Thanks to Peter! FILMING: The Hobbit is on location in Ohakune and dozens of heavy trucks carrying filming gear, horse floats for horses, utes and other vehicles are parked on the Atihau Whanganui’s Ohotu farm where some filming is taking place. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY
The Hobbit is on location in the Waimarino, but security is tight and everyone involved with the film company 3 Foot 7 Limited sworn to secrecy.
At Atihau Whanganui’s Ohutu farm a few minutes east of Ohakune, dozens of heavy trucks are parked in the fields, and adjacent to the road is a large dining marquee for the crew that is known to number in the hundreds. At the lower carparks of the Turoa Ski area on Mt Ruapehu another marquee has been erected above a stream lined with volcanic rocks. Locals have reported that thousands of dollars was spent one night on meals for the crew at a local restaurant. It was also reported another 250 crew were expected at the site yesterday. More..
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From CNN’s Geek Out!: On a blank sheet of paper, for reasons he couldn’t explain, one of the world’s most beloved authors scribbled the words “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit” – a sentence that would become the opening line to a book that would pave the way into Middle Earth.
J.R.R. Tolkien may not have initially known what the word “hobbit” entailed, but with any great story, it began with a simple idea – an idea that flourished into one of the most celebrated pieces of literature.
“The first journey all started with The Hobbit, which is why it’s so treasured. The book is in every word a classic,” Clifford Broadway, writer for TheOneRing.net (TORn) said. “The first journey is always the most memorable and leaves the strongest impression on readers.” More..
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From: stuff.co.nz The “slow buildup” expected on Wakatipu Hobbit sets is hitting overdrive as anticipated local shoot dates for the mega-movie loom. In September The Hobbit’s production company, 3 Foot 7 Ltd, received resource consent to build sets and film in locations in Arcadia Station and nearby Paradise, both of which are near Glenorchy on the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu.
Consent applications state there will be a “slow buildup” in activity from October 3, culminating in busy five day shoot period from November 17 to 21. Photos taken as late as October 24 showed only scaffold and bare board on the Paradise set. By yesterday, the triple-storied set looked to be nearly complete and consisted of a huge, central fake tree flanked by a stone-like edifice and thatch-roofed structure. The set nestles into the treeline of a thick stand of native evergreens and rolling farmland. More..
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Sideshow Collectibles Spooktacular event brought us the next maquette in The Lord of the Rings maquette line. The next character joining your collection from Middle-Earth is the Ringwraith! This amazing collectible captures the Ringwraith perfectly and will become the first bad guy in this growing collection of awesome characters from The Lord of the Rings. The Ringwraith will cost $250 with a $25 NRD and will not be shipping until the 3rd quarter of next year but get your order in now before its gone! [Exclusive Edition] [Regular Edition]
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Our friends at Weta have released the the second print in their The Lord of the Rings art print line with the subject matter capturing Arwen’s attempt to get Frodo to Rivendell after being stuck by the Witch King on Weathertop. This amazing print beautifully captures a secene during this chase where you can see Arwen looking back at the Ringwraiths on her tail along with the look of falling into shadow that Frodo has on his face. The artist for this piece is Gus Hunter a long time artist at Weta who got his start working on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. This superb work of art is available right now for pre-order from Weta for a price of $35 plus shipping from their New Zealand warehouse. So make sure you get over to Weta’s site now and order your Flight to the Ford print today!
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There is a delightful Newsletter of the J.R.R. Tolkien Special Interest Group of American Mensa called “Beyond Bree” and — lo and behold! — they have assembled a wonderful new calendar for 2012! Their new wall calendar features art focused on the Elves of Tolkien’s Middle-earth: with classic pieces from Beyond Bree’s past as well as new works by a host of artists from around the globe, including: Paula DiSante, Sylvia Hunnewell, Tim Kirk, Octo Kwan, Ted Nasmith, and many more! The colour and B&W calendar will have both Middle-earth dates and real world holidays. It will be 11 x 8 1/2 inches, opening to 11 x 17 inches. $20 plus shipping – USA $2.00, the rest of the world $5.00. PayPal orders will also be taken with a $1.00 surcharge. Send PayPal payments (in USD) to: beyondbree@yahoo.com Send check or money order (in USD, drawn on a US bank) to: Nancy Martsch, PO Box 55372, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413, USA; or send currency (at your own risk, in a sturdy envelope). For more details, please e-mail beyondbree@yahoo.com
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