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MrCere writes:
Sandy, Utah, a burb of Salt Lake is the area’s hot spot as fans couldn’t wait to buy 9 a.m. tickets for Trilogy Tuesday. At least 48 hours before tickets went on sale, the staff at Megaplex 17 allowed a tent city to pop up in anticipation for the only theater with the trilogy in the state of Utah.
Instead of the announced 1100 tickets expected to be sold, Jordan Commons announced New Line said they wanted only a single theater cutting the number to 500 available. Each person will be allowed to buy 6 tickets meaning that at the time of the announcement Wednesday, every ticket was spoken for. Those in line past the magical number stayed anyway, in hopes that some tickets would slide their way.
TORn was well represented, speaking for at least 50 of the tickets available, playing “Lord Of The Rings Risk” and enjoying the mix with other fans and throwing a pizza party with a friendly manager and ringer giving a discount. Yea Dominos!
Keith Johnson of the Deseret Morning News was on the scene to capture
these images. Thanks Keith!
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At Collectormania 4 TheOneRing.net got a chance to talk to British actor Andy Serkis (Gollum) for a few minutes, here’s what I could make out from the tape!
In the panel you were talking about the one scene that you found the most difficult to film but you wouldn’t tell us which one because that would spoil it for some fans. We are curious though so please tell us now.
AS: Well I don’t know if I can because you know.. on TheOneRing.net.. Okay, okay.. it was basically the Crack of Doom, the final fight with Frodo and there’s a really tricky motion capture scene of falling into the Crack of Doom. And death scenes are virtually impossible to play, it’s really hard to imagine your own death you know. So yeah that was the most difficult to play.
And was it also the one you are most proud of?
AS: Emmm… not necessarily no. To date, that people know of, the scene that I am most proud of is in TTT, it’s the schizophrenic scene. There’s a lot of scenes in ROTK that I am not going to give away that I’m very proud of. Including the transformation of Smeagol..
So that’s going to be in the third movie then?
AS: Well as far as I know at this point of time yeah.. But again you know..
You are not allowed to tell us?
AS: I can’t really. The point is out this moment in time the film is still in a state of flux and anything could be in and anything could be out.
You also said you finished your last scene Saturday, I imagine that was just dialogue?
AS: Yeah. But in fact two weeks ago I shot my final scene with Peter. That was in London, and he shot a kind of crucial moment in a scene on the carpet of his house over here near the studios… And that immediately got cut into the movie.
How long have you been down in NZ for this project? For the entire length or did they let you go home every now and then?
AS: I was there obviously for principal photography and then a lot over the last two years doing post-production, motion capture. In the post production period for FOTR I wasn’t so much involved, and when they started on TTT I got involved again.
So what was your most memorable moment from the production?
AS: I think actually it was when we first started working on motion capture for TTT and we really started to define Gollum. That was really an interesting time. And their were times when Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh and myself were in the motion capture studio and for the first time really examined the psychology of Gollum in a very thorough way. And the writing of him evolved and it all kind of came together and it was just a time when there was a real creative energy flowing around. That was just a really good time.. it was in February 2002 I guess.
Would you consider taking another part that required you to be all CGI, like Gollum?
AS: Yes. People have said to me ‘will you be glad to get back to normal acting?’, and the fact is, you know, if a script is good it doesn’t matter what sort of acting it requires.. As far as I’m concerned Gollum is as real as any other character I’ve ever played. Of course there was technology involved but in terms of acting it’s no different to anything else. But yes I would definitely consider it because it’s a new direction and obviously I was part of a kind of pioneering process for a CG-character so yeah I’d be very interested in developing that kind of thing further.
You are directing a play now (Double Bass), are there any other projects you have got coming up?
AS: Yeah.. I’m about to start.. well, I’m more then likely going to be starting on The Merchant of Venice, with Al Pacino. And also there’s a feature film animation of the Magic Roundabout, it was quite a famous television series in the seventies and it’s going to be made into a feature animation and the people doing the voices will be Robbie Williams and Kylie (Minogue) and ehh Jim Broadbent, Joanna Lumley. It’s a lovely cast really.. Richard O’Brien and myself.
And you also did the 13 Going on 30-film?
AS: Yes, I did that. It’s done now. I think it’s coming out in February or March..
It’s with Jennifer Garner right?
AS: Yeah..
I’m a jealous man.
AS: Heheheh.. well she’s great, fantastic. She’s a really lovely person and it was a really fun film to work on.
Is there anyone else you would like to work with? A director or an actor?
AS: Director yeah! I was talking tonight about my favourite films and ehh.. P.T. Anderson, the director of Boogie Nights, Punch Drunk Love and Magnolia.. I love his films and I’d really love to work with him. The Coen brothers.. There are loads and loads of good directors out there.
Are you going to do more directing in the future?
AS: Yeah. As well as acting I want to do both. I have feature film script I want to develop. I’ve shot some short films. The fact is if a project really makes me feel excited about being involved in it then it really doesn’t matter in what context I’m getting involved in it; whether its acting or directing or whatever. I mean acting I’ve done much longer professionally and it’s part of me.. it’s in my blood. I love playing eccentric characters.
Okay thank you very much!
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Crispin Boyer from Electronic Gaming Monthly writes: I wanted to give you a heads up on our December cover story (in case you wanted to help us out with a little news story about it on the site). We have the exclusive first review of EA’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King game, which is due for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance on Nov. 4. Like last year’s prequel, this slickly produced game is an action-y romp that pits your favorite Middle-eartlings against massive hordes of orcs, trolls, and Southron warriors. In addition to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, you can now control Gandalf, Sam, and Frodo, as well as three secret characters. EA worked closely with Peter Jackson and the movie’s special-effects guys (they even kept a team at the film’s New Zealand set) to capture the look and feel of the film. And, of course, they recorded lots of exclusive new dialog from the movie’s principal actors.
Anyway, our issue comes in five different covers (attached). We’re also running a “Win a trip to Middle-earth!” contest. Readers just need to read the cover story and answer an easy online quiz to enter to win a trip for two to New Zealand (we have a lot of game-related second-place prizes, too). Oh, and our cover story also features a photo by TheOneRing.net’s own MrCere 🙂
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The official New Line Shop (LOTRShop.com) has posted The Lord of the Rings Monopoly for sale! Who needs a railroad when you have horses! (read below for the official description)
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Andrew Tookey, whose Organ Donor Campaign we are supporting, writes:
Hello!
Thought it may be a good time to update everyone on progress to date.
Katie
Firstly, Katie is doing well, and has been well since we have stopped taking her to Starship for checkups. This is not to say we are withdrawing any medical treatment we would seek treatment at the first sign of any problems. It’s just that she has had so many appointments where the doctor pokes her in the tummy and says ‘fine – I’ll see you next time’ and then she goes back a few days later with a bug that we find out was rampant in the hospital at the time of her appointment.
As we all know hospitals are not healthy places! We have received a letter from the Auckland District Health Board in reply to our concerns at the infections/bugs and other treatment of Katie. The letter was much as expected, with a lot of apologies, and they will review certain areas etc.etc. Yeah Right! Can’t believe that we are the first to mention the problems!
Petition
The select committee appears to have heard all the submissions now. In fact they met today (in private) to decide what the next step is. At the last select committee hearing Sir Geoffrey Palmer (former Prime Minister) presented his submission. Sir Geoffrey had been independently commissioned as a constitutional law expert to examine the issues. I am pleased to say his independent research backed up my submission 100%. Also speaking at the select committee was a grandmother who donated part of her liver to her grandson to save his life, and a heart transplant recipient. The manager of donor co-coordinators also spoke.
Even though the Select Committee can make a report to Parliament for changes. The government are not bound by them and do not have to implement them, which seems silly as it makes a mockery of the whole process of everyone having their democratic say. My ‘moles’ tell me that it already appears that is the way the government appears to heading. I do not think it wise that the government ignore the wishes of the people in this respect. If they do, it appears I will have a whole new battle on my hands, I know that I will be able to draw strength from your support in this.
I would like to point out, that I have heard banded around recently that of course I want change because I have a vested interest. Well of course I do! But…
I should also point out that if you read my submission to Parliament, I have NOT ONCE pointed out my personal circumstances. I did not need to, I had enough evidence that the system is in need of an urgent overhaul that I did not need to introduce an emotional element.
TV Commercial
You may have seen on ‘Holmes’ that the Organ Donor TV Commercial is now made. Cameron Duncan, the teenage cancer victim, and talented director has entered it in the ‘Fair Go Ad Awards’ The commercial has made it into the top five, and will be screened on Fair Go next Wednesday 15th October. This will also be your opportunity to vote for the best commercial. I am not advocating that you vote for it, but do watch it! Or you can watch the commercial by clicking [this link.
As life/death and organ donation can be a taboo subject, I think you will find that the commercial is sensitive and powerful, we spent a good deal of time discussing the best approach and decided we did not want to go down the avenue of the LTSA ‘horror/gory’ style commercials, as we believe people have become desensitised to those, also we didn’t want to go down the ’emotional blackmail’ avenue such as World Vision. We wanted an ad that would make people ‘think’ I would be pleased to receive any feedback on your views on it. Though note that the text at the end of the commercial is for the competition, it will be modified slightly for use on network television.
The next problem is getting it on air! Despite offering the Minister of Health several opportunities to help pay for the air time she has refused, saying she is not prepared to spend money ‘ad hoc’ First of all it is not ‘ad hoc’ as all countries acknowledge that public awareness is imperative, and secondly she has said herself that one of the best ways to increase donor rates is for families to discuss their wishes. How will they do that, when they don’t know, they think that putting it on their driving licence is enough? When the MOH eventually go and make their own ad it will cost the taxpayer over $200,000 just to make it, I’m offering them a non political one for free, just around $30,000 for air time.
Lord of the Rings
You may have seen in the press recently that the LOTR fan club are having a charity dinner on the eve of the Premiere of the third LOTR movie in Wellington.
The seats sold out within hours, and they are now trying to arrange extra space for more people. At present around 600 people are attending, more than half are flying in from around the world. There will also be an auction of ‘items’ the proceeds going to charity.
The organisers of the event asked Peter Jackson to nominate where he would like the proceeds to go. He nominated us. We are obviously delighted with his backup, apart from what he has done for this campaign publicly, his personal, private help has been wonderful, especially as he is under incredible pressure at the moment.
The money raised will go towards helping to pay for air time for the commercial. (in the absence of official funding)
I, with the rest of my family (making their first trip to Wellington) will be attending the dinner, to speak of our campaign and to personally thank all those involved.
Sorry to ramble on, but I could have said more!
Thank you for your continued support!
The Tookey Family
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Rev. Rachel Wangen-Hoch writes:
I am attending the Generations United Conference at which Sean Astin will be the keynote speaker on Saturday, Oct. 18 during the closing session from 3:30 – 5:00 pm.
I have received permission from the organizers to bring youth under the age of 18 for free, as well as a limited number of chaperones (the chaperone spaces are already filled). Folks who want to come must contact me at wangen-hoch@msn.com no later that Friday morning of this week. I need their full name and age so they can be put on a guest list. We will be meeting at the Old Town Alexandria Metro Station at 2:30 pm to gather and get good seats. We will meet back there again at 6:30 pm for the youth go be picked up. This will allow us some time to get a bite to eat following the plenary session and share reflections on the Sean’s talk.
Any youth who arrive late for the meeting time will not be able to attend. All youth who attend need to understand and agree that this event is a professional conference, not a fan event. Therefore, anyone who comes with me needs to dress in a casual professional manner and conduct themselves appropriately. This is not the opportunity to get autographs or wear costumes, as fun as those events are. I want the conference organizers to feel happy that they allowed me this privilege and to be glad they allowed fans to attend.
Every youth who attends needs to arrange his or her own transportation and to bring a permission note with contact information from their parents or guardians. Sean is a very inspirational speaker and a dynamic human being. You won’t regret coming.
For adults who wish to attend, the conference organizers ask that you sign up for their Saturday day rate and attend the conference that day (this is their way of ensuring that this is a professional conference rather than a fan event). They like the idea of fans coming if it inspires them to work with youth and do good in the community.
The day rate is $150.
You must register immediately by going to www.gu.org and downloading the registration form and sending it in.
Again, if you are a youth under 18 in the Washington DC area and wish to attend this event, contact me immediately. I will be happy to speak with or meet with parents to discuss the event. I have extensive experience chaperoning youth trips and am looking forward to helping youth in the DC area to have the opportunity to meet Sean.
Blessings,
Rev. Rachel Wangen-Hoch
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church
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