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LOTR News 03/08
The Making of Lord Of The Rings
Hobbits, Elves and satellite dishes
Enya to perform at the Oscars
Sir Ian back in the Closet
Ringing up sales
LOTR The Two Towers action figures
A sneak peek of the carving of the new "Narsil"
Lord, a ring-in, cries co-producer
Enya sails away with world music awards
The Irish Independent
ENYA scooped three World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, writes Niamh Hooper.
The Irish singer, who performed at the ceremony, won an award for Best Selling Irish Artist, beating U2 and Ronan Keating and Best Selling Female Artist, fighting off competition from Dido, Britney Spears and Alicia Keys.
She also won Best Selling New Age Artist.
Winning the three gongs at Tuesday's ceremony comes after winning a Grammy last week for Best Album for 'A Day Without Rain'. Global sales of the album stand at 12m, with more than 6m in the US where it has gone platinum six times. She and musical partners Roma and Nicky Ryan also have an Oscar nomination for Best Music (Song) for 'May It Be' recorded for 'Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring'.
The Academy Awards will be held March 24.
Hobbits, Elves and satellite dishes
Winston Raj
CIO Asia
Peter Jackson's ambitious goal to bring alive The Lord of the Rings onscreen would have remained just a director's dream, if it hadn't been for IT.
"I WAS TO SIT IN A NICE COSY OFFICE, drink coffee and solve e-mail problems," says Duncan Nimmo. Instead, the IT manager of 3foot6 Ltd would climb steep mountain ranges, carry reels of heavy fibre cables across deep rivers and set satellite dishes in marrow-freezing blizzards.
But then again 3foot6 is no ordinary company. In fact, it doesn't exist anymore. Born as a production company, the sole reason for its brief existence was to aid director Peter Jackson in his quest to capture the epic fantasy masterpiece written by J. R. R. Tolkien—The Lord of the Rings—onscreen. "And not one of us imagined how physically gruelling and mentally exhausting it will be to do just that," says Nimmo.
Two ends and a nightmare in between
Shooting of the much-publicised epic began in October 1999, and continued through to December 2000 throughout New Zealand. Because of the huge amount of material to be filmed, much of the filming had to be done simultaneously by up to seven independent film units at any one time. And Jackson wanted to be in control of each one of them.
"Obviously he couldn't be in five places at once," says Nimmo. So he opted to do the next best thing: videoconferencing. "And that was where I came in."
Nimmo would set up a video conferencing unit wherever the filming was done so that Jackson would have a good view of what is going on. "We did that for two reasons: one financial, and the other artistic."
Full article...
Enya to perform at the Oscars
Interest Alert
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that Enya will perform for the first time at the 74th Academy Awards.
The Irish singer-songwriters will sing her Oscar-nominated song, "May It Be," from "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."
Also scheduled to perform are Faith Hill who will sing "There You'll Be" from 'Pearl Habour' and Sting will perform "Until" from 'Kate & Leopold'
On another note, the Irish new age singer took home three awards Wednesday (March 6) night at the 14th Annual World Music Awards at the International Sporting Club in Monte Carlo, Monaco, including the World's Best-Selling Female Artist, beating out Britney Spears.
Enya, whose A Day Without Rain was one of the top-selling albums in the U.S. for 2001, was also honored with the awards for World's Best-Selling New Age Artist and World's Best-Selling Irish Artist.
Sir Ian back in the Closet
New York Daily News
Ian McKellen is loving the perks his latest Oscar nomination is getting him.
"I had bodyguards the other day," the "Lord of the Rings" star told us over breakfast at the Brooklyn Diner. "They just turned up. They were keeping back the crowd of eight people."
Sir Ian is in town to serve as host of "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. He's still working on his opening monologue, but he's playing with the idea "that I've had enough of being a gay icon! I've had enough of all this hard work, because, since I came out, I keep getting all these parts, and my career's taken off. I want a quiet life! I'm going back into the closet. But I can't get back into the closet, because it's absolutely jam-packed full of other actors!"
McKellen was tickled by Ellen DeGeneres' "SNL" monologue last December, in which she proclaimed that she's really not gay and thanked her husband, "Jerry," for minding the fort while "I'm fruiting around."
"Perhaps I should get married to Ellen!" said McKellen. "Or Rosie [O'Donnell] now!"
In his off-hours, he plays mentor to fans on his Web site, www.mckellen.com.
"I know, particularly for young gays and their families, to be able to just make a little contact with someone whose life seems to be carrying on normally is an encouragement," he says. "But my rule is I'll only write back once. I'm not going to start a lonely-hearts club."
Ringing up sales
Angela Moriarty
Stuff New Zealand
Nelson jeweller Thorkild Hansen isn't cashing in on his father's Lord of the Rings ring design in a big way, but that doesn't mean he's not cashing in at all.
He says some people say they're impressed by his "staunch attitude" in not chasing up a contract to mass-produce the rings, while others say he has passed up a golden opportunity.
Neither impression is true, Hansen says.
The "staunch attitude" impression is "a bit idealistic" and he hasn't missed out, he says.
"I didn't pass up an opportunity, I was never given the opportunity, I was never given a contract.
"Of course I'm going to take opportunities to make a living out of (the ring), I just don't want to sit down and make 5000 copies - but it doesn't mean I wouldn't if the right opportunity arose," he says.
South African gold mining company Harmony has secured exclusive marketing rights to sell copies of the ring in South Africa. The company contacted Hansen to find out more about the Nelson-made ring and ask him if he wanted to be involved in distributing the ring in New Zealand.
"At that point I drew the line - I'm not a distributor," Hansen says.
But that doesn't mean Lord of the Rings fans can't get their own authentic ring.
"I haven't turned away anyone who's asked for it.
"I'm prepared to sell to those who come in and say, `I'd really like a copy of this ring'," Hansen says.
You'll get the original design as made by Jens Hansen, but you won't get the elfish writing inscribed on the ring. The writing was digitally added during post-production of the movie.
Just because it's the Lord of the Rings ring, you won't have to pay a fortune - the ring sells for the same price as any other Jens Hansen gold band of the same weight.
So far, Hansen has made eight Lord of the Rings "wedding band" rings, four of them for a family that came to Nelson deliberately to see locations where scenes were shot and where the ring was made.
Hansen, who has decided to spend more time with customers and tourists since taking over the Jens Hansen business after his father's death, has put one of the ring prototypes on display in the shop window.
"A lot of people come in here - I've had my photo with people holding the ring so many times," he says.
But while he's happy to hang out with tourists, he doesn't agree with suggestions that Nelson be declared "City of the Ring" to capitalise on tourism opportunities.
"I think people know we are the home of the maker of the ring.
"If it was really of some gain to Nelsonians, then sure, but I haven't heard any statements from anyone of why it would be good."
Hansen isn't precious about the famous ring - visitors are allowed to touch the prototype.
"We even bounce it around the room sometimes," he laughs.
While the company's name remains Jens Hansen, Thorkild Hansen is also putting his own stamp on the business - literally.
Since taking over the business in August 1999, he's developed his own style and designs - stamped inside with both the Jens Hansen and his personal mark - and has also continued to make his father's popular designs.
"For quite a while everything was his (Jens') patterns, his work, and I can keep designing in that fashion but at some stage I have got to start producing the designs that are an extension of me.
"I wasn't doing my work, I was doing my father's work."
His latest designs actually draw on his first designs as a teenager, using polyester plastic set in sterling silver.
Using polyester means customers can pretty much "pick their colour" to match an outfit.
He says people can literally bring in a colour chart and he'll be able to match it, or get very close.
"It's quite a challenge. I'm just pleased I'm not colour blind."
Some of Hansen's larger works can be challenging to the untrained eye.
"They (customers) can't decide if it's something you wear or something you look at. I like those subtle forms that challenge."
While some of the concepts may be a little out of reach, Hansen says the prices aren't.
He says people seem to be adapting to paying the price for good jewellery.
Take, for example, the polyester rings, which cost $109.
"That's within reach for a lot of people now. Going out on a Friday night, you can easily spend a ring's worth."
LOTR The Two Towers action figures
Toy Biz
The saga continues as Toy Biz introduces an all new action-packed line-up of products inspired by this year's most anticipated movie sequel- New Line Cinema's The Two Towers. J.R.R. Tolkien's literary phenomenon became last year's cinematic masterpiece as The Fellowship of the Ring was hailed as "the three most exciting movie hours seen in years" (New York Post) and the "#1 movie of the year!" (Entertainment Weekly). Tolkien's fantasy world will continue to hit theaters to captivate moviegoers with films two and three scheduled to hit theaters Holiday 2002 and 2003. Remaining Fellowship of the Rings toys still on the way include:
*6" Action Figure Assortments III & IV- coming this April (Series 3) and August (4) for a SRP of $7.99 each.
Assortment III- Bilbo Baggins, Elrond, Aragorn and Orc Warrior.
Assortment IV- Orc Brute, Haldir, Twi-Light Ringwraith and Galadriel.
*Twin Pack Assortments II & II- coming this April and August for a SRP of $14.99 each set.
Assortment II- Frodo & Sam with Boat and Gimli vs. Uruk-hai.
Assortment III- Gil Galad & Elindil and Prolog Elf Infantry Men & Prolog Orc.
*12" Action Figure Assortment II- Coming this June for a SRP of $19.99 each. Will star Aragorn, Galadriel and Gimli.
*Balrog- Will feature electronic features such as light-up eyes, mouth opening and closing action, battling arm actions and roaring sound effects. Coming this Fall for a SRP of $29.99.
To satiate the hunger of The Lord of the Rings fans, Toy Biz will add to the film's excitement with an entirely new assortment of action figures and accessories. The new figures will journey into stores Fall 2002 and will offer fans a sneak peek at some of the new characters that will debut in the next film. Look for the following:
*6" Action Figure Assortment I & II- 10 new figures coming this Fall for a SRP of $7.99 each. Assortment I includes: Faramir, Legolas, Eowyn, Gondorian Soldier and Easterling. Assortment II will star: King Theoden, Grima Wormtongue, Eomer, Soldier of Rohan and Wildman.
*Twin Pack Assortment I- Includes: Elven Archer & Berserker Uruk-hai and Grishnakn & Ugluk. Coming this Fall for a SRP of $14.99 each set.
*Deluxe Horse Assortment I- SRP of $19.99 each and featuring Aragorn & Brego and King Theoden & Snowmane.
*12" Collector Series Assortment I & II- coming this Fall for a SRP of $19.99 each.
Assortment I- Legolas, Bilbo and Eowyn.
Assortment II- Gandalf the White, Samwise Gamgee and Arwen.
*Treebeard- This fully poseable 14" figure perfectly captures the distinctive look of the heroic leader of the Ents. Features light-up eyes and a mouth that moves in synch while the character spouts out over five different electronic phrases. Additionally, Treebeard comes equipped with a special lifting action that fans can use to recreate key scenes from the movie where it protects the forest from humans and orcs that want to burn it down. Includes 3 "AA" batteries. SRP of $29.99.
*Urak-hai Cross Bow Set- Comes with three soft tip arrows and arrow belt and includes air-powered launching action. The firing trigger has a sturdy piston grip that helps in accurate shooting, projecting arrows over 20 feet with 3 power settings. SRP of $16.99.
A sneak peek of the carving of the new "Narsil"
Blades By Brown Cutlery
Lord, a ring-in, cries co-producer
New Zealand Herald
Frances Walsh is upset with Frances Walsh - so upset that she is threatening to sue.
At the centre of the dispute is an article in this week's Listener about why most New Zealand films do not make money.
The article was written by Auckland freelance journalist Frances Maria Walsh, but The Lord of the Rings screenwriter Fran (Frances Rosemary) Walsh is threatening to sue because the Listener failed to point out she was not the author.
She claims the magazine deliberately misled readers by using the word "Lord" in the headline and images from the The Lord of the Rings movie "next to my name".
She is "deeply distressed" that people may mistake her as the author when she strongly disagrees with views expressed in the article.
"The legal action is based on the confusion that the article appears to be written by the same Frances Walsh, who is also Peter Jackson's partner," she said.
Listener editor Finlay Macdonald said Frances Maria Walsh had written for the magazine and other publications before, and the shared name was coincidence.
He rejected the "very serious and damaging claim" by Fran Walsh that it was done deliberately.
"What right does anyone have to demand that another discontinues using their own name, or to make reference to another person, in the course of going about their lawful business?"
Fran Walsh is demanding an apology, retraction, damages and costs.
Lawyers for the Listener responded yesterday, although Mr Macdonald would not say what that response was.
Fran Walsh co-wrote and co-produced the Rings films, which were directed by Jackson.
The article by Frances Maria Walsh discusses film funding and returns on investment. It refers to the Rings trilogy receiving a $250 million tax break from the previous Government, a deal the magazine has investigated in the past.
Fran Walsh claims the figure is wildly inaccurate. It has been suggested she has taken issue with the article and her namesake because she was offended by the magazine's previous coverage.
Asked if the Listener was running a campaign against the movie, Mr Macdonald said: "Most assuredly not. We've given it a glowing review and anything we've written other than that has been an attempt to understand and explain to the public complicated tax deals that made it possible for it to be filmed here.
"That's quite a separate issue from the production itself and should be seen as such, and neither is it in any way interpretable as criticism."
More Oscar clues due this weekend
Interest Alert
LOS ANGELES, March 7 (UPI) -- Oscar-watchers will be paying close attention this weekend, looking for clues to the Academy Award outcomes, as the Screen Actors Guild and the Directors Guild of America hand out their annual awards.
SAG and DGA awards have tended to be fairly reliable predictors of Oscar success.
Russell Crowe and Sissy Spacek are widely regarded as front-runners for SAG's top movie honors, although Spacek shapes up as the stronger favorite for her performance as a mother coping with the tragic death of her son in "In the Bedroom."
Spacek -- who won the Oscar in 1980 for her performance as country singer Loretta Lynn in "Coal Miner's Daughter" -- has virtually run the table during the current award season, capturing most lead actress honors, including the Golden Globe.
The other SAG nominees for female actor in a lead role are Halle Berry for "Monster's Ball," Jennifer Connelly for "A Beautiful Mind," Judi Dench for "Iris" and Renee Zellweger for "Bridget Jones's Diary."
Berry was named best actress by the National Board of Review. All but Connelly are up for the best actress Oscar.
Connelly was nominated for the supporting actress Oscar for her turn as the impossibly patient and loving wife of John Nash, one of the most highly decorated performances of the awards season so far. She won the AFI award for featured actress and the Golden Globe for supporting actress.
Crowe won a Golden Globe and could land his first Actor Award for his performance as the schizophrenic Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. in "A Beautiful Mind." However, he has not dominated the award season the way Spacek has and has shared the top acting prizes with Denzel Washington and Billy Bob Thornton.
Washington, who was named best actor at the first-ever American Film Institute Awards, is up for an Actor and an Oscar for his turn as a rogue cop in "Training Day." Thornton -- who won best actor honors from the National Board of Review for "Bandits," "Monster's Ball" and "The Man Who Wasn't There" -- was overlooked by both SAG and the Academy.
The other SAG nominees for outstanding male actor in a leading role are Kevin Kline for "Life as a House," "Sean Penn for "I Am Sam" and Tom Wilkinson, who plays Spacek's husband in "In the Bedroom."
Notably absent from the list of SAG nominees is Nicole Kidman, who won a Golden Globe for actress in a musical or comedy movie for her performance as the tragic courtesan Satine in "Moulin Rouge." Kidman was nominated for a best actress Oscar, but she will need to buck the trend of history to take home an Academy Award.
In five of the last seven years, the winner of SAG's trophy for female actor in a leading role went on to win the best actress Oscar. Jodie Foster won the SAG award for "Nell" in 1994, when Jessica Lange won the Oscar for "Blue Sky," and Annette Bening won the SAG award in 1999 for "American Beauty," while Hilary Swank took the Oscar for "Boys Don't Cry."
The trend is even stronger among male actors. In six of the last seven years, the winner of the SAG award for male actor in a leading role has gone on to win the best actor Oscar. The exception came last year, when SAG named Benicio del Toro best actor for "Traffic." Del Toro went on to win the supporting actor Oscar, as Crowe won best actor for "Gladiator."
The nominees for male actor in a supporting role are Jim Broadbent ("Iris"), Hayden Christensen ("Life as a House"), Ethan Hawke ("Training Day"), Ben Kingsley ("Sexy Beast") and Ian McKellen ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring").
The nominees for female actor in a supporting role are Cate Blanchett ("Bandits"), Judi Dench ("The Shipping News"), Cameron Diaz ("Vanilla Sky"), Dakota Fanning ("I Am Sam") and Helen Mirren ("Gosford Park").
SAG also presents an ensemble award to the outstanding cast of a theatrical motion picture. The nominated casts are from "A Beautiful Mind," "Gosford Park," "In the Bedroom," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "Moulin Rouge."
The SAG Awards will be handed out Sunday in Los Angeles in ceremonies to be televised live by TNT.
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America's feature film directing award -- to be handed out Saturday in Los Angeles -- are Ron Howard ("A Beautiful Mind"), Peter Jackson ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"), Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge"), Christopher Nolan ("Memento") and Ridley Scott ("Black Hawk Down") for its feature film directing award -- installing them as frontrunners for the directing Oscar.
Since the guild established the award in 1949, the directing Oscar has gone to the DGA winner every year but five.
The exceptions were 1968, when Anthony Harvey won the DGA award for "The Lion in Winter" while Carol Reed took the Oscar for "Oliver!"; 1972, when Francis Ford Coppola won the DGA award for "The Godfather" while the Oscar went to Bob Fosse for "Cabaret"; 1985, when the DGA honored Steven Spielberg for "The Color Purple" while the Academy went with Sydney Pollack for "Out of Africa"; 1995, when the guild award went to Howard for "Apollo 13" while the Oscar went to Mel Gibson for "Braveheart"; and last year, when Ang Lee won the DGA award for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" while Steven Soderbergh won the Oscar for directing "Traffic."
Of the five DGA nominees, only Howard, Jackson and Scott are up for Oscars. The other Oscar nominees are Robert Altman for "Gosford Park" and David Lynch for "Mulholland Drive."
The DGA Awards will be handed out Saturday in Los Angeles, in ceremonies to be hosted by Carl Reiner.
The 74th Academy Awards will be presented March 24 at the new Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, in ceremonies to be televised live by ABC.
Enya to perform at the Oscars
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that Enya will perform for the first time at the 74th Academy Awards.
The Irish singer-songwriters will sing her Oscar-nominated song, "May It Be," from "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."
Also scheduled to perform are Faith Hill who will sing "There You'll Be" from 'Pearl Habour' and Sting will perform "Until" from 'Kate & Leopold'
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