Thorin Thursday: Photo Edits, GIFs & other Hobbity stuff

Oh, Thorin. What a gorgeous creature you are, even tousled and tangled and worn by your misadventures. In fact, it all makes you that much more appealing, you sexy beast!

The latest Weta Workshop Chronicles book is now available to pre-order at Amazon. I have the first two and I LOVE them. Worth every penny.

Ah, those two old friends, Dwalin and Thorin.  They fight together–and stick out their tongues at each other in rehearsals . . . cheeky RA.

Can’t wait to see this scene in the film!! Wet, roaring, raging Thorin–in a barrel. Yes.

This is an updated version of that work in progress by bohemian weasel I have featured here in the past. Really love the art nouveau-ish feel of it.

More GIFs. Hope they work OK for you.

Assorted and sundry RA-related bits and bobs for Saturday

Bilbo with his pipe and pony at Comic-Con 2013. Courtesy of IMDb. Wonder if Thorin and HIS pony ever made it there? He might have gotten lost . . .

Hobbit coins being given away at Comic-Con this year.

Orcrist on display by Weta Workshop at Comic-Con.

Another drawing by Evankart, this time of Thorin and Dwalin. A little slashy?

Charming little montage shared by Richard Armitage Bulgaria on FB.

My edit of one of the AWE premiere photos. Oh, the waves, the coils!!

The delightfully grouchy Thorin Lego on display at this year’s Comic-Con. Apparently throngs of people lined up to take his photo. Courtesy of Servetus at Me + Richard Armitage.

“Relief” by lorna_ka

My edit of one of the ATW premiere photos, original courtesy of RANet.

He’s just so handsome and–kindly looking.

Fun Facts & Quotes from The Hobbit ‘Chronicles’

It’s been a few days since I shared anything from the latest in the series of ‘Chronicles’ books from Weta Workshop. Thought these tidbits about various aspects of the production might make a fun read for Sunday, along with a few more images in glorious HD (thanks to Heirs of Durin) from the film.

And don’t forget if you do have a Twitter account you can vote for Bilbo as “Best Hero” at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards through tonight when the broadcast takes place.http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2013/best-hero/  As I write this on Saturday near midnight Bilbo is still in the lead by several thousand, but that could always change . . .

The Eyes Have It

 Jeffrey Thomas, who plays King Under the Mountain Thror, actually wore colored contact lenses to increase his resemblance to the actors playing his son and grandson, Mike Mizrahi and Richard Armitage, respectively.  All three men have blue eyes, but unlike his light-eyed co-stars, Thomas’s are a very dark blue that resembled black when photographed.  A pale blue contact lens color not only tied him to his son and grandson but also served to “age him as well as give him a hint of the crazy eye, which fits considering his obsession with the gold.” (Tami Lane, prosthetics supervisor)

Cate Blanchett also wore contact lenses for the role of Galadriel. Rather than completely recolor them, these lenses were designed to lighten and enhance Cate’s own pale blue eyes, “making them feel even more remarkable and beautiful, but still based on her natural coloring,” said hair and makeup designer Peter King.

Peter Hambleton, who played the dwarf Gloin, the father of Gimli of LOTR, also wore lenses to change his eye color. “I have blue eyes and we wanted to make a connection with Gimli, whose eyes are brown,” said Hambleton. The actor didn’t require the dark lenses for distant shots, just more close-up ones, and a licensed optician on set would pop them in and out for him (remember, he was wearing those clumsy prosthetic hands). “I hope the brown eyes sing out,” Hambleton said.

Thoughts on Fili and Kili (Dean O’Gorman and Aidan Turner)

“With no sons of his own, Fili and Kili are his family. Thorin is tough on Fili and overly protective of Kili. He sees their hope and their ambition, their youth. It’s a great driving force for him, to seek out something to bequeath for their future.”    Richard Armitage~Thorin

“Dwarves are a proud and noble people who were at  one time very wealthy. They carry jewelry and ornate plaiting in their beards to show their pride and a way of holding on to their lineage. . . they begin looking very ornate and proud, but their journey humbles and batters them . . . but it isn’t the same for each of them.

‘Fili and Kili don’t have the big, ornate, blinged-out beards of their fathers. They have a different attitude and aren’t as burdened down by the loss that gnaws at Thorin and Gloin and the other Dwarves who are obsessed with the gold. They haven’t decorated themselves as heavily, like kids who can’t see the reason for wearing shoes in a restaurant. They’re not holding onto an old grudge. They’re freer spirits.” Peter King~Hair and Makeup Designer

“Beards are already in at the moment, but I have to wonder after these films come out whether there might not be a sudden rise in braiding and beard decoration?”  Dean O’Gorman~Fili

“On one level, we’re funny little guys, and on another, we’ve won wars and are actually pretty dangerous  . . . don’t laugh at the Dwarves because they will mess you up.”  DoG

“It’s tough being a dwarf in Middle-earth. It’s exhausting  . . . they get chased around and for all the times they get caught, they really aren’t wanted anywhere.” ~Aidan Turner-Kili

Related articles

• A ‘proud, cantankerous’ father figure: An Xbox SmartGlass Exclusive Vid Clip (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Dwarf love for the Leader of the Company: Comments from HobbitCon (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• LOTR, The Hobbit, and Richard Armitage (marieastra8.wordpress.com)

‘He’s a hero on screen and in real life.’ From the new Chronicles II book

Here I am bloody crying again and it’s not my wonky Even Worse Knee (now being iced) that’s making me tear up. It’s reading both Richard’s words and those of others who’ve worked with him found within Weta Workshop‘s beautiful new book, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles II, which arrived today.

Here’s a snippet of what Amy Hubbard, UK casting director, had to say about RA (who gave what she called “one of the most committed performances I have ever seen”). Bold font my addition:

“I know he won’t mind me saying that Peter saw potential in Richard that hadn’t been fully exploited before . . . (Richard) turned down the opportunity (to appear in next series of Strike Back) to make himself available to appear in The Hobbit. His commitment to the films . . . was an inspiration to all of us. And I believe it was a much-needed boost to the filmmakers’ morale during a marathon casting process. And Richard really deserves credit for that. He’s a hero on screen and in real life. Other actors made similar sacrifices, but Richard made this one very early in the casting process.”

Amy Hubbard

The book also states in the opening section on Thorin that “it was essential filmmakers cast an actor in the role with the same charisma and simmering dignity that the character demanded. Fortunately the casting directors found Richard Armitage, an actor with the quiet intensity and thoughtfulness needed for the role, and a man in whom both the rest of the cast and the audience can believe.”

Didn’t those casting directors do a splendid job? I most definitely do believe in the power of the Armitage, and appreciate all the more the commitment he made to the film when it wasn’t even 100 percent green lighted yet. Richard, you tall, gorgeous drink of water and inspiring morale builder, you.

*Smiling even as I blink back tears* I am so very proud of you, Richard.

Related articles

• ‘A concentrating actor’: Richard on his acting & the challenges of The Hobbit (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Dwarf love for the Leader of the Company: Comments from HobbitCon (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Richard Armitage & Ori’s Slingshot: Celebrating Creative Exchange (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)

What would YOU ask Richard Armitage? Redux

I asked this question in a blog entry last summer prior to Comic-Con. Because haven’t we all fantasized about being able to conduct our dream interview with Richard Armitage?

Or, in my case, I actually dreamed I did interview him and in the back of a limo, no less (sadly, I can remember none of the questions, just how charming and funny and gorgeous he was).  Speaking of gorgeous, let’s look at that footie action from Magic FM again, shall we?

With the recent flurry of new interviews prior to the DVD release of THAUJ, the whole WWYARA question popped into my mind again.  We’ve seen the same old chestnuts about the circus *sigh* fun ones about whether or not he does impressions of other cast members (earning us that delightful “ooooh, BIL-BO Baggins . . .” in the Bin Weevils interview), and, frankly, strange queries about whether or not Thorin would rather fight horse-sized ducks or duck-sized horses. That one still has me scratching my head. The person who submitted that must have been on something stronger than my Kahlua and Coke. 😉

Would you ask him questions about Thorin? Does he ever fear being typecast as Tolkien’s heroic dwarf?  Or  would you ask him about past characters and their development and, perhaps, what the future held for them after the scriptwriters finished their work (or in some cases, their hatchet jobs. Looking at you, Spooks people)?  Are there any of his past characters he would long to see brought to life on the big screen?

How about future projects? Looks like he’s been queried enough about RIII at this point, as well as any future prospects of a VoD reunion. Favorite novels (other than The Master and Margarita) he’d like to see become screenplays?  He’s said he wants to do smaller, more intimate film with a great, literate script–any specific director he’d love to work with? Does he still have directing aspirations of his own? Dream cast he’d love to direct?

The Master and Margarita (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Would you ask if he’d consider doing a voice role in an animated feature for, say, Disney/Pixar?  Because he all know he’s a great storyteller for children  . . . and he loves the studio’s films.  How about the possibility of narrating more audiobooks? Is there a list of books he’s dreamed of recording?

Would you ask about his favorite films, books, music, TV (assuming he’s gotten to watch any) over the past year?  Is there a television series he’d love to appear in (Game of Thrones, anyone?)?  But then again, he’s trying to get away from the action/violence genre, so, possibly a comedy or period drama such as Downton Abbey?

Downton Abbey visits Seattle (Photo credit: KCTS OO9)

Or how about the best advice he’s ever been given as an actor? Who most inspires him as an actor? What counsel would he give to aspiring actors?

Favorite chocolate ice cream blend? Rocky Road? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough? Or just pure, rich, unadulterated chocolate? Does he like it with whipped cream and a cherry on top? OK, getting silly here, but I suspect he likes a little silliness tossed in here and there. The man obviously loves to laugh.  And there is always “What are you listening to on your iPod right now?”

ipod shuffle loja online leilao (Photo credit: sucelloleiloes)

And hey, my new Weta Workshop book was just delivered by spouse. Arrived a day early! Hooray!!  Here it includes this photo, which I found courtesy of Servetus at FB:

Can’t wait to discover any other gems within that volume! Loving Mr. A in green. NTM the beard and muscles and everything . . . and isn’t Adam a cutie?

And again, I ask, what would YOU ask Mr. A? Do tell!

Tonight, I will be nursing the Even Worse Knee (yep, fell again) and perusing my new book. I am sure I will have something to share from it later. 😀

(other screencaps courtesy of Richard Armitage Net)

Thorin and the Vambrace; or, Whatever Happened to the Mighty Oak?

Young Thorin holding the piece of oak tree trunk he used as a shield in battle, leading to his being called Thorin Oakenshield. But what did he do with that piece of mighty oak?

The topic came up in a previous Thorin post https://thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/he-earned-it/

When I got my little Thorin,  one of his accessories, in addition to Orcrist and his Dwarven sword, was a piece that attached to his forearm. I regret to say I have mislaid said accessory somewhere in this room. It’s somewhere with mini Lego Thorin’s sword. My missing Thorin accessory relates to the chunk of wood he used in a terrible battle.

Little Thorin with his special vambrace on his Orcrist sword arm.

I remembered reading in the The Hobbit Chronicles: Art & Design from Weta Workshop (such an absolutely beautiful book) about Richard’s ideas for that trusty piece of hardwood.

Here’s what Richard said:

I thought it would be nice to bring something from the past into what is happening now; he might have kept and nurtured this chunk of oak that had saved his life and perhaps honed it into something else. I made a sketch of it, like a branch that had been hollowed to become something like a vambrace* with prongs, which I showed to Peter and he liked the idea of it.

Richard Taylor picked it up and we went through a development of the idea. It briefly had a fist-like end with nails on it, but it started to look Orcish so we pulled back from that to keep a Dwarfish feel.

*vambraces: forearm guards that are tubular or guttural defenses for the forearms, usually worn as a part of a suit of armor.

And that is the story behind the actor’s (and artist’s and filmmaker’s) vision for what happened to the oak tree that gave our oak-hard hero his name.

Now, if I can only find those errant weapons. Probably under a stack of books somewhere . . .

I just threw this one in because it’s so delicious. That is all.

Related articles

• If you haven’t purchased it yet – you’ll want to. (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Thorin Oakenshield: Tolkien’s Inimitable Hero (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• The critics have spoken: “Epically cool” Armitage “impressive” in role (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Thorin Oakenshield: A Warrior In the Norse Vein (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Tolkien’s Antithetical Heroes: Thorin Oakenshield & Boromir of Gondor (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)

Yet another Hobbity must-have for me.

 

Just when I thought I’d stopped buying anything Hobbit-related, Cathy at Twitter alerted me to the latest book offered by Weta. It won’t release til next spring, but you can now pre-order it at Amazon. Which I just did. *sigh* Resistance is futile . . . and look at the pretty blue cover on this one, with Thorin’s lovely mug on it, too!

 

Courtesy of Weta

Here’s what the folks at Weta have to say about it:

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles, Creatures & Characters

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles, Creatures & Characters explores the amazing cast of heroes and villains, beasts and beings that populate Middle-earth in the first chapter of Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Richly illustrated with behind-the-scenes photographs, digital renders and film stills, this comprehensive book goes species by species, character by character, through the film’s huge ensemble of characters and bustling menagerie of creatures, both physical and digital, telling the stories of how each came to be realized for the film.

In first-hand quotes from the actors, make-up artists, digital effects artists, dialect coaches, prosthetics technicians, movement coach and many other crew, the stories of the production unfold, processes are described and insights into characters shared.

As a bonus feature, unique to this book, there is a special fold-out Character Size Chart, which compares all the major creatures and characters of the film, from Radagast’s hedgehog friend to the towering Stone Giants!

Compiled by Weta Workshop designer Daniel Falconer, and featuring a wealth of stunning imagery, this book puts the reader face to face with the Dwarf heroes of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the dark denizens of Middle-earth, such as Orcs, Goblins, Trolls and Wargs, and of course, the hobbit himself, Bilbo Baggins.”

 

I already own the wonderful first book in this series, Chronicles: Art & Design, now available through Amazon and carrying a well-deserved five-star rating. I have read more of it since seeing the film, and it makes me want to see the film again (as if I didn’t want to already) to take closer note of some of the details mapped out in the volume.  I never feel guilty about investing in books. Like Richard, they are the gift that keeping on giving.

I’ve got Thorin’s key . . .

Too bad it’s not to his heart. Actually, this is a Thorin’s Key pen from Noble Collection, along with a renticular 3D Thorin bookmark which I will use in my new Weta Workshop book, discussed in the last post.

Honestly, I am NOT going to buy anything else. Except possibly a mug. And maybe a T-shirt.  Oh, the madness . . .

Related articles

• If you haven’t purchased it yet – you’ll want to. (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Thorin was in my mailbox. Yippeeeeeeeeeee! (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Geek Toys : The Hobbit: Thorin’s Key Necklace (thinkgeek.com)

If you haven’t purchased it yet–you’ll want to.

I’m taking about The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyChronicles: Art & Design by Daniel Falconer. This beautiful 200-page book  from Weta Workshop was just released today and, having pre-ordered it from Amazon, my friendly Fed Ex lady delivered it to my doorstep a little earlier.  Squee!

And “beautiful” is no exaggeration. The sturdy cover, embossed in gold, has the look of fine leather, with a reproduction of Thorin’s map ready to fold out inside the front cover, and Bilbo’s contract with the Company inside the back cover.

The book is chock-full of conceptual art for the film, from the furnishings for Bag End to the environs of Goblin-town, done in detailed pencil sketches and vibrant watercolors. We see the development of the costumes, hair, beards, weaponry, accoutrements and more for the cast of characters, along with descriptions from costume designer Ann Maskrey and many others instrumental in creating the amazing world of Middle-Earth.

I still don’t have a scanner here, so I tried to take a new photos of some of the pages I thought would most interest you: the ones about Thorin, of course.

From the Chronicles, artwork depicting concepts for Thorin’s look. On the right, Thorin’s “oakenshield,” an addition envisioned by Richard.

I even found a snippet written by a certain fellow you might know of–

Thorin receives the name Oakenshield when he is younger, when finding himself without a shield in the middle of the dreadful battle, he breaks a branch off a tree and fights with it on his arm. I thought it would be nice to bring something of the past into what was happening now: he might have kept and nurtured this chunk of oak that had saved his life and perhaps honed it into something else. I made a sketch of it, like a branch that had been hollowed to become something like a vambrace with prongs, which I showed to Peter and he liked the idea of it.

Richard Taylor picked it up and we went through a development of the idea. It briefly had a fist-like end with nails on it, but it started to look Orcish so we pulled back from that to give it a Dwarvish feel.

Richard Armitage, Actor, Thorin

(In case you are wondering what a vambrace is, it’s a “forearm guard worn as part of a suit of plate armour.” Yeah, I had to look it up. Who says Richarding isn’t educational?)

Here’s some of Thorin’s gear:

And guess who else is featured in the book? Yup, young Thorin.  Sadly, I believe the concept image of a bare-chested, sweaty young Thorin working as a blacksmith was simply done as a request. They ended up sticking a shirt on him (shades of Guy!). “I think this one was done for the ladies,” said the artist, Gus Hunter. Oh, yeah . . .

And here’s a passage from another page on young Thorin:

We see Thorin as a young prince in a time before Smaug’s coming. Initially we offered suggestions that were quite princely, but it became clear that Peter, Fran and Philippa really wanted him to contrast with the pompous grandeur of the scene and be much more of an understated hero. My immediate reference of choice for that was Aragorn. I worked up ideas to suggest he’s just come back from a hunt and is dressed in functional leathers.  It’s interesting that little things such as shortening his hair or raising his crotch-line, all make Thorin look younger: little tricks that convey a sense of youth.

(Raising his crotch-line? Oh, never mind . . .)

This is just a small sampling of the treasures to be found within the pages of this book (trying to avoid spoilers here), in what promises to be a series of  such volumes from Weta Workshop on the trilogy.  Why, you even get a glimpse of lady dwarves complete with varying degrees of hirsuteness!

It’s wonderful to see the creative efforts of all these talented people spotlighted in such a handsome volume.  You can order the book ( retails for $39.99, $26.39 through Amazon) and use RANet’s portal for a portion of the sale to go to Richard’s Just Giving charities. It really would make a fabulous gift for any Hobbit fan (including yourself).

And now, back to salivating over that picture of half-naked young Thorin working up a sweat . . . oops, did I type that out loud?

Related articles

• The critics have spoken: “Epically cool” Armitage “impressive” in role (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• Handlebar-mustached Thorin? A look at Hobbit concept art (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• “An Experience Like This . . .” (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)
• “Grubby, grungy” feels better: RA’s thoughts on Thorin (thearmitageeffect.wordpress.com)

Handlebar-mustached Thorin? A look at Hobbit concept art

(courtesy of RANet, from a Tweet by Daria/Giz the Gunslinger)

This is a shot of a page in the yet-to-be-released book from Weta Workshop, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles: Art & Design.

 Getting this glimpse of conceptual artists‘ ideas for Thorin’s look in the films is so interesting. I was already looking forward to getting this book, which I have pre-ordered from Amazon; now I am truly enthused. Here’s the blurb from Amazon:

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles: Art & Design is a sumptuous celebration of the creative vision of Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The book is packed with more than 1,000 images of concept artwork, photographs and development paintings by the artists working behind the scenes to bring Middle-earth to life, who each provide detailed and entertaining commentary that reveals the story behind the vision.

As a bonus feature unique to this book, there is a special fold-out map printed in glow-in-the-dark ink and a giant four-page fold-out of Bilbo’s contract.

Complied by Weta Workshop senior concept designer Daniel Falconer, this is the first in a series of lavish hardcover books written and designed by the award-winning team at Weta, who are working closely with the production team to guarantee that these books will be bursting with insider information and stunning visual imagery.”

So, what do you think of these concepts for Thorin’s look?  How do you feel about that handlebar mustache on the left? How about the braided beard? Are you glad they chose a shorter beard and put those plaits in his long tresses?

 (I have to say the large painting on the right captures Armitage’s intensity rather well . . .)

The book is set to release on Dec. 14 in time for the premiere of the film. Oh, so much to look forward to, my darlings!