Weta Workshop’s mastery is to come to horrifying life in a TV drama depicting the 1953 Tangiwai train disaster.
The frightening scene, when the train, with 285 people on board, plunges into a swollen river just minutes after a volcanic lahar knocks out the rail bridge, was recreated in one-sixth scale at Makara, west of Wellington.
Keen train buff and Weta founder Sir Richard Taylor oversaw the creation of a finely detailed scale replica of the original Ka Class steam locomotive and 11 carriages, complete with lights, blinds and dolls. The scene, shot over two nights last December, posed a series of challenges – the biggest of which was the low $3 million budget, director Charlie Haskell said. More..
Andy Serkis has admitted that he is frustrated performance-capture is not taken as seriously as conventional acting. The actor is currently reprising his role as Gollum in The Hobbit, the prequel to the fantasy franchise Lord of the Rings. He told The Daily Telegraph: “I am a bit evangelical, I know, but performance-capture is still misunderstood. “Ten years down the line, people say, ‘Oh, so you did the voice of Gollum?’ Or people go, ‘You did the movements for Kong?’ It’s frustrating, because I play Gollum and I play Kong. It is acting.” More..
“DO you have hairy feet?” asks Steve Michaels, proprietor of the Hobbit House, when a reporter calls about his pet project. “Bilbo Baggins gets off on hairy feet. Hobbits have hairy feet. They also have hairy bellies. They eat about six times a day.”
If you are a J. R. R. Tolkien fan, this information is old news. But if your reaction is closer to “Hobbit? Short, some kind of elf, annoying. Bilbo? Bilious? Rocky Balboa?” it is a new world.
And thanks to Mr. Michaels, you can spend the night in it. No need to bring slippers: a big hairy pair await you. Also a wizard’s hat, belonging to someone named Gandalf. How to get there? It’s a long, long journey, because wherever you live, it is not close. More..
A very special inside look at the often ridiculous events that take place during a normal taping of Hobbit in 5. Meet the crew, see more of Rebekah and understand what really goes during the production on this fan favorite. Let us know your thoughts, comment and send us your feedback regarding all things H5.
The artisans at Weta as most folks know are some of the kings when it comes to the special effects world. We know their work from films such as; District 9, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, The Lovely Bones, The Adventures of Tintin, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and of course both of The Hobbit films. In other words some of your favorite films and mine have been worked on or touched by some truly skillful folks.
However, these fine artists are also some of the masters behind many of you Ringers favorite collectibles. That’s why I’m writing about this particular item because it shows the amazing work that the creators working at Weta have made over the last ten years. The item I will be writing a bit about is the brand new released at Comic-Con 2011 Weta: The Collectors Guide. This amazing book captures the work Weta has done over the last ten years into one of the best reference books and coffee table books I’ve had the pleasure to own. Just a couple of the reasons I love this book are the amount of pictures taken of the items ranging from The Lord of the Rings to Halo. They’re all beautifully done and show off just how great the work coming from Weta has been over the last ten years. The other being the amount of information in the book not just on the collectibles, but the people behind the scenes the artists themselves will give collectors a real insight into who made these pieces. Finally, a nice addition is quotes and pictures from collectors who own many of these pieces. It’s nice to see people who I call friends pictures or quote from people who say what I’ve felt when looking at these items. Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Weta: The Collector’s Guide”
An official casting call for Elves in the upcoming Hobbit films has been posted at TradeMe.co.nz.
The production is looking for “slim” people to play Elf extras. Details can be found over at the link provided above, but the basic brief is as follows:
Men must be aged 17 – 30 with a height of 165 cm – 178 cm.
Women must be aged 17 – 30 with a height of 165cm – 173cm.
The advert states that filming is due in Wellington in September.
If you happen to attend the casting call (or the film shoot) and have any stories to share, please feel free to write us. You can do so either by clicking the “Got news?” link at the top-right of the home page or by sending an email directly to spymaster@theonering.net.
Thanks to message board member Bilbo Bling Just One Ring for the heads-up!
Weta Workshop’s mastery is to come to horrifying life in a TV drama depicting the 1953 Tangiwai train disaster.
Andy Serkis has admitted that he is frustrated performance-capture is not taken as seriously as conventional acting. The actor is currently reprising his role as Gollum in The Hobbit, the prequel to the fantasy franchise Lord of the Rings. He told The Daily Telegraph: “I am a bit evangelical, I know, but performance-capture is still misunderstood. “Ten years down the line, people say, ‘Oh, so you did the voice of Gollum?’ Or people go, ‘You did the movements for Kong?’ It’s frustrating, because I play Gollum and I play Kong. It is acting.” 
“DO you have hairy feet?” asks Steve Michaels, proprietor of the Hobbit House, when a reporter calls about his pet project. “Bilbo Baggins gets off on hairy feet. Hobbits have hairy feet. They also have hairy bellies. They eat about six times a day.”
