Returning to New Zealand this fall to film his scenes for The Hobbit is Elijah Wood, who currently stars in FX's new series 'Wilfred.' The first script, says Wood, is "incredible. It definitely expounds upon the book; there are already characters that are cast that are not in the book, so that indicates that it goes slightly outside the boundaries in the structure of the original novel."
"For a while I was excited just at the notion of going back and seeing everybody and playing the character again," he adds. "Then sitting down and reading it I became really genuinely excited about the films they were making. I think they're going to be amazing."
"It's a very small piece," he notes. "Obviously Frodo's not alive during the Hobbit chronology so it's a small piece that was written into the script. It makes sense based on the script they wrote. It's a really fun opportunity to go back, it's kind of an extraordinary thing after so many years to go back to New Zealand and work within the context of Middle Earth with a large group of the same creative team and crew and many of the same cast members. It just feels like a giant family reunion. I'm so excited!"
He has not read the script for the second film, nor does he know how Peter Jackson plans to wrap up the highly-anticipated Lord of the Rings prequel.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is slated for release on December 14, 2012, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again will be out on December 13, 2013.
Ian's Guidebooks have been a "must have" for Lord of the Rings fans for almost 10 years now. The first one was published in 2002 and these revised and updated books offer:
new maps and location directions;
location notes by Alan Lee;
GPS references;
helpful internet URLs;
updated information on accommodation and restaurants near the sites;
quotes from cast and crew members;
foreward by Peter Jackson; and
background information and anecdotes about the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
You will find more information in the press release below. For more information on Ian Brodie, please check out his website, as well as Twitter and Facebook. You can also read our Q&A with him.
Press Release
10 years on and New Zealand is still ‘Middle-earth’ to thousands of moviegoers and Tolkien fans . . .
It’s no secret that since the first screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, New Zealand has become the embodiment of Middle-earth to millions of movie-goers and JRR Tolkien readers the world over.
Ten years on, the interest in the Lord of the Rings movie locations shows no signs of decline. Ian Brodie, Media and Communications Manager for the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, reports that over 200,000 visitors have been through Hobbiton alone since its opening and close to 45,000 people are expected to visit this year.
Ian Brodie is also the author of The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook, first published in 2002 and the beautifully produced keepsake, The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook Extended Edition, published in 2004. Sales across both titles now exceed a staggering 357,000 copies, placing them amongst the biggest-selling official Lord of the Rings movie tie-ins. ‘The visitor numbers for Hobbiton and the sales for these two books prove the longevity The Lord of the Rings,’ says Brodie. ‘These figures alone cement in place that New Zealand is now well and truly Middle-earth.’
Both editions of the guide have now been completely revised and updated, and include more of Ian Brodie’s stunning on-site photography for a new generation of Lord of the Rings tourists and collectors.
The guides showcase the principal movie-set locations around New Zealand as seen in the movie trilogy. The two books share valuable background information and exclusive anecdotes about the filming of the trilogy, new maps and location directions, GPS references, useful Internet addresses and up-to-date information on accommodation and restaurants handy to the sites. Included in both guides are quotes from the cast and crew, a foreword by Peter Jackson and location notes by Alan Lee. There are also explanatory notes on geographical and historical features of ‘Middle-earth’ that will help the novice who has not read The Lord of the Rings trilogy to understand events in the film more fully. What research did Ian Brodie do for all this? Here are the facts and figures:
He’s read the Lord of the Rings trilogy 39 times over the past 30 years.
He’s watched the three movies at least 40 times (at the cinema and on DVD).
He’s talked to local tourist organizations.
He’s travelled New Zealand visiting all the locations sites (and he revisited many sites for the new editions).
He’s visited New Line Cinema in Los Angeles to obtain extra film images.
He’s spent time with the film crew in Wellington reading scripts and call-sheets.
He appeared as an extra in The Return of the King.
Ian Brodie is also the author of a number of other photographic and film-related titles, including Cameras in Narnia, which was a finalist in the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards and runner-up for the Children’s Choice Award. Ian loves travel and for many years worked in the travel industry. In 1992 he took the post of inaugural Director for the NZ Fighter Pilots Museum in Wanaka, which he held until moving to Matamata and Hobbiton in 2009. W: www.ianbrodiephoto.net | W: www.ianbrodie.net | F: www.facebook.com/IBrodiePhoto
THE LORD OF THE RINGS LOCATION GUIDEBOOK Ian Brodie | RRP $27.99 | new edition to be published early August 2011
THE LORD OF THE RINGS LOCATION GUIDEBOOK EXTENDED EDITION Ian Brodie | RRP $44.99 | new edition to be published early August 2011 Harper Collins
From the June 30 issue of Empire Magazine come two new stills from 'The Hobbit' film, which feature Martin Freeman as Bilbo, and Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf. The issue also includes an exclusive report from the New Zealand set.
“I’m exactly the same filmmaker as I was ten years ago,” Jackson says. “I’m trying to nail the same thing that I did before. I’m just telling the story.”
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
Sir Ian McKellen as a younger-looking Gandalf
Adds Jackson with a laugh: "[The dwarves] don’t know what to make of Gandalf, they think Bilbo is a wuss, and Elrond a prissy headmaster type."
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled for release on December 14, 2012, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13, 2013.
My good friend and fellow Middle-earth Network cohort, Ian Speck, had a chance to chat Tolkien lore with non other than "The Tolkien Professor". I found his Q&A with the Professor refreshing and fun and pass it along for you to enjoy. Not only is Ian one of the most knowledgeable Tolkien fans I know, he is also a producer here at Middle-earth Network and currently working on a top secret project for Middle-earth Network Radio (TBA). After reading, feel free to continue the debate on our comment section below.
Ian- On the night of June 24th, 2011, I was able to get a hold of Dr. Corey Olsen, more famously know as The Tolkien Professor, who graciously set aside some time for a this discussion at My Middle-earth.com, a [fantasy-based] social network that we have built at the Middle-earth Network. Dr. Olsen also runs a website of his own containing free-to-listen-to lectures on all things Tolkien, and he is ranked as one of the top most-downloaded educational lectures on the internet. The discussion pertains to a comic Youtube short, "How Lord of the Rings Should Have Ended" approximately two minutes in length.
Now I enjoy the short, but what bothers me is that there are those who seriously wonder why the Fellowship simply didn't fly on Great Eagles to Mount Doom, and see the whole story as being undone by this one thing. And you know what? It's an interesting question, but it's one myth we can bust, if you pardon the expression. I have my own arguments, but I was interested in what Dr. Olsen himself had to say. (For those unfamiliar with Tolkien a reference is made to The Song--the Ainulindalë--which, according to Tolkien's mythology epic, The Silmarillion, is the creation myth of the world in which Iluvatar (God) created the Ainur (angels) and taught them a Great Music which created the world, and also was the history of the world, as it were, from Creation to the Last Day, according to the will and designs of Iluvatar. Anonther reference is to the Eucatastrophe, a term Tolkien coined, which you can look at here.
So without further a due, My "Mini-interview" with the Tolkien Professor:
Ian- Hello sir, I was wondering if you had a moment?
TolkienProf: Sure!
Ian- I was wondering if you were familiar with "How LotR Should Have Ended"? It's a goofy cartoon short where the Fellowship fly on eagles to Mt Doom.
TolkienProf- The YouTube video? Yes
Ian- I believe it's intent is comic, but there are some who believe this to be a genuine plot hole within the framework of The Lord of the Rings. I suppose I was wondering what your thoughts were as to that.
TolkienProf- Well, there are several ways in which that could be answered. On its own level, I simply don't think it would have worked.
Ian- Agreed.
TolkienProf- I can't imagine that Sauron and the Nazgul wouldn't have noticed the eagles flying in, but that's not really the ultimate answer to the question. The problem comes with making "alternative stories" at all. A story that includes a desperate dash in on an eagle might, perhaps, work as a story, but that isn't the story that Tolkien was interested in telling (obviously).
Ian- Yes, I have made this case to friends before--that is, the problem with alternate stories
TolkienProf- When people start saying "why didn't this other thing happen?" they are basically writing new stories and that's fine, potentially, but what sense is there in asking why T didn't write a different story than he wrote?
Ian- I just know someone who wonders why they didn't "take the simpler approach".
Ian- Right.
TolkienProf- And there's a third level on which to address this: the "plot hole" angle.
Ian- I thought of a couple counters, but I'm curious as to your thoughts.
TolkienProf- That is, is this genuinely a problem for T's story as he chose to tell it? Is it an inconsistency (which the "hole" argument suggests)? My answer hinges on the nature and purpose of the eagles. They are very important, and they are not simply transportation.
Ian- Yes, I agree, they are not a taxi service.
TolkienProf- They act, in almost every case, as a traveling eucatastrophe, the instruments of the Valar and even of Iluvatar himself in the events of Middle-Earth. If the Valar wanted to help in the destruction of the Ring, heck, they wouldn't even need the eagles. They could have just vaporized the Ring, or whatever.
Ian- A good point.
TolkienProf- But they don't, and Elrond talks about how and why he knows they won't. What people who want the eagles to fly to Mordor are asking for is for the entire story to be short-circuited by a huge Deus ex Machina. That's really what people want? And THAT would be massively inconsistent with how [Tolkien] has depicted the Valar and Iluvatar throughout his mythology.
Ian- One thing I would say is that it was not ordained in the Song that it should end in such a way.
TolkienProf- Yes, sure. That ending would be wildly inconsistent with the whole, larger story that Tolkien was telling and developing throughout his lifetime, not only in the LOTR, but in the Silmarillion material.
Ian- Right.
TolkienProf- When people are thinking only "what would be easiest?" they are not really thinking of the story at all and as I said, that isn't easiest anyway. "God unmakes the Ring, destroys Sauron, and undoes all evil everywhere in the blink of an eye" is really much easier still, and simpler. But that isn't the world that we live in or that Tolkien wrote about or that anyone would actually want to read about, either. :)
Ian- No indeed. I would also add, for the sake of argument, that if such a path were taken, there would be several problems. You've named a couple, one being that how would Sauron NOT notice the approach?
TolkienProf- Oh, yes.
Ian- I also have feeling that they wouldn't make it past the Mountains of Shadow.
TolkienProf- And the movie shots of the eagles beating off the Nazgul in the last battle are very unrealistic, I think.
Ian- But I thought they did engage the Nazgul, or does memory fail me? If they could stand up to dragons then why not fell beasts, or does the Deadly Fear come into play?
TolkienProf- Yes, and Gwaihir is not Thorondor, either
Ian- (A quick rewind, Dad said with regards to the original question: "asking why the fellowship couldn't fly on eagles is like asking why does God let babies die?" So I thought it was interesting he said that when he has no clue as to the contents of this discussion.)
TolkienProf- Yep. He's thinking in exactly the same direction I am, there.
Ian- But getting back on track, let's assume they pull off this crazy task, there would still be several problems (again this is for argument's sake). One is Boromir, I don't think he would be free of his desire for the Ring. He would never have died redeemed.
TolkienProf- Yes, that's a good illustration. It would be a very different, and infinitely poorer story.
Ian- Indeed.
TolkienProf- Okay, I've got to go, unfortunately.
Ian- Hey, that's fine, thanks for your time, this was great!
TolkienProf- No problem! I enjoyed it. Good night!
Ian- Good night!
Ian- You can tell in places where the conversation overlaps a little, but the whole thing was a blast. Another thing that was cool (as mentioned in the discussion) was that [my] Dad happened to walk by and throw in his two cents, and it was amazing how well it matched the discussion we were already having. We finally wrapped up around midnight.
Starting this Tuesday Tolkien fans will have a chance to brush up on their Hobbit lore. Middle-earth Network Radio will be broadcasting "The Tolkien Professor's" popular Hobbit Lecture Series every week for the next eight weeks, beginning with Lecture 1, "Took and Baggins". For those of you familiar with Corey Olsen's Hobbit lectures, you know this is exciting news, as the series had stalled half way through lecture 5 for over a year now. In the Professor's own words, "People should tune in from the start for a refresher course, and then they can go right through to the long-awaited end of the series, week by week."
The lectures are airing at 8 AM & PM EST on Tuesdays, starting this Tuesday, June 28th.
Middle-earth News will be posting images straight from the event as they happen! All this is thanks to our amazing friends at Angry Koala Gear who will be attending the event. Check back all this afternoon and into the night for our extensive coverage. Be sure to check out Angry Koala’s website, Twitter feed, and Facebook page and thank them for this incredible opportunity!
Latest News: - FIRST PLACE WINNER: Nicole Roberts "The Balrog Showgirl" - 10 Contestants have been chosen - The LOTR Stars have arrived! - Costume Contest is now underway - Costume Contest entry time HAS BEEN extended beyond 7 pm -ends soon - First 150 in line receive a gold bracelet (see photo below) for LOTR cast to sign - John Noble (Denethor), Brad Dorif (Wormtongue), and Sala Baker (Sauron) will be making an appearance at the event later today! - Fireworks and laser light show around 11:45 PM tonight - Official Twitter hash tag: #MEmadness - "Goblin Ball" game announced where fans can knock the heads off Goblins for fun.
Photos (newest at top):
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
1st Place winner, Nicole Robterts with John Noble and Sala Baker Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Richard Taylor judges contestants Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
The LOTR Stars are here! Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
The LOTR Stars are here! Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Official Facebook Page)
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy Angry Koala Gear
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Courtesy TheOneRing.net
Read below for the official Midnight Middle-earth Madness Press Release: Cast Signing The first 150 fans to line up at Noon on Monday, June 27 at the West Los Angeles Best Buy store will receive a wristband for the opportunity to get an autograph from cast members from Lord of the Rings films at the event.* The signing begins at 12:30am on Tuesday, June 28. Costume Contest Sign up for the costume contest starting at NOON on Monday, June 27 at the West Los Angeles Best Buy store. Costume contest entrants will be judged by TheOneRing.net and finalists will be personally selected by four time Academy Award®-winning Sir Richard Taylor, co-owner and lead creative at WETA Workshop. Entrants could win incredible prizes. The grand prize winner and a guest will receive a trip to New Zealand.**Judging begins at 7pm. Can't make it to the event? Purchase your copy of The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition Blu-Ray in all Best Buy stores starting on Tuesday, June 28 or preorder it now at www.BestBuy.com/LordOfTheRings.
For more information and official rules click here.
From now until this Friday, July 1st 2011, our Twitter followers will have a chance to win The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition on Blu-Ray. To enter, simply follow Middle-earth News on Twitter and re-tweet our post about this giveaway. You can re-tweet our post as many times as you want in order to up your chances at winning. At 2 PM EST on Friday, July 1st, we will announce the winner (to be chosen at random). Good luck Ringers!
Ringer fans from around the globe have been waiting a long time for The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition to be available on Blu-ray and the time has finally come. To celebrate it’s June 28th release Best Buy, TheOneRing.net, Weta Workshop, and Warner Brothers have teamed up to give eager fans a chance to win a trip to Middle-earth! Starting today at 12 noon PDT, the West Los Angeles Best Buy will be giving away LOTR cast member autographs who are present at the event. Come dressed as your favorite LOTR character and Richard Taylor himself could be awarding you a trip to New Zealand! (For more details see Press Release below.) For those of you who can’t make the event, but wish you could, Middle-earth News will be posting images straight from the event as they happen! All this is thanks to our amazing friends at Angry Koala Gear who will be attending the event. Be sure to check back here later today for extensive coverage. In the mean time check out Angry Koala’s website, Twitter feed, and Facebook page and thank them for this incredible opportunity! Read below for the official Midnight Middle-earth Madness Press Release: Cast Signing The first 150 fans to line up at Noon on Monday, June 27 at the West Los Angeles Best Buy store will receive a wristband for the opportunity to get an autograph from cast members from Lord of the Rings films at the event.* The signing begins at 12:30am on Tuesday, June 28. Costume Contest Sign up for the costume contest starting at NOON on Monday, June 27 at the West Los Angeles Best Buy store. Costume contest entrants will be judged by TheOneRing.net and finalists will be personally selected by four time Academy Award®-winning Sir Richard Taylor, co-owner and lead creative at WETA Workshop. Entrants could win incredible prizes. The grand prize winner and a guest will receive a trip to New Zealand.**Judging begins at 7pm. Can't make it to the event? Purchase your copy of The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition Blu-Ray in all Best Buy stores starting on Tuesday, June 28 or preorder it now atwww.BestBuy.com/LordOfTheRings *Only people with wristbands will gain entry into the signing. Wristbands are limited in quantity and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit one wristband per person. Wristbands will be put on recipient and must remain on through event. Wristbands are non transferable. Not responsible for lost, mutilated or stolen wristbands. Transportation or any other expenses associated with attending the event are not included. Limit one autograph per person. Talent appearance subject to availability and change. Sponsors do not guarantee the opportunity to participate. To enter this Contest, you must agree to and abide by these Official Rules. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase or payment will not improve your chances of winning. 1. Sponsor: Warner Home Video, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc., 4000 Warner Blvd., Bldg. 168, Burbank, CA 91522 (“Sponsor”). 2. Administrator: LeadDog Marketing Group, 159 W. 25th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 (“LeadDog” or “Administrator”). 3. Eligibility: The “Middle-earth Midnight Madness Launch Costume Contest” ("Contest") is only open to legal U.S. residents. A parent or legal guardian must accompany any participant under 18 years of age at all times during the event. Any individuals (including but not limited to employees, consultants, independent contractors, and interns) who have, within the past six months, performed services for Sponsor, Administrator, Best Buy Stores, L.P., Paradigm Shift Worldwide Inc., TheOneRing.net (“TORn”), WETA Workshop, or any entities responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest or supplying the prizes, and/or their respective parent, subsidiary, affiliated and successor companies, and immediate family and household members of such individuals, are not eligible to enter or win. "Immediate family members" shall mean parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses, regardless of where they live. "Household members" shall mean people who share the same residence at least three months a year, whether related or not. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify from this Contest any person it believes has intentionally violated these Rules. Contest is offered only in Los Angeles, California as per Rule 4 below (“Territory”). Void outside Territory and where prohibited by law. 4. Contest Entry: Sponsor does not guarantee the opportunity to participate in Contest. Up to 300 eligible entrants will be allowed to participate and opportunity to participate will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Between 12:00 p.m. PT and 7:00 p.m. PT on June 27, 2011 (“Entry Period”), Contest will be open to eligible persons who (a) go to the Middle-earth Midnight Madness Launch Event (“Event”) at the Westside L.A. Best Buy store, located at 11301 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064 (accessible via Interstate 405), (b) look like and dress like (are wearing a costume of) a character from or theme portrayed in one of New Line Cinema’s The Lord of the Rings(TM) films, released between 2001 and 2003 (that is, The Fellowship of the Ring™, The Two Towers™ or The Return of the King™); you are encouraged – but NOT required -- to bring prop(s) with you but prop(s) must relate to The Lord of the Rings character in question (all props must be Peace Bonded, which is to say they must be made incapable of functioning; sword and dagger props should be tied in so they can’t be drawn and arrows should not be loose), and (c) complete and submit an official Registration Form (available while supplies last) to the TORn Representative on site or by downloading the Registration Form online atwww.lordoftherings.net and completing in advance (providing full name, address, age, telephone number, including area code, email address and birth date) will be entered in the Contest. A TORn Representative will take your photograph at the time you submit your official Registration form. NOTE: Unless and until you complete and submit an entry form and have your photo taken, you will not be entered in the Contest. Going to the Westside L.A. Best Buy store dressed like a character from The Lord of the Rings™, in and of itself, will NOT result in entry. Each eligible person dressed like a The Lord of the Rings™ character will receive only one (1) entry form (provided supplies last) and may enter the Contest only once. Joint/group entries are NOT permitted. For example, two persons may individually look like the characters Frodo and Sam, but each person must enter the Contest separately and their respective entries will be evaluated separately as per Rule 5 below. Costume and an entrant’s personal information as recorded on entry form are collectively referred to as “Entry”. All entrants must remain at the Westside L.A. Best Buy store from approximately 7:00 p.m. PT on June 27, 2011 to 12:00 a.m. PT on June 27-28, 2011 (i.e., for the duration of the Event) for judging by an independent judging panel according to the Judging Criteria (as set forth in Rule 5). Entrants must be present for judging for the opportunity to win. Absence of any entrant during such judging period will result in disqualification. Entrants must stand on line outside the Westside L.A. Best Buy store in an orderly manner, following all instructions of TORn, Warner Home Video, or Best Buy Representatives and at all times act in a socially responsible, appropriate and courteous manner. By way of example only, vulgar language, abusive behavior, harassing or threatening others, horseplay, fighting, consumption/possession/use of alcohol beverages, drugs (other than prescription medication), firearms or weapons (and, with respect to alcohol beverages/drugs, being intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol beverages/drugs) and smoking of tobacco products (except in designated areas) are all prohibited. For the avoidance of doubt, a sword may be used as a prop (and will NOT constitute an illicit weapon) as long as it is Peace Bonded, which is to say it must be made incapable of functioning. Sword and dagger props should be tied in so they can’t be drawn and arrows should not be loose. BY INTENDING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST, YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE EVENT, OUTSIDE THE WESTSIDE L.A. BEST BUY STORE, FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME, AND THAT SPONSOR MAY (BUT IS NOT IN ANY WAY OBLIGATED TO) PROVIDE YOU WITH FOOD, BEVERAGES OR OTHER COMFORT ITEMS DURING SUCH TIME PERIOD. YOU FURTHER ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISK INHERENT IN BEING OUTSIDE FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME; SUCH RISKS MAY INCLUDE ILLNESS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, VIRUS, BACTERIA, INFECTION OR OTHER SICKNESS CONTRACTED FROM ANOTHER PERSON OR AN OBJECT OR OTHER INJURY. IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROSPECTIVE ENTRANT TO OBTAIN CLEARANCE FROM HIS/HER DOCTOR OR OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO VISITING THE WESTSIDE L.A. BEST BUY STORE WITH THE INTENTION OF PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST AND TO BRING ALONG WITH HIM/HER SUFFICIENT FOOD, BEVERAGES, SUPPLIES/PROVISIONS FOR BEING OUTSIDE FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME. By entering, entrant agrees that the “look alike/costume” element of his/her entry and any photographs or film footage of same become the property of Sponsor. If “look alike/costume” element of entry is deemed by TORn Representative, in their sole discretion, to be lewd or profane; to contain material that violates or infringes on another’s rights, including privacy, publicity or intellectual property (other than the right to reference The Lord of the Rings™ characters, as set forth below); to be hateful or defamatory; to promote racism or harm against a group or individual or promote discrimination; or to be unlawful or in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations of City or County of Los Angeles or of the State of California or federal laws/regulations, will be disqualified as determined solely by Sponsor. The “look alike/costume” element of entries will be initially reviewed for content before being judged. The “look alike/costume” element of entries containing such prohibited content and/or otherwise deemed by Sponsor, in its sole discretion, to be inappropriate or otherwise in violation of these Official Rules will be disqualified. Sponsor makes the final determination as to which “look alike/costume” elements of entries are eligible to take part in the Contest. By submitting an entry, each entrant grants (and agrees to confirm such grant in writing) to Sponsor and those acting under its authority the perpetual, unlimited and irrevocable right to post, publish, adapt, edit and/or otherwise use the “look alike/costume” element of his/her entry or any photographs or film footage of same in any manner, including copyright, and in any media now known or hereafter developed, without any credit, compensation or accounting to entrant. The preceding grant of rights applies should entrant advance beyond Round 1 of the Contest to Round 2 or Rounds 2 and 3 (see Rule 5 below). You acknowledge that, by submitting an entry (including the “look alike/costume” element of same), Sponsor does not waive any rights to use similar or related ideas previously known to Sponsor, or developed by its employees, or obtained from sources other than you. Sponsor is not responsible for the content of the entries. The entrant is solely responsible for the content of his/her entry. SPONSOR’S GRANT OF RIGHTS TO ENTRANTS: Sponsor grants entrants the limited right to use the features, characteristics and properties of The Lord of the Rings characters solely for purposes of participation in the Contest. And, at all times, as between Sponsor and entrant, all rights in The Lord of the Rings characters remain the sole property of Sponsor. Any other use of The Lord of the Rings characters may represent an actionable violation of Sponsor’s rights. 5. Judging/Selection of Winners: Judging will take place in three (3) separate rounds. Round 1 (“Initial Screening”), Round 2 (“On Stage Participants”) and Round 3 (“Finalists”) will take place during the Entry Period at the Event. During Round 1, all qualified entrants in the Costuming Holding area after registration is closed, will be evaluated by representative(s) of TORn. In Round 2, the “On Stage Participants” will consist of up to the top forty (40) entrants from the Initial Screening. Sponsor reserves the right to advance fewer than 40 entrants to the On Stage Participant round, if in their sole discretion, there are not a sufficient number of eligible entrants of sufficient quality. Entrants in the On Stage Participant Round will be featured on stage and have their photo taken and be judged again by TORn representatives who will select up to fifteen (15) Finalists. Sponsor reserves the right to advance fewer than 15 entrants to the Finalists round, if in their sole discretion, there are not a sufficient number of eligible entrants in attendance for On Stage Participant Round. In Round 3, Finalists will have their photos judged by Sir Richard Taylor, the creator and head of Weta Workshop (a film prop and special effects company famous for its involvement with the production of the The Lord of The Rings film trilogy). Sir Richard Taylor’s involvement will be conducted via remote Internet voice/video technology (i.e., Sir Taylor will not be physically present at the Event) and is subject to his professional commitments and availability; and, if Sir Taylor is not available to judge the Finalist Round for any reason (including but not limited to technological malfunction/error/failure of any kind), Sponsor may use TORn and/or WHV representatives to judge the Finalists and determine the prize winners, without liability of any kind. The Finalist with the highest combined score in the Finalist Round will be deemed the Grand Prize winner. Five (5) runner up prizes will be awarded to the Finalists with the second through sixth highest combined score in the Finalist round. Scores received in preceding round(s) of the Contest will not affect one’s score in later round(s) of the Contest. Each judging round will be judged by the following criteria and with the following weight given to each such criteria: A. Appropriateness to Contest Theme 25% Each entry will be judged for appropriateness to the contest theme, which is defined as demonstrating how closely the entrant resembles the chosen The Lord of the Rings character or theme, including how their costume choices are authentic to the world of Middle-earth. B. Personality 25% Each entry will be judged for overall personality of character (i.e. how well does entrant breathe life into the character). C. Creativity 25% Each entry will be judged for overall creativity in capturing the essence and spirit of The Lord of the Rings. D. Artist Veracity 25% Each entry will be judged for the overall workmanship of their costume and the degree to which their entry demonstrates their knowledge of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and the costumes therein. The potential winners will be announced at the Event, after the conclusion of the Finalist Round. Potential winners must be present in order to win. If potential winner is not present at the time of announcement, potential winner may forfeit the prize and the prize may be awarded to the Finalist with the next highest combined score in the Finalist Round (provided that he/she is present at time of winner announcement). 6. Prizes, Approximate Retail Value ("ARV”): Grand Prize (1 winner): Grand Prize winner will receive a “tour of a lifetime to Middle-earth.” Grand Prize consists of 6-day/5-night trip for the winner and one guest to New Zealand. Trip consists of round-trip coach air transportation courtesy of Air New Zealand for winner and guest between Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) and Auckland, New Zealand; 1-night hotel accommodations (one standard room, double occupancy) at the SKYCITY Grand Hotel; round-trip ground transportation between Auckland, New Zealand area airport and SKYCITY Grand Hotel; dinner for two (2) at either “dine by Peter Gordon” or “The Grill by Sean Connolly” (alcohol not included; total ARV of dinner is $120 USD); admission for two (2) to the Sky Tower Total Tower Experience; breakfast for two (2) at “The Terrace” restaurant (alcohol not included; total ARV of breakfast is $40 USD); ground transportation to Matamata, New Zealand for a VIP tour of The Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours; 1-night hotel accommodations (one standard room, double occupancy; hotel to be selected in Sponsor’s sole discretion); and dinner for two (2) at “The Shires Rest Café” (alcohol not included; total ARV of dinner is $80 USD); coach air transportation for winner and guest to Wellington, New Zealand; 2-nights hotel accommodations (one standard room, double occupancy, hotel to be selected in Sponsor’s sole discretion); dinner for two (2) at the “Green Parrot Cafe" (alcohol not included; total ARV of dinner is $80 USD); ground transportation to The Weta Cave for a meet and greet with select members of the crew who worked on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy; dinner and movie for two (2) at the Roxy Cinema (restaurant and movie to be selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion. alcohol not included; total ARV of dinner is $80 USD); coach air transportation for winner and guest to Queenstown, New Zealand; 1-night hotel accommodations (one standard room, double occupancy, hotel to be selected in Sponsor’s sole discretion); The Lord of the Rings scenic tour for two (2); dinner for two (2) in Queenstown, New Zealand (restaurant to be selected in Sponsor’s sole discretion. alcohol not included; total ARV of dinner is $80 USD); The Lord of The Rings souvenirs from the original artists at Weta Workshop (specific items to be selected in Sponsor’s sole discretion); ground transportation to Queenstown, New Zealand area airport. Total ARV of Grand Prize: $7,728 USD. Meeting Weta Workshop crew and tour of The Hobbiton Movie Set has no cash value and is subject to Weta Studio crew’s availability and professional commitments. Actual crew members participating in meet and greet are at Sponsor’s/Weta Workshop’s sole discretion. Grand Prize winner and his/her guest will meet Weta Studio crew, for a period of up to 30 minutes at time to be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, with a Sponsor representative (and perhaps other individuals) also being present at all times. Weta Studio Crew will NOT autograph items other than those items indicated in prize description. Grand Prize winner and/or guest must follow all instructions of Sponsor relative to meeting crew and, should Grand Prize winner and/or guest fail to adhere to any such instructions or engage in unruly, obnoxious, anti-social or otherwise inappropriate behavior (as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion), Sponsor will, without further notice or warning, eject Grand Prize winner and guest from meeting with Weta Studio crew and/or take other actions as Sponsor deems appropriate in its sole discretion without any liability or other obligation to winner or guest. If meeting Weta Studio crew is offered for shorter than the indicated time period, for any reason other than inappropriate behavior by winner or quest, Sponsor’s sole liability shall be limited to awarding the remaining elements of the prize to winner, as solely determined by Sponsor. No responsibility is assumed for any cancellation or rescheduling of any Grand Prize activity or tour in whole or in part. If any of the foregoing activities or tours are delayed, postponed or cancelled for any reason, the travel portions of the Grand Prize shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsor’s prize obligation to winner and no substitute or additional compensation will be awarded. Winner is solely responsible for all costs and expenses not specified herein, including, but not limited to, meals, tips, hotel incidentals, merchandise, local and long distance telephone calls, and additional ground transportation. ARV of Grand Prize is based, in part, on approximate retail value of The Lord of the Rings souvenirs; resale, barter, or trading value of souvenirs may differ from time to time due to market conditions, and no representation is made as to any said value. Actual value of trip may vary based on point of departure and dates of travel. Prize travel must be completed between November 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 and Grand Prize winner must provide at least 30 days advanced notice prior to intended date of departure. Accommodations and travel are for two adults (or one adult and one child accompanied by parent) sharing one accommodation. Trip is non-transferable and cannot be extended beyond the valid date. Grand Prize winner and guest must travel together on specified itinerary, including same departure date, destination and return date, or Grand Prize may be forfeited in its entirety and awarded to an alternate winner, provided sufficient time remains to verify alternate winner and ticket prize; otherwise, prize will not be awarded. Grand Prize winner and guest must comply with all airport and venue security requirements; or prize will be forfeited in its entirety and may be awarded to an alternate winner, time permitting. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to suspend or cancel the participation of any winner or travel companion due to noncompliance with any security procedure or inappropriate behavior or misconduct. Travel and accommodation restrictions and blackout dates may apply. All travel dates and arrangements are subject to change, availability and Sponsor’s approval. Sponsor and its agencies are not liable for any expenses incurred as a consequence of flight cancellation/delay. Certain documentation and requirements may be necessary for travel, such as valid U.S. passport. Grand Prize winner and his/her guest are solely responsible for any documentation and requirements and determining applicable procedures and restrictions. In addition, the Grand Prize winner may be required to present a valid credit card at the hotel at the time of check-in. Sponsor will not replace any lost, mutilated, or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates. Winner and guest must provide own transportation to and from departure airport. Second Prize (2 winners): Each Second Prize winner will receive an official 10K Gold The One™ Ring from Noble Collections. ARV of Second Prize: $495 each. Third Prize (3 winners): Each Third Prize winner will receive a replica of the Sting™ Sword of Frodo from Noble Collections. ARV of Third Prize is $295 each. Total ARV of all prizes: $9,603 USD. Any prize won by a minor will be awarded to his/her parent or legal guardian. Any costs and incidentals not specified herein are the winner’s sole responsibility. No substitution, cash redemption or transfer of prize except with Sponsor’s permission (which may be granted or withheld for any reason) or where required by law. Sponsor in its sole discretion may award a substitute prize/prize component of equal or greater value if advertised prize/prize component is unavailable at time of awarding for any reason. If a prize winner cannot accept a prize as stated, that prize may be forfeited in its entirety and awarded to an alternate winner, time permitting. Federal, state and local taxes, if any, are solely the responsibility of the winner. For Grand Prize, winner will receive an IRS Form 1099 reflecting the actual final retail value of Grand Prize. Potential winners will be required to complete, and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release and Indemnification, and a Publicity Release where allowed by law, within fourteen (14) days of attempted notification. If documents are not returned on a timely basis, or if prize is returned as non-deliverable, or if potential winner is found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, such prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner, provided sufficient time remains to verify alternate winner and ticket prize; otherwise prize will not be awarded. Grand Prize winner’s guest must complete, sign and return a Liability Release and where lawful a Publicity Release prior to issuance of travel documents. Once a travel guest is determined the guest cannot be changed without the express approval of the Sponsor which may be withheld for any reason. If Grand Prize winner is a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, his or her parent or legal guardian must sign and return the required releases within the specified time period and accompany the minor on the trip as his/her sole guest. 7. Conditions and Limitations of Liability: By participating, entrants agree to be bound by and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and Administrator, which shall be final and binding in all respects. By participating in this Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, Administrator, Best Buy Stores, L.P., Paradigm Shift Worldwide Inc., TheOneRing.net, WETA Workshop their respective parent, subsidiary, affiliated and successor companies, advertising and promotion agencies and prize suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives and employees, as well as each of their respective successors and assigns, as well as Sir Richard Taylor personally (collectively and individually, the "Released Parties") from any and all actions, claims, injury, loss or damage (whether due to negligence or otherwise) to person(s), including death, or property arising in any manner, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part from participation in this Contest, or any Contest-related activity, the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize (the preceding expressly includes but is not limited to the potential injuries enumerated in Rule 4 above in conjunction with going to the Westside L.A. Best Buy store in order to participate in the Contest), and/or any printing, production, typographical, human or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of any prize. By accepting a prize, winner authorizes the Sponsor, and those acting pursuant to the Sponsor’s authority to use his/her name, voice, likeness, photograph, prize information, biographical data and city and state of residence in any media now known or hereafter devised, world wide, including on the World Wide Web and Internet, in perpetuity, at any time or times, in programming, advertising, trade and/or promotional material or on a winners’ list (if applicable) without additional compensation (unless prohibited by law) or notice, review or approval. Sponsor is not obligated to use any of the above mentioned information or materials, but may do so and may edit such information or materials, at Sponsor’s sole discretion (as appropriate), without obligation or compensation. RELEASED PARTIES MAKE NO WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATIVE TO THE USE OF ANY PRIZE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. 8. DISPUTE: Except where prohibited, participant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the federal or state courts in Los Angeles County; (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with participating in this Contest, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (3) under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and participant hereby waives all rights to claim, indirect, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the participant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of California. 9. USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION: In order to participate in this Contest, participants will be required to supply certain information about themselves to enter. Warner Home Video has specified which information is mandatory in order to participate in the Contest. The personal information will be collected, processed and used in accordance with the WarnerBros.com and Best Buy Privacy Policies. The WarnerBros.com Privacy Policy can be found at http://www.warnerbros.com/#/page=privacy-policy/. The Best Buy Privacy Policy can be found athttp://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Topics/Privacy-Policy/ pcmcat204400050062.c?id=pcmcat204400050062http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Topics/Privacy-Policy/ or by calling 1-888-BEST BUY. 10. Official Rules/Winners’ List: Official Rules will be available atwww.lordoftherings.net from 6/20/11 to 6/28/11 and at the Westside L.A. Best Buy store, located at 11301 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064,for the duration of the Event. For Prize winners’ names, mail a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to “LOTR Costume Contest Winner’s List”, c/o LeadDog Marketing Group, 159 W. 25th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 to be received no later than July 11, 2011.
Returning to New Zealand this fall to film his scenes for The Hobbit is Elijah Wood, who currently stars in FX's new series 'Wilfred.' The first script, says Wood, is "incredible. It definitely expounds upon the book; there are already characters that are cast that are not in the book, so that indicates that it goes slightly outside the boundaries in the structure of the original novel."
