Screencap of the Day - Hobbiton

Arwen's daughter

Arwen's daughter

Half-elven
fotr0063.jpg

You can find the full-sized image HERE.

Hi all! I'll be posting the Screencap of the Day discussions this week. Let's talk about Hobbiton, today.

1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?
2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?
3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?
4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

Thanks for reading today and, if you're interested in helping out, I believe One Ringer still has a spot open for a volunteer the week of February 27. Check out his sign-up post here: http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=417795#417795
 
1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?

Almost brought tears to my eyes.


2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

An extremely well-done transition.


3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

For a moment I wondered if I’d catch a glimpse of crows over the cornfield.


4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

There’s a bunch of blue plastic tents to the right just out of frame.
 
1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?

It was perfect. FOTR is my favourite of the films, and i think Hobbiton has a large part to do with that.

2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

No, i liked the prologue alot. It was a wonderful, important, if brief look into the past of Middle Earth. Bringing us straight to the ''Normality'' of Middle Earth after all that, helped find the core of some of the main ''Heroes'' of the film.
3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

No, i think the colours are vivid to the point they need to be. The whole scene reminds me of a bright summer day in the English countryside (A rare occasion for us, so thats why the image sticks in my mind!). The colours arent at all unatural at all, and just help to bring out the sheer beauty of the setting.
4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

I cant explain enough how spot on Hobbiton looks in this image, i could gush on for hours and how perfect they got it.
 
1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?

(A) It has a rural pastoral feeling about it, where everybody knows one another. I never imagined it would look like this

2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

(A) I found it slightly so. It may have had something to do with the change in colour of scenes, from the dark, bleak shadows, to the light, airy and colourful sights of the countryside.

3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

(A)The brown colouring of the water along the far riverbank as well as just under the left side of the bridge. I notice that you can almost see the bottom of the river on the left side of the bridge.

4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

(A)For some of us we can only dream about this kind of lifestyle.
 
1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?
Just looking at this shot, I thought there would have been more mature trees for some reason.

2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?
It was a nice change actually, still is.

3.Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?
Hmmm well before you mentioned it, I was looking at the image thinking, "my how aged the image looks already..." which makes no sense at all, unless digital images posted online degrade over time. My main complaint would be that this was shot well past (or before) the "magic hour", which is unusual in film. That is, apart from seeming too yellow, it is too washed out. But then, maybe it is supposed to have a kind of dazzling brilliance about it.

4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?
Ooh clever of you to tack on "about this image." I wonder if we'll ever get anyone counting the stones comparing this bridge to the one we will see in The Hobbit?
 
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1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?

Quite frankly, this IS my Hobbiton. While I read The Hobbit before the films, this has always been my Hobbiton. So yes.

2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

No. I find it soothing, actually, since we transition over the title, and it's brilliantly done in the Extended Edition, introducing us to Bilbo as he writes Concerning Hobbits.

3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

No. I think I feel that Hobbiton should be astoundingly green and bright, so it doesn't register to me if it's there.

4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

Any shot of Gandalf coming to Hobbiton feels like coming home. :)
 
2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

I think it's better in the TE than the EE: PJ was right to leave out the second prologue. Things are quieter with Frodo and Gandalf's introductions before we finally see the Shire.

3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

I did notice on my last viewing the greenery is really green.

4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

It's a really iconic image, one of the first shown of the Shire in trailers and publicity. My only query is, how does Gandalf's wagon fit in a Hobbit bridge? I suppose the Hobbits used to trade with Men and built an appropriately scaled path.
 
I love Hobbiton, it reminds me of where I grew up.

I like the warm feel the colour gives it, it's almost along the same lines as sepia. (?) It makes it look nostalgic. The water is a bit greeny orange for me but only if I'm being picky.

I don't mind the sudden switch at all.
 
1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?

Absolutely. It was perfectly hobbity in my opinion.

2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

I don't think so, but I've seen FotR probably two or three dozen times... So I know exactly what to expect at this point [;)]

3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

I think they enhanced the natural colors just enough to make it seem sureally real.

4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

Hobbiton really is the perfect slice of heaven... I would be just fine living there [:)]
 
1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?

I loved the little hobbit houses, gardens, the bridge, etc, but like SirDennisC, I expected more trees. If I remember correctly, Tolkien doesn't specifically say that there are many trees around Hobbiton in the beginning of the story, but in The Scouring of the Shire, the the fact that all the trees have been cut is is one of the outrages the hobbits return home to. Sam is especially saddened by the loss of trees. So, maybe the idea of a tree-lined Hobbiton wasn't there on my first reading (though I think it was just because I like trees:)), it was firmly implanted in my mind on subsequent readings.

2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

Nope, I thought it was very effectively done.

3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

Again, I agree with SirDennisC. I was bothered that this scene was filmed during mid-day when the light is harsh and washes everything out. I understand PJ's intention of contrasting a bright, sunny, care-free Hobbiton against the literally and metaphorically darker road ahead, but, to me at least, it didn't show Hobbiton to it's advantage. I think it would have looked much prettier filmed in softer light. And then there would have been no need of digital grading to correct the color.

4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?
I love that Gandalf's cart barely fits on the bridge. This is a good example of PJ getting the scale proportions right.
 
but of course, that's saying a lot.

I think the contrast between the Hobbiton sequence and the prolog is excellent. It establishes exactly what this movie is going to be about. At the start we are introduced to this enormous and complex world/plot that is followed up with a very simple element in such a world. It should be evident that the simplicity of hobbits will soon (as it is clearly stated) clash with the complexity of the whole of Middle-Earth.

Also to note, if the films were done differently, opening on Hobbiton (and scrapping a prolog) would be equally effective; the audience just wouldn't see what's coming right away.
 
1. Did the filmmakers get the look and feel of Hobbiton "right" for you?

Like many here, I felt they were spot on, and gave me chills, and tears of happiness at seeing it so beautifully brought to life. Hard to say what Tolkien might have said, but the scenes that it showed told you everything you needed to put you into the world as it was... It's like something the Impressonists would have used as a subject.

2. Was the transition from action-packed prologue to pastoral country jarring?

I thought it was well done.

3. The behind the scenes features from the EE talk about the different color overlays they tried in this scene. They finally settled on a yellow overlay to bring out the green color of the grass. Was there anything about the colors in this scene that struck you as unnatural because of this artificial enhancement?

Tolkien talked about how the characters themselves saw Lorien 'like they were seeing colors and hues for the first time', or something. I think that was what they were aiming for with the Shire, and if so, well done.

4. Any other thoughts or comments about this image?

Wish I was there now.
 
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Seriously though, you have my thanks [:)]

In the film and from maps it appears that the Shire is a mix of forested and open, hilly terrain; Hobbiton is in one of the open areas. That a river runs through Hobbiton would indicate it is in a valley.

However, I agree that there is a sense from the text that there were at least some (likely mature) trees in and around Hobbiton. Though I cannot pinpoint exactly where that sense comes from.

Part of it may come from where I grew up. The countryside was a mix of small forests and open fields. It always reminded me of the Shire for some reason. The open spaces were bounded by trees, along the headlands or property lines. It was hard to look in any direction without seeing several trees, unless you affected a very narrow field of view -- which maybe what is going on with this image.

Still even as we have seen several images of Hobbiton from the set of the current movie, there always seems to be more trees in the shots.
 
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I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement when I was at the Hobbiton set last month, or I'd post several photos of them. It's just that the angle of this particular shot, past the Green Dragon and toward the fields, doesn't show the trees. If the photographer had turned around and showed us a wide view of the entire area, you'd see large trees off to the right in particular. (That would be to the left if you're standing in the doorway of Bag End.)

Admittedly, the set isn't the village we've come to know and love from the books (the different camera angles don't show the actual relationships of many of the hole/houses to each other, for example) so I don't suppose it matters that there are trees off to the sides, any more than it matters that there's lovely little pond with croaking frogs in a low spot!

The place looks absolutely fabulous, btw, and I'm delighted to report it will be kept the way it is, Green Dragon, bridge, and all, into the future.
 
that is encouraging Lily. Thank you for the confirmation and the set report!

Maybe that is what Darkstone too was getting at with the blue tents outside the frame.
 
I was just surprised to see that anyone else had thought that there might be more trees and that the scene was a bit washed out. It always seemed that even the most rabidly anti-film posters admitted to liking the Hobbiton scenes. Though I have a few issues with the films, for the most part, I adore them and I felt bad for being a bit disappointed with these scenes. I know there are trees nearby, we see Frodo sitting with his back a against one in what looks to be a fairly large stand of trees. I had just thought that there would be more trees - shade, fruit, ornamental - in Hobbiton proper. Maybe my image was what the British would call a bit twee(?)[laugh]
 
I apologize, Sir Dennis, if I misrepresented your points in making mine
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It is I who agrees with you![:)]

I'm just appreciative to find someone willing to express agreement. Often the default response in such cases is no response at all. Which sometimes makes me wonder, "does anyone agree with these ideas, or am I just crazy?" Admittedly agreeing with a crazy person is frowned upon in some circles. [;)]
 
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