Celebriel forwards a BBC News report that a statue of Treebeard planned for Birmingham, UK, to be created in honor of J.R.R. Tolkien by his grand-nephew Tim Tolkien, will be moved because road experts are worried it might distract drivers. [More]
Month: April 2006
Hollywood director and Kiwi multi-millionaire Peter Jackson is adding another flourish to his Wairarapa mansion – his own railway track. The region’s most famous local bought the $5 million, 30ha property with his partner, Fran Walsh, seven years ago and has been transforming it into a fairytale property, with castle-like buildings and ornamental lake. Train enthusiast Ian Welch, of Mainline Steam Trust, told the Sunday Star-Times Jackson had bought a replica of a 1900s steam train from Canada. Welch supported Jackson’s venture and the train was “beautiful… a gorgeous replica of an early period of steam. It’s very American, like a cowboy train”. [More]
Tim Richardson, Director “The Dork of the Rings” writes: Alright, all you Dorker filmmakers out there, we are proud (if not self-indulgent) to announce the DORK FAN FILM CONTEST. Pull out your cameras and shoot your own movie using characters, themes, whatever from The Dork of the Rings . Explore our website, watch our videos and read the forum to get your inspiration at www.dorkoftherings.com. [More]
Author Henry Gee writes: Dr Dimitra Fimi has been teaching an online Tolkien course at Cardiff University and due to popular demand it will be run again from May 1. This course can be taken by anybody in the world (student or adult learner) and its credits can be used towards a qualification at any other Higher Education and/or Higher Education Lifelong Learning institution in Britain. The website of the course is here.
Among the medieval entertainers, hawkers and vendors at the Middle Earth Festival in Downtown Vacaville on April 22 & 23, there will be a surprise – a Green, Eco-Friendly vendor area. Visitors will discover advanced technology vehicles such as the Honda Civic GX (dedicated compressed natural gas) and a unique home refueling appliance on display.
J.R.R. Tolkien was not a fan of the internal combustion engine, but he did care for the good, green, clean earth. In that spirit, there will be information on recycling, environmental education, and clean air. Pending are demonstrations of all-battery electric vehicles. This includes the NGM (no more gas) vehicle formerly known as The Sparrow, a single passenger, three wheeled electric vehicle.
A City of Vacaville representative, Ed Huestis, will be on hand with the green vendors. Mr. Huestis is the Transportation Systems Manager who oversees the city’s electric and compressed natural gas vehicle programs. He will have information on the incentives available for clean air vehicles.
On Saturday, which is Earth Day, staff from the city’s recycling, and environmental education programs will have activities for children.
The Middle Earth Festival, a unique celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings, will have arts, crafts, and merchandise vendors, entertainment, food, games for the kids, contests, and music. There will also be forums on the themes of Tolkien, a Troll Stroll, and Demonstrations of Old Time Skills. There is no admission charge for this family oriented festival. Most activities are free.
For more information on the green eco-friendly aspect of the festival, please contact Betty Lucke at (707) 448-1021 or Ed Huestis at (707) 449-5424. For general information on the festival, go to www.middleearthfestival.com or contact the Downtown Office at (707) 451-2100.
Linuxelf writes: The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibition, returns at Te Papa museum Wellington. A quote from the site:
“It’s back home by popular demand – and full of great new stories and exhibits.
After its record-breaking season at Te Papa in 2002/03, and the blockbuster international tour that followed, this exhibition has been seen by over one million people around the world – but none have seen all of its latest attractions.
As a visitor to this, the exhibition’s last-ever season, you’ll be among the only people in the world to gaze upon Aragorn’s crown, or examine the astonishing miniature of the great fortified city Minas Tirith. There are also exclusive, all-new interviews with Peter Jackson, and the cast and crew.
You’ll get up close to a host of stunningly detailed props, costumes, and creatures, including Gollum and Shelob. Here, and in other exhibits, the show zooms in on the groundbreaking technology that New Zealand’s own Weta Workshop and Weta Digital developed to make movie history. You can be photographed in a film-set to see how scaling special effects work, and encounter the One Ring itself in a dramatic, atmospheric space.”
14 April 2006 – 20 August 2006
Location
Level 5 Entry
Admission charges:
Adults $12.00
4 – 14 yrs $6.50
Family Prices and Concessions available. For more information go to tepapa.govt.nz