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October 21, 2005 - October 30, 2005

10-30-05 Latest News

Alan Lee Book Tour: Corte Madera, CA Report
Xoanon @ 9:02 pm EST

Alan Lee Book Tour Report: Corte Madera, CA
Click for more images

Celebriel writes: About 75 SF Bay Area Ringers were on hand to greet Alan Lee in Marin County Saturday evening, on his return to the San Francisco area to promote “The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook.” Many arrived as much as two hours early to reserve seats and have dinner in the bookstore’s café. They were treated to his wonderful presentation of sketches, photographs, and montages, as well as nearly two hours of stories from his six-year involvement in The Lord of the Rings.

He opened the program with material on Minas Tirith, explaining in detail how his art was used in the film production. His pencil sketches and montages (often combinations of his photographs, many taken from helicopters, and working models) were used by the model makers and the computer artists, who needed very specific information on the geography of Minas Tirith and the Pelennor Fields, for example, to complete their work. An example was a sweeping panorama from Osgiliath across the Anduin and the Pelennor to Minas Tirith, complete with the curves in the river where the Corsair ships would eventually be sighted. In a light touch, one drawing shows Denethor walking his little dog atop the Citadel and looking out over the city.

He also prepared drawings that would help the computer artists illustrate effects, such as Grond striking the doors of Minas Tirith, or stonework collapsing under attack.

For the Hall of Kings in Minas Tirith, he showed a mosaic design he had created for the hall and then painted in Photoshop. It was added in to the scene after principal photography had been completed.

In one of the most interesting sequences, Lee showed his series of pencil sketches of Gandalf’s and Pippin’s ride through Minas Tirith to the Citadel. He explained that as he worked through the series, “the details of the architecture became clearer” to him, and “the structures started to become real and fully formed.” The sequence and visual angles are incredibly close to what was used in The Return of the King. In addition to the layout and overall architecture of the city, Lee drew thousands of details including columns, wall hangings, furniture, and the many statues that line the hall. As we know, the eventual Minas Tirith miniature was so finely detailed it could be used not just in wide shots but in close-ups filmed just inches from its surface.

He said that the pickup shots for each film generally lasted three months, and often involved rebuilding sets or parts of sets that had been taken down so they could be used in new or expanded scenes.

Lee also did most of the design work on Edoras, one of his favorite sets. The craftsmen who worked at Edoras were “an extraordinary bunch,” he says. “There were 400 people working on construction and set building, 80% of whom had never worked on a film before. They were craftsmen in their own right who came to Wellington, announced their presence, and said, ‘Please let us work on this film’.” Many of them were characters, too, like Sam Jennett, the stone carver who carved with an axe in each hand.

The scope of his work on The Lord of the Rings is impressive: In his six years he made over 2500 pencil drawings. He also worked on packaging for the DVDs, including the icons on the Extended Edition of The Return of the King and the fellowship entering Moria for the Fellowship of the Ring. At the suggestion of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, he did the sketches seen during the credits of The Return of the King, aiming to capture the actors when they were most themselves.

Lee shared photos of Saruman’s Book, with a white hand icon on its cover. He created the artwork in the book, in style a subtle homage to Leonardo da Vinci’s sketchbooks, that was combined with Daniel Reeve’s beautiful calligraphy.

In discussing his working relationship with John Howe, he said that Howe created creatures such as the Balrog, the Fell Beast, and the wraiths, and was responsible for Barad-Dur, Minas Morgul, the Black Gates, and Bag End, while he created Rivendell, Minas Tirith, Rohan, Moria, and also Orthanc.

Behind the scenes material included a photo with Jim Rygiel and his staff, comparing the artwork for the ring dissolving in lava with slices of leftover pizza.

He showed sketches that were to be used in flashback scenes of the five Istari arriving in Middle Earth, which was to have been filmed on a beach near Wellington. Props and costumes were tried out on some extras, but the scenes were not completed. He also mentioned talk of a scene in which Tom Bombadil would have officiated at Sam and Rosie’s wedding (THIS WAS NEVER FILMED)

Lee has two cameos in the films. In the Prologue to The Fellowship of the Ring, he is one of the nine men (who eventually become ringwraiths) receiving rings. In The Two Towers, he and Supervising Art Director Dan Hanna are seen in the Armoury at Helm’s Deep, when Gimli says “some have seen too many winters….”

His Elven map of Middle Earth appears as the endpapers in the new Sketchbook. He imagined it as something Bilbo would have brought back from Rivendell, and revealed that Numenor on the map is modeled after the North Island of New Zealand: “It’s star-shaped with a volcano in the middle.”

Lee said that there is still “a huge amount of art that hasn’t been seen,” suggesting that what’s needed is “a big thick book that really shows off the props and the armor,” for example. His next project will be an illustrated version of Ovid’s Metamorphoses for younger readers.

After the slide presentation, he stayed for well over an hour answering questions, chatting with fans, and signing books and the special t-shirts whose unique design he had created in July for the SF Trilogy Thursday which raised funds for Cure Autism Now.

10-29-05 Latest News

Alan Lee, the rock star of the art world!
Xoanon @ 11:45 am EST

MrCere writes: SALT LAKE CITY - Alan Lee continued his book tour Friday with a stop in Salt Lake City where he visited just about a year ago for signings of his illustrated edition of 'The Lord of the Rings.'

His supurb new book "The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook" prompted his latest tour, complete with his own blog here at TheOneRing.net. If you haven't seen this wonderful book yet, it is a thing of beauty and something no fan should be without.

The crowd gathered early and crammed the usually spacious Border's book store in Murray, Utah (part of the greater Salt Lake area) where he, just like his legendary humble self, sat in the midst of the crowd and made small talk with those who arrived early enough to sit close.

He is widely known as a kind and gracious man and these characteristics were clearly evident. As with all the previously reported stops on his tour, Lee started with a powerbook presentation with art, sketches and photographs.

He demonstrated with series of photographs how actors looked on a set with blue screen and how they looked afterwards for the finished film when Lee's artwork and world creation replaced fields of man-made blue or green. He explained to the audience some of the work involved and shared amusing anecdotes from the moments of the now legendary set of those 'Rings' films.

Most delightful and unexpected were photographs of the principal talents working on the sets and film, especially when Lee was seen with the likes of collegue John Howe, Peter Jackson and a host of WETAs and other random Academy Award winners. Of course Lee never spoke of awards and accolades and instead focused on the process - both practical and creative - of making the movies.

He also fielded questions from those gathered and there was no shortage of raised hands. He mentioned that on a film set with its time demands that he never could afford to have an 'off day' and on the occasions when he reaches difficult points in his work he found talking a walk to be helpful.

In response to a question he said that natural talent and practice aren't as big a factor for an artist as temperment. Being willing to sit alone and labor at an drawing board and be self-critical was Lee's most important attribute for success as an artist.

Lee talked briefly about his treasure from the films when Jackson and partner Fran Walsh presented him with Gandalf's staff as a momento and he also talked about his cameo appearances with self depreciating humor hinting that Gimli spoke of Lee himself with his line about many of the men set to defend Helm's Deep had 'seen too many winters' - Lee was an extra in that scene.

One fan asked about the possibility of a portfolio or book with all of the character pictures from the end credits of 'Return of the King'. Lee said that fans have asked the same question at each of the book tour stops and the request is duely noted. Houghton-Mifflin, are you listening?!

Lee was of course generous and gracious with his time after the Q&A by leisurely signing books, taking pictures with and of fans and talking with those who were so joyful and often in awe to see a legend in person.

He claimed to not be a rock star of the art world but the gentle gentleman underestimates how highly he is esteemed by the Tolkien communities he so graciously visits.

Lee is off next to San Francisco and we wish him all the best!

10-28-05 Latest News

The Alan Lee Live Chat Is Next Weekend!
Demosthenes @ 5:56 am EST

Readers are reminded that Alan Lee, the acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will join us in the Hall of Fire (on the TORn IRC server) on Saturday November 5 at 6pm EST for a live question and answer session.

Alan will be answering questions on his work illustrating Lord of the Rings, his involvement with Peter Jackson and WETA as a conceptual designer for the Lord of the Rings film Trilogy and his new book The Lord of the Rings sketchbook.

The book presents more than 150 of Lee's celebrated illustrations to show how his imagery for both the illustrated Lord of the Rings and the films progressed from concept to finished art. In addition, the book contains 20 full-color plates and numerous examples of the conceptual art produced for Peter Jackson's film adaptation.

Alan has been creating fantasy artwork since 1978. He's illustrated writers such as Dennis L McKiernen, Ursula K. Le Guin and has also worked as a set designer on the films Legend (1985), Erik the Viking (1989) and Merlin (1998).

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tolkien, a new 1,200 page edition of The Lord of the Rings was planned. Alan Lee was chosen as the illustrator. With 50 colour plates, the book was a stunning artistic and commercial success.

Although the chat will not be held until November 5, you can still submit your question for Alan in advance simply by e-mailing it to us at halloffire@theonering.net. We'll ask it for you on the day!

Alan's United States book tour

Alan Lee is currently touring the United States to promote and talk about his new book during October. His events will will feature a slide show, a Q&A with fans, and a booksigning. You can also order your copy from Amazon here.

And if you want to find out more about his tour, including dates and locations, check out Alan's tour blog! Get along, ask some questions, buy the book and get it signed by Alan, himself.

Hall Of Fire This Weekend -- Beleriand And Its Realms
Demosthenes @ 5:46 am EST

After the third great battle between the elves and Morgoth (Dagor Aglareb), Beleriand settled into a watchful peace and the elves -- both Sindar and Noldorin -- established the boundaries of their kingdoms. This is all recorded in Of Beleriand and its Realms -- the 14th chapter of the Silmarillion.

We wonder, though, who is telling the tale? From what era? Could it be a Sindar elf, a Noldor lord? Or even a hobbit, perhaps?

Descriptions of the slag and ash-heaps of Thangorodrim, for example, are reminiscent of the fields outside Mordor's gate. With smoke constantly issuing from its lofty peaks, Thangorodrim itself feels like a forerunner of Mt Doom.

In describing Angband's ceaseless furnaces and forges, is Tolkien describing the area around Birmingham and the inexorable industrialisation of his childhood home?

Yet Ard-galen, on Angband's very doorstep, stands as a contrast. Does Morgoth leave this lush plain untouched and unpolluted as a subtle way to lull the Eldar into a false sense of security? The writer also mentions that many of the horses of Ard-galen sires came from Valinor -- given to Fingolfin by Maehdros. Could these have been the ultimate ancestors of the Mearas that arose in Rohan thousands of years later?

The geo-political divisions that develop are also interesting. Maehdros moves his kin to East Beleriand, both to bear the brunt of any attack from Morgoth and to keep the Curse as quiescent as possible. Fingolfin and Fingon rule from Hithlum, one of the harshest places they could have chosen. Was it because their people were the most hardy and valiant? It's also mentioned that they were the most feared by the Orcs and most hated by Morgoth. Why?

Of all the Noldor, it is Finrod who controls rules the greatest amount of land. Why? And why is it that in Nevrast many Sindar take Turgon for their ruler, yet Sindar elsewhere do not seem to do the same with other Noldor lords? In fact, most of the Sindar followed Cirdan or Thingol, not the Noldor. They appreciate the Noldor as a bulwark against Morgoth, but live apart from them. And the Nandor followed Thingol or no one.

It's also mentioned that Morgoth's minions always avoided water "to the sea none would willingly go nigh, save in dire need." Here we have a definite statement that almost definitely explains the problems the Nazgul have in crossing water. Perhaps Ulmo was part of the reason Morgoth's servants stayed off the water? And perhaps Ulmo's protection is the same reason Beren and Luthien choose an island as their home?

Finally, what of the taint on the Esgalduin and Nan Dungortheb? Was it wholly Ungoliant's? And when she passed on, did that mean it would eventually fade away to nothing?

Join us in the Hall of Fire on the TORn IRC Server this Sunday October 30 from 2pm EDT as we discuss this and more and examine Chapter 14 of the Silmarillion - Of Beleriand and its Realms.


Time and date:
Sunday October 30

America:
2pm EDT
1pm CDT
12pm MDT
11am PDT

Europe:
7pm UK
8pm Central Europe

Asia-Pacific:
4am (Sunday) Brisbane
4am (Sunday) Sydney
6am (Sunday) Wellington

Chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!


Alan Lee live chat reminder!

Don't forget our live chat with famed Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee on November 5. Alan will be answering your questions on his work for an hour. However, this chat is sure to be popular, so send us your question early!


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:

Sun October 30 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sat November 5 - Alan Lee live Q&A
Sun November 13 - The seven deadly sins in LoTR
Sat November 19 - The seven deadly sins in LoTR

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!

Hof-announce mailing list
Hof-announce@theonering.net
http://www.theonering.net/mailman/listinfo/hof-announce

10-26-05 Latest News

Alan Lee Book Tour: Atlanta, GA Report
Xoanon @ 1:51 pm EST

Lilia writes: I am so glad I live in Atlanta. Last night’s meet up with Alan Lee was so much fun! It was fun to think that my experience with meet up’s and getting to know other Ringers began with the Atlanta Moot back in June 2004 when I met Alan Lee for the first time.

I arrived two hours early due to my astronomy lab getting out early and had a clear way all the way downtown. So I just hung around till about 5:45 when Shuya arrived. We both already had our books, so we didn’t need to get them. About 6:15 we took our seats in a little area they had set up for Mr. Lee to do his presentation. We found out later that if you had bought your book there, you got a number to get in line for signing. If not, you had to go to the back of the line when he began signing. Oh well. RingersReprise, djdeathkiss and FoG all showed up about 6:30. Then later on, Elycia, her husband and Fiver showed up. (not together) But the seats were already full by that time. I think all in all there were about 50 people, maybe more, I’m not the best with numbers. I was actually surprised there weren’t more.

Once they got the projector set up Mr. Lee did a half hour or so slide show about his work on the films. Showed before and after shots, what he did, paintings and so on. It was very interesting to hear. And much of it wasn’t in the books. Once he finished he opened it up to questions. Some one asked if he had any other works he was doing and he said he’s working on Greek Mythology. I can’t remember what though. He said he would like to work on the Hobbit if it ever comes about. (Which he seemed to believe it would). In answer to a question about favorite artist and who inspired him, he mentioned, Turner, Rembrandt, DaVinci, Bottecelli and others.

Then the signing began about 8:00. As we didn’t have tickets we just stood/sat around for awhile and talked. We finally got in line sometime after 9:00. There was not a big rush or a huge amount of people, so this worked out well. We stood in line, talked some more.

We finally got up to the table to meet Alan Lee. He was so nice and seemed much more comfortable then when we met him in June for the Atlanta TORn Moot. More used to it I suppose. I got my book signed and told him how much I liked his art and what my favorite painting was. Then after a few others got there books signed, we all got a group picture. The Atlanta LOTR Meet Up group, and that should be up on his blog. He was, as last time, just as kind and friendly as he could be. He is so welcoming and you don’t feel at all afraid of him. He took the time to sign every ones books and some people had a lot of books (a couple of people with a large box or bag full) Even though we were the last ones and the last to leave, he was still very polite and happy to sign for us.

Chapter 11 did a great job handling all the people and even though we were so late in leaving (about 9:45) they didn’t rush us out and handled the crowd very well.

10-25-05 Latest News

Alan Lee Book Tour: Philadelphia, PA Report
Xoanon @ 9:48 pm EST

Alan Lee Book Tour: Philadelphia, PA
Click for more images

Garfeimao writes: Ok, since most of the TORN staff were in PA for Calisuri's wedding, those on the East Coast missed Alan Lee's NYC appearance and I was the only one who made it to the signing in Philadelphia. The signing was sponsored by Joseph Fox bookshop, but was held at the Friend's Select school in the auditorium there. The acoustics were nice, so when the Q&A session began, it was easy to hear most people's questions.

Alan was quite descriptive regarding the creative process and working with Peter Jackson and the WETA artists. The actual Sketchbook is filled with loads of images, both those images included in the films, and those that were looked at and discarded from the film. It's a wonderful view of the type of work that goes into a creative process such as filmmaking from a book. It's clear that numerous images were drawn of characters, locations, costuming, etc, and then only very specific items chosen and used in the film. There is some truly breathtaking pictures in the book, so I highly recommend it to any and all Ringers out there.

I'm including a few pictures from the event, including Alan talking from the podium, Alan taking pictures of the crowd for the Blog he is keeping on our site, and fans outside the auditorium during the signing portion. I got to speak with a few friends I know from previous events and made a new friend with someone from Colombia. Always nice to see Tolkien has meaning for people overseas in non-English speaking countries, so that was a pleasant surprise. So if you have the time, go out to see Alan Lee speak and show slides, get his amazing new book, and hang out with fellow fans.

10-22-05 Latest News

Sydney's Supanova Pop Culture Convention
Xoanon @ 11:22 am EST

Sydney's Supanova Pop Culture Convention

Coxhm writes: Sydney's Supanova Pop Culture Convention was on the 15-17th October. Richard Taylor and John Rhys Davies were there to represent Lord of the Rings and WETA. Richard was his normal chatty, friendly informative self. He indulges the Ringers present but also talked about King Kong and Narnia. I find it interesting how he often starts his talks with 'i only life one life' as he would have to repeat some of his stories--but what a life!! He is such a humble and generous man--never charges for his autographs and photographs!! We were thrilled as he recognized us from our volunteer work at The Exhibition earlier this year!! JRD is much more the movie star--facinating to lilsten to but on a different sort of plane. His time was cut sort on the Friday night and I didn't get the chance to hear him on sunday. He did the obligatory comment of 'No I don't have Orlando Blooms phone number but yes i would give it to you if i did!" It was nice to dabble in the Rings again--and the figurines were only $3.50!! A bargain!!

10-21-05 Latest News

Hall Of Fire This Weekend -- Beleriand And Its Realms
Demosthenes @ 8:47 am EST


After the third great battle between the elves and Morgoth (Dagor Aglareb), Beleriand settled into a watchful peace and the elves -- both Sindar and Noldorin -- established the boundaries of their kingdoms. This is all recorded in Of Beleriand and its Realms -- the 14th chapter of the Silmarillion.

We wonder, though, who is telling the tale? From what era? Could it be a Sindar elf, a Noldor lord? Or even a hobbit, perhaps?

Descriptions of the slag and ash-heaps of Thangorodrim, for example, are remniscent of the fields outside Mordor's gate. With smoke constantly issuing from its lofty peaks, Thangorodrim itself feels like a forerunner of Mt Doom.

In describing Angband's ceaseless furnaces and forges, is Tolkien describing the area around Birmingham and the inexorable industrialisation of his childhood home?

Yet Ard-galen, on Angband's very doorstep, stands as a contrast. Does Morgoth leave this lush plain untouched and unpolluted as a subtle way to lull the Eldar into a false sense of security? The writer also mentions that many of the horses of Ard-galen sires came from Valinor -- given to Fingolfin by Maehdros. Could these have been the ultimate ancestors of the Mearas that arose in Rohan thousands of years later?

The geo-political divisions that develop are also interesting. Maehdros moves his kin to East Beleriand, both to bear the brunt of any attack from Morgoth and to keep the Curse as quiescent as possible. Fingolfin and Fingon rule from Hithlum, one of the harshest places they could have chosen. Was it because their people were the most hardy and valiant? It's also mentioned that they were the most feared by the Orcs and most hated by Morgoth. Why?

Of all the Noldor, it is Finrod who controls rules the greatest amount of land. Why? And why is it that in Nevrast many Sindar take Turgon for their ruler, yet Sindar elsewhere do not seem to do the same with other Noldor lords? In fact, most of the Sindar followed Cirdan or Thingol, not the Noldor. They appreciate the Noldor as a bulwark against Morgoth, but live apart from them. And the Nandor followed Thingol or no one.

It's also mentioned that Morgoth's minions always avoided water "to the sea none would willingly go nigh, save in dire need." Here we have a definite statement that almost definitely explains the problems the Nazgul have in crossing water. Perhaps Ulmo was part of the reason Morgoth's servants stayed off the water? And perhaps Ulmo's protection is the same reason Beren and Luthien choose an an island as their home?

Finally, what of the taint on the Esgalduin and Nan Dungortheb? Was it wholly Ungoliant's? And when she pass on, did that mean it would eventually fade away to nothing?

Join us in the Hall of Fire on the TORn IRC Server this Saturday October 22 from 5.30pm EDT as we discuss this and more and examine Chapter 14 of the Silmarillion - Of Beleriand and its Realms.


Time and date:
Saturday October 22

America:
5.30pm EDT
4.30pm CDT
3.30pm MDT
2.30pm PDT

Europe:
10.30pm UK
11.30pm Central Europe

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!


Special reminder

Don't forget our live chat with famed Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee on November 5. Alan will be answering your questions on his work for an hour. However, this chat is sure to be popular, so send us your question early!


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:

Sat October 22 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sun October 30 - Silmarillion Ch 14
Sat November 5 - Alan Lee live Q&A
Sun November 13 - The seven deadly sins in LoTR
Sat November 19 - The seven deadly sins in LoTR

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!

Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!

Hof-announce@theonering.net
http://www.theonering.net/mailman/listinfo/hof-announce


Go back to Special Reports Archives