frodowen writes: I’m backpacking in NZ right now and recently did the Hobbiton set tour in Matamata. I saw a while back that you reported they were closed, but since the filmed was pushed back due to PJ being in hospital it’s been reopened. Well, because they should have been filming right now, the set is PERFECT. All the hobbit holes are complete, there is fruit on the trees and flowers in the gardens – it is like being in the Shire. They even have the (fake) tree above Bag End, and have expanded the set to include more hobbit holes than they used in LOTR. I can’t post pictures of course due to confidentiality contracts we had to sign, but I thought you might like to let other fans in the area know that now is would be a really great time to visit. It’s well worth the tour fee to see the set as it is now.
Category: New Zealand
Morgan Loomis sends along this amazing panoramic shot of a recent Elf Casting call in Wellington. Click to view in super big mega version!
Markus writes: I know that a lot of people are extremely interested to hear from the extra casting in Wellington today. Well, I was there. But as we all had to sign a non-disclosure agreement I have to keep it vague and can only tell the obvious, visible from the outside and some heart-warming stories. There was some press-folks around and I noticed that they managed to find people telling them what happened, so I guess it will be in the news soon. It’s really not that exciting, though.
I was amongst the first people to get in and met some very friendly staff from 6 Foot 7. Everything was very organized and it didn’t take long. The biggest challenge for some people to get in was already at the entrance: Are you really tall enough? A quick check showed that 1m does not have to be the same everywhere. Even the impressive high heels of some of the girls had to be taken off and everyone became equal when trying to pass the minimum height line. Despite of that some people managed to sneak in, I don’t know what happened to them. Continue reading “Wellington Extra Casting Call Report”
Moahunter writes: Tom Cardy’s blog in The Dominion Post says “There is also other casting going on behind the scenes and I’ve heard on good authority that several children, some as young at 19 months, have already been cast as hobbit extras. And while hobbit sizes means ages can get confusing, they are playing hobbit children and have even been fitted for their costumes and have giant furry hobbit feet!” More..
In this episode of Hobbit in 5 we take a look at ways you can help New Zealand post earthquake, Aidan Turner, dwarf beards and more of those fanatic Hobbit character studies that you have grown to love.
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