|
The Props And Costumes
- All the props in the trilogy are being created by a large team of prop-makers led by Pros Master Nick Weir and
Head Furniture Maker John Shearman. They have produced everything from the elaborate weapons used by the members of the Fellowship to
the most obscure knick-knack barely noticeable in it's setting.
- The main theme that separates the way Tolkien's books are being brought to life is by seeing it not as a 'fantasy'
world but a 'historic' world being recreated. This means that every one of the thousands of props and costume have been
made to look authentic to the most minute detail.
- The visual inspiration for these props as with every other aspect of the film is on the Tolkien works themselves. There are many
drawings and sketches throughtout the books of everything from an Elven badge of honor to the massive doors of Moria.
It is the belief of everyone working on the films that the more detailed and accurate everything is recreated the greater homage
they are paying to Tolkien himself.
- Skilled swordsmith Peter Lyons created all the sprung steel blades used by the main characters. Employing methods of hand-grinding identical to those used
by ancient swordsmiths. Along side those steel weapons are two thousand background weapons used in the movies many battle scenes. These weapons are cast from a semi-rigid
urethane that is virtually indestructible, but are no less detailed than the authentic steel weapons.
- The armor designs were supervised by John Howe, who has an incredibly detailed knowledge of medieval armor. John introduced both aesthetics and detailed knowledge to every
costume in the film. Howe and his team had the challenge of creating armor that was totally authentic but who's elements of design were completely outside the realm of actual human history.
By the end of filming an astounding 48,000 separate pieces of armor, created through silicone molds from custom original metal pieces, had been created.
- The costumes for the trilogy were designed by Nglia Dickson, who had worked on Peter Jackson's film Heavenly Creaters & Xena Warrior Princess among a long list of credits.
It was a daunting task creating original highly detailed costumes for over twenty main cast members, dozens of supporting roles and thousands of extras! For example Frodo's costume alone
required ten versions showing different stages of deterioration through the six month journey that he and the 'Fellowship' members take throughout the trilogy. Design wise Dickson was
challenged to create costumes with an authentic historical feel but that did not fit the boring preconceptions movie goers are used to....
|
|
