Justin writes: Jim Rygiel did a chat on LOTR effects on Saturday. For 3 hours he showed progression composites, green screen, digital doubles, tests, everything – it was great. A few key notes:
90% of all “size” issues with hobbits and dwarves were done in camera, not digitally
The maquette scanner to digitize characters is actually a sheep carcass scanner developed in Aus, used to test slaughter imperfections
Renderman was used as main renderer
New Massive renderer called “GRUNT” – General Renderer of Unlimited Number of Things
Mount Doom fireballs at end of film are simple charcoal briquettes Lava is the same gel-substance used in McDonalds shakes for consistancy – same technique from “Volcano”
Rotoscoping team had 50-80 people at all times
Original fire software was 100% real physics engine, but was ditched because balrog moved too fast and blew himself out like a candle. They tried turning up “pressure” and Balrog looked like the Human Torch. Finally ended up with Maya Particle simulator.
On another note, I’m starting an online fan video network, showing fan films and broadcasting live from the star wars line in Hollywood. We are currently making short fan interviews, and will be shooting several professionals like prop guys, matte painters, and all the unsung heroes of major FX films. Jim Rygiel has commited to an interview, so look forward to an in depth “fan interview” with Jim Rygiel in the coming weeks.
FredO writes: I wanted to give you and your readers some advance notice about ticket sales for “The Lord Of The Rings Symphony” here in Pittsburgh, PA for July 22 & 23, 2005. Tickets will go on sale via the internet at the Pittsburgh Symphony web site, pittsburghsymphony.org and at the box office (phone 412-392-4900 or toll free at 1-800-743-8560) on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 9:00AM. Ticket prices are $75.00, $43.50 and $19.50.
All 3 performances last year in Pittsburgh were sold out! This year the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by John Mauceri (johnmauceri.com) as he leads more than 200 musicians and vocalists through Middle Earth with Howard Shore’s amazing score. Accompanying John Mauceri will be two soloists: Susan Egan (susanegan.net) and Tammy Tyburczy.
It should be noted that this is an early opportunity for TORN readers to purchase tickets before the general public is made aware of the concert dates and ticket availability. No major advertising has been done for the shows yet.
In addition to the concerts there will be a Q&A before each show. There will also be a post-concert event where attendees who purchase tickets at the $75.00 level (only 208 per show are available at this price) can meet John Mauceri and the soloists.
There is also a benefit dinner for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra preceding each concert. The menu for this dinner is derived from Emerald Took’s “Regional Cooking From Middle-Earth: Recipes Of The Third Age”. Tickets are $65.00/person and may be purchased at the same time seat tickets are purchased. As this is a benefit the cost of this ticket is tax deductible. The conductor and vocal soloists will likely attend this affair. There is a theme for each night’s dinner. Friday night the theme is “A Shire Homecoming.” Saturday night the theme is “The Coronation Of A King.” The menu for each evening will be different and will include a broad and exotic array of choices including vegetarian (and of course mushrooms!).
Elrond’s heart forbade him going with the Fellowship; Gandalf encouraged him to throw himself down a well as a preventative measure against stupidity. This weekend in Hall of Fire, we discuss Pippin Took: Bold, hard halfling or piece of luggage?
Pippin, as Peregrin Took was universally known, was the youngest (and perhaps most reluctantly accepted) of the Fellowship. He was only twenty-eight when he set out with Frodo and Sam from Bag End on the first part of their great journey — quite young for a Hobbit.
What does this say about the character of Peregrin Took?
Initially, Pippin seemed singularly unsuited to the long, dangerous journey. Early on, we see him calling for rests, complaining about the lack of food and generally acting more like he’s part of a Sunday stroll through the Shire than a dangerous trek with an uncertain ending.
However, things change at Henneth Annun. Through the sacrifice of Boromir, his captivity with the orcs of the White Hand and subsequent events with the Palantir and Denethor, we see a wiser, less naive Pippin emerge — the future Thain of the Shire.
What was Pippin’s purpose in the Fellowship, and indeed his role in the greater arena of the War of the Ring? Was it a simply a case of making up the numbers? Or something more?
Join us this weekend as we discuss all things Pippin in Hall of Fire!
Time and date: Saturday March 26
America: 5.30pm EST 4.30pm CST 3.30pm MST 2.30pm PST
Europe: 10.30pm UK 11.30am (Sunday) Central Europe
Asia-Pacific: 8.30am (Sunday) Brisbane 9.30am (Sunday) Sydney 11.30am (Sunday) Wellington
Hall of Fire currently is held every weekend on alternating Saturdays and Sundays, with chats lasting anywhere between 45 minutes and an hour and a half depending on the topic. We’re very newbie friendly: simply drop in and join the conversation!
Where?
Hall of Fire chats happen on irc.theonering.net – the TORn IRC server – in the channel (or room) #thehalloffire. If you’re an IRC newbie, you can easily jump on via our java chat client that works inside your web browser. Simply choose #thehalloffire on the drop down box, enter a nick and you’ll be in the channel within seconds!
Alternatively, you can install a dedicated IRC program such as mIRC. To find out more about using mIRC to connect to the TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.
Upcoming topics:
“Pippin Took – bold hard halfling or piece of luggage?”
– Saturday Mar 26 – Sunday April 3
“Silmarillion Chapter 8 – Of the Darkening of Valinor”
– Saturday April 9 – Sunday April 17
“Tell us your LoTR fan experience!’
– Saturday April 23 – Sunday May 1
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!
Join HoF Announce!
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Ringer fans rejoice! A very special event is being planned for the West Coast Premiere of “Ringers: Lord of the Fans!” The documentary phenomenon that made such a huge splash at Slamdance in Park City last January is now being screened again at an exclusive engagement with the 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival on April 23, 2005. This theatrical presentation of the hottest film in the Tolkien universe also includes a rare screening of Billy Boyd’s short film “Instant Credit!” A huge after-party is scheduled at the Hard Rock Cafe immediately following. For full details and how to get your tickets to this fantastic event! Visit the NBFF official site [here]. http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS WEST COAST PREMIERE AT THE 2005 NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL ON APRIL 23, 2005
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA — MARCH 24, 2005 — Southern California’s Ringer fans will enjoy the long-awaited chance to see RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS at the 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival. Enthusiasts of Tolkien’s books are legion, expanded by the success of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” Oscar-sweeping trilogy; but fans will only be able to catch the hot documentary phenomenon that took over Park City at NBFF’s exclusive screening. The event is scheduled Saturday, April 23, 2005, at 7:30pm at the classic LIDO CINEMA located at 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA, 92663 — Tel: 949-673-8350.
As a special treat for fans, Billy Boyd’s critically lauded short film INSTANT CREDIT has been added to the evening program. The short will screen immediately before RINGERS. After the premiere, join us for a RINGERS PREMIERE PARTY with hosted bar and appetizers at The FASHION ISLAND HARD ROCK CAFE located at 451 Newport Center Dr. Newport Beach, CA, 92660 — Tel: 949-640-8844. The event is ages 21 and over ONLY! Live music and performances are being scheduled, details TBA. Tickets for both the screening and the party go on sale April 1, 2005, and can be purchased at the Festival’s official site www.newportbeachfilmfest.com or by phone at 866-NBFF-TIX. Combo price for both screening ticket and party is $50.00/each. Screening tickets only $15.00/each. Reserve tickets early — they are expected to sell out.
RINGERS debuted at the 2005 Slamdance Film Festival this January to sell-out crowds and great reviews. The Toronto Star called it “…comprehensive, entertaining and informative pop cultural history.” Independent film ubersite FilmThreat proclaimed: “It is a documentary that will always be a salient part of Lord of the Rings history…. See it, absorb it, love it!”
RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS serves as a remarkable dénouement to the past 50 years of the worldwide following of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”
Current “Ringers” Interviewees include:
Actor – Dominic Monaghan, Writer/Director/Producer – Peter Jackson, Actor – Elijah Wood, Actor – Sir Ian McKellen, Actor – Viggo Mortensen, Actor – Sean Astin, Actor – Billy Boyd, Actor – Andy Serkis, Actor – John Rhys-Davies, Actor – John Noble, Screenwriter – Philippa Boyens, Producer – Barrie Osborne, 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!
The 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival will showcase more than 350 films from around the world, offering an ambitious and international selection of features, shorts, documentaries and animation that will compete for both Jury and Audience awards. Now in its 6th year, the Festival is proud to treat its audience to World and U.S. premieres, Academy Award entries, Sundance Selections, a Spotlight Series, and Children’s Festival, from both the independent and studio worlds. The Festival has presented many acclaimed films, including Sexy Beast, Spellbound, Dogtown and Z Boys, Joint Security Area and Castle in the Sky. Set in beautiful Newport Beach, a few blocks away from spectacular coastline and less than an hour from Hollywood, the Festival will host several premieres, galas and yacht parties for a singular festival experience.
LOTR Actors will be featured in the following films playing at the Newport Beach Film Festival 2005.
“Everything Goes” with Hugo Weaving Australia 2004 Sunday, April 24 – 1:30 PM – Edwards Island 3 Thursday, April 28 – 9:00 PM – Edwards Island 3
“Catching Kringle” with John Rhys-Davies United States 2004 Saturday, April 23 – 11:30 AM – Edwards Island 4
“Peaches” with Hugo Weaving Australia 2004 Sunday, April 24 – 8:30 PM – Edwards Island 6
“As Smart As They Are: The Author Project” with Viggo Mortensen United States 2004 Saturday, April 23 – 8:00 PM – Orange County Museum of Art
“Instant Credit” with Billy Boyd United Kingdom 2004 Saturday, April 23 – 7:30pm – Lido Theater Tuesday, April 26 – 6:30 PM – Edwards Island 3 Thursday, April 28 – 1:30 PM – Edwards Island 3
“The Hobart Shakespeareans” with Ian McKellen United States 2004 Saturday, April 23 – 12:00 PM – Edwards Island 5 Tuesday, April 26 – 11:00AM – Edwards Island 6
“Boys and a Girl from County Clare” with Bernard Hill Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 PM
Alan Lee to be special Guest at Interaction – Oscar®-winning artist worked as conceptual artist on Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.
Fantasy artist Alan Lee, who won an Oscar for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King will be a special guest at Interaction, the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention, which takes place in Glasgow this August. Mr Lee, who appears in cooperation with the Tolkien 2005 conference, will attend the convention on Saturday 6 August and Sunday 7 August.
“Alan Lee’s artwork has been associated with J.R.R. Tolkien for two decades, from his inspired illustrations for the centenary edition of the books to his acclaimed work on the movie trilogy,” remarked Interaction Co-Chair Colin Harris. “It is entirely appropriate therefore that we should invite him to be a special guest at Interaction in the same year that we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of the final volume of the trilogy. I would especially like to thank Harper Collins for their help in arranging Alan Lee’s participation.”
A native of London, Alan Lee studied at the Ealing School of Art. After graduation he became a freelance illustrator doing mostly book covers. He came to greater public attention in 1978, however, when in collaboration with Brian Froud, he published Faeries. To celebrate the centenary of J.R.R. Tolkien’s birth, Harper Collins commissioned Lee to produce 50 paintings to illustrate a special hardcover edition of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, thus beginning his association with the author. He subsequently illustrated Tolkien’s Ring by David Day and the 1997 edition of The Hobbit. His next book, The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook, is due out from Harper Collins in September 2005.
Lee spent over six years working with Peter Jackson on the three Lord of the Rings movies, creating the distinctive look of Middle Earth. The three movies won the Hugo Award, Science Fiction’s highest honours, in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2004 he received an Oscar for his work as part of the art direction team on The Return of the King. He has also worked with Terry Jones on Erik the Viking and with Ridley Scott on Legend.
Interaction is the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention and takes place in the Scottish Exhibition and Convention Centre from 4 to 8 August 2005. [More]
MEET JOHN HOWE CONCEPTUAL ARTIST LORD OF THE RINGS FILM TRILOGY CHAPTERS, KITCHENER, FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 7:00 P.M. WORLD’S BIGGEST BOOKSTORE, TORONTO, SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2:00 P.M.
Vancouver-born JOHN HOWE, whose books and images of Tolkien’s world including Gandalf, Gollum, Orcs, Black Riders, so inspired film director Peter Jackson that he hired him to bring The Lord of the Rings trilogy to life, will do two exclusive signings for his book Myth & Magic-The Art of John Howe, published by Harper Collins: Chapters Kitchener, Friday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. and World’s Biggest Bookstore, Toronto, Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Howe, who lives in Switzerland, was commissioned to design the cover for the yearly Tolkien calendar in 1987. Without his knowledge, these and subsequent illustrations of Tolkien characters and stories were used by film director, Peter Jackson to help generate interest and investors in Hollywood for the production of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy! In 1997 he was called by Peter Jackson to be the visual concepts designer for the films that went on to win 11 Academy Awards among other honours.
John Howe’s images are also part of Canadian Howard Shore’s magnificent The Lord of the Rings Symphony that will transport audiences into Tolkien’s world with live performances by the Kitchener -Waterloo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Markus Huber and a chorus of more than 250 voices from the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir, Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Youth Choir, Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Children’s Choir and Consort Caritatis under the artistic direction of Howard Dyck. Performances will take place Saturday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. at Centre in the Square, Kitchener and at Roy Thomson Hall, Sunday, June 5, Toronto at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets to all concerts can be purchased at the John Howe signings.
John Howe’s work has been on exhibit in several European countries and commands a cult-like following (john-howe.com) Harper Collins has published his maps, posters, calendars, postcards and book covers of Tolkien’s world for many years. Most recently, the French edition of John Howe: Artbook with preface by actor Viggo Mortensen, was published by Nestiveqnen and producers, Werner Aellen and Gretchen Jordan-Bastow will release a documentary film on John Howe, Lord of the Brush to be aired on Bravo! later in 2005.
Chapters Kitchener is located at: 135 Gateway Park Dr. (519) 650-2553
World’s Biggest Bookstore Toronto is located at: 20 Edward Street (416) 977-7009
