It’s finally here! Video log #9 was posted on Peter Jackson’s facebook page a few minutes ago. This one is all about bringing us behind the scenes of post production including previs, CGI, animation and soundtrack recording. Not too much new footage, but we do get some great new detail of the three trolls during the 14 minutes and 6 seconds run time. There is however, one new line that caught my ear: “Look who it is” (highlight to see potential spoiler) which seems as it could be a line from the Great Goblin (acted by Barry Humphries) to Thorin. According to PJ, the movie is scheduled to be completed two days before the premier, so all those folks taking care of post production better get back to work! YouTube Link. Facebook link.
Category: Production
In a recent interview with stuff.co.nz, Sir Ian McKellen revealed that scenes including Gandalf and a young Bilbo were filmed for “The Hobbit: and Unexpected Journey.””Sir Ian says during the film’s development [he] has been forthcoming with Jackson and his co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. For one, he felt that the relationship between Gandalf and Bilbo needed a little history. He suggested a scene showing the wizard being introduced to a baby Bilbo and his mother Belladonna Took and it was shot. He’s not sure if the scene will make the final cut of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, but his suggestion was taken seriously. ”We see Gandalf observing this little boy who’s full of beans and full of adventure. And I let him play with [a] toy dragon that I’ve got.” And, when he’s thinking, ‘Who should we get? Oh, there’s that little boy.’ And he goes back to Hobbiton to meet this little boy who’s now grown up and is a real stodgy, dull, settled, unadventurous person. And he’s so disappointed. ‘What happened to you? Come on! You’ve got to go on an adventure, it’ll be good for you. Get back your childish enthusiasm!”’ Read More…
NWF is teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) for the Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. “As the education partner for the film, we hope the popularity of the books and its themes of courage and nature’s beauty will inspire moviegoers and Tolkien fans to do something to make our Earth a greener place.” So, far, the collaboration includes an official NWF movie poster you can download, and suggestions for outdoor activities and ‘greening’ your own Shire. Read More…
Classicfm.com was able to snag a great audio interview with Howard Shore recently. Shore, a big Tolkien fan, tells classicfm that he constantly refers to the books as he’s writing the score. He also discusses what it’s like to collaborate once again with Peter Jackson, The London Philharmonic, and the all-consuming job of writing, orchestrating, conducting, tweaking and finalizing the score for “The Hobbit: and Unexpected Journey.” Read more and listen here…
These guys are pretty popular – we’ve received MANY emails from people out there, telling us about their new music video. So here it is, for those who have not yet seen it! Whether you’ve been celebrating Thanksgiving today and you’re now too full to move, or you’ve been working hard all day and need to relax, this music video is sure to please. The Piano Guys (Al van der Beek, Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson) use piano, cello, percussion and vocal textures to recreate well known tunes – and this video is a compilation of favourite motifs from Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings scores. Check it out:
Thanks to all who emailed to tell us about it!
You may have read recently that the Tolkien Estate has brought a lawsuit against Warner Bros., regarding Warner Bros.’ marketing rights for Lord of the Rings and Hobbit products. Our friend Erik Wecks has written a great piece for Geek Dad at Wired.com, clarifying some of the issues at stake and suggesting why the Tolkien Estate may have felt the need to take such action. For fans of Tolkien’s work, just how far is too far – when does a franchise become a sell out? Check out the excellent article here.