They’re not saying anything that hasn’t been said before, but this article is an encouraging sign that the British mainstream media are finally taking a more straightforward approach to reporting on the ‘Rings’ project. Last year we seemed to get a lot of articles from Britain that were ill-informed or had an apologetic tone, as though they felt ashamed to been seen concerning themselves with such childish fanboy stuff as Tolkien. Lately that’s not been the case.

Thanks to Funky Monkey for the link

From: Aaron T

The Lord of the Rings Fans Experience an iPIX 360-Degree, Behind-The-Scenes Look at the Making of the Films

New Line Cinema is Latest Entertainment Power to Embrace iPIX(R) 360-Degree Dynamic Imaging to Promote Major Entertainment Events

If you’re one of the millions of fans chomping at the bit for J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy to come to the big screen, no need to wait until December. New Line Cinema is providing you a backstage pass on The Lord of the Rings Web site, http://lordoftherings.net; fans can now take an iPIX(R) Virtual Tour of The Fellowship of the Ring set, navigating their way through 360-degrees views of the production area. The iPIX images provide “Rings” enthusiasts a richer, more interactive Web experience. The Lord of the Rings Web site is one of many entertainment outlets showcasing iPIX dynamic imaging online. Major television stations, entertainment sites and sports networks, including ABC TV, MTV, ESPN, Comedy Central, 360hiphop and more, are additionally utilizing iPIX dynamic imaging on their Web sites to offer Internet users immersive, 360-degree content online.

Who: Internet Pictures Corporation (iPIX)

What: The Lord of the Rings Web site, http://lordoftherings.net, is using iPIX(R) dynamic images to enhance their Web site with 360-degree virtual tours. The tours allow the more than 41 million users that have already visited the site, to interactively explore Middle-earth, the land where the epic journeys of The Lord of the Rings take place. iPIX images are dynamic, meaning users interact with the image, using their mouse to zoom in on Middle-earth’s Hobbiton, the mythical Hobbit Homeland filmed in New Zealand.

Recently named the most popular book of the 20th century, more than 50 million people across the globe grew up reading The Lord of the Rings, the tale of a perilous quest to save humanity. The making of the trilogy marks the first time this mythical story will be brought to the cinema. The Lord of the Rings Web site, which was re-launched a week ago today, has generated phenomenal levels of traffic, including 41 million hits in a week and over one million hits an hour on the first morning it was re-launched. The content-rich site offers The Lord of the Rings fans the latest news, images and information about the upcoming action and adventure trilogy.

When: Immediately Where: http://lordoftherings.net (click on The Legend, the Explore the Epic) Why: iPIX(R) 360-degree dynamic images let viewers “step inside” the picture, just as if they were actually there. The images give the most comprehensive views available online, allowing the action to be paused so viewers may change their point of view and zoom in or out of the pictures for a wider perspective — something still photos and standard video do not allow. Utilizing immersive, 360-degree imaging, iPIX has recently covered the following worldwide events: Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Democratic National Convention, Republican National Convention, the Academy Awards, the British Open, Burning Man and more.

It seems that this week will be forever known in my mind as the “Week of the Trailer.” Plans were re-arranged, lunches were missed, massive amounts of time were wasted downloading things, and all in the name of trailers. Now I am not just talking about the Official New Line theatrical trailer which Debuted a week ago today. But I am also refering to some other very cool trailers.

If I have piqued your interest, if you are wondering what is wrong with me, or you work second shift, click here to find out what I am prattling on about.

With all these wonderful versions of the teaser trailer online, I have taken the liberty of redoing the frame by frame with much clearer images. I have also added some new stills. [More]

!!! SPOILERS !!!

After much hassle, Ringer fan Dark Spar was able to get this news on the trailer in Singapore. Unfortunately its not good.

We are the cinema exhibitor not the film distributor but i managed to get some information on the this film, the film opening date is around december 2001. The trailer will be in november 2001.

So it looks like Dark Spar and other Singapore fans won’t be seeing the teaser trailer in theaters for a while. If you have more information, please send me an email.