MrCere writes: Sister sites TheOneRing.net and KongIsKing.net are serving up a full plate for fans of science-fiction and fantasy at DragonCon 2005. Even with 27 tracks of programming, the enduring love of all things Tolkien and the building excitement over Peter Jackson’s King Kong puts the fan-run and fan-owned websites right into the spotlight.
The weekend will feature full-blown presentations about Kong and guests from the realm of LOTR including actors (John Noble, Bruce Hopkins) scholars (Anne Petty) and experts on make-up, armor, the Silmarillion and also featuring Children’s programming.
A full slate of Tolkien programming is set for the Copenhagen room with the most crowd-pleasing events set for breakouts in the bigger auditoriums. Check the full schedule here: Posted in:
Tim Richardson, Director “The Dork of the Rings” writes: We recently made a splash at Gen Con in Indianapolis this past weekend. Attached is a story from our co-director Jack Peterson. I’ve also included a few snaps.
Thanks! Tim
Jack Peterson writes: Well, I think I’ve finally got my heart back to a normal pace after attending Gen Con in Indianapolis this past weekend. It was a four-day event but I could only make the last hour of the last day since I ended up parking in Kokomo on account of there being around 30,000 people in attendance. I spent several hellish days hoofing it down to the city, which is why I look a bit thinner in my photos taken at the con since I sweated off half my body weight. Thankfully Dairy Queen, White Castle and about 30 other restaurants gave me sustenance along the way.
Meanwhile, according to the other cast and crew members, some old mangy actor who plays the wizard in our film won the Staff Choice Award in the costume contest which is quite surprising since his outfit was constructed from Goodwill clothes and scraps of cloth swept out from behind the sofa in my den. Apparently our two seminars went well, although they blamed me for the crappy audio on Saturday night since I was in charge of reserving the equipment. How was I to know a Sponge Bob ghetto blaster wouldn’t be compatible with our laptop?
Fortunately, I was able to cover a lot of ground in the short time I was there (and not just with my shadow). I checked out our crafty competitors The Bed Rental Men (or something like) that since they’re releasing a film with the word =93dork=94 in it next year as well. I ingeniously disguised myself as a slobbering fan and waited in line to have them sign my bag of peanuts during which I picked their brains to uncover their marketing plans so now we’ll be ready for =91em, the poor unsuspecting bastards.
The highlight of my day was interviewing the comedy genius The Great Luke Ski while he drew a fantastic caricature of yours truly, though I think I ending up looking some like someone else I’ve seen somewhere before. Luke has also had a bunch of #1 parody songs on The Dr. Demento Show, which is about as impressive as being the longest worm in a New England bait shop.
All in all I’d have to say it was a very productive event and next year I look forward to having more time to check out the exciting food courts. This coming weekend I’ll be flying down to Elf: A Weekend of Wonder in Orlando where I hope to work my charm and shmooze with some big wig actors from some film called “The Lord of the Rings,” though I’ve never heard of it.
Coming soon will be a video of me presenting our antics at Gen Con so stay tuned to www.dorkoftherings.com for all your exclusive Dork info.
Over the years, we’ve had several sessions on miniature and PC gaming, but this year we’re sharing a new (to the track) genre of gaming. We’re very excited to welcome Mike Yow of Elfstone come to speak with us about the tremendously popular world of Live Action Role-Playing (LARP).
Elfstone is a live-action roleplaying experience set in the Fourth Age of Middle-earth. Now into their second year of play, the Atlanta-based troupe is growing in their quest to bring to life the mythic tales and high adventure of Tolkien’s sagas. Elfstone features real-time combat using foam latex weapons, although its greatest emphasis is on dramatic roleplay, character development, and exploring the timeless themes of the Professor.
As part of the Tolkien track at this year’s Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Elfstone will host a panel discusssing its unique rules system, how it simulates Tolkienian concepts (such as grace and corruption), Middle-earth costuming, and tackling challenging roles and storylines. If you plan on attending Dragon*Con, please join the Elfstone panelists Monday at 1:00 PM in the Copenhagen room for more information on the exciting world of live-action roleplaying in Tolkien’s Middle-earth! Also, please feel free to visit their [website] and [yahoo group].
Why on (Middle-)earth was Isildur allowed to keep the One Ring?
Long ago, Sauron wreaked havoc upon Middle-earth. After Celebrimbor first created the rings of power, Sauron forged his own – intent on domination. He took Celebrimbor’s rings and used them to seduce nine kings of men to his side and to attempt to corrupt seven dwarven lords. Laying waste to Eregion, he pursued Elrond, who established Rivendell as a stronghold and shelter.
His war of domination was only thwarted by the power of Numenor.
Unable to defeat Numenor, he seduced it, stirring up war between the Dunedain of Numenor and the Valar. The breaking of the world and the downfall of Numenor was the result. Only Elendil and some of his people survived, establishing Arnor and Gondor.
Enraged by the survival of Elendil and his sons, Sauron assaulted Gondor, destroying Minas Ithil and setting off the war of the Last Alliance. It was a battle he proved unable to win. Elendil and Gil-galad formed the Last Alliance of elves and men. They lay siege for seven long years outside Barad-dur’s black gates. Both Elendil and Gil-galad perished in the final battle; Isildur cut the ring from Sauron’s black hand. Victory was nigh.
But what happened? Having defeated Sauron, and being right at the Ring of Doom, why did they ultimately fail and not destroy the One Ring?
Why did Isildur choose to keep the ring? Was weregild simply an excuse? A rationalisation? Was a more insidious influence already at work?
History shows that the elves were less susceptible to Sauron’s influence. Was it an accident that the ring went to a man rather than an elf?
And why did the elves give in so easily to Isildur’s desire to keep the ring? Does this validate or provide the cause of the division between men and elves? What would have happened if Elrond and Cirdan had tried to force the ring from Isildur? And would they have been justified in doing so?
Join us in the Hall of Fire on Saturday August 27 at 5:30pm EDT as we discuss the decisions made by Elrond and Cirdan at the end of the Last Alliance of men and elves, and the beginning of the Third Age.
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!
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 August 27 – Elrond, Cirdan and Isildur at the Ring of Doom Sun September 4 – Elrond, Cirdan and Isildur at the Ring of Doom Sat September 10 – Silmarillion Ch 12 Sun September 18 – Silmarillion Ch 12
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!
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Now with the November release date quickly approaching, the creators of RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS are trekking across the U.S. to promote the film — one exciting show after the next — across the Southeastern states! If you are headed to Orlando for ELF you can see an exclusive panel event with the writers and director, where they will show for the first time anywhere the “Behind the Scenes” story to be featured on the upcoming DVD (wait till you see the awesome new footage with star Dominic Monaghan!) and other panels too. One weekend later, the team heads to Dragon*Con in Atlanta for the biggest genre geek party of them all where even more will be revealed. See the new RINGERS trailer and special clips shown exclusively at these events!
Enjoy extended audience discussion along with revealing stories in the filmmakers’ own words of how Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings, Lost) came on board as narrator, while they traveled the world documenting all things LOTR.
Here are the details:
ELF Event in Orlando, Florida, held at the Whyndam Orlando Resort Hotel at 8001 International Drive [CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE]
RINGERS will have its main stage presentation on Friday, August 26, 2005, at 2:40 PM. Enjoy extended audience discussion with writer/producer/director Carlene Cordova and writer/producer Cliff Broadway. Thrill to the new footage and comedic hijinx of “The Ring Comes Full Circle” to be shown first at ELF!
They will also appear on panels “Did Jackson Make LOTR Cool Again?” on Saturday at 5:00PM in the Jasmine Room — and “Which Characters in PJ’s Movies Came Closest to Tolkien?” on Sunday at 3:00PM (same room).
DRAGON*CON Weekend, held at the Marriott Marquis and Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. [CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE]
The RINGERS team expands to include Carlene, Cliff and also debonair producer Jeff Marchelletta who will present never-before-seen clips from the film, the New Trailer, and behind-the-scenes surprises! Find us in the “International South” room on Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at 7:00PM showing “Rock & Roll & Ringers” and a lively chat about how the classic rock scene was transformed by Tolkien. On Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005, at 5:30PM in the Copenhagen Room Carlene, Cliff, & Jeff will stir the kettle of debate with “Themes of LOTR” showing more from their award-winning film!
The big event is on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005, at 5:30PM (tentatively in the “International South” room) with the RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS where we preview the outstanding “The Ring Comes Full Circle” feature from the upcoming DVD, revealing production secrets never before told and filled with new exclusive interview footage with star narrator Dominic Monaghan!
A sensation at film festivals around the world, Ringers is an award-winning, soon-to-be released feature documentary exploring how The Lord of the Rings has influenced Western pop culture for over 50 years.
Craig writes: At least 7 cast members of the LOTR movies are scheduled to attend the 30th annual Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from September 8 to 17th this year:
Sean Bean will support Niki Caro’s NORTH COUNTRY, screening at 6:50 PM on Monday Sept 12 at Roy Thomson Hall.
Cate Blanchett will support Rowan Woods’ LITTLE FISH, screening at 3 PM on Sunday Sept 11 at the Elgin Theatre.
Orlando Bloom will support Cameron Crowe’s ELIZABETHTOWN, screening at 9:30 PM on Saturday Sept 10 at Roy Thomson Hall (right after A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE).
Sir Ian McKellen will support Joshua Michael Stern’s NEVERWAS, screening details TBA Tuesday Aug 30.
Viggo Mortenson will support David Cronenberg’s A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, screening at 6:30 PM on Saturday Sept 10 at Roy Thomson Hall (followed by ELIZABETHTOWN).
Hugo Weaving will support Rowan Woods’ LITTLE FISH, screening at 3 PM on Sunday Sept 11 at the Elgin Theatre.
Elijah Wood will support Liev Schreiber’s EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED, screening details TBA Tuesday Aug 30.
As the festival runs 10 days, not all of the stars will necessarily be in town at the same time, but who knows, there may be some LOTR reunions taking place. Of note, Roy Thomson Hall screenings are across the street from the Princess of Wales Theatre where the Lord of the Rings musical will debut in February 2006.
