New Tolkien-related book published: Visualizing Middle-earth

by Michael Martinez, Monday, October 16, 2000

VISUALIZING MIDDLE-EARTH, a collection of essays about J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth by Michael Martinez, is now available as a print-on-demand or eBook. The ISBN for this trade paperback is 0-7388-3408-4. People may order it at their local booksellers or directly from Xlibris. The title will also be made available on Amazon.Com, Barnesandnoble.com, Borders.com, and other online services. Processing the listing for these services takes several weeks, so the book is currently available only through Xlibris. More information about the book is available at http://www.xlibris.com/VisualizingMiddleearth.html The retail price of the book is $16.00 for trade paperback and $10.00 for downloadable ebook. Xlibris provides full information on pricing, shipping, and delivery on their Web site. They promise delivery within 4-6 weeks but are currently testing a new distribution service which may speed up delivery considerably. Michael Martinez is the author of the popular PARMA ENDORION: ESSAYS ON MIDDLE-EARTH Web site and the topic editor for Suite101's weekly Tolkien and Middle-earth topic. He has also consulted with several companies about Tolkien and Middle-earth.

Stuff creates a LOTR images gallery

by Michael Martinez, Monday, October 16, 2000

Capitalizing on the popularity of their 'Lord of the Rings' news articles, Stuff has created a gallery of images from their numerous LOTR movie news stories. The gallery features the latest picture in prominent size and thumbnails which serve as links to change out the main image, thus displaying all the images with captions from the news archive.

The Press interviews LOTR extras about working conditions

by Michael Martinez, Monday, October 16, 2000

The Press was given access to working extras staying on location for Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' as part of their investigation into allegations that extras are being exploited. The claims, made by actress/producer Anna Wilding, are based in part on a comparison of working conditions in New Zealand and the requirements the production company would be forced to comply with in the United States. Pay scales are also, according to one report, about one-sixth what they would be under union rules in the United States. Many of the people involved with the production clearly don't feel mistreated, and some have spoken up in defense of the financial decision to make the movies in New Zealand because of lower production costs. A strong union sentiment such as exists in the United States doesn't yet prevail in New Zealand, but as more and more television shows and movies are produced there, the situation may change. But if labor organizes in New Zealand's film industry, would it be able to remain competitive with the rest of the world's film meccas? A complicating factor is the fact that New Zealand's economy is currently reeling under the impact of rising inflation and a declining New Zealand dollar. The extras working on Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" may not be doing badly, but eventually the pay may turn out not to be so great after all.

So long, Edoras, and thanks for all the press!

by Michael Martinez, Monday, October 16, 2000

Three Foot Six Productions has begun dismantling the Edoras set at Mount Potts. Despite local residents' wishes to preserve the set, the high winds at the elevated location would ultimately destroy it, so the decision has been made to restore the area to it original raw, natural beauty. The New Zealand Press Association reports that "Lord of the Rings" movies publicist Claire Raskind says it will require two months' work to clear the former set and restore the land. Thanks to Tolkien Online for the heads up on the report. Edoras was the most complex location set constructed for the movies, and represents a full town. Perhaps only the Minas Tirith set cur!rently under construction will outscale Edoras in size and pre-release impression. How closely does Peter Jackson's Edoras resemble J.R.R. Tolkien's Edoras? You be the judge. 'Speak, Legolas!' said Gandalf. 'Tell us what you see there before us!' Legolas gazed ahead, shading his eyes from the level shafts of the new-risen sun. 'I see a white stream that comes down from the snows,' he said. 'Where it issues from the shadow of the vale a green hill rises upon the east. A dyke and mighty wall and thorny fence encircle it. Within there rise roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there stands aloft a great hall of Men. And it seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold. The light of it shines far over the land. Golden, too, are the posts of its doors. There men in bright mail stand; but all else within the courts are yet asleep.' 'Edoras those courts are called,' said Gandalf, 'and Meduseld is that golden hall. There dwells Theoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan. We are come with the rising of the day. Now the road lies plain to see before us. But we must ride more warily; for war is abroad, and the Rohirrim, the Horse-lords, do not sleep, even if it seem so from afar. Draw no weapon, speak no haughty word, I counsel you all, until we are come before Theoden's seat.' That's Legolas' first impression of the city on the hill. The stream was lined with willow-trees, according to the text, and Gandalf and his companions crossed the stream by a ford which opened onto a "rutted track" (a dirt road) that led to the city, passing through the green mounds where Rohan's former kings lay buried. At the foot of the walled hill the way ran under the shadow of many mounds, high and green. Upon their western sides the grass was white as with a drifted snow: small flowers sprang there like countless stars amid the turf.... Following the winding way up the green shoulders of the hills, they came at last to the wide wind-swept walls and the gates of Edoras. There sat many men in bright mail, who sprang at once to their feet and barred the way with spears.... The dark gates were swung open. The travellers entered, walking in file behind their guide. They found a broad path, paved with hewn stones, now winding upward, now climbing in short flights of well-laid steps. Many houses built of wood and many dark doors they passed. Beside the way in a stone channel a stream of clear water flowed, sparkling and chattering. At length they came to the crown of the hill. There stood a high platform above a green terrace, at the foot of which a bright spring gushed from a stone carved in the likeness of a horse's head; beneath was a wide basin from which the water spilled and fed the falling stream. Up the green terrace went a stair of stone, high and broad, and on either side of the topmost step were stone-hewn seats. There sat other guards, with drawn swords laid upon their knees. Their golden hair was braided on their shoulders; the sun was blazoned upon their green shields, their long corslets were burnished bright, and when they rose taller they seemed than mortal men. Citatiosn were taken from "The King of the Golden Hall" in The Two Towers.

One News posts behind-the-scenes

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

A two-minute segment which screams out that it should be two hours tantalizes Tolkien and Jackson fans as One News takes a look behind the scenes of Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings'. The footage includes interviews with Peter Jackson, Barrie Osborne, and one other production crew member, and reveals blurry, rain/snow-splattered footage of two of the last location sets being used for the movies.

Gaming rumors: much ado about darned little

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

Variety and Gamespot are reporting that Electronic Arts may get the electronic games license for Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings'. Variety is also reporting that Havas Interactive has asked the Tolkien Estate to clarify its rights. Xenite.Org earlier this year reported that Sierra Online, a division of Havas, filed suit against The Saul Zaentz Company, whose division Tolkien Enterprises administers film and merchandisng rights for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Sierra fired its development team on September 22, 1999 and suspended development of the Middle-earth Online game, which was expected to support up to 10,000 players per world/server. Although Sierra claims it has not abandoned the game, some industry observers expect the company to forfeit the license. In the meantime, New Line Cinema has reportedly been shopping gaming and other rights around, and has allegedly pressured companies with existing licenses to return them. Toy Vault, manufacturer of the popular Middle-earth action figures, has been in negotiation with New Line Cinema over the continued use of its license, which expires at the end of 2000.

US theaters need to cut capacity by 50% as General Cinema files for bankruptcy

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

In a move which broadens the industry-wide crisis for theatre chains in the United States, General Cinemas has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, according to Variety. The latest bankruptcy, following those of Carmike Cinemas, United Artists Theater Co., Edwards Theater Circuit, Weststar Cinemas, and Silver Cinema earlier this year, is not attributed to overbuilding by General Cinemas, but rather to the competition resulting from overbuilding by its competitors. Scott Davis of First Union Securities is quoted as saying the industry must cut current capacity by as much as 50% in order to restore its financial health. General Cinemas is cutting back operations in the Southeastern United States, and some of its subsidiaries in the region are being forced to seek Chapter 7 liquidation. The theater closings in the United States may have a significant impact on the initial ticket sales of new movies released here in coming years, although in many cases the closings are of older, smaller theaters. The industry has been building megaplexes with dozens of screens in recent years in order to become more competitive. The film industry, pressured by fewer available domestic outlets and increasing technological leakage of their products via the Internet, is considering alternative distribution models, including releasing films over the Internet.

Extras claim they are being treated like royalty

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

Stirred by news reports that an international film consultant had harshly criticized Three Foot Six for its handling of extras during filming of Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings', some extras have spoken up to defend the company. The Press quotes New Zealander Carrie Dungan as saying, "We were not made to feel like the little people at all. We were made to feel very special. We got a taste of what it was like to be one of the stars." Anna Wilding, the actress/producer visiting relatives in New Zealand who started the brouhaha with her comments, reportedly insists she has heard from other extras who claim they were not well treated.

Southland Times talks with John Rhys-Davies, aka Gimli

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

While rounding up news reports, The Realm of the Ring noticed that the Southland Times had posted an interview with John Rhys-Davies. JRD safely predicts that Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" will make cinematic history, and the article promises a Gimli doll (other than Toy Vault's Gimli, of course). Rhys-Davies has already been immortalized as an action figure once: his character of Sallah, from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", has been an action figure for years. It takes four hours to apply the heavy makeup to Rhys-Davies to make him look like Gimli, and he requires two assistants to carry his armor.

Realm of the Ring posts video footage of Queenstown set

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

The Realm of the Ring has put up screen captures and video footage from a TV1 news report about 'Lord of the Rings' location filming in Queenstown. The pictures include shots of cast and crew (no major stars) including producers Peter Jackson and Barrie Osborne, as well as of vehicles and tents. Small and medium resolution MPEG files are available for download as well.

Hollywood actress/producer attacks LOTR production

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

The Press has published an article in which a Hollywood actress/producer has blasted Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' production for exploiting extras. Actress Anna Wilding (note: her Web site's plug-in may crash your browser and/or PC) is visiting family in New Zealand and she spoke with The Press, sharing her thoughts on the contracts that Three Foot Six Productions are writing with extras, especially those who are performing as Rohirrim with horses. Comparing the conditions and pay the extras as saddled with to slavery, Wilding has been extremely critical of the film's management. Three Foot Six publicist Claire Raskind has responded by pointing out that all the extras were informed before signing their contracts of what the pay scale and working conditions would be. Although Wilding is urging the extras to go on strike (a bit lit, perhaps, given that principal photography wraps in a few more weeks), Raskind insists many of the extras would gladly pay for the privilege of appearing in the movies. Wilding's Web site claims she is an award-winning actress, but her awards page only lists Internet awards and links. No filmography is posted on the Web site. Wilding has appeared in the television movies "Rainbow Warrior Conspiracy" and "The New Romantics" and theatrical films "Highway 61" and "Walk, Don't Walk". She produced or helped produce two of the films and has also appeared on New Zealand's renowned Shortland Street in 1992.

Decipher answering questions

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

Curious Tolkien fans are being encouraged to ask questions about Decipher's upcoming Lord of the Rings trading card game on their forum. So far they have mentioned that they are aiming for a release concurrent with Peter Jackson's "The Fellowship of the Ring", the first his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, in December 2001. The term "trading card game" was also selected over "collectible card game" because people at Decipher felt it sounded better. And they are interested in appearing at science fiction conventions to help promote and explain the game. The best magazines to watch are the usual industry insiders, such as Scrye and Inquest.

Charting the Shire lines

by Michael Martinez, Saturday, October 14, 2000

What was so special about the year 1601 that it should be when Hobbits needed to settle in a new home? And where, exactly, did they settle? People often ask a lot of questions about the early years of the Shire which are really hard to answer. For example, did Marcho and Blanco, the Fallohide brothers who led the first wave of migration into the Shire, have a surname? When did surnames become important to the Hobbits? How much do the surnames recorded in The Lord of the Rings reflect the social structure of early Shire clans? If there were a complete map of the Shire available, showing placenames and folklands, it would be most helpful indeed. But there doesn't seem to be one. So all guesses are wild. Nonetheless, given what we know about Hobbits, we can make some reasonable guesses about where they would have settled first, and why. Of course, it always helps to look at their possible motivations. In the year 1601, Argeleb II was king of Arthedain. Rhudaur had been destroyed nearly 200 years before in the War of 1409. Angmar shouldn't have been much of a threat any more because it was suppressed for a long time with help from Lindon and Imladris. In fact, the next documented war with Angmar wouldn't be until 1851, when Araval fought off an attack with help from the Elves. Read the rest of the article here.

New LOTR cartoon contest

by Michael Martinez, Tuesday, October 10, 2000

John Cook, author of the popular Sev Wide Web comics, has posted another LOTR movie cartoon contest. This time he picks on Gandalf the Grey (or, Gonedaft). Punchline Name Email

Black arches and stairs at Wingate...what could they be?

by Michael Martinez, Monday, October 9, 2000

With location filming set to wrap up by November 1, there isn't much left for fan sites to guess at concerning what is being filmed. But the construction at the Wingate set seems to be for a major scene in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' movies. In their latest spy report, TheOneRing.Net describes a wall with arches and "bits of wall, stair, arches, etc." which are black. Black masonry seems to be associated with evil in these films. Isengard was black (well, okay, Orthanc is black in the literary story as well). The set may be intended for use in Cirith Ungol, or possibly either the Morannon or Barad-dur. Another possibility is Minas Morgul. However, judging by the literary story, and the fact that Sean Astin was eagerly anticipating the scene with Shelob earlier this year, our best guess is that Wingate represents Cirith Ungol.

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