From slashfilm.com (via Quackingtroll): Last week at CinemaCon, James Cameron gave a big presentation called “A Demonstration and Exclusive Look at The Future of Cinema”. You might remember reading about it here on /Film.
At the demonstration, Cameron noted that not only will he shoot Avatar 2 with this new technology, but George Lucas and Peter Jackson were also in support of the changes, and that Jackson had even explored shooting The Hobbit at high speeds. Cameron had heard that Jackson suffered illness before he could complete the tests and convince studio brass to make it happen. But it seems that Cameron heard wrong….
The basic gist is this: Cameron proposes that future movies should be shot and projected at either 48 or 60 frames per second. All of the digital film cameras are able to shoot at that speed, and all of the second generation digital cinema projectors (2010 on) should be able to project at that speed with a software upgrade. The result is a lot smoother movement, less of the strobing effect, which gives the impression of an enhanced resolution. And of course, the higher frame rate will help with the discomfort some experience with 3D. The footage I screened during Cameron’s presentation, shot/screend at 48 frames a second in 3D, looked incredible. The best way to describe it, is to quote Cameron: “If watching a 3D movie is like looking through a window, then [with this] we’ve taken the glass out of the window and we’re staring at reality.” More..
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In an exclusive interview with Collider.com, Orlando Bloom confirms he’s been in talks to return as Legolas in Peter Jackson’s upcoming Hobbit films.
Excerpts from the interview follow:
Collider: Are you going to appear in The Hobbit?
Bloom: Yeah, it’s looking like that. I’m really excited about going to see Pete [Jackson] again. It’s still a little up in the air, but the idea of working with Pete is fantastic. I can’t actually really talk too much about it, at this point. I just was given the script to piece through, so it’s quite exciting.
Collider: The whole script?
Bloom: Yeah!
Collider: Will you have to do anything to physically prepare for that role again?
Bloom: Are you telling me that I’ve put on weight, in the last 10 years? I just have to grow my hair really long and blonde again.
Collider: Isn’t he a younger version?
Bloom: Yeah.
There’s a lively discussion going on over at our message boards with fans speculating (both seriously and in jest!) the role Legolas will have in the films. Join in the fun!
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Exclusive to The Hollywood Reporter:
Gollum Actor Andy Serkis to Serve as Second Unit Director on ‘The Hobbit’ (Exclusive)
“There is really a sense of Peter [Jackson] wanting people around him who totally understand the material and the work ethic,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Andy Serkis, who played the iconic Gollum in Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Rings, is taking on a new role in The Hobbit 1 and 2. In addition to reprising his role as the tragic creature, Serkis also has been tapped by Jackson to serve as second unit director on the two films, which are now in production in New Zealand.
“I think I understand Peter’s sensibility and we have a common history of understanding Middle Earth,” Serkis told The Hollywood Reporter. “A lot of the crew from The Lord of the Rings was returning to work on The Hobbit. There is really a sense of Peter wanting people around him who totally understand the material and the work ethic.” [Full Release] (Thanks to Ringer Kookie for the heads up!)
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On our message boards, there was a note posted from Doug Adams’ official blog regarding Howard Shore and his future work on The Hobbit soundtrack. [Located here]
Doug Adams:
“Howard had his first extensive Hobbit conference with PJ last night. Incredibly exciting to see that ball beginning to roll . . .”
I know I found this to be very exciting news, more so than I could have anticipated. I’m sure I’m not the only fan of the films who considers the soundtracks to be one of the main points of enjoyment. And with the new films coming, we not only get to return to Middle-earth, but we get to re-enter that beautifully aural landscape as well. This got me thinking about what musical themes will carry over from the previous music, and what new themes we have to look forward to. Not being a musician at all, this is just an informal rundown, me thinking out loud, of what I hope to hear from the future The Hobbit score. (Please note, if you are unfamiliar with the story of The Hobbit, then this summary will contain spoilers)
Continue reading “Let the Music Begin – Thoughts on The Hobbit Score”
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Today is the last day to pre-order your 2011 Spring Collection of T-shirts from TheOneRing.net. There are two designs in this collection: ‘TheOneRing.net Lousy T-Shirt 2011’ and ‘Mirkwood Pest Control – No Spider too Large!’ Reservations end today and we expect to start shipping on April 25th 2011. Reservations for your specific size and style are only $5 per shirt and most shirts are only $20. Proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go to our server costs, so Thank You in advance for helping keep TheOneRing.net online! If you don’t make today’s deadline, we will be doing another batch of shirts soon, so check back often! [TheOneRing.net T-Shirt Pre-Order]
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The Dominion Post had an article about Bret McKenzie’s (Figwit) involvement with The Hobbit last week, and Variety has confirmed it. Bret will play the elf of Rivendell, Lindir. You might say, “Who?” Well, if you recall your the ‘Many Meetings’ chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring, Lindir is one of the elves who enjoys Bilbo’s song so much, he asks for a second hearing…
`Now we had better have it again,’ said an Elf. Bilbo got up and bowed. `I am flattered, Lindir,’ he said. ‘But itwould be too tiring to repeat it all.’ ‘Not too tiring for you,’ the Elves answered laughing. ‘You know you are never tired of reciting your own verses. But really we cannot answer your question at one hearing!’
`What!’ cried Bilbo. ‘You can’t tell which parts were mine, and which were the Dunadan’s?’
‘It is not easy for us to tell the difference between two mortals’ said the Elf.
‘Nonsense, Lindir,’ snorted Bilbo. ‘If you can’t distinguish between a Man and a Hobbit, your judgement is poorer than I imagined. They’re as different as peas and apples.’
‘Maybe. To sheep other sheep no doubt appear different,’ laughed Lindir. `Or to shepherds. But Mortals have not been our study. We have other business.’
It’s pretty nice to finally have an official character name associated with Bret’s character, but I think we are going to always lovingly call him Figwit. [Variety]
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