Seven ultra-powerful computers from New Zealand made the latest Top 500 list of supercomputers. Weta Digital has taken six of the spots in the list, which is issued by US and European researchers. Weta’s Linux-toting 5936 core HP Cluster Platform 3000 BL 2×220 was 279th, followed by four similarly-specced machines. More..

Tom writes: Have you noticed the “newest news” on Weta Workshop site, about their new display at Wellington airport. The picture shows one of the two trolls holding the shelves. They don’t look like the ones from the FOTR. A “Hobbit” stone Trolls sneak peak perhaps? (I doubt it, but they’re awfully cute -Xo) More..

The Hobbit movie due to begin filming in Wellington will be made in 3D, industry sources say.

But a spokesman for producer Peter Jackson would not confirm the move, saying it was still only being talked about.

The decision follows the box-office success of three-dimensional films such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland. It comes after The Hobbit director Guillermo del Toro dropped the hint on a Lord of the Rings fan website earlier this month.

Del Toro said the film’s studio backers were making inquiries about filming the adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit in 3D and discussions had begun.

An industry insider was adamant The Hobbit would be filmed in 3D and Weta Digital – which won an Oscar for its work on Avatar – would be working on the project. Continue reading “Weta Planning On 3-D Hobbit, Says Insider”