Balancing mega-blockbusters and character-driven independent films, Hugo Weaving musters the high style necessary for a elven lord, an evil computer program, and a malevolent transformer, all while retaining the subtlety to fuel more small-scale films. His latest, Last Ride, (which although completed three years ago has only recently debuted in selected USA cinemas) is one of the latter. In it, Weaving plays an abusive ex-convict who takes his estranged son along as they flee through the Australian outback.
Here, he speaks to AV Club about some of the roles he’s played over the years.
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Talking to USA Today’s Brian Truitt in San Diego, Peter Jackson talks about raising the bar for The Hobbit, with a new movie technology. Peter Jackson says using 48 fps “gives you an illusion of life that’s so much more vivid than 24 frames does,” he says.
“The entire industry is in some respect waiting to see what happens with The Hobbit. I’m very happy to be the guinea pig.”
Jackson predicts that by the time The Hobbit is released, there will be several tent-pole studio movies that will be using the technology.
If not, he says that the industry might as well throw in the towel. Read more [here]
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Brandon Jones is a pyrographer. He creates what he calls “wood burnings”. One of his latest works is a quite lovely rendition of Middle-earth’s Rivendell (see right).
TORn chatted with Brandon to find out just how he does it.
“I make an outline on the wood with the use of carbon paper and/or just plain pencil,” he says. “I use a sharp tip usually to burn the outline. Then I use the shading tips (the wider ones with rounded edges) to do the rest.” Continue reading “Lord of the Rings-themed “wood burnings””
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Over the last week or so, San Diego Comic-Con has given us an absolute glut of of news about The Hobbit production.
Consider: close-up views of the trolls at the Weta booth.
Consider: Peter Jackson’s comments that he’d love to go back and film more material derived from the appendices of the Lord of the Rings.
And consider: the incredible breadth of the twelve-and-a-half minute showreel that they showed.
That’s why, this weekend, Hall of Fire will be examining the very latest movie rumours and spoilers. Continue reading “Hall of Fire movie rumour round-up this weekend!”
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Ringer Morgan tells us that Daniel Reeve the calligrapher and mapmaker from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit will be signing copies of his maps and chatting about his involvement in the films at the Weta Cave in Miramar (Wellington) this Sunday.
As well, Weta conceptual designer Greg Broadmore will be signing copies of his over-the-top steampunk extravaganza Dr Grordbort presents: TRIUMPH — unnecessarily violent tales of science fiction adventure for the simple and unfortunate on next Wednesday. Apparently there will be “a splendid high tea” as well. Entry is free.
In true retro-steampunk style, Broadmore’s alter-ego Dr Grordbort has declared: “attendance compulsory on penalty of flogging!”. Be there, or be on the run I guess!
Weta Cave artist signing details:
Daniel Reeve: Sunday July 22, 1pm to 3pm.
Greg Broadmore: Wednesday July 25, 6pm to 7pm.
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Ringer Kellyduck sends us this link to what appears to be a substantial partial transcript of the press conference the Hobbit crew gave at Comic-Con last weekend.
I don’t think this is the entire press conference, but it is certainly a substantial part. We also now have some partial video too. (Sorry folks, I know you all want it to see it, but there’s still no showreel footage.)
At the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con, Peter Jackson — joined by The Hobbit cast members Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, and Richard Armitage — said there are other parts of Tolkien’s stories he’d like to be able to tell. Sitting down for a small press conference after the Hall H presentation, Jackson talked about his hopes for shooting more footage. Along with his cast, Jackson discussed revisiting the world he brought to the screen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, technological advances, and the 48 frames per second debate.
Choice quote from Martin Freeman: I was struck by just how emotional people were talking about the film, talking about anticipating the film. With each question came a preamble about what the previous films have meant in people’s lives. So all cliches aside, it’s a really nice thing to be part of something that actually touches people, genuinely touches people. It’s quite a lovely thing.
MrCere breaking in here. I was planning to report this whole press conference but real life, travel and DragonCon have prevented it and now this transcript is here, so anything I write seems less useful to readers now. The transcript isn’t word-for-word, it has removed the “uhms” and a similar words so the quotes are cleaned up, but it is accurate and easier to read this way. The questions are much more cleaned up. For example: The first one was mine and I said I would love to hear the response from the panel about Hall H, especially from those who were there for the first time. Martin Freeman spoke up, answered then the moderator moved on. (I especially wanted to also hear from Richard Armitage since we talked about things like Comic-Con while in New Zealand but sadly the moment was lost.) Anyway, I didn’t listen to the whole recording but it seems complete to me. Oh, but I do have some photos after the break.
[Partial transcript | [Partial video] | [TORn’s Ultimate Round-up] Continue reading “Comic-Con ‘Hobbit’ press conference transcript”
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