TORn staffer Justin caught up with Weta conceptual designer Paul Tobin at the San Diego Comic-Con last month and scored this long, informative chat about the intense effort that went into the design of the dwarves of the Company, and about John Howe’s immense artistic talent.
Our staff were totally blown away after seeing images of the Hobbit Hole Trailer, so we just had to catch up with Sam, the owner and designer of this amazing trailer and discover what inspired him to create such a unique and impressive creation.
Thanks to Ringer Nienna for the heads-up on this little BBC feature about the starring role that New Zealand’s landscapes play in many of its films.
If a country could be eligible for a best actor award, New Zealand could be in the running for every gong going, with its contrasting moods showcased most recently in The Hobbit and Top Of The Lake. Is the scenery more than just a dramatic backdrop?
“Sinister… the heart of a demon” – the Guardian
“Majestic menace” – Slate
“Bleak, forbidding or just plain murderous” – Daily Mail
“Unspoiled and unruly” – Variety
These are not reviews of an actor’s performance in the BBC Two mystery Top of the Lake – well, not any of the human actors – but the part played by the landscape. “The geography is really another brooding character,” says the Australian in its review, praising its “angularities, shadows and dark moods”.
It’s not the first time New Zealand’s scenery has muscled its way into reviews and water-cooler conversations. The same happened with Peter Jackson’s Tolkien trilogies – first Lord of the Rings and now The Hobbit – in which the country’s dramatic terrain itself “plays the mythical world of Middle-earth” according to the New Zealand Tourism website.
Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the week ending August 18, 2013. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch up on the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the link to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join the fun!
On Friday message board member narflet let us know that images and details for the Tie-in books were available for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. According to the current list, there are going to be seven (count them!) tie-in books for film two. The United States Publication dates for all the books looks to be November 5th with the lone exception being the Weta Chronicles book which debuts on December 13th. The publication dates for the books in the United Kingdom are November 7th with the lone exception being the Annual being August 29th. Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Book Tie-Ins”
Our staff were totally blown away after seeing images of the Hobbit Hole Trailer, so we just had to catch up with Sam, the owner and designer of this amazing trailer and discover what inspired him to create such a unique and impressive creation.
Thanks to Ringer Nienna for the heads-up on this little BBC feature about the starring role that New Zealand’s landscapes play in many of its films. 
Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the week ending August 18, 2013. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch up on the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the link to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join the fun!
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Join us by the hearth and enjoy!