What exactly is going on with the two-part adaptation of The Hobbit? The world seems to be holding its breath in anticipation, including us, but as the calendar turned to November, we turned to a trusted rock-solid inside source and found a dragon’s treasure of updates. Read the rest of this entry »

News is on the Associated Press wire today that the founder of the pop-culture showcase, the San Diego Comic-Con, Sheldon Dorf, has died at age 76. A spokesperson for Dorf’s family, friend Greg Koudoulian, says he died at a San Diego hospital as a result of kidney failure and problems caused by diabetes. At the official Comic-Con Website there is a message from the Board of Directors, Staff and volunteers of the Comic-Con organization as they “mourn the passing of our dear friend Shel”. Read the rest of this entry »

From the folks at WETA: John Howe’s incredibly dynamic and exquisitely detailed sculpture by Daniel Cockersell is now available for pre-order in faux bronze. The edition size for this fine art collectible is a mere 300, just like the first sculpture in the range, Smaug™ the Golden which opened for pre-order in August. Check it out here!

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Mia writes: I attended the KEA Luncheon [last Thursday] in Melbourne, and wanted to share a few photos with you. The luncheon was fascinating, and it was an honour to be there. Richard was extremely friendly, and gave a great speech before jetting off to Sydney!! More..

Message board member Elven was lucky enough to attend the KEA dinner in Sydney this week and sends in this great report:

“If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, unless its an Oscar, it would be a much merrier world.”
-Prof Tolkien.

I have just returned home from a wonderful night at the Danks Street Depot Cafe in Sydney after listening to KEA’s special guest speaker ‘Richard Taylor’ talk and inspire an audience. People hung onto to his every word and laughed heartily at his stories – we enjoyed it so much we almost forgot about dessert. The food was glorious – the menu designed by NZ chef Jared Ingersol, and there was plenty of wonderful NZ wines available for the tasting.

Richard spoke for a good hour on his career and the movies WETA had been involved with much passion, and gave reference and credit to those people who had helped him along the way. His presentation was punctuated with some very funny anecdotes about Oscar Couture, Meet The Feebles and Taxi Drivers – but his story held a special message regarding success and talent and doing what you do, no matter what that might be, to the best of your ability – turning your life into an art.
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Last week I came home to discover a mysterious package propping my front door open. It seems Dr. Grordbort has made a house call all the way up from New Zealand. Seems he has a mission for me…more news on that, reviews and pictures to come soon! In the meantime..feast your eyes on ‘The Righteous Bison‘ and the ‘Victorious Mongoose‘!

Steampunk is coming to Oamaru. Weta Workshop, the visual effects company that has won many Academy Awards, has confirmed its involvement in a steampunk exhibition opening at the Forrester Gallery on November 7. Yesterday, Weta Ltd general manager Tim Launder said he was looking forward to being involved. “We hope it’s something that’s going to grow. This year is about planting a seed.” It was part 1920s, part 1930s Victoriana, with some Jules Verne, Flash Gordon and “a bit of Monty Python” thrown in, Mr Launder said. More..

Say whatever you wish about James Cameron or his movies (”Terminator 2,” “Aliens,” “Titanic” “The Abyss”) but he doesn’t play things safe. He showcased some 3-D footage of the upcoming “Avatar” (December 18) at this summer’s Comic-Con and then in one of the convention’s all-time highlights, took the stage with Peter Jackson to talk about technology, film and the future. Our friends at Weta have been heavily involved and will share some credit or blame for the success or failure of his latest, risky $230 million film. Dana Goodyear at The New Yorker has an excellent profile of the film director with a dose of Weta thrown in. Read it here

From the folks at Weta: 10 years since filming began on The Lord Of The Rings! How do we celebrate that? Listen to the Anniversary Podcast! – Daniel Falconer has recorded a very special podcast episode, walking around the workshop, asking the crew who were here back then to share some of their stories and memories. It’s a truly fantastic walk through the workshop, where you meet Richard Taylor, Gino Acevedo, Gareth McGhie, Matt Appleton, Emily-Jane Sturrock and MANY others! Read the rest of this entry »

Ataahua sends along this article from a New Zealand paper: Oscar-winning director James Cameron is so taken with Wellington’s film industry that “it is the one place in the world” where he wanted to make his next movie. More..