The Northwest Tolkien Society is pleased to announce the addition of the TolFilm FanFilm Exhibition to TolCon, a convention dedicated to Tolkien, his works, his worlds and his fans, to be held May 14-16th, 2004 in Seattle, Washington.
We will accept submissions of all kinds, as long as the films relate to the Tolkien universe. Any of Tolkien’s books, languages, landscapes, even his environmental views are fair game. If it’s a music video, parody, comedy, documentary, animation, a humorous look at waiting in line for tickets to LOTR, we wants it, precious! Submissions are open now until April 16th, 2004. For submission guidelines or more information on TolCon, visit http://www.tolcon.org/.
We thought you would want to know about a major research project that is accompanying the release of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. In twenty countries across the world, researchers are collaborating in a study of audience responses to the film. We will be finding out about people’s enjoyment of it and, in particular, we will be exploring what this ‘fantasy story’ means to whole generations of film-goers and readers of the books. Where is Middle-earth? What does it mean to people today?
We ourselves admire The Lord of the Rings. We know the books, and like many other people we were excited when we heard that they were being made into a trilogy of films. For many, it has been a remarkable set of films. But … in what way remarkable? What is so powerful about it, for you? From reading reviews, seeing discussions, hearing conversations, we know that people have some pretty different ideas. Some people have loved all three movies and some have had reservations. We want to understand why.
This will be the biggest audience study ever undertaken, and is a unique opportunity for lovers of the books and the films to get their views heard. At its centre is a web questionnaire, available in thirteen different languages (English, Russian, Norwegian, German, Greek, Turkish, Slovenian, Spanish, Italian, Danish, French, Chinese and Welsh) that anyone can fill in. We are expecting over 100,000 responses from across the world. Here’s the web address:
The questionnaire is now online, and we very much hope that you will pay the site a visit and give us your views. Be there, to be counted! And, if you can, let others know too!
With many thanks,
Martin Barker Director, Lord of the Rings research project University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK.
Kevin Hand, Campaigns Director for The Tree Council writes: You might be interested to know that UK conservation charity The Tree Council obtained special permission from New Line Cinema to use a Treebeard photo from The Two Towers on posters promoting Seed Gathering Sunday, their campaign to encourage the collection of tree seeds by families and schools and others, to grow new trees for the future. The image can be seen on their website www.treecouncil.org.uk, on the Seed Gathering Sunday pages. We have some posters left over; if anyone would like one send a SAE (with enough postage if outside Uk) to me at The Tree Council, Great Eastern House, Tenison Rd, Cambridge, CB1 2DU.
There were also two competitions – one to win exclusive goody bags from the film to use at Seed Gathering events, which has now finished, and another to win a signed full size movie poster, signed by Billy Boyd (pic attached).
The person who won the poster, James Bisset in Hereford, UK, wants to sell or auction it and donate the funds raised to the Tree Council for their work on promoting trees. I wonder if there is any way we might use your website to help us do this? Let me know if you think you can help, or if you need more information – it is for a good cause!
It is very appropriate, as the Ents have given a new postive image of trees to many people through the book and the film, and Tolkien himself was very fond of trees and nature – thinking about it, we also have an article about him and the trees he grew up with by Tony Tyler, author of The Tolkien Companion, in our magazine Tree News, which could be ordered from the same address for UK£2.99 (UK post free.)
The poster is 40 x 30″, rolled, no fold marks, and has never been used.
Editor’s Note: I cannot confirm the accuracy of this report!
Nothing clear yet on the release date, let alone the disc specs for the third installment of The Lord of the Rings, however since both previous films had Extended Editions released on DVD it is fair to assume this will happen again, especially after it is rumoured Peter Jackson said the following at the Copenhagen premiere. Basically he commented that the first cut of Return of the King had a running time of four hours and fifty minutes. When asked why this was too long for theatres but acceptable for DVD, he said:
“It is different with the DVD version. People watch it at home. They can lay on the couch or spread the experience over two or three nights. That is the amazing thing with DVD. It gives a whole new dynamic and I can assure you that the DVD version of Return of the King will be longer than 4 hours and 50 min.”
Unless any of our Danish readers have can confirm this then it is still rumour, however if true, this really is interesting news.
My note: Also note that Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) appeared on Jonathan Ross Friday night, and he said that the Extended Edition would be over five hours long.
The Fashion Institute in Los Angeles will exhibit actual RotK costumes this spring. Exhibits of LotR costumes the last two years have been spectacular, with no glass to prevent you from seeing all the magnificent details. Here are the details from their site:
12th Annual Exhibition
The FIDM Museum Galleries Present “The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design” Exhibition
Saluting Year 2003 Costumes Designed For Film
Presentation Internationally Exclusive
Los Angeles, California: The Museum Galleries at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM will open their 12th annual exhibition saluting “ The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design” on Monday, February 2, 2004.
This annual, major exhibition pays homage to the creativity of the costume designer for film with a museum show of outstanding costumes and Oscar nominated designs. On view will be year 2003 actual costumes from outstanding motion pictures. The 2004 Exhibition will feature over 100 costumes from 25 plus films from 2003. Some of the films represented will be: The Last Samurai, Seabiscuit, The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, The Missing and many more.
Free Exhibition: Public Dates/Times Opens to Public: Monday, February 2, 2004 ends Thursday, April 8, 2004 Gallery Hours: 10-4 p.m. daily, including Saturday. Closed Sundays
Location: The FIDM Museum Galleries On The Park, 1st Level, The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM, 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (Corner of Grand Avenue & 9th Street) Parking: Under college building. Entrance on 9th Street Admission: Free. Group tours can be Arranged–213-624-1200, ext. 2225 Public Information: 213-624-1200, Ext. 2224
Tonight Letterman did the Top 10 Dumb Guy Complaints about LOTR, which I shorthand wrote down as he said them (whew), and here they are:
10. I expected something a little more, you know, hobbity. 9. Middle-earth is clearly shot in Regular Earth. 8. It was too long, and it wasn’t a cartoon. 7. I spilled butter on my Twizzlers! 6. My name is Stu- Why can’t there be a hobbit named Stu? 5. Where the hell is Chewbacca? 4. If there’s magic, why isn’t there a rapping kangaroo? 3. I couldn’t focus on the movie- I was still mad about losing money on the Giants. 2. Frodo ignored me- He thinks he’s All That. 1. I haven’t seen it yet, I was too busy governing California.
For more LotR-themed Top Ten lists, check out our humor section in Green Books, [Tookish’s Ticklers] (oh and insert cheap plug HERE).
