docdanz writes: I popped past the actively shooting location near Middlemarch today on the way back from Queenstown to Dunedin where I live. It was a hive of activity with a veritable city of trucks, trailers and marquees on the the side of Hartfield Road, which is a small gravel back road across the Taieri River from Middlemarch.
The set itself was a little further along (southwards) and just out of view (apart from the sight of more trucks). It seemed clear that they are prepared for a huge number of extras and support crew for this particular shoot. My guess is that this is going to be where the battle of five armies is shot. The terrain is basically the same as the rocky terrain used for Rohan in The Lord of The Rings. The location is here on Google maps. The route was well signposted by bright pink signs, marked with “LR” (Not JAMB this time!).
Posted in:
Share:
Ringer Spy Glow sends us this fantastic close-up of what we believe to be Beorn’s Hall. Is this the first close-up we’ve seen? Could it be Radagast’s home in Rhosgobel which was said to be built “under the eaves of Mirkwood”?
It’s obviously still under construction, but the one-level nature and sharply pitched roof is very reminiscent of Tolkien’s own sketch of Beorn’s Hall that was published in the book…
SPOILER COUNTRY beyond the cut! Continue reading “First close-up of Beorn’s Hall?”
Posted in:
Share:
It’s official! Peter Jackson made the announcement today from the Hobbiton set: Wellington will host the world premiere of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” in late November 2012. If you’re lucky enough to have your own dragon hoard, it’s time to start booking that dream vacation! [Video: PJ and NZ Prime Minister John Key]
More good news: It was also announced that Hobbiton, on the outskirts of Matamata, will remain as a permanent visitor attraction after filming is completed.
Three News NZ also has a comprehensive write-up of the press conference by Daniel Rutledge for those who prefer to read these things. [News Story: Hobbit to premiere in New Zealand]
Posted in:
Share:
Middle-Earth appears to be returning to the Wakatipu if construction in a remote valley is anything to go by. A three-storey wooden set and smaller structure are being built on private land beyond Glenorchy, 66km from Queenstown.
Security staff guarding the gate are turning away tourists and telling them the road does not give access to the nearby unsignposted Paradise estate. Continue reading “Hobbits Could Be Coming Soon!”
Posted in:
Share:
Film crews are now at Matamata’s Hobbiton film set as location shooting on Peter Jackson’s two-part fantasy epic The Hobbit begins in earnest – and the movie’s stars might not be far away.
One of two convoys laden with film gear arrived in Matamata’s Buckland Rd at the weekend, while the other headed to Queenstown from Sir Peter’s Miramar studios.
While production company 3 Foot 7 retains a tighter grip on information than Gollum on a certain ring, one nearby resident who declined to be named said the convoy started arriving on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading “Hobbit journey starts in Matamata”
Posted in:
Share:
A scene from the first of two Hobbit movies from 
Sir Peter Jackson is to be shot near Pelorus Bridge, 60 kilometres west of Blenheim, over 10 days in December.
The Pelorus River will feature in a scene from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey showing barrels plunging down the river during a perilous journey undertaken by Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves.
Major preparation for the shoot will start on October 31, with filming taking place between December 6 and December 16. However, there will be activity on location from production company 3 foot 7 from later today.
[Read More]
Posted in:
Share:
