The Oscar Nominations will be announced live early tomorrow morning, will Peter Jackson’s King Kong get nominated for Best Picture? Best Director? Will any of the actors be nominated? This year is an amazing year for films and the competition is tight! Watch this space tomorrow morning for the results!
Category: Original TORn
The 56th Berlin International Film Festival will award this year’s Honorary Golden Bears for lifetime achievement to the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter Andrzej Wajda and the British actor Sir Ian McKellen. With Sir Ian McKellen, the Berlinale is honouring one of Britain’s most legendary actors of the stage and screen. By 1974 he was already a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Since then he has enthralled audiences around the globe as the eponymous protagonist in the screen adaptation of Richard III (1995), as well as for his performances in X-Men films and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In 1999 Sir Ian McKellen was nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Hollywood director James Whale in Gods and Monster. He was again nominated for an Oscar for his performance as Gandalf in the first episode of Lord of the Rings. The actor, who was knighted in 1990, starred in David MacKenzie’s Asylum (2004), which was screened at last year’s Berlinale Competition. [More]
Alyse, ORC Art Show Director, writes: The Art Show at this year’s ORC went amazingly well. We had so many talented artists from around the country sharing their work with the fans in attendance. And the fans were in for a real treat!
Tim Kirk displayed many of his original paintings that were used in the 1975 Hobbit calendar. Theresa Mather shared her incredible artwork including unique paintings on feathers. Colleen Doran gave fans a glimpse of two new original pieces inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Don Flaws had his comical caricatures on display. He was also drawing fans dressed up as Elves and Hobbits throughout the weekend. Rhonda Morgan also entertained fans by beautifully playing her harp on Friday and Sunday. And quite a number of amateur artists had ceramic pieces, drawings, paintings, and digital artwork on display and for sale.
On Friday, we held the first Iron Artist competition. This one hour event was a hilarious experience and a chance to see professional and amateur artists creating artwork from scratch. The host Tadao Tomomato entertained the crowd and judges as we spoofed the Iron Chef show. The theme for the competition was “Ent-Wives” and this proved to be an inspiring challenge for the artists. Amateur contestant Olga Bosserdt upset Colleen Doran in the “Illustration” category, Don Flaws won the “Cartooning” category against amateur Ashley Taylor, and amateur Aubrey Guilbault narrowly won the “Children’s Illustration” category going up against the talented Cynthia Cummens. All of the original pieces created during the event were later displayed in the Art Show room and auctioned off Sunday afternoon to benefit VSA Arts (www.vsarts.org). We raised almost $500 for the non-profit organization.
Throughout the weekend, fans could vote on their favorite artwork displayed in the Art Show. As well, children attending the convention could also pick their favorites. The Art Show staff selected the top 3 amateur artwork in the show too. Quickbeam announced the winners of the Art Show at the One Ring Awards party:
Kid’s Choice – “Burning of Esgaroth” by Charles Burggraf
Fan Favorite –
1st “Burning of Esgaroth” by Charles Burggraf
2nd “The Fellowship of the Rings” by Suvi Utermohlen
3rd “Back Again” by Charles Burggraf
Best in Show – Amateur Category
1st “Guardian” by Olga Bosserdt
2nd “Lothlorian” by Kate Cunningham
3rd “Galadriel’s Ewer” by Nancy Steinman
Big thank you to all of the wonderful artists who shared their work with us and participated in this year’s art show. And thanks to all the fans who took the time to visit the art show during such a busy weekend. We hope you enjoyed it!
Master Sergeant Keavin Lawdermilk of the Co A, 1st BN, 1st Special Forces Group out of Fort Lewis, Washington writes: I recently had the opportunity to attend the ORC 2006 in Pasadena. It was my first time attending any Lord of the Rings conventions. Had a wonderful time. Several months ago I had returned from military duty in Iraq. I sustained a gunshot injury to my right leg. During the photo-op session with Sean Astin he learned I just returned from Iraq. Mr. Astin was very nice and attentive. At the end of the time that Mr. Astin, and Mr. Wood were “on-stage” Mr. Astin asked me to come up on stage. It was something I was not prepared for, but was exciting. Mr. Astin introduced me to the wonderful ORC group. I have noticed on your website that several members have posted pictures of me on stage. Would it be possible for you to post on your website my email address so those members who took pictures of me on stage could email them to me (if they want to). When I returned home (I am still on convalescent leave) I informed my family, and friends on what happened at the ORC Pasadena convention. Some did not believe me. They say “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I want to thank everyone at theonering.net, Creation Entertainment, Mr. Sean Astin, and Mr. Elijah Wood, and the wonderful “Ringers” who made my first Lord of the Rings convention a wonderful time.
If anyone has photos of MSG Keavin Lawdermilk on stage, send them along!
Andy Serkis has signed on to Touchstone Pictures’ The Prestige, directed by Christopher Nolan. He joins Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie and Piper Perabo. Bale and Jackman will play rival magicians in turn-of-the-century London who battle each other for trade secrets. The title refers to the residue left after a magician’s successful trick. Serkis plays the assistant of Bowie’s character. [More]
Lindsay writes: Billy’s Loons Charities is auctioning off a photo signed by Billy Boyd. All proceeds will go to the Scottish Youth Theatre. I was hoping you could post it on the site. [More]