Looking for a way to introduce your little hobbits to Middle-earth? As a parent, Charles Thurston wanted a non-scary way to introduce his kids to the great pop culture movies, shows, and books that he and his wife loved. His solution? He created a series of small, kid-friendly pop culture parody books that introduces kids to fantasy and sci-fi stories in a fun way, so that when they are older, they will already be familiar with the stories and characters that Mommy and Daddy always talk so much about. If You Give A Hobbit A Ring is the tale of walking and wearing jewelry…with monsters. (Lily Milos)
Lord of the the Rings costume designer and Academy Award winner Ngila Dickson will be designing custom-made clothes for guests for billionare Sean Parker’s wedding to Alexandra Lenas in June. The wedding, that includes faux ruins, waterfalls, bridges, ponds, and a gated cottage, is estimated to cost upwards of $9 million. But before you try to get your name on the guest list, know that the costumes aren’t destined for Middle-earth, but are “based on modern suits and dresses with some elements of Victorian flair and whimsy.” Still, I think I could come up with better ideas of what to do with $9 million! (Arwen Kester)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is set to launch on DVD and Blu-ray in New Zealand and Australian on May 1st, will be Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s first UltraViolet release in those countries. All Hobbit Blu-rays and DVDs will be specially marked with a purple UltraViolet band across the top of the packaging, and each of these specially marked discs will include a free UltraViolet code. The code can then be redeemed online through UltraViolet portals such as Flixster.com, allowing consumers to watch the film on computers and mobile devices. (Arwen Kester)
Imgur user empressk took a cheap, boring clock and created this beautiful Hobbit clock, that displays only the most important times of the day! She includes step-by-step instructions so that you can make one for yourself. Don’t forget the final step: “Hang it up and have a pint.” (Lily Milos)
And speaking of step-by-step instructions, how would you like to make your own crocheted Gandalf? In this Instructable, ChrysN shows how to crochet Gandalf the Grey, complete with a staff that lights up and a pipe bowl that glows in the dark. The directions are very detailed and can be downloaded for ease of use. With such power to create, you’ll feel just like Ilúvatar! Except, instead of thinking things into existence, you’ll be crocheting. (Evie Bowman)
In 2010, Geoff Talbot compiled 7 Quotations from Peter Jackson on Creativity (though, technically, there are only six), and his list is making the rounds again. Here’s a preview: “The magic ‘X-factor’ that should go into every script is passion; the quality of a feature film is so much better if it has been generated from a place of passion.” (Evie Bowman)
The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre just concluded its run of The Hobbit, A Classroom Parody, adapted and directed by Jim Canacci. The play is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, but Canacci describes his play as a classroom parody. “Our play uses Tolkien’s story as a way of dealing with issues children face in school — from bullying and standing up for yourself, to finding a voice and your place in the world. My hope was to create a piece that is both funny and thought provoking.” (Lily Milos)
In this clever modern take on the trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, CaptainJuni takes clips from contemporary films and television shows featuring Hobbit actors and cuts them together to the audio from the original trailer. Can you name them all? (Lily Milos)
Every week, our Middle-earth News reporters seek out Tolkien/Hobbit/LOTR goodness and tag their finds with their names. If you have something to contribute, please submit it using the Got News Precious link at the bottom of the page.
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