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By TORn Staffer Tehanu

About a month ago something rather strange started to take shape on the edge of West Auckland, where The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is being filmed. A number of shipping containers were stacked into a large U-shape with gaps that formed monumental openings like gateways in each side.

I’d seen shipping containers used to form sets before at the Stone St. lot in Wellington, so I was not surprised when workmen started to add plywood facings to the containers.

The structure quickly became more complex, with stairways and a kind of gallery or balcony along one side.

The stairs form an elaborate approach to a large stage or dais in front of the central archway.

This is clearly one of the sets for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Hard to tell what until they render the plywood with whatever finish they plan to use – then we’ll see whether it’s meant to look like dank, evil , ice-covered stone, in which case we could assume it’s the courtyard of the Witch’s House, where Edmund finds the petrified Narnians. Later in the story, once the spell of Winter is removed, the Witch’s House would probably be recognisable by some kind of threatening architecture.

Because this place looks more open and straightforward in design, I’m thinking it could be the courtyard at Cair Paravel. Perhaps we’ll see the four Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve crowned here.

The Argentine Tolkien Society is proud to announce its 5th Annual Tolkien Convention; this time dubbed “Tolkien Latino 2004 – West of the Moon, East of the Sun” and the first one to host members of all Latin American Tolkien Societies and to welcome members of all international Tolkiendili communities. The convention will take place in Buenos Aires on October 9-10. The ATA has formed a special commission to help foreign visitors organize a trip to the country “taking care of travel and accomodation issues and assuring the warmest welcome and assistance throughout the entire time of their stay.” What a great way to visit a country! [More]

Tauremorna writes: Christopher Lee will be signing copies of Jinnah (DVD £19.99) and The Dark Secret (CD £14.99) at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2 H 8JR Tel: 020 7420 3666, on Monday 27th September 5-6pm. Please note that Christopher Lee will only be signing Jinnah and The Dark Secret and no other film or TV related items. [forbiddenplanet.com] [mightyrhapsody.com]

The folks from ABC write: We’ve got some info here for ABC’s Lost, including clip and 4 images, if you’re interested in using any of it on The One Ring. The show has Dominic Monoghan as one of the stars. The following is the clip for ABC’s Lost in both Quicktime and Windows media (in High, Low and Medium resolution).

From J.J. Abrams, the creator of Alias, comes an action-packed adventure about a group of 48 survivors, stranded on an island after a tragic plane crash. The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain. But the intense howls of the mysterious creatures stalking the jungle fill them all with fear. Fortunately, thanks to the calm leadership of quick-thinking Jack and level-headed Kate, they have hope. But even heroes have secrets, as the survivors will come to learn. [QT High] [QT Low] [Windows Media High] [Windows Media Med] [Windows Media Low]

Asphodel the PR Hobbit writes: The Ohio Ring Council (ORC) is proud to announce that we will be celebrating the birthdays of our favorite hobbits, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, at our version of the Long Expected Party in Canal Winchester, Ohio on Saturday, September 18th. Details and directions are available at ohioringcouncil.com. [More]