Tag Archives: The Hobbit

0.6 The Long Tail and Feeding the Fire

Posted on by under Life, Networked Media

 

Not everyone wants a lifesize Gandalf statue, but it’s accessible to those who want it. Photo: Ewan Roberts

Of all the points raised in the Unsymposium 0.6, I feel the discussion surrounding the 80/20 rule, the long tail and niche markets to be the most relevant, and definitely something I can relate to. One of the great bonuses of having all of the small links in the network is the incredible wealth and depth of information that is available, something that Adrian has pointed out multiple times throughout the course, as well as reiterating in the Unsymposium.

An example of this is very prevalent in the film world. I read articles all the time from major newspapers, Time magazine, etc, that are catering for the general public in the best way they can. They’re a mass produced publication that has to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. For someone interested in upcoming films and productions, this can give you a brief sort of overview from someone outside the industry. As Adrian said, it’s enough to keep the people happy. But sometimes you get people who are incredibly interested in a single subject. For example, I am a Middle-Earth lover (in case you haven’t read any of my other posts that Middle Earth continually infiltrates). I can read major headlines in the paper and magazines talking about the upcoming Hobbit films (eg, major news such as the press release announcing the Hobbit as a trilogy over two films), but I can also access a plethora of blogs and websites, run by people like me and read by people like me, who absolutely love all things Middle Earth. Not even all of Middle-Earth, there are some websites dedicated purely to maintaining a public and accessible update on the next film of the Hobbit trilogy (Desolation of Smaug).

With access to such blogs I can read inside information, from people who have friends, family and relatives working on the project. I can read any sort of official news or updates (even some of this doesn’t make it into the mass produced news). I can read exclusive interviews with the cast and crew of the production. I can view photos (both behind the scenes and promotional), I can receive updates on when NZ Post is releasing the next series of New Zealand stamps commemorating the films release. I think you get the picture.

TOR.net (the one ring .net) is a perfect example of this. A site dedicated to Middle Earth. Thanks to the internet, I have access to this. Something myself and others are interested in, that normally we would have to have incredible connections to view. The kind of information the site contains used to be accessible to the people in the movie industry or involved in the production. Not anymore. Thanks to the long tail. So let’s support the little guys and the independent websites and blogs out there . The independent publications, the ones that matter for people like me, with unique tastes and interests.

Digital Effects and Contemporary Cinema

Posted on by under Entertainment, Life

The beauty that Weta creates. Photo: Chuck Cook

For anyone interested in digital effects and cinema who hasn’t already seen this website, visit it. It’s an unbelievably brilliant showcase of some of the technologies that are being used by film makers around the world today to produce some of the biggest blockbusters. Here’s an article from the 13th of August on the new Neil Blomkamp film, Elysium. Getting to see some of the best digital effects of the contemporary world unfolded in front of you with excerpts from the experts themselves and the creators behind the fiction (Such as Weta’s Richard Taylor, a favourite of mine). While the articles on fxguide certainly aren’t going to give you a ticket to a job in a film studio, they can provide a great insight into the basic workings of a digital effects company.

While I am often sceptical of Blockbuster films (I have been impressed recently but I have certainly witnessed some big let downs), I think that digital effects is an important part of contemporary cinema and something that it would be silly to close your mind to. We’ve heard all the arguments regarding the over-reliance on technology and the fact that it is more important in some films (seemingly) than the actors, costumes and sets themselves.

As we entered the digital age, effects like this became more prominent, sometimes not for the better. It often seems like filmmakers get carried away with the FX and forget about the substance in films. For me, a big Tolkien fan, when I saw the first shots released to the public from the Hobbit I was a little spectacle. They took a bit of warming up to. But by the time the trailer was released I was already in love. This is a good example of how rapidly the film industry has changed. Just nine years earlier I was on the edge of my seat watching the final instalment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy on Boxing Day 2003. To jump from these films into the Hobbit was like stepping into a different world. What set the Lord of the Rings films apart was the extensive and thorough detail and grit that was compounded into the films. It made the distant lands of middle-earth and fantastical creatures such as the orcs and elves seem real without second guessing (a lot of what makes those films work is New Zealand itself).

So we go from one end of the spectrum, then suddenly we’re in a fantasy world that’s beautiful, vivid and dream like in the Hobbit. It’s made by the same team, yet there’s a whole lot of fantastic new digital technology (For example, goblins are now digitally created, rather than created using actors in prosthetics), but there’s also new technology involved (Hello HFR cinema). There’s a huge gap between 2003 and 2012 in terms of cinema. This is what we can create now with the technology that we have. What’s even better is that the gorgeous and visually splendid world Jackson was able to create using the new technologies suits perfectly the mould of Middle Earth that Tolkien first imprinted with the Hobbit. The possibilities are endless, to an extent.

For anyone who, like me, has an interest in contemporary digital effects and what the future holds dig your nose into the some of the extensive research that digital FX forerunner Weta has purveyed. Once again we see the competitive edge boosting our progression and advancement. There’s a reason Weta are so well respected and regarded in the world of cinema props and FX.

I love cinema. Almost as much as I love Tolkien. I’m sure you’ve noticed that, and I hope that a little of my passion might teach you something new.

Mapping the World

Posted on by under Life

A hole in the ground, what a swell place to dwell. Photo: Rachel Lovinger

A great pick up by Adrian here. While it is clear that there is some bias in these representations (Let’s have a look at who’s conducting the surveys and the fact that some countries aren’t even surveyed at all), it is also easy to glimpse a pretty simple graphical breakdown of a number of key aspects of society, global relations and the economies of the world.

Although it is only a debatable study as I previously mentioned, it does yield at least a few main ideas that I took away. I guess they come from the more contestable maps, but still, its nice to think that they’re accurate, because the results are promising.

For me, aside from economies – which point in a similar direction– it reassures me of my beliefs that Canada, Australia and New Zealand are the three preferable places to live in the world. Canada it seems, outshines even Australia in liveability and happiness. As we consider our futures, possible moves (both international and nationally), these are probably three of the most important things to consider. Nothing will make you more productive than feeling happy, loved and having a positive mindset. It does highlight that we are among the luckiest in the world. While we complain and protest a lot about our current statuses in certain areas (health, education, all the regulars), it’s important to note the reason we care so much about these things is because we have had a ridiculously high standard on a global level for our lifetimes. We only want more because we’re used to having more.

In this sense it’s important to remember empathy and to consider that despite us having more and wanting more, there are people who have consistently had less. I’m not saying we should devote all our finances, interests and energies into helping other nations. That’s not a feasible solution. What I am saying though, is that we should take great pride in where we are, how we got here, and continue to note the positive effect that it has already had on our lives, whether we realise it consciously or not.

I’ve always had an interest in New Zealand and Canada (I’ve been to New Zealand once and plan to go there again soon, Canada – never). They seem prosperous and full of opportunity and beauty. They are rich in culture and experience, and I guess that relates once again back to me being an experience based person. Even the horribly biased and sensationalised travel advertisements for these countries seem incredible realistic and tangible. I guess that’s because the countries are actually so rich in these aspects. Peter Jackson and Lord of the Rings come up again on contributing to New Zealand’s culture and prosperity.

With that I guess, I look forward to future exploring in the world and the exciting experiences and opportunities such places possess.

Symposium Mark I

Posted on by under Life, The Unlectures

Perhaps this is what the symposium would look like if it were dumbed down and lost a bit of its creative edge. Photo: Maryland Govpics

Promising, real promising. This is what life is all about. Discussion, contributions, feedback, analysis, speculation. The first official symposium contained all of these, plus more. They’re all things I don’t do enough of. It’s really inspiring stuff. Particularly the last points made by Adrian.

It’s about the experience. We’re in an experience based world. Well, we’re not in an experience based world, rather there are experience based “things” in our world. I posted about this earlier on in my blogging career. It’s something I’d like to touch on again. I am a big believer in experience. I buy things, lots of things. I might regret it one day, but I buy lots of things that I am able to use to immerse myself in experiences. They’re material possession’s sure, but I don’t just think of all material objects in the same way. There is a line between material possessions and experiences that is met well by a number of items in the world.

Movies are one thing, books another. Both material possessions, you can collect, buy, sell, trade, keep, etc. But they give you experiences. Some people choose to repeat these experiences and keep them, treasure them. Others choose to sell them after they are finished consuming. Owning a movie to me is not just about the movie, but the packaging, the collectables, what comes with it, as well as the memories.

Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies and The upcoming instalments in The Hobbit trilogy are a perfect example of this. They release numerous editions of the film. “They’re grabbing for money!”, some shout. “Peter Jackson wants a new private jet”, others proclaim. I think of immense happiness and joy. The collector’s edition Lord of the Rings and Hobbit extended edition movies are beautiful. The packaging itself is an art. But inside, the statues, work of the famous Weta Workshop, of course, are even more gorgeous.

I don’t just get a movie. I get to immerse myself in the experience of the film. I don’t just buy things that are marked “limited edition”, I want something that goes that extra mile and provides me with such an experience that the over priced tag is justifiable.

It’s the same thing as the Barbershop example I posted about earlier. I want an experience. I don’t want something disposable. I want something that will tickle my senses, evoke memories and provide me with a greater quality of life.

That’s what I took away from this symposium, more than anything. I love experiences, it seems people want that more than ever in the world. To succeed as a person, organisation, etc, we have to provide an experience.

Disclaimer | Background image: Emma Gawen
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