WELLINGTON — Our story so far: On behalf of TheOneRing.net, I was invited by Warner Bros., supported by the good folks in Peter Jackson’s camp, to come to Wellington and relate the experience of the World Premiere of The Hobbit to fans worldwide. This is a personal thrill for me but I feel also the responsibility to convey as much of the experience as possible to TORn readers and everybody who cannot come. It is 5 a.m. in Wellington on HOBBIT: An Unexpected Journey premiere day. (More photos after the red carpet so we don’t bog down the site.) Continue reading “TORn joins media frenzy leading up to ‘Hobbit’ world premiere”
Category: Premieres
The great buzz at the Premiere Party owes a lot to the presence of over a hundred fans from all corners of the earth who came to Wellington on a Red Carpet tour. There was a glorious mix of accents as they streamed into the Amora Ballroom last night. We have Vic, Rae and Julie from Red Carpet to thank for getting the party idea off the ground and then bringing it to fruition with months of hard work. Their work is far from over – they have a whole lot of new Hobbit locations to show their tour group when they take the ferry to the South Island the day after the premiere. In the meantime here’s a picture that sums up Tolkien fandom – there’s Jed Brophy in the middle, sharing his time generously with fans whose appearance is a tribute to their imagination and creativity. In the background – you can’t quite see them, through the door – are the hard working people at the entry desk making everything happen – Vic, Rae and Julie.
There’s a gallery of excellent photos of costumes at the party here, thanks to Fotografdracula.
TheOneRing.net and Red Carpet Tours Premiere Party was a hit. Happy fans, stunning costumes, wonderful music and to top it all off, we were visited by Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Richard Taylor, Tania Rodgers, Gino Acevedo, Philippa Boyens, and a whole parcel of assorted dwarves – Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton and John Callen, to name just a few – well, I’ve surely left some names off the list and I’m sorry for that. But it was a wonderful, wonderful night, and we’re just bowled over at the generosity of the stars who gave their time and enthusiasm so generously. It was fantastic to be able to thank them and show our appreciation for their hard, hard work.
Huge thanks to William Kircher (Bifur) who entertained the crowd with his great band California Dreamers – their Misty Mountains song was a huge hit. Jed Brophy (Nori) was great with his band The Last Resort, and Jed also did a superb job as MC, keeping the crowd happy and keeping everything going smoothly.
Pics will no doubt follow (there were plenty of you out there with cameras, so please send us your faves); meanwhile check out the amazing scenes captured on local media and the reports coming in on Facebook.
Update! Reports are coming in from some of our discussion board members who attended the party. Read their reports on our TORn Moots and Other Event board here.
If you’re in Wellington don’t miss this your chance to party with the fans! Door sales are available, and once you’re in, you have the chance to win goodies from Weta and Stansborough as we raise money for TORN and Books in Homes.
We’ve been waiting for this more or less since we first finished watching all those ‘Fan Club’ credits roll on the Extended Edition of The Return of the King – and now it’s finally about to happen! On Wednesday 28th, from shortly before 4pm (New Zealand time!) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has its World Premiere in Wellington, which has become ‘The Middle of Middle-earth’ for this special event.
But after all this time, are you ready? Where will you be to follow the news as the event unfolds? Don’t panic – here at TheOneRing.net we’ve got you covered!
First of all, you need to know WHEN it’s all happening. This time clock can help you with that – convert the Wellington start time to your own local time, and then set your alarm clock! The official start is 4.30pm, but coverage will start from about 3.50pm New Zealand time.
WHERE is it happening? The map on the right (above) shows a layout of the streets around Wellington where the red carpet will take place. You can also read more details about the plans here and see a clearer map here.
WHAT will be happening? This is the outline of events on the day (again, starting c.3.50pm Wed 28th New Zealand time – that’s Tuesday evening in America, late night/early morning Tuesday/Wednesday in Europe):
Show Opening/Welcome
Neil Finn Performance including a performance of ‘Song of the Lonely Mountain,’ from the official soundtrack
The actors arrive, red carpet interviews and crowd interaction
Official Speeches
HOW can you watch it? Never fear – TORn’s here for you! We’ll be LIVE STREAMING events from Wellington. Keep your eyes on the homepage for details, and to see all the fun! Barliman’s will also be open for LIVE chat, discussion and general highjinks and frivolity! You can connect to Barliman’s chat room by clicking here.
We will also of course keep you up-to-date with the latest news, pictures and thoughts from our staffers who are lucky enough to be in Wellington for the big event! And don’t forget, there’s still time – if you hurry! – to get a ticket to join them at the best costume party in town, in Wellington on Monday night. Details here!
Finally, to fill in the time between now and then, here are a number of video clips to show you everything which is going on in New Zealand as they get ready for this not-so-Unexpected Journey!
A first look, including comments from Matt Dravitzki from Wingnut Films, at what is planned for the premiere of World Premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to be held in Wellington November 28th.
A look at the various Hobbit themed facades at Wellington Airport and around Wellington, in preparation for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
The giant Gandalf being placed on top of the Embassy Theatre in time for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – part 1, with comments from production designer Dan Hennah.
Giant Gandalf installation part 2.
The cool Artisan market place being held on Wellington’s water front for five days, with offerings for sale from artists who worked on both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit!
Some of the activities and events which are being run in the build up to the world premier of The Hobbit in Wellington.
Are you quite ready for another adventure? Don’t forget your pocket-handkerchief!
To celebrate the release of ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ enter to win tickets for you and a guest to a special marathon screening of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy in New York City.
Grand Prize Includes:
- • Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodation for two.
- • Two Tickets to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy movie marathon
- • Two leather banff bags courtesy of Roots
- • An ultimate fan prize pack courtesy of TheOneRing.net (That’s us!!)
- • And two tickets to an advance screening of ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘
Canadian Ringers…enter now!! [Click here] And don’t forget (like we needed to remind you), ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ opens December 14th!