Heather writes: I attended the taping of MTV’s TRL featuring Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd. I arrived at the studio at 1 pm, braving gusty winds and rain. I didn’t have a ticket, since you had to reserve them 3 months in advance, and I had found out about this 3 days ago! [More]
Month: November 2003
Heather writes: I attended the taping of MTV’s TRL featuring Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd (Sean Astin was originally slated to appear, but I’m guessing something came up last minute for him).
I arrived at the studio at 1 pm, braving gusty winds and rain. I didn’t have a ticket, since you had to reserve them 3 months in advance, and I had found out about this 3 days ago! But since the ticketholders line was rather short, everyone who waited on standby got a wristband and was able to attend the taping. it was really exciting for me, not only because I got to see Elijah, Billy, and Dom upclose, but also because it was my very first time inside the MTV studios and I’ve lived in NYC practically all my life!
The crowd was really energetic and the boys were overwhelmed with the positive responses they were getting. I was seated in the back, right next to where the celebrity guests walk out onto the set, so I had a good view of them all. they basically talked about ROTK, the video game, and what it was like to spend 15 months together. and they did a little dance for the audience. it was cute. I was so thrilled to be in the same room as them, I don’t think I’ve ever screamed so loud in my whole life for any celebrity. during the commercial breaks, they greeted the fans and such, and Elijah shook my hand and said hi to me with a big grin on his face. I smiled back at him, and told him that I loved him(I can’t help it, I do!), and he smiled back at me and very sweetly said thank you! awww.
Dom and Billy also shook my hand and said hello and were extremely polite, even with all the screaming fans clamoring to touch them. once they were finished with their appearance, they waved goodbye to everyone. as they were heading towards the backroom, Elijah actually grabbed my hand again and said goodbye to me! it was so adorable. I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day. unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures or autographs because security was very tight, and the boys took off immediately after the taping ended at 6 pm. but being a part of something this unique was one of the best moments ever. LOTR holds a special place in my heart, and to finally come face to face with 3 of the most wonderful and talented individuals ever was absolutely breath taking. I think it’s safe to say this was one of the most amazing days I’ve ever had. thank you Elijah, Billy, and Dom!
Now that the screeners issue has been set in stone (if not resolved to everyone’s satisfaction), the film biz can move forward and concentrate on what’s really important in the awards season: the actual contenders. [More]
Now that the screeners issue has been set in stone (if not resolved to everyone’s satisfaction), the film biz can move forward and concentrate on what’s really important in the awards season: the actual contenders.
At this point, it’s not surprising that most people consider Oscar a wide-open race in most fields.
The bigger question mark is how new factors — the shorter awards season and the fact that only about 4,500 Academy voters will be receiving screeners — will affect the eventual outcome of the nominations and winners.
This year, there is the feeling that little has gelled and that most Oscar category races are wide open.
As evidence of this year’s uncertainty, many Oscar prognosticators point to New Line’s “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and Miramax’s “Cold Mountain” as hot possibilities for a best-pic nom — even though neither has been screened for anyone but a handful of folk within their respective studios.
Fox’s “Master and Commander,” which bowed last week, and Universal’s “Seabiscuit,” which opened during the summer, also raise an interesting question about this year’s race. After so many recent empty-headed mega-pics from the majors, these two films prove that Hollywood can create intelligent, adult fare. The reception from critics and audiences (and, yes, industry members) indicates that Academy voters might be happy to vote for such films.
In the past few years, Oscar voters have included “little” pics like “The Hours,” “Gosford Park” and “In the Bedroom” among its top five. But for the first time in a decade, it’s possible that Oscar’s five best-pic contenders will all be $100 million-plus major-studio biggies — not necessarily because of the majors’ “bullying” the small guys over screeners, but because the big pics are actually good — and they have more promotional clout.
Is it possible? Absolutely. Is it likely? Don’t bet any money just yet.
Awards campaigns can change quickly, and a lot will happen in the year’s remaining six weeks.
In any case, the good news is that everyone is beginning to get the rancor over the screener ban out of their system. Now hopefully we can just get on with the race.
Everyone’s favorite Farmer Maggot Cameron Rhodes wrote in to tell us about a fantastic new play he’s currently appearing in called “Ladies Night”. The play has been co-written by Stephen Sinclair, who also helped on the scripts for The Lord of the Rings!
“It is a New Zealand Classic comedy by Stephen Sinclair (credited on TTT as a co writer) about a group of unemployed guys who form a male strip group! It is very funny! It predates the FULL MONTY, and as a play Ladies Night has been tranlated into many languages…
I am one of the guys, and I do some funny dance routines, and a spectacular finale act..it is set in 1987 NZ.
It is on in AUCKLAND at the SKY CITY THEATRE now until DEC 13, can book www.ticketek.com, or at the theatre..(09 307 5000) It is selling fast!!!
Any FARMER MAGGOT fans in NZ for the ROTK Premiere or LOTR tours should check it out it is a very funny NZ play by a LOTR writer.. I have a big part, and it is a really spectacular show with high tech effects, kiwi humour and me doing alot of things… Stephen Sinclair is a friend of PJ’s and the writing team!
The audiences HAVE been dancing and screaming!!!!!!
ALL THE BEST,
CAMERON RHODES
PS i dont have a dog or mushrooms in this one..
Oh, both women and men will love the show..and with out giving too much away..I am have a big surprize for the audience in the final scenes, if they come!!”
Go check it out and tell me what it is! (If I want to know…)
It was a tale that grew in the telling – wait, I think that’s been done before. Anyway, a more than several weeks ago now – more like two months, in fact – I had the privilege of representing TORn at the Best of Both Worlds convention in Canberra, Australia. [More]