“Many young Americans are involved in the stories in a way that I’m not…” — J.R.R. Tolkien
TheOneRing.net, in association with Planet BB, is turning the spotlight on the fans of J.R.R. Tolkien in a new feature length documentary titled “Ringers: Lord of the Fans.”
There are people who claim to enjoy “The Lord of the Rings” — as a story for the ages — and then there are fans who camp out on the sidewalk for five miserable days, suffering cold and flash floods, in order to get the first look at “The Two Tower”s movie. “Ringers” celebrates devotees from different generations, old and young, who share a common bond. They are the lifeblood of the new Tolkien fan-movement; and their stories are funny and often moving.
TORn has witnessed the liveliest and most dynamic fan community ever to grace the Internet. Through years of covering fan events, picnics, Oscar Parties, book signings, conventions, and Line Parties, we discovered that the intimate stories fans shared on-camera were more fascinating than the actual event.
From the hippie counter-culture to the electronic age, from the Bakshi animated films to Jackson’s epic trilogy, this documentary brings together extensive interviews and footage from across the globe. With units in The Netherlands, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Oxford, England, the fans reveal what drives them to unusual acts of devotion. We highlight couples whose mutual love for “The Lord of the Rings” caused them to fall in love — a girl who waited on the sidewalk at a busy Hollywood intersection from 5 AM to midnight to catch a glimpse of her favorite Hobbit — armchair scholars who fight over differences between book and movie — collectors who fill their homes with amazing toys and rare editions — and young children who pick up their very first book — ever — because they are so inspired by the thrilling adventure of Peter Jackson’s films.
The filmmakers are themselves obsessive Tolkien fans. “Ringers” is directed by documentary filmmaker Carlene Cordova, produced by Danny Lukic and narrated by Cliff Broadway “Quickbeam” — familiar to TORn readers of the Green Books online magazine and as co-author of the best-selling new book “The People’s Guide to J.R.R. Tolkien.” Shooting with the cutting edge digital format of 24P, Director of Photography Josh Mandel gives the film both a fast-moving video style and a richer, more “movie-like” presentation. Their vigorous approach to documenting the “full on experience” of fandom brings laughs and insight into a world otherwise overlooked.
“Ringers” wants you! We still have a few key positions to fill. So if you have any professional filmmaking experience and wish to volunteer to help TheOneRing.net, please send an email explaining your experience to ringers@theonering.net. We need the following positions filled: Music Supervisor, Composer. These open positions are for Los Angeles based people only: Field Audio technician, Assistant Final Cut Pro Editor, Transcriber, Production Assistant, Associate Producer.
We’ll be launching our “Ringers” site soon, so keep checking on TORn for more “Ringers” news!
Dark Horizons reports that it looks as though Hidalgo will undergo a change of name according to scooper ‘Casey’ who writes …
“I participated in a market research survey the other day and was asked to view a trailer for a new movie called Into the Fire. Apparently the trailer was not complete, some rough spots and time code still on top, but it was done enough that I could determnine what it was about.
After the survey I did a search and found this title for the this particular movie nowhere on the net, but found a matching story on your site under the title Hidalgo. This is indeed, a movie starring Viggo Mortensen as Frank Hopkins, a racer and about him and his horse as they particpate in the Ocean of Fire race. Omar Sharif was in the trailer briefly and appeared to be father of the love interest in the show.
The trailer was okay and the show looked interesting. It’s only real downfall was some sandstorm and locust storm type graphics that looked like they were straight out of the Mummy. Anyway, apparently the name has changed and the trailer should be coming out soon”.
Luthien here with a few fan letters in response to Electronic Art’s Two Towers. Roland writes in with the following:
Hi! I’m really excited about the upcoming RotK game!!! I do all my gaming on my PC and I was a little disappointed that Two Towers didn’t come out for the PC. From what I saw of the game it looked great. Maybe the PC gamers are not as numerous as with all the other platforms but heres one PC gamer that would buy every game that had to do with the Lord of the Rings. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say this. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Good news, Roland! PC gamers will no longer be part of the minority–every game coming out this year will have a PC version. Thanks for your input! Rotk looks like it’ll be everything you’re hoping for, and more.
Traci writes in with the following praise:
i loved the two towers and i cant wait for the return of the king. im a huge tolkien fan and i loved how the game fit in with the movie. im hoping for even greater things from the return of the king.
Glad you enjoyed TTT so much! We’re looking forward to Rotk too. Thanks for your comment.
Finally, Tj offers the following:
I really didnt enjoy The Two Towers that much to be honest. It was way too easy! The first mission when ur Isildur u r invincible u couldnt die. and u couldnt in the other missions. the only half way hard one waz protecting the door of helms deep because of the trolls. ohh and the trolls are way too easy. 3 swipes their dead! to easy! more levels would be nice because i beat it in 2 days! WAY to easy! other than that i loved playing that many guys the mission were u have to save frodo waz a blast but to easy! make this game harder longer and a lil more guys and it will be the BEST!!!!!!!!!
EA games producers have been known to peruse our website, so maybe they’ll hear your comments and make it harder next time, Tj. Or maybe you’re just a really good gamer. But thanks for your feedback!
This weekend, Hall of Fire will take a look at Denethor II, son of Echtelion II, last ruling steward of Gondor. One of Tolkiens most interesting and enigmatic characters. His rivalry with Thorongil and the premature death of his wife shaped him for his stewardship which saw Gondor facing it’s most desperate moments.
In Denethor the blood of Numenor ran almost true and in his great pride he used the palantir of Minas Tirith. No doubt this aided him in preparing Gondor for war, but the struggle with Sauron caused him to age before his time and sink deeper and deeper into despair and finally madness.
How was his relations to his sons? Did he have the right and the strength to use the palantir? Did he fall into evil? Furthermore, did he have contact with Saruman? Why was he so set against recognising Aragorn as king of Gondor? We will discuss all this and more about his character who inspires such a wide specter of emotions among readers with his pride, his nobility and his tragedy.
Suggested reading: RotK – Minas Tirith RotK – The Siege of Gondor RotK – The Pyre of Denethor
Upcoming chats:
May 17-18 RoTK Book V, Chapter 7 Pyre of Denethor
Times: Saturday Chat: 5:30pm ET (17:30) [also 11:30pm (23:30) CET and 7:30am Sunday (07:30) AET]
Sunday Chat: 7:00 pm (19:00) CET [also 1:00pm (13:00) ET and 3:00am (03:00) Monday morning AET]
ET = Eastern Time, USA’s East Coast CET = Central European Time, Central Europe AET = Australian East Coast
Do you have a possible topic for Hall of Fire? Drop us a line at halloffire@theonering.net.
VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES REVEALS MIDDLE-EARTH ONLINE DETAILS AND SIGNS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH TURBINE ENTERTAINMENT
LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 9, 2003 – Vivendi Universal Games, Inc. (VU Games) announced today that it has entered into a production agreement with Turbine Entertainment Software Corp. to develop “Middle-Earth Online,” a massively multiplayer (MMP) game to launch in 2004. The game will be developed as part of VU Games’ long-term agreement with Tolkien Enterprises to create interactive entertainment based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic novel “The Lord of the Rings.”
The 3D role-playing game (RPG) will immerse players in the Middle-earth world where they will choose their identities from a cast of archetypal Tolkien characters, form kinships, build race-specific dwellings, explore the landscape, craft unique items and weapons, and perform myriad other activities to bring the world-renowned fantasy realm to life.
“We are extremely excited to be working with a world-class developer like Turbine. Their track record and proven expertise in building, launching, and supporting massively multiplayer games is exceptional, making them the right partner for a franchise as beloved and well-known as J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings,” said Jim Wilson, EVP Product Development, Vivendi Universal Games. “Together, our goal will be to bring the vision and spirit of the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien to life in ‘Middle-Earth Online.’”
More information about “Middle-Earth Online” can be found at http://www.lordoftherings.com/meo.
About Turbine Entertainment Software Corp. Turbine Entertainment Software Corp., headquartered in Westwood, Massachusetts, is a pioneer in the design and production of massively multiplayer (MMP) games. Turbine’s first MMP game was the award-winning Asheron’s Call®. Turbine recently completed work on the G2 Engine as seen in Asheron’s Call® 2 this year. This groundbreaking technology and uurbine’s commitment to shipping quality games on schedule continues to strengthen Turbine’s position at the forefront of MMP gaming.
About Vivendi Universal Games Headquartered in New York, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of PC, console and online-based interactive content, Vivendi Universal Games’ portfolio of development studios includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, NDA Productions, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive. Through its Partner Publishing Group, Vivendi Universal Games also co-publishes and/or distributes interactive products for a number of strategic partners, including Crave Entertainment, Interplay, Majesco, Mythic Entertainment and Simon & Schuster, among others.
Colin Teague is directing the gangster pic SPIVS in London from his own script for Carnaby Prods. and Content Intl. Ken Stott, Nick Moran, Kate Ashfield and Dominic Monaghan star. When a simple job goes wrong, they find themselves protecting a couple of illegal immigrants against smugglers who want to sell them into the sex trade.
Also, Dom’s short film An Insomniac’s Nightmare will be showing at the following three festivals:
