Many fans traveled to New Zealand from around the world in the days and weeks leading up to the Premiere, just to be there on that fateful day. One such person is Dr. Lynnette Porter, author of a new book “The Hobbit: The many lives of Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin” (review forthcoming) and previously a speaker at one of TORn’s Lord of the Rings related conventions. She has just posted an in-depth article on why so many Tolkien fans flock to New Zealand and just what made Premiere week so special. You can check out her article at Popmatters to read about ‘What happens when Humans go a-Hobbiting’.
And for those wondering, it is likely that TheOneRing.net will mount another tour of New Zealand, but whether that is in conjunction with a Premiere or not is still to be determined. Wellington would first need to secure one of the two remaining film’s World Premiere to justify the level of activities they hosted this time around. But then, the locations are always there, and if not a tour, a Cruise to Middle-earth is a very relaxing way to see such a delightful and beautiful country. Keep an eye out, we will post something if the omens look favorable.
Hobbit fans from across the US and around the World are now happily planning for a weekend of fun in Hollywood in late February. So here is your helpful guide to what is going on and how to best take advantage of the activities. On Friday, February 22 TheOnering.net will be hosting An Unexpected Art Show, featuring artwork inspired by Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and other realms created by J.R.R. Tolkien to take place in Downtown Los Angeles. On Sunday, February 24 TheOneRing.net will be hosting The One Expected Party in Hollywood. Please see their respective web pages for details.
Before you ask about Saturday, we’ve decided to leave that to the Fans to determine for themselves. Suggestions would be a Studio tour, a visit to the Griffith Observatory with it’s commanding views of Hollywood and Downtown LA, or a trip to the Getty Center in the Santa Monica hills, both a wonderful museum and one of the best views of the Pacific Coastline. And if you are from a cold clime, you might consider a visit to the Santa Monica pier and then a stop at one of a dozen Pubs in the area. But if you prefer to keep the weekend focused on movies and the Academy Awards, you might consider one of the many symposiums that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosts on the Saturday before the Oscars. Please check their website in early February, but typically they host the Foreign Language nominations at the Beverly Hills home for Oscar, while the American Cinematheque hosts two symposiums, usually either Editors or Cinematographers and then Art Directors. These symposiums are always free and very educational, offering you a view into movie making you just can’t get anywhere else. No matter what you decide to do on Saturday, there should be no shortage of other Tolkien fans willing to ‘Moot’ with you.
Here is a little checklist to help you plan your weekend:
1) Buy your tickets for The One Expected Party now. You could wait until the nominations are announced on January 10, but you risk tickets selling out. The party is scheduled to go on as planned, with or without nominations, this is a celebration of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” regardless of Hollywood’s attention.
2) Buy your tickets to An Unexpected Art Show now. For those traveling from afar, this is a great way to extend your vacation a little and see more of your Ringer friends. And for those not attending the Party on Sunday, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the joy of artists expressing the creativity inspired by Tolkien, and to hang with your Ringer friends from far and wide.
3) Make your travel arrangements, be it ‘trains, planes or automobiles’, figure out your travel dates and get yourself to Hollywood in time to celebrate with everyone. This includes making sure you have your hotel settled now, because they will sell out. Oscar time in Hollywood is very popular with foreign tourists, every hotel expects to be sold out. So check our Hotel and Lodging page on the hotels we’ve set up blocks with. Some have links to make booking super easy and instantaneous while others require you to call in, just make sure to use the Hobbit Oscar Party name for the group and you should be fine. If there are problems with booking into the group, contact us and we’ll get you sorted. Some of these rates are phenomenal for that time of year, and are selling quickly, so don’t delay. We do have to return unsold space in just a few weeks time.
4) Plan your attire. Most of you will find your own dresses, tuxedos or costumes, but if you find you need a little assistance, visit our Costumes and Attire page for assistance.
5) If you are coming on your own, or have never been to a TORn sponsored event or convention and don’t know many fans, fear not. You can find fans on our TORn Facebook page and here in our message boards. Those attending the Art Show and Oscar party should be able to find threads on the TORn Moots and other events, just look for the appropriate threads for each event. This will help you figure out how to fill up your Saturday and make sure you have the best possible Hobbity Weekend you could imagine.
We’re happy to announce that the Red Carpet Tours and TORN Premiere Party in Wellington raised $2600 for our chosen charity, Duffy Books in Homes.Thanks so much to Peter Jackson, Weta, Stansborough, Harper Collins and Asni the Harpist for donating beautiful things we could offer in our party auctions and raffles. Thanks to the generosity of the Red Carpet Premiere Tour too, who raised more money in a spirited round of bidding during their farewell dinner a week later.
Originally half the proceeds of the party were to benefit TORN itself, but after a quick palaver among TORN’s senior staff we decided to give it all to Duffy Books in Homes. The Duffy scheme provides books to New Zealand children in areas where books can not be taken for granted as part of the normal furniture of life. Duffy role models travel the country fostering a love of reading. It’s a great scheme, and one long supported by both TORN and Red Carpet’s founders Vic and Raewyn James, who were schoolteachers and principals before they went into tourism.
While New Zealand and the U.K. are already enjoying theaters playing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, North America is set to kick off events tonight. The 12:01 screenings are a way for fans to express their desire to see the film early, at the first possible moment of the film’s release on Friday, December 14.
TheOneRing.net, following a long tradition of getting fans together in real life, have set up Line Party events around the country. Companies like Badali Jewelry, with its commemorative Line Party Pins, ReadD 3D glasses, Guardians of Middle-earth video games, HMH book publishers and Denny’s have all made donations that have been sent to select lines around the nation.
Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, photographed by the line that gathered 24 hours early to get in line for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”A TORn contingent has set up base at the Grauman’s Chineese Theater in Hollywood. They started camping out at midnight Wednesday to be the first to enter the theater. Air New Zealand and 100.3 The Sound will be there with many giveaways including a chance to win a trip to middle earth itself, New Zealand! If you are at home instead of out, you can watch at http://www.theonering.net/live/.
TORn’s Line Party in Atlanta, Georgia received media attention today, led by our own staffer Deej, also known as Rebecca Perry. The Atlanta Journal Constitution features a story with Deej and many of the site’s friends and DragonCon’s Tolkienites. They even used photos from the subjects of the story to full effect.
Other notable lines are in Boston, scattered around California and appear in virtually every state and many countries around the world.
Meanwhile, the Salt Lake line party, led by this young writer here, is taking a low-key approach. For LOTR:Return of the King we privately purchased 1,400 tickets so this year is a quiet gathering to build momentum for the next two Hobbit films. However, we are throwing down the gauntlet and will turn next year’s event into a friendly rivalry. Just you try to out-do us in 2014!
You too can participate in Line Party events now and in the future. Check out our lines here and look for more and better in 2014. Also, we will print limited t-shirts to commemorate our fourth Line Party effort. Called the LP4 shirt, look for it soon! Thanks to all the Line Party leaders for your efforts and to fans: ENJOY!
The day has arrived when you will at last have the opportunity to purchase tickets for The One Expected Party! [Purchase Tickets] If you want to celebrate the first of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit movies, this is where you need to be. The only party in Hollywood on Oscar night 2013 to revel in Middle-earth, this exclusive event will be hosted just two blocks away from the Academy Award ceremony. With all kinds of fun, festivity, food and frolics, and featuring an amazing live show which includes star Billy Boyd with his band Beecake, this upscale, lavish party will be the can’t-miss black-tie event of the year for Tolkien fans worldwide. We’re working hard to make it an absolutely unforgettable occasion, both for the celebrities who will join us there and for YOU. Snag your tickets today! [Purchase Tickets] We look forward to seeing you in Hollywood!
12 12 12 – an auspicious date. For many, it will be just a day or two before they finally get to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; and for ALL fans across the world, it’s the day when you will at last have the opportunity to purchase tickets for The One Expected Party! If you want to celebrate the first of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit movies, this is where you need to be. The only party in Hollywood on Oscar night 2013 to revel in Middle-earth, this exclusive event will be hosted just two blocks away from the Academy Award ceremony. With all kinds of fun, festivity, food and frolics, and featuring an amazing live show which includes star Billy Boyd with his band Beecake, this upscale, lavish party will be the can’t-miss black-tie event of the year for Tolkien fans worldwide. We’re working hard to make it an absolutely unforgettable occasion, both for the celebrities who will join us there and for YOU.
Get all the details on the party (entertainment, catering, hotels, etc.) at our party subsite; then prepare to place your ticket order at 9am PST on December 12th 2012 (Timezone Chart). Please note – we are limiting the party attendees this year, to make for a more exclusive event; some of TORn’s regulars have already had a chance to snag their tickets, so don’t delay! This party will sell out – don’t miss the the boat!
If you know a Middle-earth lover, tickets to The One Expected Party would make an incredible Holiday gift. We guarantee, The One Expected Party will be anything but ‘expected’; this extraordinary event will stay with you for the rest of your life. As Bilbo would put it, ‘This will be a night to remember!’ Find out more at our Party Subsite – and don’t forget, 9am PST December 12th is the time to be ready to order! We look forward to seeing you in Hollywood!
Many fans traveled to New Zealand from around the world in the days and weeks leading up to the Premiere, just to be there on that fateful day. One such person is Dr. Lynnette Porter, author of a new book “The Hobbit: The many lives of Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin” (review forthcoming) and previously a speaker at one of TORn’s Lord of the Rings related conventions. She has just posted an in-depth article on why so many Tolkien fans flock to New Zealand and just what made Premiere week so special. You can check out her article at Popmatters to read about ‘What happens when Humans go a-Hobbiting’.
We’re happy to announce that the 
