News from the set

Hobbit ears: after checking Tolkien's (published) pictures I would like to have larger reproductions to really see if the hair around the ear is possibly obscuring part of it, or if we have arguably 'slightly pointed' ears -- the one of Bilbo in Bag End might include a leaf-shaped ear, but again I would like to have a larger reproduction.

In any case the chronology is somewhat notable here: Tolkien made the illustrations concerned before describing the ears as slightly pointed and 'elvish' -- the drawings were done in 1937, and the letter appears to be dated 1938, so, since this description comes after the artwork and relatively not long after, I would have to say that it would not be odd that a slightly pointed ear would appear in the artwork; or anyway, this detail has a good chance of being considered true enough -- at the time -- even if not certainly depicted.

If so, it's still possible, at least, that Tolkien changed his mind later (not unknown of course), especially if his illustrations left the matter vague enough to easily allow him to change his mind -- but this argument only goes so far (and this is all 'largeness' aside, just relative pointedness in any event), even though as far as Tolkien knew his readership at large would likely never know about the letter.

As for the feet... in my opinion the illustrations confirm that Bilbo had regular enough sized feet.

My dear one that is ailing has stopped coughing up blood, she is resting and I can come on for a bit. I miss Petty. I was distressed to see his little plastic body clad in only his kilt and a top so I bought him a fine Hobbity outfit complete with a coat, it has mithril buttons . I thought with the new movie coming out and him being our spokesperson sort of he should look as fine as any of those on the set.
At any rate,the lack of color bothers me, but I wonder if Peter took that away because he wants the movie to be more adult and not a child's story come alive.?
Withywillow from Pt , or is he from here, I am confused, said there was a talking purse on the set. So, I don't know then what they are up to ?

I hope that the person you've been caring for is fully better soon, leelee!

At any rate,the lack of color bothers me, but I wonder if Peter took that away because he wants the movie to be more adult and not a child's story come alive.?

I suspect that is the case. The indication I've gotten from most of the news to come out of New Zealand is that PJ wants his version of The Hobbit to be a story more in the style and tone of The Lord of the Rings.

On the subject of hobbit feet I found this in Letters (28)- 'He was a prosperous, well-fed young bachelor of independent means. Calling him a 'nassty little rabbit' was a piece of vulgar trollery...-delibrate insults to his size and feet..His feet, if conviently clad and shod by nature, were as elegant as his long, clever fingers.'

Pettytyrant101 wrote:On the subject of hobbit feet I found this in Letters (28)- 'He was a prosperous, well-fed young bachelor of independent means. Calling him a 'nassty little rabbit' was a piece of vulgar trollery...-delibrate insults to his size and feet..His feet, if conviently clad and shod by nature, were as elegant as his long, clever fingers.'

I had forgot he had long clever fingers, it suggests of writing ability as Frodo and Sam and Bilbo had, and perhaps if they made some real time for it, very skilled musicians.

'Proudfeet!' shouted an elderly hobbit from the back of the pavillion. His name, of course, was Proudfoot, and well merited; his feet were large, exceptionally furry, and both were on the table.'

This Hobbit is one of very many: his feet were large, yes, but even here... how large? I see no reason to necessarily imagine the size they have given Bilbo -- admittedly judging by this one picture, but Jackson has also commented on the size as well, if I recall correctly.

Plenty of people I know have larger feet than mine, but they don't have something approaching 'clown feet', and are not noticed by others as they walk down the street as having 'notably' overlage feet for their bodies.

'Neat, nimble, elegant' not words that suggest proportionally large feet to my mind.

Mine either Elthir. Got to agree with you, the evidence is that hobbit feet were in proporton to their bodies, some had small feet and some had larger, but all within the accepted norms (using humans as a comparison).

Elthir wrote:

'Proudfeet!' shouted an elderly hobbit from the back of the pavillion. His name, of course, was Proudfoot, and well merited; his feet were large, exceptionally furry, and both were on the table.'

This Hobbit is one of very many: his feet were large, yes, but even here... how large? I see no reason to necessarily imagine the size they have given Bilbo -- admittedly judging by this one picture, but Jackson has also commented on the size as well, if I recall correctly.

Plenty of people I know have larger feet than mine, but they don't have something approaching 'clown feet', and are not noticed by others as they walk down the street as having 'notably' overlage feet for their bodies.

'Neat, nimble, elegant' not words that suggest proportionally large feet to my mind.

Hallo Elthir, I don't know you. I hope I will get that privelege.

In other words, PJ got it wrong - again...

New production video is up!

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/PeterJacksonNZ

I hope I am wrong but in the little clip near the start where you see Serkis playing Gollum he seems, for comic effect, to be 'breaking the 3rd wall' and talking straight to the audience down the camera! Hope its a false impression.
As before impossible to fault them on effort, work ethic or commitment- just a shame everything else so far has been so contentious and different looking from the imagery and tone of the book.

I think the term is "breaking the fourth wall", but I don't think that's the case. He has a mo-cap camera attached to his helmet so I assume it's for a close-up. My first thought was that it was one of his schizo back-and-forth conversations like the famous scene in TTT, but that's just speculation.

"I think the term is "breaking the fourth wall""- Eldo

Quite right! Especially in a 3D film! And I hope you are right.

I was checking out TH page on iMDB, clicking on actors and whatnot, and I realized that Orlando Bloom is only in Part 1 (Legolas at least) while Luke Evans (Bard) is in both parts. Could these be clues as to where the cut off will be?

New production video 3.

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150326323406807&oid=141884481557&comments

Recently we have seen a torrent of images to do with The Hobbit, being released most notably the dwarf images and all thirteen of them. So this latest video is a welcome relief to see the crew and cast having fun while shooting and giving the viewer and insight into what is taking place on the set.

The dwarfs in action at trollshaw, the Bag End scenes, Bilbo with Gollum, interviews with the cast members, White Council setting? The dress that Galadriel wore was stunning and it looked beautiful on Cate.

But, not everything that Peter does is going to please everybody.

Thanks for sharing! Peace

The dwarves didn't look as bad as they do in the picture, but I'm still not happy with a number of them Still, great vid And I didn't know that Christopher Lee was returning! I know Saruman isn't in the book, but if they're going to include him in the films it's nice to know that Lee will be playing the part at least

I've been really enjoying the video blogs! Even when there's things that I'm not thrilled about with the story, they're still pretty funny and it's really cool that they're giving fans an inside look, so to speak. I think some of the most interesting substantial things that they revealed were:

• Shooting in England with Christopher Lee is confirmed.
  
• The Trollshaws becomes a battle.
  
• Cate Blanchett shows up in Rinvendell.
  
• The Dwarves are much "rowdier" than in the book.

I'm particularly excited about Christopher Lee since I think he's a great actor, and if they want to include the White Council, they should do it justice. I can't say I'm terribly surprised by anything else, except Cate Blanchett being in Rivendell. Maybe they're moving the Council there?

Anyway, a lot of fun to watch, like I said!

By the way, it looks like that thing (broken weapon?) in the head of one of the dwarves is not just a bit of a promotional joke.

And I guess Dreamflower will have to get by for a bit without the preservation power of Nenya and Nerwen

Curious and curiouser!

I wonder if we are still going to have the scene when the trolls stuff the Dwarves in sacks and discuss how they are going to be cooked.
Squashing them into jelly was my favourite

Chris, you are Eru-like. I name thee "Finder of Stuff, Deluxe."

Hmmm... I was just thinking, what if the dwarves are fighting to avoid being put into sacks, but don't end up winning?