: Dwarven Camping Tips &#8211; Episode 21</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/08/07/76527-happy-hobbit-dwarven-camping-tips-episode-21/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/08/07/76527-happy-hobbit-dwarven-camping-tips-episode-21/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Aug 2013 20:39:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kili</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Artwork]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=76527</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Join Kili, Fili, and several surprise guests to learn how to camp like a Dwarf! [Happy Hobbit: Dwarven Camping Tips - Episode 21]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Xh8lSKWilMA" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Join Kili, Fili, and several surprise guests to learn how to camp like a Dwarf! [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8lSKWilMA">Happy Hobbit: Dwarven Camping Tips - Episode 21</a>]</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Researching THE FRODO FRANCHISE: Part 4, Now It Can Be Told: Secrets and Spoilers</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/06/04/72550-researching-the-frodo-franchise-part-4-now-it-can-be-told-secrets-and-spoilers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/06/04/72550-researching-the-frodo-franchise-part-4-now-it-can-be-told-secrets-and-spoilers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:42:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kristin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daniel Falconer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Movie Return of the King]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Other production]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wellington]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=72550</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Of the three trips I took to New Zealand in 2003 and 2004 to conduct interviews for my book, only the first happened before the release of The Return of the King. I didn’t go thinking that I would suddenly be privy to spoilers and secrets. Shooting was over, I assumed (wrongly), and I figured [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Fell-Beast-being-hoisted.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-72557" alt="Fell Beast being hoisted" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Fell-Beast-being-hoisted.jpg" width="515" height="375" /></a>Of the three trips I took to New Zealand in 2003 and 2004 to conduct interviews for my book, only the first happened before the release of <em>The Return of the King.</em> I didn’t go thinking that I would suddenly be privy to spoilers and secrets. Shooting was over, I assumed (wrongly), and I figured my interviewees would not tell or show me anything confidential.</p>
<p>But at times they did. In my previous installment of this series, <a href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/02/18/69127-researching-the-frodo-franchise-part-3-places-full-of-magic/" target="_blank">&#8220;Places Full of Magic,&#8221; </a>I wrote about the facilities I visited. Now it’s time to reveal a few things I learned there—and kept quiet about.<span id="more-72550"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>The End of All Things</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I mentioned in that installment, I met producer Barrie Osborne on my third full day in Wellington. One of the first things he said to me was &#8220;We may not make the foreign premieres.&#8221; What he meant was that the final film had to be supplied to the foreign distributors early, so that they would have time to prepare the dubbing and subtitling. For English-language countries, the deadline wasn&#8217;t looming quite as large&#8211;except for New Zealand, where the world premiere was set for December 1.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Still, as anyone knows who has watched the <em>Return of the King</em> supplement &#8220;The End of All Things&#8221; knows, there was a frantic rush to finish the film. (I love that supplement, since it portrays the situation much as I witnessed it during that first visit, though I ended up leaving Wellington on October 28, before the really frantic final weeks before the delivery of the negative.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don&#8217;t think the direness of the situation was general knowledge, though in Wellington there were rumors flying&#8211;and many of them were not inaccurate. Pickups were still being shot in October, though they were mainly things like minor orcs to be jigsawed into special-effects shots. Anyone wandering past the Stone Street Studios was likely to spot costumed extras taking breaks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my book I describe a scene during an October 1 meeting of the heads of post-production departments in Barrie&#8217;s office. These daily meetings&#8217; purpose was to try and speed up progress on the film. A secretary came in and said there was going to be a story about the film being behind schedule on the evening news. Clearly the story was being aired because it was exactly two months to the premiere. We all watched it as a reporter indignantly told of how filming was still underway, which she seemed to assume meant that the deadline wouldn&#8217;t be met. The mayor was interviewed, giving reassurance that the premiere would take place as planned. Telephoto shots of orcs smoking cigarettes outside Studio A accompanied the story, as well generous clips from the brand new <em>Return</em> trailer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Near the end of the story, the audio track of Gandalf&#8217;s line, &#8220;All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you,&#8221; was included. Everyone in the room burst out laughing and went back to discussing what to do with the short time they had left. All the deadlines were met. It was only later that the full story of the difficult final push came out.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>The Ending</strong></p>
<p>Long-time fans may recall that in the months before <em>The Return of the King</em> appeared, speculation concerning how the film would end ran rampant on the Internet. For such an epic tale, would the scriptwriters stick to Tolkien’s quiet ending, with Sam returning home from the Grey Havens? Would they end with the coronation? (Some reviewers and theater-goers obviously wished they had!) I saw discussion threads where fans expressed hope of seeing an epilogue with Sam or even Legolas and Gimli departing Middle-earth to cross the Sea to the Uttermost West (as happens in the appendices).</p>
<p>By sheer accident, during my first week in Wellington, I found out the answer. In that earlier installment, I mentioned that I met Peter Doyle early in that first visit. He’s the digital colorist who invented the first viable digital coloring system specifically for <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>.</p>
<p>In retrospect, I wish I could have interviewed Peter for my book, but who had heard of digital coloring at that point? I certainly didn’t know much about it; I don&#8217;t think many people did, since the process hadn&#8217;t been publicized or made available to the rest of the film industry. But Peter invited me to visit The PostHouse, a temporary facility set up to do the trilogy’s selective digital color grading, the next day.</p>
<p>The facility was at the back of a large warehouse across the street from The Film Unit (now Park Road Post). Peter offered to give me a demonstration of color grading, and we went into a large room next door. It was dark and filled with rows of computer stations where experts at this new craft were busily adding color to parts of shots, or making color more subdued, manipulating light levels, and making all the other amazing changes that digital technology had made possible.</p>
<p>Peter sat me down at a monitor and, using a close-up of Denethor as an example, he showed off the ways in which he could apply such changes in color or contrast or amount of light just to selected parts of a shot—the eyes, or a cheek, or part of the background. The program would then apply the same changes to all the other frames of the shot. Peter demonstrated with another example: the extreme long shot of Gandalf’s cart going along a path between lush green fields, heading for the Grey Havens. He could dial up a shaft of sunlight, making one of the fields brighter, depending where he wanted to guide the eye of the viewer. In the frame below, you can see that the field on the left is slightly lighter than the grassy hills on the right. Peter explained that that decision was made because that&#8217;s the direction in which the group is traveling, the Grey Havens side of the shot.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">  <a href="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Return-of-the-King-cart-shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-72551" alt="Return of the King cart shot" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Return-of-the-King-cart-shot.jpg" width="400" height="169" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">In the middle of this, Peter paused and said, “Oh, there’s the last shot.” I looked over, and the man sitting to our left was indeed grading the very last shot. The camera was tracking forward and the round yellow door was closing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Return-of-the-King-final-shot.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-72552" alt="Return of the King final shot" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Return-of-the-King-final-shot.jpg" width="400" height="171" /></a></p>
<p>So then I knew that the film would end pretty much the way the book does. When I saw <em>The Return of the King</em> about nearly two and a half months later, it turned out that there were small differences: Sam and Rosie had two children here, not one, and he said “Well, I’m back” outside, not inside sitting by the fire with Elanor in his lap.</p>
<p>Close enough, though, I think. Whatever bombast fans might accuse the filmmakers of when it comes to battles or monsters, they opted for quiet domesticity and the return of peace, just as it should be. My husband, who has not read the novel, was surprised and impressed that the filmmakers chose such a modest, emotional ending.</p>
<p>Coincidentally, about three weeks later, I saw another vital shot being worked on. I mentioned in my previous entry that Weta’s digital models supervisor, Matt Aitken, gave me a tour of the main Weta Digital facility. During that tour I saw the main animation room. Matt introduced me to Georgie (if I caught the name right), who was working on the moment when Gollum falls into the lava. She wasn’t satisfied with the way it looked and was going to do it over. The animation team, she told me, referred to it as the “Gollum falls into the lasagna” shot. It did look a bit like that at the stage she had reached, but by the time she got through with it and we all saw it in the final film, it looked terrific.</p>
<p>What are the odds of happening to see both the final shot and the climactic shot still in progress, out of the thousands in the finished film?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"> <strong>The Figure on the Embassy Theatre Façade</strong></p>
<p>Last time I also mentioned that Daniel Falconer kindly gave me a Weta Workshop, where, among other things, he introduced me to Treebeard. What I didn’t mention was that on the floor of the same big studio room, there were large unassembled portions of the figure of the Witch King on his flying Fell Beast that would adorn the Embassy Theatre’s marquee during the world premiere of <em>The Return of the King</em>. These pieces were only partially painted. This was October 7, and the premiere was not until December 1. Daniel warned me not to tell anyone what I had seen. The figure on the marquee was a surprise each year.</p>
<p>I’m sure that in 2003 the figure was indeed a surprise. During my stay in Wellington, I went out for dim sum with film-faculty members and graduate students from Victoria University Wellington. They were convinced that the marquee figure would be Shelob. A logical guess, and widely shared, I&#8217;m sure. Still, since the Wellington premiere was scheduled well ahead of the film’s release in the rest of the world, the filmmakers clearly did not want the design of the main new monster for the third part to be revealed prematurely. Naturally, I kept quiet about what the real figure would be. (At top, a photo of the Nazgûl being raised onto the Embassy façade, taken by Ringer Spy Mr. MB.)</p>
<p>While the Gollum figure that had graced the theater façade the previous year had an extended life, perched on the roof of the Wellington airport, the Nazgûl and his Fell Beast met a more ignominious fate. There was a report in the <em>Dominion Post</em> on April 12, 2004, that the figure had been dumped in a field beside the Wellington dump&#8211;a &#8220;felled beast,&#8221; as the caption-writer put it. I wonder if the pieces eventually disintegrated or were salvaged by fans with really big garages. Any news on their current whereabouts, if any, would be welcome.</p>
<p>(The first two parts of this series are <a href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/07/26/59712-researching-the-frodo-franchise-part-1-off-to-wellington-without-a-handkerchief/" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/11/01/64279-researching-the-frodo-franchise-part-2-arriving-in-wellywood/#more-64279" target="_blank">here</a>.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Nazgul-at-dump-story.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-72553 alignnone" alt="Nazgul at dump story" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Nazgul-at-dump-story.jpg" width="350" height="370" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">(A scan of part of my print-out of the original story. That story is still online but is difficult to access and no longer has the photo accompanying it.)</p>
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		<title>Collecting The Precious &#8211; Weta Workshop to attend Supernova</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/05/21/71796-collecting-the-precious-weta-workshop-to-attend-supernova/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/05/21/71796-collecting-the-precious-weta-workshop-to-attend-supernova/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 01:52:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>elessar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adam Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conventions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hobbit Movie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jed Brophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Callen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Karl Urban]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Movie Fellowship of the Ring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Movie Return of the King]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=71796</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Weta World Tour continues in June with Supernova. Starting June 22nd-23rd in Sydney and June 29th-30 in Perth, fans will get a chance to come together to celebrate what they love about the pop culture. The team from Weta will also be making the trip to both places bringing their magical work creating Middle-earth [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/wetalogo.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-43961" alt="wetalogo" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/wetalogo.png" width="244" height="85" /></a>The <a href="http://www.wetanz.com/shop/?affiliate=1834">Weta World Tour</a> continues in June with Supernova. Starting June 22nd-23rd in Sydney and June 29th-30 in Perth, fans will get a chance to come together to celebrate what they love about the pop culture. The team from Weta will also be making the trip to both places bringing their magical work creating Middle-earth with them. While at their booth make sure you grab one of their Weta Treasure cards, which is good for discounts or prizes via the Weta website. That&#8217;s not all! If you happen to be going to either of these locations you will get to meet cast members of both <a href="http://www.wetanz.com/shop/?affiliate=1834"><em>The Hobbit</em> </a>and <a href="http://www.wetanz.com/shop/?affiliate=1834"><em>The Lord of the Rings</em></a>. So make sure to get your ticket to the show before it sells out!</p>
<p>Check out the Full article on Weta&#8217;s appearance: <a href="http://www.wetanz.com/weta-to-attend-supanova-sydney-and-perth-in-june/?affiliate=1834">WETA TO ATTEND SUPANOVA SYDNEY AND PERTH IN JUNE</a></p>
<p>List of Middle-earth celebs making an apperance:</p>
<ul>
<li>John Callen &#8211; Oin the Dwarf</li>
<li>Adam Brown &#8211; Ori the Dwarf</li>
<li>Jed Brophy &#8211; Nori the Dwarf</li>
<li>Karl Urban &#8211; Éomer</li>
<li>Mark Ferguson &#8211; Gil-galad</li>
</ul>
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		<title>Getting to know Magnus Hjert</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/05/14/71613-getting-to-know-magnus-hjert/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/05/14/71613-getting-to-know-magnus-hjert/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 05:36:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kelvarhin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Collectibles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Getting to know]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=71613</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Welcome to the latest &#8220;Getting to know&#8221; &#8211; questions that need answering. It&#8217;s based on the old Getting to know you threads that I occasionally post on the message boards here on TORn, so those familiar with them will know that the questions can be a little crazy and the answers even crazier. This month [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright  wp-image-71617" alt="Magnus" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Magnus.jpg" width="202" height="269" />Welcome to the latest &#8220;Getting to know&#8221; &#8211; questions that need answering. It&#8217;s based on the old Getting to know you threads that I occasionally post on the message boards here on TORn, so those familiar with them will know that the questions can be a little crazy and the answers even crazier.</p>
<p>This month we&#8217;re asking questions of self-described Online guy at Weta Workshop and all round top bloke, Magnus Hjert.</p>
<p><span id="more-71613"></span></p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> Thanks for joining us this month Magnus, as always we&#8217;ll start with grammas favourite question&#8230;</p>
<p><img class="alignleft  wp-image-49786" alt="Art of the Adventures of Tintin" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Tintin-cover.jpg" width="310" height="250" />What was your favourite cartoon when you were growing up?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> I grew up in Sweden on a rich and varied comics diet consisting of Tintin, Asterix, The Phantom, Spirou et Fantasio, its spin-off Marsupilami, Iznogoud… but my all-time favourite (that I still read) is Tintin.</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-71620" alt="MarklinTrainAd" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/MarklinTrainAd-300x270.jpg" width="300" height="270" />Kelvarhin:</strong> What was your favourite toy as a kid?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> My Märklin train set… it initially provided much entertainment for my father and uncle, as I believe I was about three when I got it for Christmas. But it was awesome when I was older and could build model buildings etc.</p>
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<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-71622" alt="WetaSandcastle" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/WetaSandcastle-300x199.jpg" width="300" height="199" />Kelvarhin:</strong> Some of the  TORNfolk (Tehanu, Garfeimao, deej and entmaiden) were in attendance to help Weta and the Neonatal Trust break the Guinness Record for most sandcastles built in an hour. They know that they built enough, but Guinness requires a lot of documentation and time to certify the results, and they’re wondering if you&#8217;ve gotten the official results from the world record Sandcastle Build last November?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> I don’t actually know the answer, but I promise I will find out from Martin Baynton, who is the main link between Adventure Wellington and Weta Workshop. I was on that beach myself, covering it on behalf of Weta. The event was organised by Adventure Wellington and Weta Workshop helped out with buckets and quite a few crew, including Richard, Tania and many others.</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignright  wp-image-71625" alt="Castlepoint-Postcard" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Castlepoint-Postcard.jpg" width="392" height="274" />Kelvarhin:</strong> What is your favourite location in NZ?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> I’ve lived here now for 10 years and I have many favourites. But that’s a bit of a cop-out, so I will try to pick one.  To narrow it down little by little, the region called the Wairarapa is about 90 minutes’ drive away from Wellington and is predominantly a rural area, but with a twist – it’s one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions. Small towns that 50 years ago were as rural as rural can be have blossomed with the increased interest the wine has brought to the region. On the way to my favourite place, you pass through several of these, Featherston, Greytown, Carterton. When you get to Masterton, you take a right and head for the coast. And after driving through orchards and sheep stations, you get to Castlepoint. A Pacific beach community with a spectacular lighthouse and rock formations, a fantastic beach and a camping ground. And very little else. The weather is often unforgiving, but lying in a tent, listening to the ocean… it doesn’t get much better. Oh – I just realised you probably meant shooting location? Well, other than Hobbiton which is truly AWESOME, a favourite is the Dimholt Road/Paths of the Dead at Putangirua Pinnacles in… you guessed it: The Wairarapa.</p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> What are your most favourite places, of all the places you’ve been to in the world?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> Monterey, California. Montpellier, France. London, England (lived there for 7 years). Copenhagen, Denmark (being from Malmo in Sweden, Copenhagen is a natural place to hang out – back then it was a 45 minute boat trip away. Now there’s a bridge…). And Wellington – on a good day… <img src='http://www.theonering.net/torwp/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-55778" alt="Freeman and Cumberbatch" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/MartinCumberbatch.jpg" width="350" height="167" />Kelvarhin:</strong> What movies or television shows are you into right now, apart from The Hobbit?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> Star Trek: Into Darkness was awesome – I went with a band of colleagues and everyone was pretty much in agreement it was a great film. With two kids of 6 and 10 years, I watch a LOT of ‘children’s’ flicks – like Wall-e, How to train your Dragon (and Riders of Berk) and love it, but Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, House MD, Doctor Who, Sherlock and even the occasional UK detective show/murder mystery re-run like Midsomer Murders, Morse, Miss Marple, Hercules Poirot… I’m easy to entertain…</p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> I’m a child of migrants, and I know you’re originally from Sweden, so I was wondering what inspired your move to New Zealand?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> I was dragged here kicking and screaming by my Kiwi wife… nah, it was actually the other way around. I get itchy feet staying in one place for too long and when we were living in London (where we met and wed) and expected our first child, we decided there were healthier places to bring up children than south London, so we chose New Zealand. Thinking we’d only be here for 4-5 years and then perhaps go to Sweden (where all my family is). But then I got my job at Weta – as close to my dream job as I’m ever likely to get – and we’ve now decided not to up-root the kids, but stay here for at least as long as they want to stay. Then we’ll see.</p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> What was the most difficult thing about organising Wetas surprise for TORn’s 10th Anniversary?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> Getting everyone to the same courtyard at the same time. Gino from Weta Digital down the road, Richard Taylor from somewhere in the building, Guillermo del Toro from 3 Foot 7 and then getting the crew to pick up some props and waving them around. We had many false starts on different occasions, but in the end we got it together. Woohoo! Man, that seems like a long time ago now… I was very nervous directing Guillermo del Toro, but he was very good about it. <img src='http://www.theonering.net/torwp/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2h6y69GHIY">TORn 10th Anniversary Weta Video</a></p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O2h6y69GHIY" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> How long have you been working for Weta Workshop and how did you come to be involved with them?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus: </strong>I’ve been here since 2008 and I owe it to my sister-in-law who found the ad in the paper…</p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong>  Working for Weta sounds great, but being a marketing manager sounds like hard work&#8230; is the line between being on the job and dreaming sharp or fuzzy? Is there even a line?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> That’s a great question… I’m gonna have to think about that one… Right – I’m back after having answered a few other questions in the meantime. The answer is – there is no line… my job is a constant intertwinement of fantasy, fans, fiction, collectors, artists, logistics, writing and just saying ‘awesome’ a lot. Weta is not a normal workplace – we who work there tend to forget.</p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> Within your position at Weta, you must have been involved with some very surreal situations (perhaps meeting certain people, taken part in certain events and so on). What is your most memorable moment?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> There are many… in my first week, one of the Workshop technicians, Jordan, drove up and down the road outside on his rocket powered bicycle. A few months later I was recording a sound bite with Bill Farmer (Goofy since 1986) on a podcast and suddenly Michael Winslow (officer Larvell Jones in Police Academy) chips in with a Mickey Mouse impersonation… And meeting Sir Ian McKellen – again for a podcast interview… it’s all a bit surreal in hindsight, but while you’re doing it… it’s fantastic.</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignright  wp-image-71616" alt="lotr_swords_anduril_a_lrg" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lotr_swords_anduril_a_lrg-994x1024.jpg" width="215" height="221" />Kelvarhin:</strong> What item do you like the most of all the items made by Weta? And why?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> Ooooooh – that’s a tough one. The Minas Tirith shooting miniature – I have never seen it in real life, but the impact it had on me in LOTR when I first saw it on screen… man! Barad-dûr and Orthanc likewise – I’ve seen both of them outside David Tremont’s workshop while he was working away on the collectible models. Of the things you can take home… Peter Lyon’s swords… probably Andúril… words cannot describe how epic they are and how powerful you feel with one in your hand.</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-71614" alt="drg_gol_01b_lrg" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/drg_gol_01b_lrg-291x300.jpg" width="291" height="300" />Kelvarhin:</strong>  I have heard workers from Weta get a chance to buy the things they make (the collectibles). Have you ever not bought an item and later regretted that you didn&#8217;t get it? If yes, what was it, and why do you regret not getting it?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> Yes – I admit to being a complete sucker for Greg Broadmore’s rayguns… and my favourite is the Goliathon 83, which is now sold out. While it was still in stock, I couldn’t afford it. But if I ever get a chance to buy one…</p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> What is it like seeing all these cool Collectibles before the fans get to see them? Also, how hard is it to hold that from the world?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> A) Orgasmic. B) Extremely. <img src='http://www.theonering.net/torwp/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><strong>Kelvarhin:</strong> If you were making a car commercial, what Weta Workshop items would you include?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> Rayguns – ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’. It’s a mantra in Ingolstadt as well as at Grordbort Industries. Although it would be in English undoubtedly. ‘Advantage through Technology’.</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-71618" alt="MagnusBomburHjert" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/MagnusBomburHjert-210x300.jpg" width="210" height="300" />Kelvarhin:</strong> And lastly, if you were a dwarf in Thorin&#8217;s Company, which one would you be?</p>
<p><strong>Magnus:</strong> Easy – Bombur. A little known fact is that I have “arse-modelled” for our Bombur collectible, showing the sculptors what it looks like when a fat guy runs… up and down the Weta Workshop car park. And Leaflock from The Shadow and Flame’s Weta collectors’ forum actually turned me into Bombur in the S&amp;F Christmas card for Weta. So I feel a strong affinity with the guy. I have included the image Leaflock made.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-71615" alt="hobbit_bombur_d_lrg" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/hobbit_bombur_d_lrg-291x300.jpg" width="291" height="300" /></p>
<p>As always thanks to all our message board regulars, DanielLB, SirDennisC, Ataahua, Elessar, Brethil, elaen32, entmaiden, dernwyn, Kaede, grammaboodawg and Rosie-with-the-ribbons, for this month&#8217;s questions.</p>
<p>If you would like to ask any questions yourself, just head over to our Message Boards, the sign up process is pretty painless. A lead post for questions is made at the beginning of each month on the Main board. Or you can just check Main for each months interviewee and email me your questions at <a title="kelvarhin@theonering.net" href="mailto://kelvarhin@theonering.net">kelvarhin@theonering.net</a>.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-54262" alt="winking tiger" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/1544990-Tiger-temple-0.jpg" width="239" height="179" />Till next time from TORn&#8217;s resident Tiger.</p>
<p>Kelvarhin</p>
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		<title>Peter Jackson weighs in on the embattled F/X industry in Hollywood</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/04/06/70534-peter-jackson-weighs-in-on-the-embattled-fx-industry-in-hollywood/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/04/06/70534-peter-jackson-weighs-in-on-the-embattled-fx-industry-in-hollywood/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:41:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Garfeimao</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Director news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peter Jackson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Production]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Digital]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=70534</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Visual Effects industry in Hollywood is in the midst of a crisis that just seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Entertainment Weekly has been keeping on top of the issue and posted a story today that included Peter Jackson&#8217;s thought on the problem. In this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly, The Hobbit director Peter Jackson, [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/04/06/70534-peter-jackson-weighs-in-on-the-embattled-fx-industry-in-hollywood/moving-words-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-70535"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-70535" alt="Moving Words 3" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Moving-Words-3-300x221.jpg" width="300" height="221" /></a>The Visual Effects industry in Hollywood is in the midst of a crisis that just seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Entertainment Weekly has been keeping on top of the issue and posted a story today that included Peter Jackson&#8217;s thought on the problem.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>In this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly, The Hobbit director Peter Jackson, a digital effects pioneer who co-founded the F/X company Weta Digital, says studios are taking advantage of an oversupply of F/X houses to drive down prices. “Competition between VFX houses, which the studios obviously use to their advantage, has resulted in VFX houses operating on tiny profit margins,” Jackson says. “And when we talk ‘profit,’ it’s not about the owners buying a Porsche at the end of a big movie — it’s about having a nest egg to ride out the slow periods.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>To read the full story and see links to other stories about the VFX crisis, head on over to <a id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365225410496_4405" href="http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/04/05/peter-jackson-hollywood-fx-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">EW.com</a></p>
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		<title>Peter Jackson to begin wearing glasses again</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/04/01/70419-peter-jackson-to-begin-wearing-glasses-again/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/04/01/70419-peter-jackson-to-begin-wearing-glasses-again/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:01:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alyse</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[ComicCon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peter Jackson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Production]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Hobbit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Digital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Workshop]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=70419</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From Weta Digital, comes this exciting press release about a certain something all fans of Sir Peter Jackson have missed...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p dir="ltr">Another April Fools joke &#8211; courtesy of Ringer Mike&#8230;</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center; font-size: 50px;"><strong>APRIL FOOLS</strong></p>
<p>From Weta Digital, comes this exciting press release about a certain something all fans of Sir Peter Jackson have missed&#8230;<a href="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/pj-glasses.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-70424 alignright" alt="Sir Peter Jackson" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/pj-glasses.jpg" width="262" height="262" /></a></p>
<blockquote>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Wellington, NZ (April 1st, 2013)&#8211;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">In response to the lukewarm critical reception of &#8220;The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey&#8221;, Peter Jackson has announced that he will begin wearing his eyeglasses again.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&#8220;It was a public image decision,&#8221; Jackson says. &#8220;Fran and Philippa and I sat down and brainstormed, trying to figure out why the critics had panned the first &#8216;Hobbit&#8217; film, despite its commercial success. And then we suddenly realized it wasn&#8217;t the film at all! The critics weren&#8217;t saying it out loud, but subconsciously they missed the &#8216;old&#8217; Peter Jackson. And that means they wanted to see the eyeglasses.&#8221;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">While Jackson hasn&#8217;t worn glasses for years and no longer uses his old prescription, he has planned a workaround to the problem. &#8220;I can simply pop the lenses out of my old frames, and we&#8217;ll be good to go&#8211; that is, if I can find them!&#8221; he laughs.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">But putting the glasses back on is only the first step. Plans are also underway to add glasses back on to all of the behind-the-scenes footage of Peter that has been shot for the Extended Edition DVDs.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Since Weta Digital is already too busy working on effects shots for films two and three, Richard Taylor and Weta Workshop have been placed in charge of the eyeglass project.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">&#8220;We want fans to feel like they&#8217;ve returned to the film-making world they have become acquainted with,&#8221; Taylor says. &#8220;Realistically inserting eyeglasses into Peter&#8217;s interview shots and B-roll footage will add that final crucial element of familiarity that will make this a truly nostalgic behind-the-scenes experience for the extended DVDs.&#8221;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Using a recently perfected technique combining advanced facial-recognition software with a slave-motion camera rig, the glasses will be added to Peter&#8217;s face using green screens and carefully crafted models.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Taylor has already commissioned a special 18-inch wide &#8220;bigature&#8221; of Peter&#8217;s glasses to be used in the project. &#8220;The miniatures department had felt a bit neglected lately, and they were overjoyed to take this on. One has to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship that is going into this model. Every screw and hinge, every curve of the frame is faithfully reproduced in larger-than-life detail.&#8221;</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Weta Limited Edition replicas of the glasses will be available as a Comic Con Exclusive in July 2013.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Early fan reaction to the news so far has been positive, and representatives from Warner Bros. were optimistic as well, and in a statement have expressed confidence that the reintroduction of spectacles to Jackson&#8217;s image is the right way to go towards making up for the box office disappointment of &#8220;The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey&#8221;.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Will the glasses really make a difference? What do you think? Sound off!</p>
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		<title>Behind The Hobbit: the special effects masters</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/09/69801-behind-the-hobbit-the-special-effects-masters/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/09/69801-behind-the-hobbit-the-special-effects-masters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:32:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Demosthenes</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hobbit Movie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Letteri]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Production]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Hobbit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Digital]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=69801</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With its ceaseless tide of wizards, Wargs, Orcs, Stone-Giants, Skin-changers, Goblins, and, of course, Gollum, Peter Jackson&#8217;s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey &#8212; available on Blu-ray from April 8 &#8212; is a feast for fans of fantasy filmdom. But it proved a challenge of Silmarillion proportions for the visual effects team at Weta Digital charged [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/JoeLetteri.jpg" alt="JoeLetteri" width="279" height="299" class="alignright size-full wp-image-69452" /> With its ceaseless tide of wizards, Wargs, Orcs, Stone-Giants, Skin-changers, Goblins, and, of course, Gollum, Peter Jackson&#8217;s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey &#8212; available on Blu-ray from April 8 &#8212; is a feast for fans of fantasy filmdom.</p>
<p>But it proved a challenge of Silmarillion proportions for the visual effects team at Weta Digital charged with bringing Tolkien&#8217;s fantastical romp to life. The first blockbuster to combine the dimensional hurdles of 3D and pioneering 48fps HFR technology, it&#8217;s arguably the most daunting special effects movie ever attempted.<span id="more-69801"></span></p>
<p>&#8220;Yes, there was a lot of work involved,&#8221; says senior visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri, with alarming understatement. &#8220;We did around 22,000 FX shots for The Hobbit. That compares to 18,000 for LOTR: Return of the King. The scale of these films has evolved considerably&#8230;&#8221;</p>
<p>[<a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/behind-the-scenes-of-the-hobbit-the-special-effects-masters-1136243" target="_blank">Read More</a>]</p>
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		<title>Hobbity guests coming to Supanova in April!</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/08/69774-hobbity-guests-coming-to-supanova-in-april/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/08/69774-hobbity-guests-coming-to-supanova-in-april/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:58:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Demosthenes</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Conventions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dean O'Gorman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Graham McTavish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hobbit Movie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Karl Urban]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephen Hunter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sylvester McCoy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Hobbit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Digital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Workshop]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=69774</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Australian Hobbit fans will finally get a little bit of love in April. A team from Weta, and several folks from the cast of The Hobbit are making the trip across the Tasman to make an appearance at the Supanova Pop Culture Expo in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast, joining Karl Urban (Eomer) and [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/supanova_logo2fdf12a.jpg" alt="Supanova" width="175" height="175" class="alignright size-full wp-image-69775" /> Australian Hobbit fans will finally get a little bit of love in April. A team from Weta, and several folks from the cast of The Hobbit are making the trip across the Tasman to make an appearance at the <a href="http://www.supanova.com.au/" target="_blank">Supanova Pop Culture Expo</a> in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast, joining Karl Urban (Eomer) and Supanova MC Mark Ferguson (Gil-galad). </p>
<p>Supanova attendees will get the chance to see and listen to:</p>
<p><img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/dwalin-grahammctavish-p-150x150.jpg" alt="Graham McTavish as Dwalin the Dwarf" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-46184" /> <i>Graham McTavish &#8211; Dwalin.</i> Graham McTavish (born in 1961) is a Scottish actor who has played an impressive array of characters in a slew of Pop cultural franchises. He played the character Warden Ackerman in Red Dwarf in five episodes of series 8. McTavish has also had many supporting roles in British dramas and films such as Casualty, Jekyll, The Bill, Taggart and Sisterhood. Recently, McTavish appeared in the 2011 film The Wicker Tree, Robin Hardy’s sequel to his 1973 film, The Wicker Man. He has had an “Unexpected Journey” to International stardom playing Dwalin (Brother of Balin) the Dwarf in Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit films.</p>
<p><img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bombur-stephenhunter-p-150x150.jpg" alt="Stephen Hunter as Bombur the Dwarf in The Hobbit Movie" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-46191" /> <i>Stephen Hunter &#8211; Bombur.</i> Stephen is a New Zealand actor and voice over artist, currently based in Sydney, Australia. His film and Television career started with Ladies Night in 1995 and has continued to include stints on All Saints, Love My Way, Spirited and Rescue: Special Ops. It was announced in 2011 that Stephen was to play the role of Bombur: brother of Bofur and one of the company of 13 dwarves who retake the Lonely Mountain in Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy. He has since filmed Field Punishment No.1 in the Role of Aussie Bill which will be released in 2013.</p>
<p><img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/fili-deanogorman-p-150x150.jpg" alt="Dean O&#039;Gorman as Fili" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-46181" /> <i>Dean O’Gorman &#8211; Fili.</i> Dean O’Gorman is a photographer and artist based in New Zealand. He got his start in the television movie, The Rogue Stallion at the age of fourteen, and Raider of the South Seas, both of which were released in 1990. He then won the role of Nurse Harry Martin in the New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street and has appeared in both Hercules and Xena multiple times.  In April 2011 he was cast as Fili the Dwarf in Sir Peter Jackson’s three-part film adaptation of The Hobbit. Kili and his Brother Fili are the youngest dwarves of the 13 and are Thorin Oakenshield’s nephews!</p>
<p><img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/1_Radagastjpg-150x150.jpg" alt="1_Radagastjpg" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-66939" /> <i>Sylvester McCoy &#8211; Radagast (as a Gold Coast exclusive guest).</i> McCoy was starring at the National Theatre in “The Pied Piper”, a musical play written especially for him, when he learned that the BBC was looking for a new lead actor to replace Colin Baker in “Doctor Who” (1963). He later won the role as the seventh Doctor. Following “Doctor Who,” McCoy continues to work extensively in theatre, radio, opera, television and films. McCoy can be seen in the latest blockbuster film The Hobbit (as Radagast the Brown) and can still be heard playing the Doctor in the Big Finish audio productions of Doctor Who.</p>
<p>The dates for Supanova are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Melbourne &#8211; April 12-14 at Melbourne Showgrounds</li>
<li>Gold Coast &#8211; April 19-21 at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre</li>
</ul>
<p>You can find out more and buy tickets <a href="http://www.supanova.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
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		<title>Weta Digital&#8217;s Oscar winners share the tech driving Gollum and Azog</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/07/69723-weta-digitals-oscar-winners-share-the-tech-driving-gollum-and-azog/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/07/69723-weta-digitals-oscar-winners-share-the-tech-driving-gollum-and-azog/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:43:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Demosthenes</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hobbit Movie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Production]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Hobbit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Digital]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=69723</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Back in February, Simon Clutterbuck, James Jacobs and Dr. Richard Dorling won a technical Oscar (The Scientific and Engineering Award) for developing a technique which makes computer-generated characters (such as Gollum) more life-like than ever before. In this video from Weta Digital, the team share how they do it, and what it means for the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Gollum_gallery_primary-150x150.jpg" alt="Gollum_gallery_primary" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-66652" /> Back in February, Simon Clutterbuck, James Jacobs and Dr. Richard Dorling won a technical Oscar (The Scientific and Engineering Award) for developing a technique which makes computer-generated characters (such as Gollum) more life-like than ever before. In this video from Weta Digital, the team share how they do it, and what it means for the future CG-character animation in film.</p>
<p><center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r45e5Xky35k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center></p>
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		<title>TORN Message Boards Weekly Roundup – March 3, 2013</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/03/69585-torn-message-boards-weekly-roundup-march-3-2013/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/03/03/69585-torn-message-boards-weekly-roundup-march-3-2013/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 03 Mar 2013 23:10:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>grammaboodawg</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hobbit Movie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Make the Hobbit Happen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meet Ups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oscar Parties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Hobbit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The One Expected Party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TheOneRing.net Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tolkien]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Digital]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TORn Discussion Board Weekly Roundup]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=69585</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Welcome to our collection of TORn&#8217;s hottest topics for the past week. If you&#8217;ve fallen behind on what&#8217;s happening on the Message Boards, here&#8217;s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you&#8217;re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="thickbox" id="set-post-thumbnail" title="Set featured image" href="http://www.theonering.net/torwp/wp-admin/media-upload.php?post_id=69585&amp;type=image&amp;TB_iframe=1"><img class="attachment-266x266 alignright" alt="Speak Friend and Enter The One Expected Party" src="http://www-images.theonering.org/torwp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Speak-Friend-and-Enter-The-One-Expected-Party.jpg" width="266" height="128" /></a>Welcome to our collection of TORn&#8217;s hottest topics for the past week. If you&#8217;ve fallen behind on what&#8217;s happening on the Message Boards, here&#8217;s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you&#8217;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&#8217;s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun!</p>
<p><span id="more-69585"></span></p>
<p>Last weekend, <i>TheOneRing.net</i> hosted a celebration of <b><i>The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</i></b>&#8216;s Academy Award nominations by throwing <b>The One Expected Party</b> just down the road from where The Oscars were held in Los Angeles, California.  This is following our tradition of honoring Peter Jackson&#8217;s productions of J.R.R. Tolkien&#8217;s <b><i>The Lord of the Rings</i></b> trilogy.  Now, after years of assisting Jackson in his effort to <b>Make <i>The Hobbit</i> Happen</b>, we&#8217;re thrilled to gear up for 3 Oscar Parties following the 3 installments of <b><i>The Hobbit</i></b>.  Here are a gathering of the various discussions on the <b>TORn Message Boards</b> for the first Party&#8230; with 2 more to go!  Start saving and planning, folks&#8230; and join us in LA next year and The One after that!</p>
<p><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The One Expected Party</span></b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> posts on The Boards:</span></p>
<p><b><a title="The One Expected Party: the set-up" href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=576419;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;http://">The One Expected Party: the set-up</a>    </b></p>
<p><a title="Photos from The One Expected Party" href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=576469;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;"><b>Photos from The One Expected Party </b></a></p>
<p><a title="Happy Hobbit Goes to Hollywood: The Unexpected Art Show " href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=578261;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;"><b>Happy Hobbit Goes to Hollywood: The Unexpected Art Show </b></a></p>
<p><a title="Beecake at The One Expected Party " href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=577386;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;"><b>Beecake at The One Expected Party </b></a></p>
<p><a title="Monaghan and Boyd at The One Expected Party " href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=576605;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;"><b>Monaghan and Boyd at The One Expected Party </b></a></p>
<p><a title="Oscars tonight!  post by Bombadil" href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=576316;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;"><b>Oscars tonight!  post by Bombadil</b></a></p>
<p><a title="Weta team will party, but where? " href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=576425;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;"><b>Weta team will party, but where? </b></a></p>
<p><a title="Raffle and Auction Items Announced for 'The One Expected Party' " href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=570185;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;http://"><b>Raffle and Auction Items Announced for &#8216;The One Expected Party&#8217; </b></a></p>
<p><a title="The One Expected Party Ebay Auctions" href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=576523;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;"><b>The One Expected Party Ebay Auctions</b></a></p>
<p><b><a title="A Recording of The One Expected Party." href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL71QSSZ1sc ">A Recording of The One Expected Party</a></b></p>
<p>PS: Keep an eye on the Boards for more pictures from this year&#8217;s Party.</p>
<p>After a month-long absence while TORn poster DanielLB has been out of town, he&#8217;s returning with a 2-week update on Hobbit Discussion Board Movie News found <em><a title="right here" href="http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=577824;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_expanded;">right here</a></em>.  Welcome back, DanielLB!<b></b></p>
<p>We&#8217;ll share more topics next week and hope you can join in on the conversation!  Don&#8217;t forget, TheOneRing.net&#8217;s Message Boards have over 9,400 registered Tolkien fans, just like you.  Let your voice be heard!</p>
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		<title>Geekexchange reports the One Expected Party</title>
		<link>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/02/27/69451-geekexchange-reports-the-one-expected-party/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/02/27/69451-geekexchange-reports-the-one-expected-party/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:17:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>MrCere</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hobbit Movie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Letteri]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Hobbit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WETA Digital]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theonering.net/torwp/?p=69451</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is a little difficult to imagine what event might have had more geek credibility on Oscar night than our own One Expected Party. GeekExchange.com certainly managed a solid report complete with the YouTube video above that shows highlights from many of the events that took the stage. They also managed a photo gallery that [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><iframe width="720" height="405" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lBkddidNkw4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>It is a little difficult to imagine what event might have had more geek credibility on Oscar night than our own One Expected Party. GeekExchange.com certainly managed a solid report complete with the YouTube video above that shows highlights from many of the events that took the stage. They also managed a photo gallery that is definitely worth a look. You can read the entire report if you click <a href="http://www.geekexchange.com/the-one-expected-party-the-hobbit-oscar-night-event-44973.html">this simple link</a>.</p>
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	</channel>
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