FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Seth CarmichaelCarmichael PR+1 212-803-5880visit www.sonypictures.com/ringers SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT GRABS THE GOLD RING WITH…
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT GRABS THE GOLD RING WITH RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS
LOS ANGELES, CA (July 14, 2005) — The ‘Ring’ has now come full circle for the worldwide following of J.R.R. Tolkien and his “Lord of the Rings” fantasy books. Indie production house Planet BB is proud to announce the sale of its feature-length film, RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. A rousing favorite at film festivals this year, RINGERS was honored the “Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking: Documentary” award at the 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival.
Narrated by Dominic Monaghan (star of ABC’s Lost and the Academy AwardÒ winning Lord of the Rings trilogy), RINGERS garnered outrageous attention from audiences and press alike during its smash festival circuit run. Screenings continuously sold out in Newport Beach, Dallas, and Park City — with many enthusiasts camping out in Utah’s freezing January weather just to be the first to get tickets.
Premiere magazine proclaimed what eager audiences and fans have waited to hear: “There’s a new documentary to take you back to The Shire” — while The Toronto Star called RINGERS “comprehensive, entertaining and informative pop cultural history.” Indie ubersite FilmThreat loudly praised: “It is a documentary that will always be a salient part of “Lord of the Rings” history…. See it, absorb it, love it!”
RINGERS charts the ongoing influence of “The Lord of the Rings” on pop culture, which continues at full speed more than 50 years after the books’ first publication. Filled with exceptional interviews with legendary rock musicians, filmmakers, professors, actors, authors, and true-blue Ringer fans, the film breathlessly weaves together five decades of Western popular culture. Infused with a dynamic rock score, irreverent cut-out animation (á la Terry Gilliam), and even a centerpiece audience Sing-a-long, RINGERS is a genre-busting documentary that shows how a single literary work continues to spark the minds and hearts of millions.
Director/Producer/Writer Carlene Cordova: “I am genuinely thrilled to work with our friends at Sony. Together we will continue celebrating J.R.R. Tolkien’s amazing achievement by telling the story behind the story.” She adds, “This film is about a true creative legacy and Sony definitely gets it. RINGERS is really special; reminding us how one work of art, this one huge book, can influence so many generations.”
Executive Producer Tom DeSanto (X-Men and X2: X-Men United) sums up the LOTR phenomenon: “RINGERS is a celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien and how one author’s work has rippled out to affect other artists — from musicians to moviemakers — for over fifty years. Whether you are a J.R.R. Tolkien scholar or a person who has never heard of Frodo or Gandalf, RINGERS is a 90-minute ride that rockets you through the “Lord of the Rings” phenomenon.”
The deal was negotiated by Craig Kestel of William Morris Independent and Gary Hirsch for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.
ABOUT THE FILM:
RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS is a feature-length documentary that explores how “The Lord of the Rings” has influenced Western popular culture over the past 50 years. Moving beyond “cult classic” and over several different generations, the film unearths countless people gathered under the banner of ‘Ringer’ — academics, musicians, movie stars, authors, filmmakers, and a plethora of pop junkies. Celebrity interviewees include Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Clive Barker, and David Carradine.
RINGERS features a dynamic rock-driven score with musicians who were influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien. Several indie recording artists have provided new covers of songs from previous “Rings” adaptations. Produced in association with the popular fan-site TheOneRing.net, RINGERS stands as the most comprehensive film document of the ongoing impact of “The Lord of the Rings.”
From the hippie counter-culture to the electronic age; from the Bakshi animated film to Jackson’s epic trilogy; this documentary brings together extensive footage collected over 21 months — across three continents.
What began as the private amusement of a tweedy Oxford professor has now become a new mythology for the 21st century. RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS shows how an adventure story published in 1954 has had dynamic ripple-effects through Western pop-culture. RINGERS carefully pulls away the veil between Tolkien’s book and the creations of art, music, and community that have been inspired by it.
RINGERS INTERVIEWEES INCLUDE: Writer/Director/Producer – Peter Jackson, Actor – Elijah Wood, Actor – Sir Ian McKellen, Actor – Viggo Mortensen, Actor – Sean Astin, Actor – Dominic Monaghan, Actor – Billy Boyd, Actor – Andy Serkis, Actor – Orlando Bloom, Screenwriter – Philippa Boyens, Author/Interviewer – Cliff Broadway, Author/Filmmaker – Clive Barker, Writer/Director/Producer – Cameron Crowe, Actor – David Carradine, Author – Terry Pratchett, Author – Peter S. Beagle, Author – Terry Brooks, Musician – Lemmy Kilmister, Musician – Geddy Lee, Tolkien Scholar – Dr. Jane Chance, Chairperson of the Tolkien Society – Christine Crawshaw, Author – Colin Duriez, Filmmaker/Critic – Chris Gore, Writer/Publisher – Forrest J. Ackerman, Actor – Bill Mumy, Author/Broadcaster – Brian Sibley, Illustrator/Author – Colleen Doran, Illustrator/Author – Jill Thompson, and hundreds of Tolkien fans!
This weekend, Hall of Fire resumes discussing the Silmarillion with chapter 10 – Of The Sindar. After the dramatic rebellion of the Noldor, our focus switches to the rise of the mightiest kingdom of the Sindar – that of Thingol and Melian in Doriath.
We’ll discuss the arrival of the dwarves, and examine the affect their partnership has on Doriath’s development and the events surrounding the creation of Menegroth and the girdling of Doriath by the power of Melian.
Join us on the TORn IRC server this Saturday July 16 in #thehalloffire as we discuss chapter 10 of the Silmarillion – Of the Sindar.
Asia-Pacific: 7.30am (Sunday) Brisbane 7.30am (Sunday) Sydney 9.30am (Sunday) Wellington
Chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!
Where?
Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net – the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here!) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.
To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.
Upcoming topics:
July 16 – The Silmarillion – Of the Sindar July 24 – Theoden King of the Mark July 30 – Theoden King of the Mark
Got a topic? Let us know your idea!
If you have a burning desire to discuss something in Hall of Fire, drop us a line with your topic at halloffire@theonering.net. If we like it, we’ll probably give it a run in the coming weeks – you might even get to guest moderate the session!
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Start: Wellington Finish: Christchurch Mileage: 150K / 93 Miles (estimate, not counting flight from Wellington to Christchurch)
Sites: Lothlorien, Isengard Gardens, Minas Tirith/Helm’s Deep, and the elven cloak factory
Stansborough Fibres Ltd. (the elven cloak factory)
Our first stop was the Stansborough Fibres shop in Wellington. Stansborough manufactured the Elven cloaks used in Lord of the Rings and has the license to sell them, but their story is much bigger than that.
Everyone’s heard about all the sheep in New Zealand, but Cheryl and Barry Eldridge’s are very special. Starting with Gotland sheep, they have used embryo transfer and other breeding techniques for ten years to evolve a unique breed, called Stansborough Greys. Bred to provide high quality wool for worsted fabric, they are raised on the 3000 acre Stansborough Farm in the Wairarapa Valley.
What is fascinating about Stansborough is that their use of high technology is in the agriculture, not the manufacture. They may use embryo transfer to develop a unique breed, but the fabric is woven on two rare antique looms from the 1890s in a manufacturing area behind the shop. The Eldridges are involved in every aspect of the wool business from breeding the sheep to selling the products online. After shearing, the wool is hand sorted by color and texture, carded (combed out), dyed with natural color fast dyes, and then spun into fiber. Cheryl explained that the same color dye will yield a different result, depending on the natural color of the wool. Finished products are then sewn and tailored from the spun fabric.
Lord of the Rings costume designers saw samples of their fabric in New York, loved the “silky, soft, and lustrous” wool and tracked them down. They wove over 3200 yards of fabric for the elven cloaks used in the films. Stansborough fabric was also used in Gimli’s tunic, numerous soldier’s mantles, the Ring Wraiths’ robes, and some of the hobbits’ pintuck jackets. Several members of our fellowship purchased elven cloaks or scarves, wraps, and throws made from this unique fabric.
Barry and Cheryl’s business continues to diversify. It’s possible to stay at the farm in the Wairarapa. They design fabrics for architects, boutique hotels, interior designers, and offer baby goods, corporate gifts, and other lines. They sell fabric to designers and raw wool to spinners and weavers. They are now also breeding alpacas for wool.
And the film work has also continued: They have designed fabric for The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and plan to obtain a license for Narnia fabric products. More on Stansborough, including their online store, at stansborough.co.nz.
Fernside
From Stansborough we drove to Fernside, in the Wairarapa region about an hour northwest of Wellington. This estate was used for the Leaving Lothlorian and Deagol and Smeagol/Gladden Fields locations.
Fernside is a lovely Georgian English country house dating from the 1920s, complete with a large English garden and a lake. Our Lothlorien guide Mike, who works as the gardener on the property, met us in full Middle Earth costume. He told us he attended the Wellington Return of the King premiere and had his sword signed by Orlando Bloom and Andy Serkis, though drawing the sword in the crowd also got security’s attention at first. (not to worry, it’s not live steel.)
The scenes of the Fellowship leaving Lothlorien, saying farewell to the elves and floating down the Celebrant to where it joins the Anduin, were filmed here in winter, in early 2000. More than 200 people were on site, and the house itself was used for editing. The original bridge on the lake was embellished with Elvish motifs and details, and a large Lothlorien mallorn tree was built on the side of the lake that served as the river. The mallorn and the Elvish motifs are gone, but Fernside still looks and feels like Lothlorien. The bridge, trees, and lake are still there, and it is very easy to imagine that Galadriel’s farewell and the departure of the elven boats took place not long ago (see gallery).
Mike explained that in October 2000 cast and crew returned to film the Deagol and Smeagol scenes that open The Return of the King, noting that visitors enjoyed re-enacting both the finding of the ring and Deagol’s murder.
After Fernside, we had lunch in Martinborough, the center of the Wairarapa wine region, known for its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Here I learned the location of Peter Jackson’s new house in Masterton, when I mentioned to a bank teller that I was on a Lord of the Rings tour. I didn’t ask for the information; she volunteered it and told me exactly how to get there to see the turrets from the road. Alas, there was no time, though it would have been lovely to see The Bag End set in its new home. Read more about the Wairarapa and its attractions at wairarapanz.com.
Harcourt Park – The Gardens of Isengard
Heading back toward Wellington, we stopped at Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt, site of the Isengard Gardens where Gandalf and Saruman walked, where Gandalf arrived in Isengard, and where the orcs cut down the trees that fell into the underground factories. (The trees used were not from this park. Location Guide author Ian Brodie explains that the trees used were harvested elsewhere, cut into pieces, and re-assembled on set so they could survive repeated falls, calling them “the famous hinged trees of Isengard.”)
Both the garden path where Saruman and Gandalf walked, and the path between the two trees where Gandalf rose into Isengard, are very easy to recognize.
Winstone Aggregates – Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith
The Helm’s Deep and Minas Tirith sets were built in the Winstone Aggregates quarry in Lower Hutt, close to Wellington. The sets are gone, but from the road outside the quarry and from the other side of the highway you can get a good picture clearly showing the outlines of the hills behind Minas Tirith.
We returned to Wellington and flew to Christchurch, saying goodbye to our hosts Vic and Raewyn James. Our South Island guides Anwen Carver and Bruce Holtshousen met us at Christchurch. Our flight was late due to fog, so we didn’t arrive at the hotel until around midnight, and leaving no chance to see any locations from Peter Jackson’s “Heavenly Creatures.” We consoled ourselves by thinking of the next day….
Sites: Production facilities in Miramar, The Shire, The Chocolate Fish Café, and the Embassy Theatre
Special Guest: Daniel Reeve
Daniel Reeve, Calligrapher and Mapmaker
Our day started with a visit from Daniel Reeve, mapmaker and calligrapher. Daniel is another extraordinary person involved in the production whom we would not have met outside the Red Carpet Tour, and another one whose life and work have gone in a different direction because of working on The Lord of the Rings.
After reading the trilogy as a teenager, he started working in elvish scripts and creating maps. When he learned about the about the production, Daniel was working in the IT department of a bank and creating watercolors on the side. He sent samples of his calligraphy to Peter Jackson, and the studio called almost immediately.
Like Chris Rutten’s, Daniel’s involvement expanded over time, especially as the films moved from production to distribution and merchandising. The labels for Gandalf’s fireworks, made in two sizes, were his first prop. Think of the many scrolls, letters, books, and maps in the trilogy: Bilbo’s party invitations, the scroll of Isildur, Bilbo’s and Frodo’s manuscript, shire calendars, scrolls for Rivendell and the Houses of Healing, orcish graffiti in Cirith Ungol, Saruman’s journal, the dwarves’ history found on Balin’s Tomb in Moria – Daniel created them all. As he spread out all these original works on the table, we were just in awe at the quality of each piece and the scope of the work.
Daniel explained that he distressed paper with coffee and tea to make it look old, and made his own quills from bird feathers. Wrapping paper and watercolor paper were two types he used frequently.
Daniel created different styles of handwriting, paper, and even alphabets to reflect the different regions and peoples of Middle Earth. For example, even though Frodo and Bilbo use the same alphabet, their handwriting is quite different (Bilbo’s has more flourishes). He also became artist in residence for all crew gift-giving occasions, designing jackets and t-shirts, even a tattoo design of the ring inscription, and creating in calligraphy the personal notes Elijah Wood wrote to each fellowship member. He also taught Elijah calligraphy (see photo of Elijah’s practice sheets), and served as Frodo’s calligraphy hand double.
One of his biggest projects was the massive licensee style guide created for New Line Cinema, covering all three films, involving a huge range of scripts, name treatments, borders, and maps for all characters and locations, and including font, size, color, and spacing. Licensees have to follow the style guide to ensure their presentation matches that of the film. (This was the one thing of Daniel’s I’d have given anything to have as a reference, but I guess you have to be a licensee to get one.) He created the theatrical and DVD titles for the films in all languages, including the DVD menu options.
Then there are all the maps used in the films and related merchandise. Daniel told us a secret about the Middle Earth map: Look closely at the harbor by the Grey Havens– it’s Wellington Harbor, complete with the peninsulas where Miramar and the airport are located. He also created the map of New Zealand as Middle Earth commissioned by the Tourist Board and maps for Electronic Arts’ computer games and the Hasbro/Parker Brothers’ Risk and Monopoly games.
Calligraphy and mapmaking are now a full time job, as Daniel is working on both King Kong and The Chronicles of Narnia. When you see King Kong, look for the 1930s newspapers, marine charts, maps, and the captain’s log – more of Daniel’s work.
In addition to sharing with us so much of his original art, Daniel had items for sale and was also kind enough to create a personal inscription for each of us. See more of his work at http://www.danielreeve.co.nz/.
Tour of Miramar (aka Wellywood)
After the meeting with Daniel, we boarded our bus for Miramar, where most of Peter Jackson’s production and editing facilities are located. On many tours, the Red Carpet group has been able to meet Richard Taylor, visit WETA’s board room, and actually hold some of their Oscars. This time Richard was unable to meet us due to heavy commitments on King Kong. However, Kathy (TORn’s own Garfeimao) called Dan Falconer, and he came out to speak to us. Dan told us a bit about the newest division, WETA Productions, which is producing a computer animated series for New Zealand children’s television titled Jane and the Dragon. It’s pushing motion capture even further, with the ability to mocap 6 performers at once.
We drove by Stone Street Studios, Park Road Post, and other facilities, many of which are adaptive reuse buildings, including a former paint factory and a cookie factory.
As a side note, on Shelley Bay Road headed into Miramar, we could see The Venture (King Kong) tied up a public pier. And just down the road is a lot with discarded foam-carved and painted trees from King Kong jungle scenes (you can see them in the trailer).
Lunch at The Chocolate Fish Café
If I lived in Wellington, I’d have lunch at the Chocolate Fish every day! Cast members ate here regularly, and the café is justly famous for its food and harbor views. A special surprise was seeing producer Barrie Osborne at the next table, lunching with “The Lovely Bones” author Alice Seybold. We all managed to contain our enthusiasm, and no one took a picture or interrupted their meeting. Strolling down the beach, one of our fellowship encountered a huge weta in the women’s rest room, which we all rushed to photograph, taking it as a favorable omen. We also drove past Peter Jackson’s house in Seatoun, located somewhere along the beach road going toward the Chocolate Fish Café. I will speak no more of this.
Mount Victoria
After lunch, we returned to Wellington for the views from Mt. Victoria and to visit the site where production began, back on October 11, 1999. Mount Victoria has thick forests and lovely walking trails. Downtown Wellington is just a few blocks below – hard to believe because the locations look so secluded and remote in the film. The most easily recognized locations are the “Get off the road!” site, where even after nearly six years the trees still frame the path where Frodo stood, and the large tree root where the four hobbits hid from the Black Rider. The tree and its root are easy to spot, although it’s more barren in real life without the plants added during filming. Also here is the ridge where they slid down, into the mushrooms.
Embassy Theatre
As all Ringers know, the Embassy theatre was the site of the Australasian premieres of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, and the world premiere of The Return of the King. The restored Embassy is a real jewel, its restoration being a condition from New Line for having the last world premiere there. The tilework and glass absolutely glow. Upstairs is Blondini’s jazz lounge and café where you can have a drink, meal, or specialty coffee, and you don’t even have to have a ticket. There’s a photo mural about the ROTK premiere on one wall. Learn about the Embassy’s history and restoration at http://www.theembassytheatretrust.org.nz.
We had dinner near the Embassy at Strawberry Fare Dessert Restaurant (http://www.strawberryfare.co.nz), where the main courses were good but paled before massive dessert choices like chocolate madness, white chocolate cheesecake, and the triple chocolate brownie, to name a few.
Tomorrow: Lothlorien, Isengard Gardens, Minas Tirith/Helm’s Deep, and the elven cloak factory
The critically acclaimed actor Charles Ross, famous for his live show, the One Man Star Wars Trilogy will be performing his One Man Lord of the Rings as a fundraiser for the newly formed City of Victoria Youth Council (CVYC).
The performance will take place on Friday, July 22nd at the Victoria High School Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 and will be available for purchase at Lyle¹s Place, Dark Horse Books or at the door.
For more information on ticket sales please call the Burnside Gorge Community Center at 388-5251.
Come dressed as your favorite Lord of the Rings charactor and enter our costume contest judged by the LOTRs man himself, Charles Ross.
Background information
About Charles Ross:
Charles Ross is a Canadian actor who, with the help of director TJ Dawe, has built himself a career performing hilarious one-man shows based on pop-culture classics such as Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. He has performed all across North America in cities including Toronto, Atlanta, Orlando, Boston, Chicago, Vancouver and San Diego. Charles Ross recently performed for thousands of the most dedicated Star Wars fans at the Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith worldwide premiere convention. Be it family, friends, or famous celebrities such as Sir Ian McKellin and Vin Diesel, Charles Ross always receives the best from his loving audiences at his laugh out loud comedy extravaganzas. This benefit performance will be his last in Canada before he travels to New York City and Broadway for a series of shows at Lamb¹s Theatre. For more information on Charles Ross, visit his web site at onemanstarwars.com or call 881-6112.
About the CVYC:
Formed in late 2004, the CVYC is a local group of dedicated and highly-involved youth ages 12 – 22 who have given themselves a voice through this unique municipal project that is the City of Victoria Youth Council. The group¹s main objective is to bridge the gap between the city¹s politics and its young peoples¹ needs by consulting with youth about issues that matter to them and by forwarding recommendations for policy and programming to City Hall. For more information about the youth council, contact Chelsea Peddle at 595-8012.
The Barrow Dock Museum will undergo a slight change of scenery this summer, when works of art by fantasy art guru Geoff Taylor will be the subject of a major new exhibition at the museum from 12th August -16th October 2005.
Fantasy art lovers will need no introduction to Geoff, who illustrated all three books in JRR Tolkein’s the Lord of the Rings trilogy in 1999. The list of Geoff’s published cover illustrations reads like a whose-who of modern literature, he has illustrated book covers for such literary giants as Raymond E Feist, Isaac Asimov, Phillip K Dick, Daniel Defoe and Katherine Kerr, to name but a few.
Geoff has been looking forward to the exhibition, which is entitled “Wolves, Princesses and Dragons”, and renewing his links with Cumbria. As Geoff reveals, the county has been something of an inspiration regarding his works of art.
“About three years ago I was contacted by The Barrow Dock Museum to see if I would be interested in having an exhibition. Someone who had bought a wolf print called “The Last Wolf” put the idea forward to the Exhibition Organiser I went along for an interview with my portfolio and I was offered these dates for this exhibition.
“The Last Wolf” painting (now sold) was inspired by the tale of the last wolf in England which was reputedly killed in the 14th Century at Humphrey Head, Cumbria. I read the epic poem by Mrs Jerome Mercier and chose a few lines from her writing to include in the print.
“Although I was born in Lancaster and have moved around the country I settled in Arnside around eight years ago, just within the border to Cumbria so you could say I am a Lancastrian/Cumbrian Artist!”
The exhibition, which is free to enter, will showcase around 50 pieces of artwork from the three different styles or genres that Geoff is best known for – wildlife paintings of wolves, fantasy artwork for bookcovers, and Illustrations, which in recent times has come to include work for “Games Workshop” and their “White Dwarf” magazine, the largest role playing science fantasy gaming company in the world.
All work on display will be for sale, which will include numbered and signed limited edition of prints of each of the images Geoff painted for Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds album. Geoff has a license to print 195 copies of his illustrations from War of the Worlds, and four framed number one prints of Geoff’s works titled: “Panic in the Streets”, “The Red Weed”, “Brave New World” and “Dead London” will be on display and the other 194 will be available for sale at the Dock Museum. Anyone having just finished watching the Tom Cruise movie can now take home a classic piece of memorabilia from the original album, which has just gone straight into the top 10 UK Album sales following its re-release in June.
Fans of Raymond E Feist will also be glad to know that the cover illustration called “Rage of a Demon King” original will be for sale at the exhibition, along with an additional picture of the bookjacket.
Also on display at the museum and available to buy will be four pen and ink drawing illustrations of “Wolf” from the book “Wolf Brother” a bestselling children’s book by Michelle Paver, which is shortly to be made into a Hollywood movie by Ridley Scott.
