Stephen writes: Special effects wizard Sir Richard Taylor was awarded an honorary doctorate at a graduation ceremony Thursday 26th of May. The honour was conferred at the morning ceremony for Massey University graduates in the Michael Fowler Centre.

The doctorate recognises the contribution Sir Richard has made to the film industry and the Wellington creative community for more than 25 years. From Braindead to Black Sheep,King Kong and the global phenomenon of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and current filming of its prequel The Hobbit, Sir Richard and the company he co-founded Weta Workshop, have been at the forefront of Wellington’s emergence on the filmmaking scene.

He is a graduate of the School of Design at the former Wellington Polytechnic. The School is a forerunner institution to the College of Creative Arts at the University.

This week we have something a little different from previous articles you’ve seen with this column.  Art Prints are a collectible I love adding to my collection especially when the subject is The Lord of the Rings.  So, I wanted to take the time and get something set up with one of the leading artist out there working in Middle-earth.

The artist that I wanted to bring to your attention is the one and only Jerry Vanderstelt. You may recognize Jerry’s work from his The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Prints, ‘Clash of The Kings,’ ‘Fell Beast Print,’ or his most recent ‘Sauron’ Print. Not to mention Jerry has done many Star Wars pieces for ACME Archives.  These art prints from Jerry are some of the best pieces in my collection, and only add to the amazing items we’ve seen from Weta and Sideshow Collectibles. Needless to say after seeing the print pictures in this article and reading the Q&A below, you need to go to Jerry Vanderstelt’s site and get your prints now!

Finally, I want to thank those that helped with some of the questions. Sending them in really aided me in getting this article finished. Click the ‘Continue’ button to read the interview.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious- Vanderstelt Studios”

If you’d like to help the New Zealand Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, what better way than to bid on a signed copy of ‘The Hobbit!’ This copy of The Hobbit has been signed by the many actors playing the dwarves in the films, as well as everyone’s favorite wizard, Sir Ian McKellen. Ian even included a beautiful Gandalf sketch. Just imagine the value of this item after two successful ‘Hobbit‘ films are released in theaters. Place your bids today as the auction ends June 2nd 2011. And if you can’t compete in the bidding process, don’t forget to help with the relief efforts by donating. [Bid Today!] [Donate]

Just down the board from this post is a report originating from a New Zealand television station about Benedict Cumberbatch joining ‘The Hobbit’ cast. The non-by-lined article (from the TV station, not the one here) suggests from “early reports” that Cuberbatch might be in line to voice the dragon Smaug. We don’t know if “early reports” means the writer asked somebody at a desk nearby who was left to be cast, but this seems, at best, suspicious. That isn’t to say that the reporter doesn’t have some good information, but if they do they sure don’t sound confident about it. It wasn’t even written with the journalism phrase “unnamed sources” or “a source close to the production” but rather went with something that seems to actually mean, “I might be making this up and using the name Smaug will get a lot of attention.” The author, besides not having a name, cites no source and doesn’t link to any of the “early reports” referenced.

A far more likely choice and a character that Cumberbatch looks something like: Bard the Bowman. He possesses a bit of menace and is taller and robust, much that a way the leader of men might be. He might be believable as an excellent archer as well. The actor has had a good year, playing with Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) in the BBC’s “Sherlock,” and also landing a spot in Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse,” a World War I drama. So, he might make an excellent Bard but, this is also speculation so until we hear from director Peter Jackson on Facebook or hear from WB in an official press release, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Meanwhile, be sure to check out our page of “Hobbit” characters right here.