“I’m a 22-year-old who’s been making films all my life – how can I get a job on The Hobbit?” Towards the end of a remarkable two hours with Guillermo del Toro, this question got a remarkably friendly answer from the 44-year-old Mexican who has made seven movies and who’s getting ready to make his next two in Wellington. More.. (Paid registration required)
Category: Lectures & Education
Film director Guillermo del Toro is to take time out from making The Hobbit to help out some other little movie guys in Wellington. Mexico-born del Toro has given up his valuable time to help independent New Zealander Sam Kelly raise money to make a musical feature film. One For The Road, directed by Kelly, is due to begin filming in January, with just $60,000 of its $1.5 million budget raised so far. In a bid to close the gap, the film’s makers are hoping to sell out Wellington’s Paramount Theatre tonight. More..
Mia writes: I attended the KEA Luncheon [last Thursday] in Melbourne, and wanted to share a few photos with you. The luncheon was fascinating, and it was an honour to be there. Richard was extremely friendly, and gave a great speech before jetting off to Sydney!! More..
Message board member Elven was lucky enough to attend the KEA dinner in Sydney this week and sends in this great report:
“If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, unless its an Oscar, it would be a much merrier world.”
-Prof Tolkien.
I have just returned home from a wonderful night at the Danks Street Depot Cafe in Sydney after listening to KEA’s special guest speaker ‘Richard Taylor’ talk and inspire an audience. People hung onto to his every word and laughed heartily at his stories – we enjoyed it so much we almost forgot about dessert. The food was glorious – the menu designed by NZ chef Jared Ingersol, and there was plenty of wonderful NZ wines available for the tasting.
Richard spoke for a good hour on his career and the movies WETA had been involved with much passion, and gave reference and credit to those people who had helped him along the way. His presentation was punctuated with some very funny anecdotes about Oscar Couture, Meet The Feebles and Taxi Drivers – but his story held a special message regarding success and talent and doing what you do, no matter what that might be, to the best of your ability – turning your life into an art.
Continue reading “The KEA Dinner with speaker Richard Taylor … a great night!”
Malcx sends this in: Now into its seventh year, our annual Art Exhibition is held at The Redesdale Hall, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos, a wonderful Victorian building both on the outside and inside, making it an ideal location with free parking too. This year’s theme is “The Edge of the Wild” with Ted Nasmith’s wonderful image “Bilbo and the Eagles” leading the way and consisting of Original Artwork and Limited edition Prints from Tolkien artists: Ted Nasmith, Ruth Lacon, Jef Murray and Peter Pracownik. The artwork is displayed upstairs (there is a chair lift for disabled access) and completely fills the space – well decorated with flags and banners, with a showcase of historical Tolkien artifacts too. Continue reading “Tolkien Art Exhibition Event: The Edge of the Wild, Moreton-in-Marsh”
For those of you who weren’t able to attend the Sunday Radio City events in NYC, message board member greendragon sends in this wonderful recap of the presentations that rounded out weekend. Having been lucky enought to attend, I would be remiss if I didn’t add to her report that her beautiful singing as part of the first presentation: The Music of The Hobbit, enchanted us all and, as our mistress of ceremonies, she was gracious and entertaining. Thanks, greendragon!
From greendragon: By now you’ve probably read many reports about the fabulous weekend in New York City, when many Tolkien fans gathered together to hear Howard Shore’s music played in Radio City Music Hall, with The Fellowship of the Ring projected on a huge screen behind. The culmination of this magical weekend, on Sunday 11th October, was a day of presentations on Tolkien, the movies and the music. We were fortunate, on a sunny Sunday in Manhattan, to be heading for a spectacular venue. Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts maintains an amazing building on Norfolk St, which they had generously donated for our use that day. This former synagogue is absolutely beautiful – you can read more about the venue here:
Continue reading “A wonderful Sunday of panels at the Angel Orensanz Foundation”