Not A Professional RA Blogger

"Why am I still not named on your blog?"

Behind the scenes at The Framework Blog Headquarters
we had a hick-up in staffing this blog.
The one we gave a green card for dancing n*ked in the woods, refused
to post further by lack of inspiration. We call it laziness.
  A woman with a respected name in posting funny scriblets, deprived you, 
respected citizen of RA*blah, near Sa*lem.
We deny we've let it run out of hands, by letting her tweet witchedly. 
The defamed woman was forced to defend herself in court.
Before you blame us of labelling, we are saint enough to keep this not out of the press and yet we are patronizing enough to let her hang in ashed moralities. 

***

S T A T E M E N T

 

 

Adressed at the county folk of Ignorance, Indifference and Prejustice.
 

"I was shocked to notice I came under scrutiny.

People of 'our little community' starting to label me:

She is not a professional RA Blogger.

My initial defense: 

I know where you’re getting at, but in fear of needing your consultation, I have a different journey in RL now and avoid this subject on my blog, because it could branch out into talk about ‘other fan behaviours’ or ‘ideal fan behaviour’ or defending my own ‘fan behaviour, which I’m doing now as I type and is more defined as ‘following’ and as such a nice parallel universe to be in. Sorry for not interacting as much!

Signed,

‘one of them’ 

And another defense: 

Yet, I developed one heck of a twitter addiction #RichardArmitage :D

I asked my advisors for consultancy: 
My reps tell me I should issue a mea culpa on my blog about this subject soon… 
and post more functional sexy pictures of RA!

Then I got back-upped by an anonimous friend:
Received a comment from one ‘Anonymous’. Mentions to read about my plans. Mentions that my blog is one of the sanest. Mentions to avoid it all together. Denies I’m The One. (etc.)

Then the gossip came: 
I saw a name I don’t know — violetsframework — and wondered “Who’s she? What’s the mea culpa about?” 
I pasted “violetsframework” into Google, saw it’s linked with something called “Fellowship of The Beard,” laughed my ass off and proceeded to, “Yup, she’s one of us.” Didn’t even click through. Don’t need to. Not wondering about that “mea culpa” any more. She’s a fangirl. I’m a fangirl. That’s all I need to know. Next pretty picture of RA?

Then the verdict came: 
Btw, Violet is one of the funniest damn people in the fandom. I wish more people knew it!!

Even so, don't ignore the Law of Fanblogging:
RA Frenzy - A Few Thoughts On Being A Fan

"I hope the morality labellers will remain within context."
"I will face my destiny heads up
and will tear this statement 
after I'm finished reading."

***

Members of the county recalled blogger Violet's final outcry, before she was taken away.

  

"Really, I love you for the compliments!!!"

(The woman had the brutality to bewitch you readers with a made up friend - and reps).

*********************************************************************************
 

 - M E A  C U L P A -

This business of fangirl blogging is not an easy business. It's fickle and you get kicked out very easily if you don't keep up with the implied rules of it.

Fangirl version: post, re-post, blog, tumbrl, twitter, fb body and acting parts within 2 minutes.
Fanboy version: talk armour and CGI. 'We' don't talk about that, so we don't know you.

Insider version: damned if they don't and damned if they do. Spill! We treat it with care.

Dubious version: go down on me, if you want to get your statistics up again. Come again? 

But never, ever, ever erm, talk about (his/yours) private life. That's 90% of our conversation.

 

 

Online media storms wrecked our little community every time they came in with
multiple tornadoes bashing our n*ked dances in the woods, caused by:

The weirdos witches of the Internet.   They will name you!

While others noticed a shift towards accepting one-selves as 'The Others'. 

Like that film with Nicole Kidman wherein a family lives in a house and discover strangers have moved in, until said family finds out  that they themselves are the others (ghosts).

I can raise the alarm by saying everyone is subject of labelling, namecalling or stereotyping.
If you feel you're unlike most, then you can put yourself 'under scrutiny' by 'judges ',
but I promiss you, in the end you will remain a 'good (wo)man. Thank you!

The people in the fandom only know about my fangirling and that is enough for me. 

We meet in different countries, at night, at day, and we use alter egos.

This fangirling is an open secret to our inner circle, but that's about it.
No-one should out others, by association, discussion or gossip. You're fan policing!

It's been 4 years of blogging and about 5 years of following Mr. A's career
when I will see him acting on stage in July.

I know what I am selling.

- Copycat!
 - Don't start me on Cats!
- The musical? You know it's coming back to London, even for just 12 weeks?
- TA DA! OK, but I ignore Cats, or I have to talk about my private life.

 

 ***************

'Again this blogpost contained a lot of BS (bon sense)'. Steal from the best: RA Frenzy.

Doing my homework on The Crucible. We've read it!
Feel like I am in school again. What's wrong with Armitage Studies?

 ***************************************************************************

P.S. I will admit my weakness for lacking to post The Hobbit review
and thoughts on the Hamlet reading.
The tavern scene was the best of all Thorin scenes, though he is not bad in other scenes. Was distracted by his dwarf hands, not fitting his face and posture.

The Hamlet reading, great, but my mind plays games with me and I can't listen without a visual image, thus would love to see Mr. A playing in The Crucible.

My yearly posted stats in April will be posted in next post.

And yes, I'm going. Not out of RA duty (yeah, you like that, huh?:).
It's that I like good acting.
In the meantime, go to @VioletsTFB on Twitter
and Violet Dutchblogger on Faceb**k.

 Full title: Four Years In: Not A Professional RA Blogger.

Image: Promotion Poster of The Crucible play at The Old Vic Theatre, London

 

What If I Wrote A Prelude

"The desolation of a blogger, more likely..."

 

Prelude

 

The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug is out on DVD. For months I was Lost In Mirkwood. I could make a cartoon of that, but then I would give things away that should be kept [private]. Then the only post I could write, was full of bad ranting. Re-reading it, I thought it's a good thing RA doesn't have an online diary. Consider it a 'what if'-prelude to my impressions of that movie.

 

After arriving in a warm and fussy place called 'RA drought' and being sure that the whole world has seen TH DoS by now (I contacted those who haven't with fierce fan loyalty to make sure) to avoid publishing any spoilers, and boy did I avoid spoilers, read all here, haha not), it feels safe to finally (yes, I can hear your sighs) let the dragon out (read: to post my impressions on this second part). However, my hesitations to say anything about it, got wings as big as a dragon (the Bard will open an all-you-can-eat-dragon-wings diner in Lake-Town in part three, but that's still up for grasps for pick-ups in May, when the cast and crew will film (latest plug instructions said 'voice') 'additional battle scenes'. Read between the lines, the Lake-Town people were starving of hunger, remember?). Mind boggling goes on like that, but that's entirely why the makers of The Hobbit movie so elegantly made use of other books (because it was not enough to film so Tolkien's footnotes had to be intertwined,  yet make Thorin the Dwarfleader not a leading character, although he has the most words in this movie?! Hello #teamrichard). They also forgot to tell class actors, not to look like intellectuals, or worse, Tolkien Purists (no war references or Christian connotations, either, thank you very much (sic)), because it would make superficial fans of a sexy dwarf look like gushy no-brainers who would divert to #teamhiddleston or #cumberbitches to hide that (or worse, turn #hobbit). It would grace the movie makers more, if the movie was introduced as 'Inspired by Tolkien's works' (but what do I know). And why was there no appeal for fans to submit their TH reviews this time around on The One Ring Net? (I feel used, because I've done my duty). Because previous comments were used to make 'part two' more action packed? And why did the Extended Edition gave proof that at least eight movies could be made out of all the material that was filmed? Even excluding the bathing-in-fountain scene instead of the book's washing-in-river scene? So fans would not rage (be happy with audition clips) over the fact that a bunch of actors were Method-ly challenged (read: held captive) in Wellywood for 18 months (like LOTR)? 'Whatever happens in The Hobbit, stays in The Hobbit' didn't stand (whatever happens on Twitter, stays on Twitter, or Tumblr etc.). Thankfully, we learn from director Sir Pete that if an actor wants to have a scene cut, all they have to do is to steal something big from the set, like Smaug's head (smart mention of 'socks' to save scenes!).  Basically,  I loathed to be sent into a lonely mountain to do a dirty job.

 

P.S. This BS continues... Read below how you can obtain my cute Weta statue and sexy bed covers.

 

 **

Disclaimer:

1. Ranting, because one day it would end up in my memoirs anyway.

2. Blog fear of writing an intelligent review, thanks to my well-read Tolkien notes.
3. I was Lost In Mirkwood. That is [private], I deny talking about it here, but gossip is there.

*****
I bow in shame for Thorin as this post is not so usually funny.
My readers will hopefully understand.
 *****
 

 Image: French Hobbit Character Poster of Thorin Oakenshield



Not Another Hobbit Spoiler

Hobbit Fan Event And Creatives

The Hobbit ´DoS´ Stands For Dwarf Of Sexiness

And Then You Open A Curtain

 

"... to find that another 200 people are working on
Thorin frames in HFR 3D!"

Among The Hobbit tweets, I think it was end of July, I found a dry press statement of yet another award that would be given to Peter Jackson, director of The Hobbit movie. It said he will receive a techno-innovations award. At the bottom: the award ceremony will be held in Amsterdam, NL.

That. Is. Middle. Earth. At. My. Doorstep !!

That's in my poststamp-sized country. Can I get any closer than that?

Thus 15 September, award day, enter yours truly, to an impressive 'state-of-the-art' electronic broadcasting media innovative technicality convention brought to you by IBC, an American organisation who decided to land their 'USS Enterprise' for the time being in my Capital City. Male dominated 'make-it-so's were introduced with awesome presentations. Dress code: dark grey suits.

"And then you open a curtain..."

 

It was nice to talk English to foreigners and to listen to their very technical answers. I'll deny everything, because I spoke to Real People, but watching The Hobbit vidblogs paid off!
However I was there for the award ceremony and I got to see the debut of The Hobbit Desolation Of Smaug The First Teaser Trailer in HFR 3D.

Audio file of Innovations award for PJ 'Hi Amsterdam' and trailer http://t.co/zMsmLuOgiH
Audio file of Post production award for SDO*Mistika and Park*Road Post http://t.co/MN3y254N03
IBC news item of TH (first 5 min) http://t.co/8hsa7l7su7
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3

Fitting music: Small World by Huey Lewis and The News Part TWO!
My image goes to pieces, by introducing this one.
I'm not hip and happening by not introducing Kings of Leon by a King of Dwarves! :)

Image: Shaimamarissa?

Quote by RA (sort of)

Interviewer Charged With Dragon Sickness

"Dragon sickness cannot be spread by kissing!"
Yeah, right! ;)

Thanks to my personal dragon sickness called ´hobbit overload´,
and the gnomes being away on re-enactment Hobbit tour,
in halfnaked, body painted shape, because it´s crisis,
I totally missed an interview with
Thorin Oakenshield!

***********

You´re in Wellington now. What do you think of this place?

TO: Windy. I met this Dream Catcher - a Film Maker - who provided us quarters, in exchange for us running along green walls for so many days. He doesn´t talk to us much, but when he said: ´Do you have another take in you?´, I nearly vomited. I suffer from dragon sickness, for goodness sake!

How did you get here?

TO: We! After 266 days of working hard to get one backpacking Human Male out of Middle Earth.

And by ´we´ you mean?

TO: My group of Dwarfs, me and this Human.

You mean Richard Armitage. What was he like when you met him?

TO: Really bad mannered. He didn´t have a beard at first. Why don´t you have a beard?

I´m Human too and Female.

TO: Ah! He offered us some leftover wine which he had in his rucksack. Then he had the nerve to share trivialities about me in public, in front of my group of Dwarfs.

Like what?

TO: You really want to know, do you? Fine. He mentioned my family history, my personal habits and my tumultuous love life, or lack of. The last ones were awkward, because I know for sure I don´t have that kind of information registered in the ancestry annals of my Kingdom. So I became very fishy whereof these stories came.

You made him sign a contract?

TO: I hate whiners. I had to put up travelling with one Hobbit once.

To my knowledge it was Bilbo the Hobbit who wrote it all in his journals.

TO: That stay-at-home impostor! Urged us to give him the best adventures, so that he had something to tell these lazy Hobbits when he came home! Now I get it!

It was Gandalf the wizard who brought you together?

TO: Huh! Divided my group of Dwarfs, more likely! Gandalf disappeared constantly, because of his horrible knowledge of group dynamics! That children´s book was written afterwards, remember?

Tolkien? He was known to make or break worlds.

TO: Don´t mock with those notions! I suspect Baggins to have written that historically incorrect book.

Back to Richard. In interviews he mentioned finding you was like working his majestic muscle.

TO: Working?? You know what, he came to know me, when we found him lost in Mirkwood - which I can´t talk about...

You just did...

TO: Because his career people won´t allow me to - so he should not moan.

He´s not moaning. He seems to know you like he was your friend.

TO: Did he? Fair enough, I didn´t let protocol get in the way. What I wanted to say was, he´s a very poor fighter. He wanted - you won´t believe me when I tell you this - he wanted us Dwarfs to train him for the Battle of The Five Armies. Pure suicide! So hours and hours of training went into that poor fellow. I even lend him my sword. And how did he respond? He sat down with his eyes closed. Yoga, he called it! Did he thank me when we saved him from the Giant Spiders - which I can´t talk about, because of his career people? I ignored him like I ignore Hobbits!

You hugged him like you hugged a Hobbit.

TO: Well, yes. There you have your majestic muscle. And now, he´s calling me his friend?

You´re his friend and more than that, you wouldn´t leave him.

TO: Alright, I am staying with him. You know what, we even swapped places, so he´s is me and I am him for some time until August, or that´s what we let the press believe you!

So am I talking to Thorin or Richard now? * eyes at PR woman who nods *

TO: For the record, it´s Thorin. * eyes back at PR woman to end this interview *

If so, this interview with you could become legit.

TO: I offered to deal with his fans for him, but he wouldn´t let me. Said I wouldn´t pay respect to Human Females! Of course not, you don´t have beards! But for you I can change... Human Princess, wouldn´t you like to know that dragon sickness cannot be spread by my kissing...??

Err....

Conclusion: don´t believe the book.

** This is a fake interview **

(Yes, I know it´s not what you expected)

Image: oakenbutt tumblr (well, that´s what the image said)

Three Years Of Love And Ridicule

Gandalf: "Because they get a chance to see you!"

This week, April 9, was my THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THIS BLOG. 

Thanks to REMINDERS on FB and RETWEETERS in Twitterworld you all had marked

this HUGE MOMENTUM in your diary, because of the cumulative stats I post. :)

Warning: TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

It was THE YEAR OF WORLDWIDE HOBBIT PROMOTION and if you´re lucky you could have joined THE CAST AND PETER JACKSON with LIVE ONLINE CONNECTIONS through video streaming and twitter Q&A´s. Frankly, it was the year in which Mr. A had more screentime TELLING US ALL about THORIN OAKENSHIELD than acting as him. Though he had PUT IN LONG HOURS IN MAKEUP AND PROSTHETICS, SWORD TRAINING AND RUNNING NEXT TO GREEN CAT WALKS. It was the year WE DIDN´T SEE MUCH OF THAT, because of FAST EDITING, TOP NOTCH CGI AND STUNNING 3D IN 48 FPS HIGH FRAME RATE - DON´T DISCUSS IT, WE LOVE YOU HOBBIT FANS. It was the year we got teased to GO SEE THE HOBBIT PART TWO AND THREE in the next coming years. It was the year HUNDREDS OF HOBBIT ARTICLES passed my timeline on twitter, of which one article mentioned that the HOBBIT CONTRACT ALLOWS CAST TO FILM TWO MOVIES OTHER THAN THE HOBBIT. It was the year actor LUKE EVANS said to promote one of his two other movies than The Hobbit, that he LIKED READING ABOUT THE LOTR GUYS ON INTERNET, just some weeks after I posted my fake DWARFLEADER INTERVIEW. It was the year actor IAN MCKELLEN or more likely THE HOBBIT PR MACHINE stated in a press article that he wouldn´t repeat his CHARITY THEATRE TOUR IN NZ in Europe or elsewhere, a week or so after I casually tweeted a polite request to do so. Sorry LOVELY READERS, for ME not being COMMITTED enough.

Seriously, what a year this was for RA being HOT DWARF material in The Hobbit. (That´s my PR agent whispering that I should put that in. I myself didn´t detect any hot dwarfs in The Hobbit. Just saw THORIN OAKENSHIELD, DWARFLEADER, SON OF THRAIN. And that´s a compliment, to someone who now gets worldwide credit for hot fanvids and singing Misty Mountains. :) )

Now being double seriously, I was hanging in there with this blog to see how the release of The Hobbit movie would effect my pageviews. And it did! Even if this is a humble blog, not viewed by many, still it does what it does. It got picked up by all these search keywords, which were too general to find my blog, I reckon.

Most fanblogs don´t last two years. But I should not compare my blog to others. Although the thought of quitting goes through my mind, but see the work I have put in? I better leave it up. Especially since I have a hunch that I am read by people who put an interest in what I write. So, thanks, people, and thanks fellow bloggers and other fans, because it´s the creativity bug of yours that has put me to blogging. Thanks RAFrenzy for reminding me that I have a great blog. Thanks HOBBIT CAST for googling (oh well, they googled TheOneRingNet.com while they were on set, it was said during NYC promotions).

Top 10´s

These cumulative numbers represent my first three years of pleasantly crazy blogging with a naughty sniff of Richard Armitage in the mix. This year I am not putting links in this post. TOO MUCH WORK.

All Time Posts

(1) Letter To Thorin  8,887

(2) The Hobbit, Exciting And Dynamic Casting  7,448

(3) Lucas North, Pretending To Be Dating  3,051

(4) Lucas North And His Fans  2,941

(5) Guy Of Gisborne Syndrome One Year On  877

(6) Willmore The Rover, Name Another Rake  669

(7) Thorin Oakenshield And The Company Of Dwarves  623

(8) Quiet Dwarves, Hobbit Fans, Take Two  555

(9) SCOOP, Unseen Promo Pics Of Lucas North  457

(10) Getting A Whole Lot Of Guy  375

Referring URL´s

http://www.a*rmitagefanblog.blogspot.com/  1,333

http://www.m*eandrichard.wordpress.com/  791

http://www.t*witter.com/   328

http://www.t*heframeworkblogspot.com/  316

http://www.t*hesqueee.blogspot.com/  264

http://www.g*oogle.com/search  263

http://www.d*omar.ru/  145

http://www.s*pooksfanblog.com/ 116

http://www.y*imum.blogspot.com/  116

http://www.r*afrenzy.com/  114

Referring Sites

http://www.g*oogle.com/  8,422
http://www.g*oogle.co.uk/  3,855
http://www.m*eandrichard.wordlpress.com/  1,477
http://www.g*oogle.de/  1,475
http://www.a*rmitagefanblog.blogspot.com/  1,390
http://www.t*hesqueee.blogspot.com/  851

http://www.g*oogle.ca/  842

http://www.g*oogle.fr/  659

http://www.g*oogle.com.au/  645

http://www.g*oogle.es/  455

Search Keywords
thorin oakenshield  1,766
thorin  1,082

hobbit  661

lucas north  493

the hobbit 2012  329

the hobbit thorin  168

richard armitage dating  150

richard armitage thorin  136

the hobbit  112

richard armitage spooks  94

Audience
(1) United States  24,322 (huge number since The Hobbit release)
(2) United Kingdom  8,058
(3) Poland  7,129

(4) Netherlands  5,687

(5) Germany  5,636

(6) Australia  3,313

(7) Canada 2,109

(8) France 1,906

(9) Russia  1,208

(10) Spain  819

Pageviews All Time History

Best month December 2012  4,828 (release of The Hobbit: double as average 2,500 p/month)

Second best month January 2013  3,919 (release of The Hobbit continues, after that a huge decline)

Third best month January 2011  3,566

Pageviews By Browser

I*nternet E*xplorer 27,188  (35%)

C*hrome  21,792 (28%)

F*irefox  17,151 (22%)

S*afari  6,032 (7%)

O*pera  2,362 (3%)

Other (A*pple Syndication, Mobile, A*pple P*ubSub, M*obile S*afari, F*eed P*urcer) (2%)

Pageviews By Operating Systems

W*indows  63,232  (83%)

M*acintosh 7,296 (9%)

L*inux  2,549 (3%)

Other (i*P*hone, i*P*ad, i*P*od, Other L*inux, A*ndroid, W*indows NT 6.1) (5%)

**

Have I ever said that I love his acting,
although it sometimes makes me laugh when it´s supposed not to?

(*) Testing to block this post from receiving many s*pam comments.. and ruining my stats...

Screencap: RAnet, with TFB magic

There's A Lot Of Love In The Room

"Mastering the art of squeeze is essential."

"Even my Hobbit colleagues say so."

"There's a lot of love in the room", said Mr. A at the London Hobbit premiere. Which is really true.
The more RA does his promotions for The Hobbit, the less I feel my opinion on him is relevant.

Which is kind of weird, considering I have a degree in public relations.

Or not, as I tend to feel a squeeze for the man.

Found that quote in a Hobbit/RA Humour vid of one of the posters of Fanstra4.

Pictures: VictoriaWill/RAnet, WhyAsk



Another Guy With A Sword

"These willful wenches go too far"

It's been a while since the gnomes spoke to me again. I had let them down, by letting Sir Guy trespassing the borders of my garden. According to article... sorry can't read that small print.. in their Hobbit re-enactment contract with said partnership of garden owner... again small print... I have violated my own rights to enter my garden and my proximity during re-enactment hours... again small print... and so I had to find a place to, erm, make meatballs. Rest assured I wanted to go back to my own home, I made a plan that hopefully would make everyone at the Gnomes InUnion happy, or whatever they're calling themselves. So recently I graced Sir Guy with a visit.

"Sir Guy", I said.
"You came back for more", he kind of asked.
"I have a request."
"In that case, payment in advance", he said disappointed.
"Would you like to set up a campement to house a little re-enactment play?"
"Artists don't bring in money. They cost money!"
"It's the gnomes. We could let them play outside on the hill. It will contain a big fight if we pretend your castle is mountain Erebor".
"I can... pretend that you and me.."
"Make my plan work", I said, triumphantly handing him my selfmade contract.
"Meaning?"
"You have a couple of lines as the main cameo. It will be over before you know it."
"I don't sign entertainment contracts." Guy threw the contract on the table.
"You'll be the star of the show."
"Stars shine in the sky and the gnomes hate me."
"That will be used to your full glory."
Sir Guy snatched the contract off the table and signed it.
"My glory, hmm?"
"Oh yes. You spit fire like a real dragon, say some lines, crawl on your knees..."
Then Sir Guy showed me his sword fighting skills.

 

 

RETRO POST

Sir Guy of Gisborne is a character Richard Armitage played. You should check it out.

When I started fangurling I came across really great quality pictures of Giz, and HD screencaps.

Was this a screencap or a promo picture I now wonder?

 

** Disclaimer: I don't know why I write this sh*t. The Beard is coming back. That's important news. **

Mr. A Showing His Sword Control - on Anki's Tumblr

 

Impressions Of The Hobbit Part One

"Acting from the heart causes the drama in comedy." - Bradley Cooper
BBC 1 The One Show 18 Dec. 2012
OK, wrong actor quote.

Warning: spoilers! Shameless dumping of movie details!!

Imagine you're sitting at home writing your diary as Bilbo does, thinking over a grim scene with a group that happened years ago. You remember them as troubled by their own flaws, demons and sorrows and reject good intentions. First impressions of them can give a distorted perception. Best not to hammer on the distortion as being the truth, yet grab the chance to adjust. No time is wasted to make two people friends. Heck, be a Dwarfleader about it: "I could never be more so wrong". 

Middle Earth isn't that big in scale when you do leave your hobbit home. You will never know if you ever come back, but isn't that part of the adventure? You might find friends who will travel with you for some time. Friends you won't normally recognize as such. Just help them find their gold back and grieve with them over their losses.

So, here I am at Bag End, cheering at Richard Armitage's success, together with ardent RA fans and customized Hobbit enthusiasts, I open the door for you, as long as you promise no to throw with my plates.

An unexpected journey

An unexpected journey it will be, so I advice you to travel light. As I have learned in the course of following The-Hobbit-We-Love-Making-Franchise, it's best to avoid TV spots, reviews, interviews and red carpet flirtations. Take the trailer with you, that's all you need. Even Sir Pete's Vidblogs are best to ignore as various shots were not even used in this first movie of this trilogy. Don't read that hobbit book. If you must, read until chapter six. Be warned, knowledge distracts the thoughts.

The prologue: meeting Thorin, or, rather 'Thorin'

Meeting the Dwarves was quite an experience. The two LOTR-fans who wanted to see it with me, couldn't or wouldn't go, so I went alone. Did I initially choose to buy a 2D-ticket, I managed to change it in time for the later that evening showing in 3D 24fps. Then I found myself seated at the edge of the row slightly at the back next to a bearded man of roughly my age. 'Thorin' informed me that only 23 seats were unsold of the 400-so seats. The majority of the audience, 2/3 were male, aged 20-30, up to 40+. the rest were females of the same ages. 2D would be much calmer to watch as 3D unsharpened the fast movements in the action scenes and it made the dutch subtitles lavitating.

First half

The movie starts off with Ian Holm as Bilbo in his hobbit home. A peaceful setting and he is writing in his diary. Then I didn't take notice for one or two sentences, because suddenly, the scene got replaced by a dark, grim fortress which got violently attacked by what? And there is Thorin/RA! WHOAH! Wasn't this later on? Forget the book story, throw it out the window! Thorin being powerlessly defeaten, the gold is stolen, it really pains him, the overwhelming useless attacks on his people, which made me root for him instantly, is all very effectively done and moving.
Then, back to the hobbit home, boring, oh it's sixty years earlier, and there's Martin Freeman, yay. Then the scene which is in the trailer, but now extended, the encounter with Gandalf the wizzard and especially the Dwarves who come in one by one, sort of. Totally forgot from the book that Thorin had a meeting, this came across as a casual remark, no image at all of a round table type gathering to show how important this was. So possible it was just a regular meeting. The plates throwing by the Dwarves was a nice show-off of effective teamwork, although Bilbo didn't like it and Thorin would ignore it. The two songs were great and especially the Misty Mountains song made the audience quiet. Bilbo gets a contract which horrid conditions makes him faint, which was played funny by MF.
The fight with the Orcs was wonderful with Thorin, and the sleepover on the hill was witty and scary.
The empty barnhouse where the group touched the porch, made me wonder that in the book they all went inside and met a character and only then Gandalf said he had to do a detour of some sort, so that ate my memory.
Radagast the brown wizzard was like a fairytale figure with these cute animals.
Conclusion first half: clear stand-out scenes by introducing different characters, moods and settings. Ended the first half with one tear in one eye.

Losing it

The second half was like sitting on a galloping horse. Too much impressions.

PJ likes threesomes. Thorin has three fight scenes with The Oakenshield, a piece of wood which RA suggested for his character, according to his promo interviews. Bilbo has three scenes in which he lies on his side and awakens in a closeup shot.

The Eagles were beautifully and realistically filmed, like watching the Earthflight tv series.

The eery, dark moods of the place where ghosts were brought to life was well pictured. The Elven's statue looked like the statues of those at the gate of that lake in LOTR. The manlike figure with Thorin later fought against, looked like it was designed by the CGI people of the Avatar movie.

The stone-throwing giants were amusing yet impressing, like the walking trees in LOTR.

The Goblin king looked delightfully gross, while Dwarves don't need to burp!

A lof of room for violent action in the second half, and it was not a moment too long, yet I dearly missed the cross-country banter between the Dwarves and Bilbo, to awkwardly get to know eachother, and also as viewer to take in and enjoy their unique appearances. Maybe it was in there.

Overall conclusion

The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey in 3D 24 fps: 8.5/10
Impressive, funny, moving, crowded, a galloping horse.

After years of struggle Peter Jackson finally brings The Hobbit to the screens. The public relations machine showed a humble director, writer and cast thanking the fans in advance for their trust.
The first hobbit movie continues carrying PJ's visual signature, recognisible from the LOTR movies.
While the book's story is told straightforward without much explanations, the movie has a wonderful showcase of digital fantasy. The real landscapes of New Zealand were breathtaking just as the fantasy landscapes, and like seeing all these weird creatures. However when it mattered to be breathtaking, there were moments in The Hobbit that felt off, on first viewing. Those moments were felt when Bilbo, or some Dwarves, hung unto their dear lives on edges or at the wizzard's stick in abysses, which did not evoke a feeling of nailbiting urgency. The Goblin's cave showed an endless depth, which caves not necessary have. Dark caves with fragile bridges are a bit typical in movies.
The Dwarves have fantastic individual looks which were promoted far in advance, yet in this movie there was not enough banter between the Dwarves; the story of the film preferred action scenes. In total shots the focus was hard to find.
Martin Freeman as Bilbo is a natural choice and although his profile may skyrock after this movie, it doesn't seem to be a big leap to act on world stage. For the other actors who didn't appear in LOTR, it will certainly give them a bigger profile, with Richard Armitage playing Thorin as the stand-out guy. His portrayal as Thorin as the proud, yet defeated king was epic and moving. Andy Serkis brought the beloved Gollum back to life to play riddles with Bilbo.
However all in all an effective tearjerker was missed. Not much sentimentalism was played out in part one of The Hobbit movie which merely gave an introduction of the characters and settings. PJ will no doubtedly get there in The Hobbit part three as he did in the final movie of the LOTR trilogy.

Next up: part Two and Three

More Thorin! Not enough in part one! And this is not me being biased about some actor.
I don't know if I will shed a tear for Thorin. I give RA not the chance to make me teary.
My eyes watered seeing movies like The Bucket List (2006) and The Ultimate Gift (2006).

A whole year to wait for the next movie: The Desolation of Smaug (with devastating Thorin!) and and another half year for part 3, The Battle of the Five Armies (spoiler: the war on the stolen gold).
Thankfully, in the tenth Vidblog, PJ was so nice to promise he will keep in touch - and otherwise the 'Warner Brother suits' will remind him.

Edit: this post is a mixup of my review and impressions. I read the book only once, until chapter six, and have seen this movie only once also.

** Image: Dwarfleader promotion tour: the Apple Store London, Q and A, 10 Dec. 2012 **

An Interview With One Fan

Misquoted Thorin:
"If more of us valued fangurrrling and cheer and song above hoarded gold,
it would be a merrier world."

"I said food, not fangurrrling!!"

The Hobbit has all sorts of fans and so does Mr. A. If you count yourself lucky to be a fan or follower, then you might like reading fan interviews.  Now be ready, because TFB is gonna throw this thing against the wall... and you may not like it... because TFB watched too many really gross American comedies lately, and got badly influenced. 

The One fan can be female or male, so let's prefer the fangurrrl.

 

 

TFB: Hi, we talked over the phone. (reaches out to shake hands) I still don´t know your name.
One: Please, stick to THE ONE (shakes hands)
TFB: OK, The One (talks in voicerecorder: `Maintain ´One´)
One: (looks up)
TFB: Where shall we sit? Here?
One: Yeah, uh, alright.
TFB: One, first your reaction on RA as Dwarfleader Thorin.
One: Beard love!
TFB: What´s with the beard love?
One: (strokes beard with hands) I kinda like it. I grew it to sympathize with The Hobbit cast, far away in New Zealand filming this 3D monster of a movie..
TFB: Two movies! No, three movies!
One: You can count!
TFB: And write! But back on the beard topic. How did you get that beard so natural? Hormone pills?
One: Yeah, great, huh? (hikes skirt) I am now a female Dwarf.
TFB: (in Hobbit awe mode) A female Dwarf! You´ve read Tolkien´s footnotes!
One: So you know that Dwarves have females with beards! (leans forward) But in PJ´s version... (whispers) no romantic Dwarf love.
TFB: Are you putting up a smoke screen?
One: Good idea! (lights a long brown pipe) Yeah, well. (takes a few suckings, then exhales slowly)
TFB: Why do you smoke a pipe?
One: Fits with the character.
TFB: What character?
One. The one you bring forward on your blog!
TFB: (exaggerated) I can write whatever I like!
One: Oh really?! Why don´t you write some explicit love scenes?
TFB: Should I?
One: Want input? (exclaims) ´The Dwarf who shagged me`.
TFB: (coughs) It´s probably been done...
One: What? By whom?
TFB: I can´t tell you.
One: You suck.
TFB: No, you. You´re pipe needs tending after.
One: Oh thanks. (does heavy recovery on pipe) Well, where was I?
TFB: You being a female Dwarf?
One: If they are gonna change their minds... I am ready to be one!
TFB: (coughs) Hmm. Talking about one, you´re known as the One, why?
One: Once upon a time there was this actor I encountered and since then he keeps mentioning me.
TFB: I only found two or three mentions.
One: I had hoped he would keep it down.
TFB: You don´t think he did?
One: Officially yes, so I´m grateful.
TFB: You have stated to be called the One.
One: It must be me. I do grant every fan their chance meet with Mr. A, don´t get me wrong.
TFB: You referred to an encounter. Tell us more.
One: Sorry, these things are private.
TFB: You proclaimed him your respect.
One: Naturally.
TFB: You gave him a compliment.
One: Oh yeah.
TFB: You left him on his own.
One: What do you think?
TFB: What´s wrong about that?
One: (sighs) I could not believe I behaved like that!
TFB: How?
One: So.. so... so.. lost for words.... idiotic.. it was highly embarrassing! (knocks with pipe on the table)
TFB: So you did what?
One: Grow a beard! Helps me to be incognito. (plays with facial hair)
TFB: (stares)
One: Oh, you mean that! Walk on and ignore the fact for a whole year.
TFB: And then?
One: Own it. So I wrote him the letter.
TFB: In which you included at least chocolate and underpants, I dare hope? (winks at One)
One: No, no! I wouldn't... (looks worried) You think? (whispers) I didn't get the reply.
TFB: Maybe that's a compliment.
One: Maybe he glanced over it and still likes my weirdness. (smiles hopeful)
TFB: Who knows? Does it matter?
One: If it was his Mum that reads these letters, I hope I haven't upset his Mum.
TFB: Should I issue a formal apology on my blog for you?
One: (blushes) Must I? Sorry, I won't do it again, Mr. A - 's Mum.
TFB: I doubt it. RA tends to consider you to think of him as a piece of meat.
One: You take that back!
TFB: It's in the article, so it must be true!
One: I'm the last person who would think such a thing! In fact, he stated his fans were all so diverse! Besides, I do have my own set of male fans, thank you very much!
TFB: I don´t have time to hear about these sort of fan encounters.
One: (suddenly is fed up) You know what, I don´t have time for you as well! (stumbles over TFB, drops pipe and picks it up from the floor)
TFB: By the way, did you ask for an autograph?
One: No, I didn't ask for an autograph... Being mentioned is the highest regard! Although I could do with his convincing, romantic... (kisses pipe intensely)
TFB: (sighs) I think we're done.

Note of the editor:

The One shouldn't ask to be singled out, however the intention comes from a good heart.

TFB found mentions of ´One` in a letter of 24th December
and in one interview 'More Than Just Spy Candy' (both from 2010)

 TFB remains to be a sane observer of RA's acting and his following.

 

 

Picture: from The Hobbit Movie promotion (WB) with a magic touch by TFB

Can't Say Anything New

"The Hobbit cast and crew are trying hard to make this film in 3D!"

There is no news. If there is, I can't say it. So quote others. My news is off the record.

News from Me

For the first time in my life I got the question: "How's your film career?" (!). Well, the day after The Hobbit Teaser Trailer got launched online, I found myself on a set again. It's a pilot for a tv series, werein I was an extra. The leads were former musical actors and there was a surprise set visit by an iconic actress, so that was nice. I am awaiting the viewing, although recently received an request to confirm my name for a mention in the end credits (!). Fingers crossed! :)

Got the chance to do a bit part in 'Merchant of Venice' in a special one day co-operation of amateur theatre companies (4 hrs practise, 2hrs rehearsal, 50 actors of 11 companies, devided in 6 teams, one time performance). Fantastic part of that was the coaching by theatre professionals who found our dedication to give our best, very inspiring. Personally I crossed some boundaries, so that was cool.

Since August last year I knocked my from insecurity driven need to be funny all the time at the weekly improv training evenings. Learned to focus more on the input of others and so helping the others look good on stage. This is true the other way around. My input gets picked up best by advanced improv members, so in learning I'm going full circle, constantly.

For the rest, I can't say anything new. Okay, one thing. Battleship movie, mindless thrill, great graphics (esp. chart of the planets at the beginning, me space nerd), toute clichés, free heart massage.

News from Richard

"This is how I relax after filming. I found a gnome who will show it as I'm under contract.
Can I say I groom my beard since block 2?"

News from the Gnomes

"Hanging out at the local 'Weta Shop', then off to '100 Days 'Till Garden Grooming Olympics 2012'."

Just so you know, there is nothing to tell! See?
Okay, I heard some noise at 1:25 -1:36 of someone saying:
"Thus I can't say anything new".
Take it for what it's worth.
100 Days Till London 2012 Olympic Games

The Gnomes were hanging out at www.robspropshop.com
and made a commercial too.

Not Quite An Interview With A Dwarfleader

A smiling Dwarfleader promoting Captain America after filming block 1 of The Hobbit.

The Framework Blog caught up with Mr. A on an imaginary level in cyberspace to hook up answers for those much plagued questions RA followers' minds are mucked with.

We don't hear a lot from you these days. Maybe it's for the best. Do your research on the Net, Miss.. what's it, again? Violet. Okay, it's my alter ego, and we're in cyberspace so...

How's your beard hanging? "I grew my own beard after the first block because I felt that it was restricting my face. The jaw is so connected to emotion that I wanted to have that free. It made such a huge difference." Why don't you quote me some more? MTV.com, Jan 11, 2012

Are you not too young and too handsome to be a Dwarfleader? Should the cast of The Hobbit Movie include handsome actors? To have them covered in fat suits, prosthetics and heavy beards? Is the cast diverse enough? Is Thorin not too young? Are women Hobbit fans? I'm finding these questions so funny. The extents of these talks... reminds me to focus on my acting.  TheOneRingNet, Dec 8, 2010

The Hobbit set in Nelson, December 2011 (source protected)

How is your typical day on the set? I can't reveal details yet. However, I'm proud to say, my short appearance as Thorin in The Hobbit Teaser is already perceived as 'Aragorn's stand-in', see podcast. Back in the days of LOTR, my predecessor if you like, Viggo Mortensen ran errands, and he got the role because another actor was fired after just one day on the set. Sofar so good for me. A day in the life of the LOTR, ABC News, Dec 4, 2004

Has Peter Jackson seen your showreel? Not during the casting process, but on set he might surprise actors by mentioning he has seen your previous work, of which he doesn't say it was your worst, to put you in place, but he doesn't exactly say it was your best, either. He is also known to have a lot of books, mostly about The Hobbit and LOTR. My stash of books at my bedsite looks meagre in comparison. There And Back Again, excerpt Sean Austin, ABC News, Oct 14, 2004

How is Peter Jackson really treating you? Holy crap, this man eats you alive! Brain Dead, 1992

Top photo Mike Warsland/WireImage, Jul 20, 2011, adjusted by TheFrameworkBlog

Letter To Thorin

To Dwarfleader, King of the Mountains, Thorin Oakenshield,

Dear Sir,

I was informed - through the Eagles - by Bilbo, the Hobbit that you are the best and most daring Dwarf around to find a certain Human for me, named Richard Armitage. Last seen in Middle Earth, covered in red make-up and talking to green screens, imagining things. Pretends to be a Dwarf, plays the harp and sings boastful. You will find that the most worrying thing - next to my inferior use of the English language.

According to the Gnomes - who live in my back garden and are big fans of mine - every letter to this Human to his address in Olde England disappears in one big pile of cheerful autograph requests, lengthy love letters and funny postcards. If you do get this letter, it can only be because the Gnomes are immersed by their re-enactment of The Hobbit, or worse, they are playing cards under my floorboards and not giving me the necessary footrubs.

Fog, however, made the Eagles fly the route to Olde England first. Fog is an unpredictable creature, not to be mistaken for ´your´ Dragon Smaug. But this Hobbit who ate most of my chocolate, informed me I could also address you to find this Human. According to the Eagles, likely you will find him in Mirkwood, as even smart Humans tend to get lost there. I can trust the Eagles on this, because the Eagles pass on these facts for generations. Personally I fear the possibility that the Giant Spiders have captured him, as the Giant Spiders are very Human minded. 

If you find this Human and mention the letter, he will turn into something speechless, polite and gentle, as he does when he is not in action. You could say something about me. I recommend to ask him his name first. He could fall back on Dwarvish curse words when he does not know what to say.

The Hobbit will not bother you for two weeks with breakfast requests, if you can persuade Gandalf to work his magic for you. Please do not quarrel with Gandalf too much for constantly taking a detour in your story by adding cameos. He has some surprises for you, the Eagles know from first hand experience.

May I add that I really like your work ethics and could you share some secrets on aging - Female Humans would like to know ? Have to rush, the Gnomes ask for my attention, they have back pains.

P.S. I have to apologize, I did not get past chapter 6 of that book the Hobbit gave me.

Yours truthfully,

Shy Female Human when near Gnomes with six packs,
and bad at writing letters, so have mercy,
Violet

Meanwhile, between Hobbit Holes And Dwarf Beards...

"You will looooooooove every RA drought! Wait, I´ll take a sip."

It may be imminent, that EricV, embedded blogger on the Hobbit set, will come with Hobbit news. He joined the crew to visit the front, and has already spoken with Mr. A and Aidan Turner, but that is so much as the leaks on his twitterfeed can tell. If his set-pictures get the "go ahead", we will read his latest adventure on hairy feet any day now.

On the set of Flik*ken Maas*tricht

EricV may be happy to be embedded on the Hobbit set for two months, he did not get there by crashing hobbit holes. Lately I visited Maastricht on a day trip and ran into the set of Flik*ken Maas*tricht! Did I in an earlier post tell about my visit on the set of Dr. Chee*sy, I now could compare a bit the way cast and crew worked. Another reason to witness the activity, was that I challenged my writing by joining a contest. And for daring, I did an audition too! It was a true confidence boost! Not that I expected anything to come out of it. Mantra: "office joooooobs"! Yes, and less blogging. There is homework to be done.

Flik*ken Maas*tricht is a tv-series that runs for 5 seasons on Dutch and Belgian public television and is filmed on location. It is a police show and has a lot of banter between the two leads, who have something going on. Have seen some episodes and currently I´m catching up!

 

**

Like to say this in German (auf Deutsch) "Die Stars der TV Show, Vic*tor Rei*nier und An*gela Sch*ijf".

The German border lies fairly close to Maastricht, and the German prononciation of "Stars" implies

an unreachable distance to people who are on TV for a living.

While in my country there is a whole ´nother perception: "Act normal, then you´ll act crazy enough". 

**

I was alerted to this set by a 60-something year old couple of which the man with a grey ringbeard and a huge professional camera enthousiastically told me he had to leave the set, because of his camera.

Filming was going on for some time already when I came close. Passers-by came and went, and stood still for minutes to catch a bit of the magic. The magic was not at all there. Between shots makeup was done, hair was fixated with hairspray and a hot-water bottle helped to remain comfortable.The passers-by were also taking pictures with their smart phones and digital cameras, so a lot of delicate clicking sounds was heard. Picture taking was okay while in rehearsal. I stood at 10 metres distance and could not quite hear the conversation.

This shot was taken several times, very swiftly.

**

The contra shot in which the leads get interrupted by an American security guard type. It was important this man stood at the correct spot. A closeup of the conversation was taken twice.

Because a ray of sunshine appeared between the clouds, the collection of shots was quickly added with an extra shot, of them walking in the street, up to this corner. 

Then it was off to lunch, a temporary campement of long tables and vans parked behind the church.

**

In the background are two churches. 

One of them had four vehicles parked outside with American numberplates.
Contemplating why this was, I got tapped on the arm.
A very small, but intrigued American lady with flickering eyes asked me who was visiting the church!

In Spooks series 9 they called this person "Lighthouse". Made me think of that episode on the spot!

Inside the church, big lights stood ready for later to be shot scenes after lunch.

 In the other church, next to this one, in a tomb, two young women with nail pistols were preparing a scene by nailing blankets to a wooden trunk, to hide this VIP for dangerous reasons..Had a friendly chat about the scene, their company and their profession (interns to become director).

They revealed it was all for the latest episode of series 6 to be broadcasted in March 2012.

**
So, if you consider working outdoors, and are very patient, then consider working for a tv series.

Screencap of Spooks 7, DVD extras on set in Russia (RACentral)

Pictures Flikken Maastricht latest episode of series 6  (MyVeryOwn)

Quiet Dwarves, Hobbit Fans: Take 2, Position 1

"Again, don´t tell everyone about our route."

Filming on The Hobbit has started for the second sequence in a row,
so what´s up? (using crew lingo)

Take 1.

It´s all gone very quiet around the Dwarves. The hobbit must have got something to do with that. The hunger forced the hobbit to quarrel with Thorin Oakenshield about the Dwarves´ food supply. Was it at first rather innocent, making remarks about the Dwarfleader´s musical qualities, now the hobbit opted to go radical and climb in the nearest tree. The Dwarfleader snarled at Bilbo to get out of the tree at once, but the hobbit wouldn´t budge. After it had hit him he wouldn´t get his daily two breakfasts, he finally climbed down. The Dwarves found him a moaner and grunted for taking him along. In the end, they traveled long tracks very silently together.

PJ gives RA instructions on tossing the sword Orcrist

Take 2.

It´s all gone very quiet around the Dwarves. The Hobbit must have got something to do with that. The media hunger forced The Hobbit to quarrel with the Dwarfleader about the fans´ news supply. Was it at first rather innocent, making remarks about the Dwarfleader´s aging qualities, now The Hobbit opted to go radical and climb in the nearest confidentiality agreement. The Dwarfleader snarled at The Hobbit to get rid of the confidentiality agreements at once, but The Hobbit wouldn´t budge. After it had hit the fans they wouldn´t get their daily news, they finally stepped down. The fans found The Hobbit a moaner and grunted for taking it seriously. In the end, they traveled long tracks very silently together.

Take 2 was rejected at the editing table, for one thing: it wasn´t a truthful representation. It is fantasy!

Position 1.

If there are any Hobbit fans out there who feel they are bereft of a constant stream of Hobbit´ facts, observations and opinions by insiders, because of the confidentiality agreements signed by cast, crew or even visitors, then assume: cast and crew are at work!

So, when can the Hobbit fans climb down the tree for the next Video Blog?

UPDATE
 The next Video Blog may be imminent, according to a close source, date: 27th October.
Or not, as the revelation was later removed.
At least an embedded blogger is installed on the set of The Hobbit, reporting biweekly,
following the crew going to several locations in the next 7 weeks, date: 27th October.
Follow @EricVespe on Twitter and read ´Quint´ on aintitcool.com

Screencaps: RACentral/ The Hobbit Video Blog 3, 21 July 2011