Recreated were notable settings throughout the spacious Legion facility, including an Orc Hall of Fame, Shelbob’s Lair, Hobbiton, the Witch King’s Castle, and a game of “ring toss into the Cracks of Doom.”  Guests, who paid $125 for admission, entered on a blue carpet that led through Pelennor Fields.  (The ground-floor Hobbiton Pub featured curved arches and giant furniture reminiscent of Bilbo Baggin’s cottage.)    Party décor included life-sized models of a mounted Ringwraith (rearing on his steed), the Lurtz, (the Orc leader), and an eerily life-sized Gollum—with fish.  The Grand Foyer, was festooned with flags of Gondor, Mordor, and festive bunting.  

Viewing the Oscars broadcast was centered in the main hall, with a jumbotron screen for about 800 attendees.  Any visual sight of “Lord of the Rings” cast members during the show sent the crowd of fans in an uproar.

Many of the film’s stars and “behind the scenes” crew walked the blue carpet including Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood & Socal's Dave Linden

(Frodo), Dominic Monaghan (Merry Brandybuck), executive producer Mark Ordesky, producer Barrie Osborne, writer/producer Fran Walsh, and screenwriter Philippa Boyens. 

Finally, the film’s director, Peter Jackson stepped out of his limo and briskly walked down the press filled (mostly comprised of foreign media) aisle.

The highlight of the festivities came when the entire ensemble of cast and crew who where in attendance took to the stage with their Oscars in hand and spoke to the fans. 

TheOneRing.net (TORn) was forged by the combined vision of the four founding members to meet the groundswell of interest in the film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book “The Lord of the Rings”.  Created in May 1999, with 45 staff members living in 15 countries, and readers from more than 150 countries, TORn is a culmination of worldwide Tolkien fandom.

Dave Linden can be reached at dave.linden@socal.com or at http://www.davelinden.com/.

 

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