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SCOD: Frodo mourns

zarabia Tol Eressea Jul 13 2012, 3:57am Views: 1277 SCOD: Frodo mourns      In this scene showing the Fellowship exiting Moria in shock and grief, PJ uses slow motion yet again. Sound drops out, and we hear only the singing of a hauntingly beautiful voice. With Aragorn's exhortation that they be on their way, we are returned to normal speed and sound. The scene ends with Aragorn calling to Frodo who turns to face the others with no obvious expression, but with a tell-tale trail of of a tear down his cheek. I'm always struck by the power of this scene, and most especially this shot. But that's just me. What say you??? BTW, please excuse this break with convention of asking several questions. Just trying a different approach. (This post was edited by zarabia on Jul 13 2012, 4:00am)

Ataahua Forum Admin / Moderator Jul 13 2012, 4:45am Views: 844 Frodo's reaction here has me thinking of, "No more, I'm not taking part in this anymore, it's too hard. Gandalf can't be gone - it never happened - I won't stay here and acknowledge it." So heartbreaking. As an aside, how in earth do actors cry on cue?? Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..." Dwarves: "Pretty rings..." Men: "Pretty rings..." Sauron: "Mine's better." "Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak. Ataahua's stories

Lily Fairbairn Half-elven Jul 13 2012, 3:07pm Views: 806 I like how the angle of Frodo's head in this shot... ...is the same as the angle of his head as he looks back at the other hobbits just after he's stepped on board the ship at the end of RotK. There's quite a contrast between the careworn and grief-stricken Frodo in this shot and the already beginning to heal one on the ship. I doubt if this was planned, I think Wood just looked over his shoulder in both shots and his physiology created that particular angle. Still, it's cool * * * * * * * Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight? A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!

Shelob'sAppetite Valinor Jul 13 2012, 6:05pm Views: 773 Elijah's best acting He's very good here. I prefer the long shot of him alone, however. To me, the image of him alone on that rocky lansdcape communicates a message of sadness far better than a closeup of a tear rolling down a cheek. Not a big fan of the emphasis on closeups in most of the SCOD entries...There are far more great long shots to choose from, IMO.

Lissuin Valinor Jul 13 2012, 7:39pm Views: 749 "I'm the one who chose to go through Moria." "Gandalf is dead - because of me."

Lissuin Valinor Jul 13 2012, 8:11pm Views: 800 "As an aside, how in earth do actors cry on cue??" Ataahua As I'm pretty new at this, I was afraid I'd have to find the answer to that question myself, so early on I looked for something on the internet. Google "actors crying on cue" and there's lots of advice. Here's just the first one: http://plays.about.com/...ing-And-Tears.htmand PS: it works! Try it.

Lissuin Valinor Jul 13 2012, 8:17pm Views: 756 Oops! This link to crying didn't work directly. http://plays.about.com/...ma_Basics_Advice.htm Scroll down to the topic: How to Cry - an Actor's Guide to Crying and tears

imin Valinor Jul 13 2012, 9:40pm Views: 758 The staring method I used to do that sometimes, when i was younger, if i knew i had done something really naughty and i was about to get in some big trouble. It worked for me!

dernwyn Forum Admin / Moderator Jul 14 2012, 3:32am Views: 716 Memory works for me. Just the first few bars of "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera, and I'm reaching for a tissue. (I'm wiping my eyes while typing this.) That was sung at a farewell party for a dear friend who was retiring and moving, 20 years ago, and he didn't tell us he knew he had less than a year to live. I've got a strong emotional bond between that song and his death. Then, there's certain written passages that are tear-triggers! One of the best for me: "And he sang to them, now in the Elven-tongue, now in the speech of the West, until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I desired dragons with a profound desire" "It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?" -Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915

Lissuin Valinor Jul 14 2012, 5:32am Views: 718 For me it's music, Dernwyn. When we finally were asked to try to get some tears for a scene, they were playing a moving piece of music, which will, no doubt, be substituted with Howard Shore's beautiful music for the film. I was in the back of a group of extras and thought I'd try because the camera was no where near me and it would be a good time to practice. Tears poured down as the music helped me remember the feeling of personal loss. One thing I thought of was Eomer's cry of shock when he found Eowyn on the battlefield. After that first take, an assistant director came back and asked if anyone had been able to cry. My hand went up shakily. "Come with me", she said. "We'll put you in front - no pressure, or anything." Right. I got through 4 more takes with tears for each one, just remembering. It took hours after we wrapped to feel calm again. Another advantage of six decades of living, I guess.

Shelob'sAppetite Valinor Jul 14 2012, 5:45am Views: 702 Interesting What scene was that for?

Lissuin Valinor Jul 14 2012, 5:50am Views: 718 Nice try. (This post was edited by Lissuin on Jul 14 2012, 5:51am)

Shelob'sAppetite Valinor Jul 14 2012, 6:04am Views: 731 Wasn't very subtle, was I? Feel free to share some more of your general life experiences via PM, however. I'm always here to lend a sympathetic ear.

Lissuin Valinor Jul 14 2012, 12:10pm Views: 689 About as subtle as Shelob's appetite.

Radagast-Aiwendil Gondor Jul 14 2012, 1:48pm Views: 703 I agree Shelob Definitely his best acting moment in the trilogy-he had some pretty cringe-worthy moments (such as his smile to Sam at the end of RotK), but this was very good indeed. "A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early: he arrives precisely when he means to!"-Gandalf the Grey, The Fellowship of the Ring. (This post was edited by Radagast-Aiwendil on Jul 14 2012, 1:49pm)

Jeremy Rivendell Jul 14 2012, 3:55pm Views: 677 Extra? You were an extra in The Hobbit? What did you play? Or is that top secret...

Lissuin Valinor Jul 14 2012, 8:19pm Views: 677 Long shot and closeup together show a huge change in Frodo's feelings about the job he's taken on. From the moment when he asked Gandalf in Bag End, "What must I do?", he showed he was willing to take personal responsibility for this terrible evil thing. But from the beginning, he had Gandalf, Strider, Elrond, and even Bilbo to tell him what he should do in order to accomplish the task. He is responsible for his own decision to carry the ring to Mordor, but he is not thinking of himself as a leader, as someone responsible for the lives of his friends. When we see him alone after coming from the mine, the scene is set for Frodo's realization that he will have to do this task alone. In the film he makes the decision as leader to go through the mines, and the consequence of that decision is that one of his friends dies. The whole quest now takes on another dimension: "The decisions I make can have direct and lasting consequences for someone I love." Before this it was an abstract responsibility: "I have to do this so an evil will be removed from the world and the Shire and our way of life will be safe." The concrete effect of this shot is to show us that the Ringbearer truly is alone. The closeup is so heart-breaking because his eyes show the devastation of a leader who has lost someone because of a decision to act in what seemed like the best way possible at the time. Frodo has been a decent person all his life but certainly not in charge of anything where his decisions have direct life or death consequences, as Strider, Gandalf, or Boromir have. He has just experienced the meaning of leadership in war and is horrified. This look of his says, "Look at the damage my first decision has done. I cannot do this again and risk any more hurt to the people I love. I won't. I'm on my own from now on." I have a niggling thought in my head that I hear Philippa Boyens voice saying what I've just written. Was all this something I remember from the director's commentary from the EE for this scene? No time to play it to check. If that was the intention for Frodo's character, it works for me.

Lissuin Valinor Jul 14 2012, 8:49pm Views: 672 Welcome to the boards, Jeremy! I hope you'll enjoy the variety of topics and opinions around here. Yes, there are a couple of us who have been lucky to spend time as extras. And yes, we signed long Non-Disclosure Agreements, so we can't get specific about what we've done, as you guessed. Sometimes I just can't help myself from commenting in a general way when a topic touches on something that effected me personally. See you in the forums, Cheers

titanium_hobbit Rohan Jul 15 2012, 6:51am Views: 649 idle speculation (and a book spoilery tangent- sorry) which you can just sit back and smirk at how wrong I am, Lissuin- no pressure to respond! Perhaps it was (thinking to the book, and my suspicion that our Torn friends were extras at Lake town) when Lake town is burned and gone, and Bard, the hero, thought lost. of course I could be totally wrong. Though when it comes out I'd love to see screen grabs with you, MoaHunter and any others pointed out! TH Hobbit firster, Book firster. Have you explored all of TORN's forums?

dernwyn Forum Admin / Moderator Jul 15 2012, 4:17pm Views: 621 That was perfect! They sure knew how to try to evoke emotions - and it worked perfectly for you! (And if that music did it, imagine how we in the audience are going to be, with Shore's music playing during that scene; thank you for the warning, I'll bring a box of tissues!) "No pressure", LOL! Wonderful folks to work for! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I desired dragons with a profound desire" "It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?" -Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915

Lissuin Valinor Jul 16 2012, 9:12am Views: 630 I would never smirk at you, T_H! Speculate away! Moahunter and I are doing as much speculating as anyone here. This industry seems to thrive on speculation and rumour. "Will they/won't they?" It's impossible not to get caught up in it - I spent all morning yesterday glued to the SDCC happenings. Yay TORn! The likelihood of an extra being recognizable on screen is not great, but never fear: if PJ liked my blubbering, everyone on TORn will hear about it eventually!

Xanaseb Tol Eressea Jul 16 2012, 9:12am Views: 592 Go Lissuin!!! :D :D that sounds fantastic, and such a story ! :) // Join us over at Barliman's chat all day, any day! ________________________________________________ I thirst for Khuzdûl! Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu! -I am a victim of Bifurcation- (credit to LP)

Xanaseb Tol Eressea Jul 16 2012, 9:14am Views: 620 rofl, that's a great phrase! ! and full of PJ-related irony :P :P // (jks Shelob) Join us over at Barliman's chat all day, any day! ________________________________________________ I thirst for Khuzdûl! Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu! -I am a victim of Bifurcation- (credit to LP)

Xanaseb Tol Eressea Jul 16 2012, 9:23am Views: 641 I think that possibly this is the first scene where Frodo experiences complete devastation, and a greatly diminished hope Of course earlier in the story, Frodo is close to death etc., and things seem to be failing with the Nazgul chasing them etc., however, Frodo still keeps a strong sense of hope and wills himself to carry on, believing that he is near the end of his journey... ...But to lose Gandalf (one who has been the one of the mainstays of his hope for all this time) at such an early stage in this far longer and harder journey to Mordor is a catastrophic shock to him. Devastation. Can I really do this without the help of one so wise and powerful?. What if Aragorn was to die? What if I were forced to do this alone? This last point in fact is something which he finally realises must be the case. Namely, that he has to prepare for the eventuality of doing this nigh-impossible quest .... on his own. I absolutely love this sequence. The fact that Frodo is isolated and away from everyone, and experiencing such sorrowful emotion, further emphasises what I have written above Dziekuje Zarabia! Join us over at Barliman's chat all day, any day! ________________________________________________ I thirst for Khuzdûl! Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu! -I am a victim of Bifurcation- (credit to LP) (This post was edited by Xanaseb on Jul 16 2012, 9:25am)

weaver Half-elven Jul 17 2012, 4:13am Views: 588 oh, good observation! I had not thought that the last shot of Frodo mirrored this one -- very nice! Thanks! In both cases, Frodo's letting go of something -- Gandalf here, his life in the Shire, later --and the difference in how he handles it shows his growth and development. I always liked the book descriptions of Frodo's evolution -- Sam and Gandalf both see what Frodo's trials reveal about his character in different physical ways...comparing this shot with the end shot is perhaps the best equivalent of that in the films. Weaver

zarabia Tol Eressea Jul 17 2012, 6:24am Views: 251 That particular shot wasn't available in the scod library And even if it had been, I still probably would have picked this one because I love it so much. But I understand what you are saying about wide shots. If I host again, I'll try to find a good wide shot for you. However, there are far fewer of them in the scod library than close-ups. BTW, you could sign up to host one of these. Then you could choose whichever shot you like best. (For that week anyway)

zarabia Tol Eressea Jul 17 2012, 6:27am Views: 258 Are you allowed to spill a few beans after the movies are released??? ;) //

Shelob'sAppetite Valinor Jul 17 2012, 6:28am Views: 245 Thanks! It is odd that the SCOD library is so heavy on the close-ups, and has a dearth of wide shots, particularly since so many of those wide shots are so widely celebrated! (I'm thinking of the Gandalf-Balrog final plunge, for example). Who populates it?

zarabia Tol Eressea Jul 17 2012, 6:29am Views: 245 Lots of wonderful insight! Thanks all :) //

zarabia Tol Eressea Jul 17 2012, 6:37am Views: 271 I'm just grateful for the resource I'm not sure who is responsible, but I think it's the labor of love of one individual.

Lissuin Valinor Jul 17 2012, 8:51pm Views: 286 Will do!//

batik Tol Eressea Jul 29 2012, 7:12pm Views: 326 a favorite "sad" scene... ...talk about being drawn in to the emotion. Oh my! The music in this scene is so totally right. The other members of the fellowship are seen to openly respond --weep/grieve (Merry, Pippin, Sam, Gimli, and yes even Legolas), offer comfort (Boromir), get folks moving (Aragorn)...and then there's Frodo...off by himself.