From the guys at WETA: At Weta Collectibles, we of course follow the developments in Christchurch with a lump in our throats.
As a way to contribute and support where we can, we are auctioning three unique items on our eBay page and donating all proceeds to the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Appeal:
1. A Bag End Collector’s Edition miniature environment, signed by Peter Jackson
2. A Prancing Pony miniature environment, signed by Richard Taylor
3. A custom Dr Grordbort’s Raygun, signed by Greg Broadmore
Please join in the bidding in confidence that the proceeds will be well spent. Every last cent from these auctions will go straight to the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake appeal. Find out about other ways to contribute to this appeal by going to their website: www.redcross.org.nz
Congrats to the creator of ‘Conserning Hobbits’ for scoring 66.2% of the votes and winning the LOTRO Video Contest! We will contact both entries shortly to deliver the Turbine points!
Turbine has just released the first batch of screenshots from the upcoming Book 3, Echoes of the Dead content update for the award-winning The Lord of the Rings Online. This new Book will continue the Epic Story, with a major quest arc & raid, and new cosmetic upgrades, among other updates.
The new screenshots depict Character UI changes that will come with Book 3, as well as an image of Echoes of the Dead.
SYDNEY — New Zealand is reeling after a second massive earthquake in five months hit the south island city of Christchurch Tuesday, killing at least 65 people and causing widespread destruction in the city’s central business district. New Zealand prime minister John Key described the quake as “New Zealand’s darkest day.” Film New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission, however, have told The Hollywood Reporter that no film or TV productions have been impacted. Production on The Hobbit, which is due to start March 21, appears to be unaffected immediately by the Christchurch quake. The Hobbit is being made in Wellington, situated on the North Island of NZ, while Christchurch is on the South Island, a seven-hour ferry ride and drive from Wellington, or less than an hour by air. More..
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A strong, 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch on Tuesday, seriously injuring people and damaging buildings throughout the city. Police said there were reports of multiple fatalities, but Prime Minister John Key told Parliament details were still too shaky for those reports to be confirmed. Live video footage showed parts of buildings collapsed into the streets, which were strewn with bricks and shattered concrete. Sidewalks and roads were cracked and split, and hundreds of dazed, screaming and crying residents wandered through the streets as sirens blared throughout the city. More..