Billy Boyd appeared on The Big Breakfast on UK TV as part of their build-up to The Fellowship of the Ring. He was introduced as one of the hobbits and persuaded to sing a song, which he did, a few lines of I belong to Glasgow’ which was appropriate enough.
Later, the actual interview took place on the show’s bed, with Amanda Byram.
Lord of the Rings was described as the ‘next big thing’ and Billy was introduced as Peregrine Took, aka Pippin.
He was asked how he got the part, said that he had just gone through the process of auditions, met Peter Jackson in London who asked him if he’d like to be a hobbit, but that he didn’t know what is was about him that made the director cast Billy in particular.
He was asked if he thought that, with the amount of hype, people might be disappointed with the film because it would fail to match up to their expectations. Billy didn’t seem to think so.
Then there was a short extract from the trailer, Amanda was hoping for a new clip from the film,but it was the Moria section, I imagine because it shows Billy Boyd in a pure Pippin moment, knocking armour down a well (Fool of a Took…)
Billy was asked to explain how it was they were made to seem short, suggested it was a variety of SFX combined to give the total effect.
On the role of Pippin, he said the hobbit was the youngest of the four, the most naive and inquisitive and that’s where the humour/action comes from.
He confirmed what Orlando Bloom had said last week about the hobbits (+elf) hanging about together. Specifically, he said that after about a year of filming, when you would expect everyone to be sick of each other, the hobbits went off on holiday together for a week.
Referring to the film’s intense secrecy when shooting began , he said that the hobbits had to wear enveloping cloaks over their costumes, with deep hoods to hide their make-up and that their hobbit feet were concealed in big boots.
The Harry Potter debate? Billy Boyd said he’d seen the HP film, said it was really good but that FOTR was a different kind of film, suggested there was room for both.
He was asked, directly, if he’d actually read the book before casting and admitted he hadn’t. But he did add, rather charmingly that when he did read it he read it as the ‘Story of Peregrine Took’.
As to his being voted Second Most Elegible Person in Scotland Billy claimed he was very surprised. (First? Prince William.) It just appeared in the paper. He said they must have found out he wasn’t seeing anyone. Still wasn’t…claimed to be open to offers….
A footnote, there are suggestions that the film has nothing to offer women. Amanda Byram seemed very keen to see it, hopes to go to the premier, was most disappointed there were no new clips to show. ( C’mon New Line, tease us a bit) I think a film that has both Sean Bean and Viggo has plenty to offer women.
I haven’t sent in a spy report before, but I’ve been spending a lot of time on theonering.net site lately, since I started up a line party. Anyhow, I live in Los Angeles and belong to the AFI. I got a newsletter from them about a week ago and something caught my eye. They were having a benefit premiere screening of The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. So, I called them up and asked about it. They sent me an invitation, which I just got and sent right back to them to order the tickets. I’m not sure yet if I’ll get them, but here is what the invitation looks like.
First off, it’s a nice card, with the poster picture of the Fellowship in the Lothlorien boats as they approach the two giant statues on the river. When you open it up, there is an image of the ring and the details.
On the left side it mentions the Honorary Co-Chairs and lists Robert Shaye, Jean Picker Firstenberg, Michael Lynne and Peter Jackson. Under their names is a list of the Host Committee, which includes: Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Philippa Boyens, Tony Emmerich, Ian Holm, Chrisopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Rolf Mittweg, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, Mark Ordesky, Barrie M. Osborne, John Rhys-Davies, Russell Schwartz, Adny Serkis, David Tuckerman, Liv Tyler, Fran Walsh, Hugo Weaving and Elijah Wood. I do not know if that means all these people will be there, but you never can tell in Hollywood.
The right side states that this is in association with AFI Associates, which is the fundraising arm of AFI, for both preservation and creative and educational programs. Anyhow, the invitation then goes on to state that the benefit will be held on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001 at 6:00pm, and that a Gala reception is to follow.
I’m not entirely sure if you need to be an AFI member to get the invitation. If I wasn’t a member, I never would have gotten this information, and I didn’t receive the initial mailing of the invitations because I’m just a basic member, I had to ask for it. Anyhow, hope this info helps you out, and that other TORN members can possibly take advantage of this.
or why The Lord Of The Rings, the upcoming cinema attraction is the perfect gentlemen`s triology.
From: The German GQ Magazine (thanks to Marcus H)
In every man you can find a hobbit. What is a hobbit? A human-like creature from the Lord of the Rings triology, who likes a good meal, beer and tobbaco, celebrates excessive parties, can handle tools and is ready for everything funny.
Hobbits also obtain the art of “disappearing fast without a sound”. A talent most men would love to use “post coitum”. So J.R.R Tolkien`s fantasy-cult-triology is not simply about the adventures of fellow hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, it is the classical novel for men. (Especially most of the protagonists are from the so called “strong” gender.)
The setting: The Hobbits`safe party-zone is getting out of bounds, when the evil emperor is striving for the final victory. But our four heroes are in possession of the “ring of power”, to stop the scoundrels and save the world. Just like every man´s dream, not only George W. Bush´s.
Having that in mind, the four are starting for the ultimate adventure-trip. Beginning like any ordinary outdoor vacation, it soon turns into an endorphine sweating triathlon: running, climbing, horse riding.
To compensate all the efforts they are able to use all kinds of status symbols for the fantasy-lifestyle: highspeed-horses, jet-eagles, trendy wardrobe -ranging from camouflage combinations to cool knight-outfits, – energy saving power-food, communication-crystals with live video broadcasting and finally every man´s most beloved toys: weapons. One of the main characters uses a legendary sword with a broken blade, which will be renewed in progress of the story. Mister Freud, your mission. Take over, please.
The completion of their mission is the perfect career jump for the four hobbits: Sam, Merry and Pippin are climbing to top leading positions. Frodo is shipping westwards on his yacht to the land of the immortal. Can it be Hollywood?
But the Lord of the Rings is not only about superficial success. The psychological progress has also its importance. Even men need to go through that. That´s why our heroes all have their role-models, ready to push their process of maturing.
First there is Gandaf the Wizzard – modern: The Guru. He explores the saviour-potential of the hobbits and sends them on a journey to find themselves. But then most of the time he glistens through absence. They have got to get along on their own.
Another key figure is the human Aragorn, the classical protagonist in best Bogart-like tradition: rough on the outside, but a king within. He shows the hobbits what a real winner needs. On the other side there is Boromir, just striving for his own success, he is the booh-man. Our heroes have just to learn the opposit of what he embodies: Get lost of everything, and you will win everything. In other words: May the force be with you.
And women? They barely bring any inspiration. When men are out to save the world, there is no place for female beings. All but one princess, fighting in mens wear, are waiting for the successful heroes to come home: Sam and Pippin are both getting married; Aragorn is getting his princess. Only one female is steeling the show: Lady Galadriel of the Elves. She represents the greatest authority of all: Mom. In secret even the strongest man is hanging on her skirt.
STORYOPOLIS HOSTS EXCLUSIVE ‘THE LORD OF THE RINGS’ EVENT
Offers First Look at Film and Q&A with Star Sean Astin Los Angeles, CA (November 15, 2001) – Fans of the long-awaited epic adventure, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” will get an inside look at the film on Saturday, December 1st from 4-6 p.m.
Storyopolis and New Line Cinema will host a special celebration for the first installment of the classic J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy. The event is free with a suggested age for participants of 11-years-old and up. Patrons at the event will be treated to a screening of the 15-minute “Making Of…” DVD. Following the screening, actor Sean Astin will answer questions about the film and sign mini-posters while they last. Astin portrays Samwise Gamgee in the movie. New Line also provided Storyopolis with props from the New Zealand set for display. And, there will be a raffle and give-aways for qualified participants.
The film opens on December 19th in 10,000 theatres worldwide. A groundbreaking epic of good versus evil, extraordinary heroes, wondrous creatures and dark armies of terror, it has been told to 100 million people around the globe, in 25 different languages. It has recently been named the #1 most popular book of the century but it has never been told in its entirety on the screen. Beginning this year, New Line will present a grand trilogy of live-action feature films —
The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King — that will take audiences inside Tolkien’s living, breathing mythology, the world that is Middle-earth.
The film features (in alphabetical order) Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, and Elijah Wood.
Storyopolis Art Gallery and Bookstore is located at 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Plaza A, Los Angeles, California 90048. Hours are from Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sundays from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. RSVP to the event to (310) 358-2512.
New Line Cinema breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday as the Internet went on overload with positive buzz for “The Lord of the Rings” after an exhibitor screening this week, which also got thumbs up from theater owners.
“We’ve had our fingers crossed for two years,” said New Line distribution prexy David Tuckerman. “(The exhibitors) are as happy with the film as we are.”
This is great news for a movie that, until now, has to be considered an underdog — despite the fact that it’s a $270 million, star-laden project based on an all-time bestseller with a rabid global following.
But that’s the perception of New Line’s “Rings” trilogy in the wake of extraordinary promotional hoopla and record-breaking B.O. for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” from sister company Warner Bros.
The worldwide launch Dec. 19 of the trilogy’s first installment, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” will be an acid test of New Line’s ability to pull its weight within the AOL Time Warner empire — and to justify its continued existence as a quasi-independent unit.
However, the mega-project still faces numerous trials on its quest for mega-success.
New Line has skedded a day-and-date release (except Japan and Italy) overseas via a network of independent distribs, each with its own strengths and vulnerabilities. This is a formula that’s been used more with action films than “event” pictures, so it’s uncharted territory for all involved.
While it has sold more than 100 million copies, “Rings” has a demographic appeal that’s broader and older than that of “Harry,” meaning it will take a lot of education to make the setting and characters familiar to the core youth audience.
New Line has embarked on this project of unprecedented size and ambition at the exact moment that the company itself is at its most vulnerable. NL has released more than its share of flops in recent years, and AOL is not likely to be impressed by anything less than a blockbuster. While both “Harry” and “Rings” are both massive projects sprung from the same corporate parent, there is a world of difference between them — for starters, they are from the respective directors of “Home Alone” and “Heavenly Creatures.”
“Harry” is the engine of a vast merchandising empire, intended to embody the vision of the book’s author J.K. Rowling as literally as possible.
“Rings,” by contrast, is pitched as the work of a visionary filmmaker, the end-product of more than six years of obsession by Peter Jackson.
On a business level, Warners’ decision to greenlight the first installment of the “Harry Potter” franchise was made after the AOL-TW merger in January 2000, but the conglom inherited New Line’s greenlight of “Rings.”
And while “Harry” is AOL-TW’s baby worldwide, New Line president and chief operating officer of worldwide distribution and marketing Rolf Mittweg paid for 65% of “Rings” through foreign pre-sales. That means the parent has much less risk, but also less upside.
Still, AOL-TW is putting its synergistic muscle to use: The trailer for “Fellowship” ran at the end of series “Angel” on the WB, AOL is sporting the brand on everything from chat rooms to sweepstakes, and Warner Bros. Records will release the soundtrack.
It won’t fail for any lack of passion or money from New Line and its foreign partners. While New Line would not confirm the P&A spend on “Fellowship,” New Line domestic marketing prexy Russell Schwartz said it was on the scale of other major holiday films such as “Harry Potter” and “Ocean’s Eleven.”
Tie-ins abound
In addition to aiding the bottom line, New Line sees tie-ins as a good way to introduce the characters to an audience beyond the “true believers,” as hardcore Tolkien fanatics are known.
“Rings” is attached to more than 40 licensed products, including videogames, toys, collectibles, trading cards, even swords. The partnerships extend to tie-ins with Burger King, JVC, Barnes & Noble and General Mills.
“You have to practice prudent aggression,” Schwartz says — an approach that also extends to Mittweg’s international distribution strategy.
In late 1999, Mittweg convinced 25 distributors that in order to have a blockbuster, they would have to pony up some $160 million — in advance. Now Mittweg is coordinating his merry band of distributors to create a worldwide day-and-date release.
For all their logistical challenges, foreign indies may be New Line’s secret weapon. The marketing and distribution of “Rings” is more akin to a guerrilla campaign fought by a loose network of local tribes with an unrivaled knowledge of the terrain — and a hell of a lot more at personal stake than Warners’ colonial officers.
“I think we have the best companies out there,” Mittweg says. “They will do everything possible not to pale against the big (distributors).”
Powerful locals
In some countries, such as Italy, with Medusa, the films’ local distrib is more powerful than any major. In Australia, “Rings” distrib Village Roadshow also releases Warners pics.
“It has involved three times as much work as any other film we’ve released” says Metropolitan’s Victor Hadida. The Gallic distrib has committed $5 million on P&A, twice as much as the company spent on its B.O. smash “Brotherhood of the Wolf.”
New Line also gets a dose of synergy via Warner Bros. Intl., which is releasing “Ring” in Latin America, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Eastern Europe and Russia.
Early indications are good, with Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers rating the pic as the best of the year, and Swedes shivering in line for five days to get advance tickets, but New Line won’t know for almost another month if the underdog will come out on top.
“You can’t worry about what they’re going to do to you,” Schwartz says. “Our people are hungrier, they have a lot to prove, and they have to find a way to make this work.”
After all, Frodo Baggins is the ultimate underdog, but he triumphs in the end. New Line is hoping to follow in his hobbit footsteps.
(Don Groves in Sydney, John Hopewell in Madrid, Alison James in Paris, Ed Meza in Berlin and David Rooney in Rome contributed to this report. )
“The Fantastic World of Myths and Legends” Lord of the Rings Celebration An Event Celebrating the Tolkien Art of Ted Nasmith and Sir Edward Beard, Jr. December 2nd, 2001 – January 31st, 2002
“One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them”
Following the unprecedented success of our previous four sell-out exhibitions at the Chalk Farm Gallery in London, England, the Chalk Farm Gallery of Santa Fe is pleased to announce the long-awaited exhibition of the work of world renowned J.R.R.Tolkien artist, TED NASMITH.
The fantasy book of the 20th century is about to become the motion picture event of the 21st Century. J.R.R. Tolkien’s groundbreaking epic of heroes, monstrous creatures and dark armies of terror will be presented in a trilogy of feature films. New Line Cinema’s production of The Lord of the Rings marks the first time an entire feature film trilogy is being filmed concurrently, making it one of the longest, most massive productions in Hollywood history. The first release, The Fellowship of the Ring, is scheduled for December 19th, 2001. In anticipation of these films, Ted Nasmith has created a new body of marvelously fantastical work to inspire the world.
Ted Nasmith has worked on many Tolkien publications, including “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and has had several annual calendars of his artwork published by Harper Collins, with worldwide distribution. He is the sole illustrator of the recently released book, Silmarillion, and his 2002 calendar, “The Fellowship of the Ring” is in full release worldwide. The original paintings as seen in this publication are the basis of our most recent London and Santa Fe gallery exhibitions.
Perhaps Mr. Nasmith’s greatest accolade was the approval given to his work by Tolkien himself. Tolkien expressed his admiration of Mr. Nasmith’s interpretations of his characters before his death, and this encouragement led him to model his life around Tolkien art. Ted Nasmith’s mastery at visualizing Tolkien’s prose has captivated an audience far greater than could ever have been imagined. His paintings have inherited the book’s dynamics, power and mythological intent, which has led to his established career as a Tolkien interpreter.
“When I interpret Tolkien, I feel genuinely at home with it and derive great satisfaction from exploring all potential aspects of Middle- earth. With each new illustration, I feel a little bit more of it is captured: characters, locales, atmosphere and drama. It is always interesting to discover the ways that a picture can add new layers of meaning to a scene when the various elements of the composition come together, and how unconscious associations find their way into the work. There doesn’t seem to be any limit to the possibilities and as far as l can tell, l will be exploring them for some time to come.”
Ted Nasmith lives and works in Canada. As an illustrator, he divides his time between architectural renderings and a variety of other forms of illustration, particularly the Tolkien paintings, for which he has become most recognized.
Fantasy artist SIR EDWARD BEARD, JR. has been creating dragons, wizards, fairies and every mythical character that lore provides for the last 22 years. Recognition came at an early age when he was commissioned by Pope Paul VI in 1978 to represent the United States as a delegate to the arts. From this commission came many more years of religious works including spectacular seventy-foot tall cathedral walls. More recently, he has become well loved and respected for his beautiful Tolkien-inspired work.
In addition to the exhibition, Mr. Nasmith and Mr. Beard are sponsoring a local art competition for students aged 6-11 and 12-18. Santa Fe school students are invited to submit a piece of artwork depicting their favorite Tolkien character or scene. Up to six pieces of artwork will be chosen from each school to be entered into the final competition (3 pieces from each age group). The artists will judge the competition and the winners will be exhibited at the Chalk Farm Gallery alongside Ted Nasmith and Ed Beard, Jr. during the opening reception on Sunday, December 2nd, 2001, from 3pm – 7pm. (Please see schedule of events). During the opening, Ted Nasmith will team up with Casper Reiff of the Denmark-based Tolkien Ensemble to present a collection of songs inspired by the author. The Gallery shall also present a prize for the Best Tolkien Costume. We invite everyone to dress up as his or her favorite Tolkien character. Hobbits, Wizards, Elves, Lords and Ladies… all are welcome.
Camera-ready artwork is available upon request. Interviews with the artist(s) may be scheduled through the gallery.
Contact information: Angela Cummings Kasso The Chalk Farm Gallery – Santa Fe Phone: 505-983-7125 Fax: 505-983-7128 E-mail: chalkfarm@newmexico.com
