Let's write a Hobbit script of our own!
-
Voronwë the Faithful
- At the intersection of here and now
- Posts: 46120
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:41 am
- Contact:
Just an aside:
I'm intrigued by the creation of a refugee class (?) of Internet users when a site shuts down. Apart from those of you who came here, someone calling themself "SF" recently joined another Tolkien site I frequent. Incidentally they were quite adept at expressing themself.
Back to the previous discussion...
I'm intrigued by the creation of a refugee class (?) of Internet users when a site shuts down. Apart from those of you who came here, someone calling themself "SF" recently joined another Tolkien site I frequent. Incidentally they were quite adept at expressing themself.
Back to the previous discussion...
SirDennis, if you are referring to TORn, then the SF on there is not our sauronsfinger, particularly since I know he had another screen name on there a long time ago...
As for our SIL scripts...ah, well, nothing like being put on the spot, is there??!!
Ethelwynn, I have to take issue and say that you were very much part of the early episodes! I distinctly remember you re-writing the first couple of scenes because you felt I'd made the language for Eldarion too formal! (Something Alatar then suggested was revised back again when he read it!) and you contributed scenes for Gimli and Farin. Now that has got people wondering, I'll bet!!
I do not want to distract from this HOBBIT project, so if there is a desire to see our previous efforts, perhaps Voronwë could suggest a suitable place for me to post a couple of episodes? I've no idea of the character limits for these threads, either.
As for our SIL scripts...ah, well, nothing like being put on the spot, is there??!!
Ethelwynn, I have to take issue and say that you were very much part of the early episodes! I distinctly remember you re-writing the first couple of scenes because you felt I'd made the language for Eldarion too formal! (Something Alatar then suggested was revised back again when he read it!) and you contributed scenes for Gimli and Farin. Now that has got people wondering, I'll bet!!
I do not want to distract from this HOBBIT project, so if there is a desire to see our previous efforts, perhaps Voronwë could suggest a suitable place for me to post a couple of episodes? I've no idea of the character limits for these threads, either.
There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.
~Diana Cortes
~Diana Cortes
Makes sense to post our scripts on another thread. I know I'd get confused, if the two stories were mixed.
Granted, these scenes were written so long ago that we were still sharpening quills but as I remember it I didn't start really contributing until we hit Fëanor and family. Elentári creates beauty and fantasy, I concentrate on mayhem and mess.
As for being put on the spot, I can only quote the great Courage Wolf: Be the Legend!
Granted, these scenes were written so long ago that we were still sharpening quills but as I remember it I didn't start really contributing until we hit Fëanor and family. Elentári creates beauty and fantasy, I concentrate on mayhem and mess.
As for being put on the spot, I can only quote the great Courage Wolf: Be the Legend!
Bite off more than you can chew. Then, chew it. Ask for seconds.
beginnings
greetings all -
another former hobbit blogger here - i'll be following your story, more than contributing at least to start, as it's been several years since i've spent much time in middle earth.
as i recall (before loosing touch with the original project) it was much as elantári remembers - the script was an organic discussion of 'the hobbit.' it may have become more structured after i had to leave, but i think the free-wheeling aspect was most interesting.
just a thought.
another former hobbit blogger here - i'll be following your story, more than contributing at least to start, as it's been several years since i've spent much time in middle earth.
as i recall (before loosing touch with the original project) it was much as elantári remembers - the script was an organic discussion of 'the hobbit.' it may have become more structured after i had to leave, but i think the free-wheeling aspect was most interesting.
just a thought.
Just a quick note to all that I'm going to be pretty much AWOL for the next few days. I'm working 2 jobs that decided to overlap each other, so not much time to be on line. I will, however, be working on a timeline for our project as I promised I would, so that should be ready by the end of the week.
Jeez -- that last sentence would have my English teacher tearing her hair out!
Jeez -- that last sentence would have my English teacher tearing her hair out!
Bite off more than you can chew. Then, chew it. Ask for seconds.
Well, I'm not Voronwë, but perhaps other Subfora in the Showcase Forums area could be set up for the Silmarillion and Hobbit projects, just like Tosh's LotR Serial Project?Elentári wrote: I do not want to distract from this HOBBIT project, so if there is a desire to see our previous efforts, perhaps Voronwë could suggest a suitable place for me to post a couple of episodes? I've no idea of the character limits for these threads, either.
viewforum.php?f=21
The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End
I've been thinking along thoses lines also, Al. It would probably work out best in there. I'm just waiting for Voronwë to get back and let me know his thoughts - he's already been in touch and said he'll discuss it further then.
There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.
~Diana Cortes
~Diana Cortes
-
ToshoftheWuffingas
- Posts: 1579
- Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:34 pm
Next narrative problem: how do you handle the songs in the opening chapter?
Really this is an example of the decisions on mood and tone and fidelity to the text that have to be made. Obviously the songs work in the book. I think the comic washing up song can be handled actually. Not all of it has to be sung and there are ways to incorporate it that aren't too cringe making. The one I have trouble with is the elegy. The verse is not as polished as the similar verse about Moria that Gimli chants in LOTR and I think could easily fall flat at a crucial start to the narrative. But dramatically it's important. It's the trigger for Bilbo to summon up his hidden spirit of adventure. It is the first glimpse of the spirit of the North in a comfortable semi modern environment. It has several powerful narrative functions. Do you find a different way to convey the same psychological change that works better for a modern audience or do you consider the entire episode is so iconic that it shouldn't be seriously tinkered with?
Really this is an example of the decisions on mood and tone and fidelity to the text that have to be made. Obviously the songs work in the book. I think the comic washing up song can be handled actually. Not all of it has to be sung and there are ways to incorporate it that aren't too cringe making. The one I have trouble with is the elegy. The verse is not as polished as the similar verse about Moria that Gimli chants in LOTR and I think could easily fall flat at a crucial start to the narrative. But dramatically it's important. It's the trigger for Bilbo to summon up his hidden spirit of adventure. It is the first glimpse of the spirit of the North in a comfortable semi modern environment. It has several powerful narrative functions. Do you find a different way to convey the same psychological change that works better for a modern audience or do you consider the entire episode is so iconic that it shouldn't be seriously tinkered with?
<a><img></a>
-
QuackingTroll
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:17 pm
- Contact:
Wait for me!!
Hullo, nice to see you've found a new place to continue your amazing work 
I'll try and get involved more this time, seeing as I'm here from the get-go as it were.
Looking forward to whatever this thread may bring!
I'll try and get involved more this time, seeing as I'm here from the get-go as it were. Looking forward to whatever this thread may bring!
May the hair on your toes never fall out
If you're talking about "Far over the Misty Mountains Cold":
Here's an edited version with suggested images:
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
This might be an opportunity to show viewers a glimpse of the journey ahead, with amontage of shots showing Rivendell, The High Pass, the Goblin tunnels, Mirkwood...
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
Again a montage of Dwarves at their smithies, and mining beneath Erebor
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
Montage showing Venerable Dwarves and Elves examining beautiful works of craft
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
A shadow falls over the dwarves, who look up in confusion, then fear. A dragons shadow is silhouetted on the grass, moving fast towards Dale and Erebor. A burst of flame, and houses are burning, people fleeing.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
The Dwarves try to flee through the front gate, but Smaug is waiting, We see his feet crushing the bodies of dwarves undefoot and his silhouette enters the main gate of Erebor
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
Pull back on the destruction, smoke pouring from the front gate, the river boiling from the heat of Smaugs passage, Dale in ashes, then all disappearing in smoke and mist.
In chant, its about 20 seconds per verse, or 2 minutes in total.
I think its not only wanted, but needed. It will have to be edited down, but I would think a Chant of some sort, with a montage of shots of the kingdom under the mountain at the height of its majesty, and the coming of the dragon, the sack of Erebor. I would suggest that Smaug is not directly seen, only his shadow, or part silhouette, with flames consuming all.Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crows they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets the carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light.
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
(Reprise)
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold.
Here's an edited version with suggested images:
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.
This might be an opportunity to show viewers a glimpse of the journey ahead, with amontage of shots showing Rivendell, The High Pass, the Goblin tunnels, Mirkwood...
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
Again a montage of Dwarves at their smithies, and mining beneath Erebor
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
Montage showing Venerable Dwarves and Elves examining beautiful works of craft
The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
A shadow falls over the dwarves, who look up in confusion, then fear. A dragons shadow is silhouetted on the grass, moving fast towards Dale and Erebor. A burst of flame, and houses are burning, people fleeing.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
The Dwarves try to flee through the front gate, but Smaug is waiting, We see his feet crushing the bodies of dwarves undefoot and his silhouette enters the main gate of Erebor
Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
Pull back on the destruction, smoke pouring from the front gate, the river boiling from the heat of Smaugs passage, Dale in ashes, then all disappearing in smoke and mist.
In chant, its about 20 seconds per verse, or 2 minutes in total.
The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End
-
QuackingTroll
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:17 pm
- Contact:
I wrote a basic intro on TORn a while back... It's not really MY intro more what I think Peter Jackson will do. But just to get some ideas going, here's what I wrote...
Black screen w/music. Golden words "The Hobbit" fade in and out of the darkness (the same as LOTR)
Bag End - Frodo sits amongst piles of notes and maps with a Red Book infront of him and a pen in his hand. He flicks back through the pages of the book to the start, puts down the pen and smiles.
Perspective shot of the book, the heading "Concerning Hobbits" can be seen as Frodo turns the page. Under the heading "Dwarves" there's written a poem.
Bilbo [voice over] - The dwarves of yore made mighty spells, While hammers fell like ringing bells...***
Narration continues over a montage of dwarves mining and crafting jewellry, diamonds and gems.
Bilbo [voice over] - The pines were roaring on the height, The winds were moaning in the night...
Lake Town [narration cont.]The dragon is seen only in sillouette and shadow which is distorted by the fire. Men are running in fear, many are slain in a massive and violent battle against the beast. The dragon flees toward the mountain, dwarves are running like ants from it's entrance, the dragon mercilessly rips through them as he enters the mountain. The scene suddenly cuts to black
Bilbo [voice over] - They fled their hall to dying fall Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Scene 2
Fade in to Hobbiton, familiar music is played over a montage of hobbits going about their daily business. Words "There and Back Again" fade in and out. Eventually zoom back to Bad End. A young Bilbo is stood in his garden, filling his pipe.
*** The poem is the same as in the book, but without the chorus as it does not work in this context
May the hair on your toes never fall out
I very much agree with Alatar that the "elegy" is a must - on the old Blog I suggested this very song as the perfect trailer for the movies - exactly as Al says, with just a tease of the dragon so we don't spoil the full reveal.
Of course, ths is the very excerpt that gives us the backstory to Smaug's coming to Erebor, so the question follows as to whether we still need further exposition on that?
Whilst I quite like the idea of beginning the film with a prologue of Thror and Thrain escaping from the mountain, we would risk doubling up on it with the Elegy later on. Perhaps the question is to decide on what backstory is necessary, and how much of it we want to show as a flashback, or as a prologue for either film, etc
For example:
- The coming of Smaug & escape of Thror, etc : prologue to Film 1 OR flashback at Bag End?
- Gandalf discovering Thrain in DG: flashback at Bag End
- Gandalf meeting Thorin on the Bree road: Opening to Film 1 or flashback?
- White council Meeting 2941: in real time (possibly with flashback to previous meeting if necessary)
and so on
QT - your idea is neat, and presumably PJ is thinking along those lines, since we know Frodo is going to be featured with the Red Book as a framing device
Of course, ths is the very excerpt that gives us the backstory to Smaug's coming to Erebor, so the question follows as to whether we still need further exposition on that?
Whilst I quite like the idea of beginning the film with a prologue of Thror and Thrain escaping from the mountain, we would risk doubling up on it with the Elegy later on. Perhaps the question is to decide on what backstory is necessary, and how much of it we want to show as a flashback, or as a prologue for either film, etc
For example:
- The coming of Smaug & escape of Thror, etc : prologue to Film 1 OR flashback at Bag End?
- Gandalf discovering Thrain in DG: flashback at Bag End
- Gandalf meeting Thorin on the Bree road: Opening to Film 1 or flashback?
- White council Meeting 2941: in real time (possibly with flashback to previous meeting if necessary)
and so on
QT - your idea is neat, and presumably PJ is thinking along those lines, since we know Frodo is going to be featured with the Red Book as a framing device
There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.
~Diana Cortes
~Diana Cortes
I think the Script should open with the Iconic words "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit". Its right up there with "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times".
Apart from anything else, it sets the Hobbit apart from LotR. Starting small rather than Epic. Smaug and the destruction of Erebor, and Gandalf/Thrain would work best as flashback, since exposition is better shown than told.
Gandalf/Thorin on Bree Road could be a flashback in the White Council meetings, with Gandalf explaining the steps he has taken to neutralise the threat of Smaug.
Apart from anything else, it sets the Hobbit apart from LotR. Starting small rather than Epic. Smaug and the destruction of Erebor, and Gandalf/Thrain would work best as flashback, since exposition is better shown than told.
Gandalf/Thorin on Bree Road could be a flashback in the White Council meetings, with Gandalf explaining the steps he has taken to neutralise the threat of Smaug.
The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End