The Hobbit Charter Membership

durfalas

durfalas

Bree
I thought it would be cool to become an Official Hobbit Fanclub Member so I wrote Calisuri today:
Marcin L wrote:
> Hi I`m Martin and I would like to get some information about charter
> membership at TORN. As far as I know, it was possible in 2001 to purchase a
> charter membership. Charter members use to receive discounts on collectibles
> and other bonuses. What`s most important to me, their names were listed in
> the extended release of The Fellowship, Two Towers and The Return of the
> King. As we are approaching a new film production based on Tolkien`s another
> masterpiece - The Hobbit - I would like to find out if you are planning to
> issue a number of charter memberships again. I will appreciate your reply.
> Sincerely
> Martin

Here`s the response I got:
Hi Martin,
You are confusing TheOneRing.net with the Official Fan Club which was
run by Decipher. Unfortunately, that club has folded and no longer exists.
Keep checking the frontpage of TheOneRing.net for any updates related to
official clubs, etc.

Thanks!


WHY NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL HOBBIT FANCLUB NOW, when the new movie is about to be made?
Waiting for opinions...
 
No doubt, once the movie goes into production, there will be an official Hobbit movie site, and an official fan club might be attached to that. But since the script hasn't even been written yet, I think it will be a while yet before anyone would launch a fanclub. They don't have any Hobbit-related merchandise to give discounts on, and there isn't enough news to fill a newsletter, much less a magazine. It's early days yet.

As Calisuri said, any news about anything related to The Hobbit will be reported here. So while you're waiting, why not hang out with us (consider us a large un-official fanclub!) and join in the Hobbit talk while you're waiting?
 
Only the makers of "The Hobbit" movie can grant "An Official Hobbit Fan Club," and all the things that come with it. We can call ourselves a fan club if you wish, we are that in a way, but we don't get to print glossy magazines or have fan-club interviews or anything else.

It might be wise for the New Line / Warners people to think about asking TheOneRing.net to take on the "official fan club" responsibilities but I can assure you they haven't asked yet.

An official fan club is a carefully orchestrated public relations and marketing tool to get consumers to pay money for a set of goods. A lot of people here paid for that back in the day. Belonging to TORn is free. I promise you will get your money's worth.
 
Well, obviously it`s too early to think of an `official` fanclub indeed. Still, if they decide to launch one, surely I`m in it No matter how commercialized it is, I would pay for being listed in TH movie credits. You may disagree, but I bet all those people that paid for that at LOTR fanclub do not regret it now. It`s just like being sort of immortalized and linked to a picture in a physical way
 
It's hard to keep up with who's been here a while and who hasn't, with so many people joining us these days. I didn't recognize your nick. [blush]

Just a note, though - I see that you replied to yourself below to add another thought. Did you know that you can edit your posts within the first 10 minutes after posting? It saves on those pesky "afterthought" posts. [;)] Beyond the 10 minute window, an Admin can edit a message upon request.
 
don't seem to have the staying power... but it would be fun if TORn was acknowledged as the place to get 'er done. Then again, I think I prefer it here without Company interference.
 
Once filming gets under way, and there is a little more to report on, i'm sure the film studio will jump all over the chance to sell some of those memberships! I wasn't a member of the LotR fan club, so I don't exactly when that began - anyone know how soon it was started before the films came out?
 
...when it had started but they closed it in November 2004. The fanclub is still accessible at
http://lotr.fanhq.com
but it doesn`t seem active. I`m quite sure they started after the FOTR premiere and listed charter members names only on DVD extended cut.
 
{snip} So while you're waiting, why not hang out with us (consider us a large un-official fanclub!) and join in the Hobbit talk while you're waiting?
Click to expand...

I'm real excited to be here as a Hobbit (& Tolkien) fan, my regret is that I didnt register as a member sooner like through all the LOTR excitement. I remember being at the movie theater a *long* time ago & seeing the trailer for The Fellowship of the Ring & I just thought ... wow.
But, this time I'm hoping to share my excitement with you guys[:)]
 
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Well, we're glad you found us now. I know that I didn't join until after ROTK had been released in theaters. It's nice to be a part of the build-up before the movie for a change!
 
... wasn`t operated by TORN, by the way. Just to let u know, couse I`ve just found out myself recently. So even if had been registered here u wouldn`t have got any credits I`m afraid. Take a look at previous posts in this thread, u`ll find some info there [:)]
 
I can recall so much excitement joining this community back before any of the LOTR movies were released, although I admit at that time I was not very confident, and tended to read posts but not do too many myself. So many seemed to know a lot more than I did, and it was a little intimidating at times, how they could rattle off names of people, and places that were lost in my memory, even having read the trilogy numerous times . Then as the movies came out, it was such fun to discuss what Peter and company had come up with. Now I find the same excitement, thinking of the Hobbit. I had hoped myself for 2 movies of the Hobbit story itself. I wanted this time for most of the original story to make it to the screen. But I have faith that the idea for an "in-between" movie could be good. Glad to be back!
 
...and don`t worry about feeling intimidated. I still get that quite often on this forum although I`m not a total Tolkien ignorant. After all, what`s the better place to ask if u r not sure? [;)][:)]
 
Being rather *ahem* [strike]anal[/strike] thorough with my finances, I checked, and I paid for my fan club membership for all three movies ($99.95 US) in November of 2001. So, it was just before FOTR was released in theaters.
 
Will start saving up for my share, and keep a good look at the message boards, to see when there is some information on this topic. I watched the movies and was really impressed with all the names, wondering where they got them from. Later on I found out that some of my fellowship members traveling through New Zealand even where in there. So really envious of them, but hopefully this time, I will get my chance.
 
Thats one of the few things I didn't do. I must've bought half of Weta Workshop, but I never joined the Fanclub. I remember it was exorbitantly expensive. Maybe €150 for 6 magazines a year?

Its not like we ever missed out on any news, this being the Internet and all, and Since my name would've come about halfway through the 5 minute speed scroll of fan names, I don't think I missed out. [;)]
 
I think it`s just a point of view. Some fans are quite pragmatic and care more about having an access to news and all that stuff. I personally would like to have that feeling of being linked to the films, even though it would have been only 5 seconds on the extended cut dvd. But that`s my view and I totally accept and understand AlatarVinyamar for his. The cost of the membership was, on the other hand, horrendous. I`d pay, though[;)]
 
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