Kari’s Hum 210 Blog

Born January 3^rd 1892 John Ronald Reuel Tolkien literary legacy began.  Around the age of seven, Tolkien is said to have written his first story.  The fictional wonder works of a mystical dragon was the beginning to many fantasy stories to be penned by Tolkien.  Although he lead a tragic life, one that included the loss of both parents by the age of seven, Tolkien proved his imagination would never become stagnant.  I chose to research the forefront of Lord of the Rings because all together it is a concept unknown to me.  I thought that if I went back to its roots, maybe I would learn a thing or two.  I must say I was successful.  Reading about one man’s passion for literature and the ability to create made me see the Lord of the Rings from a different point of view.  Tolkien wrote many great pieces in fictional or fantasy like literature.  I learned he was a poet, novelist and much enjoyed philosophy.  The web page I furled is dedicated to the fans of the series Lord of the Rings, but gives greater insight to how the phenomenon we know today began.  It is said on the web page “Although the greatest master of fantasy passed away, he left the door open for anyone to an enchanting world of his stories, the key to which is love, kindness and loyalty. These are the qualities that help Tolkien’s characters to win over Evil”(LOTR, 1).

 
From the text, I researched foreign production of American films.  I found a web page through Frontline, a program on PBS that conducts interviews on prominent people on their industry.  The interview I read was about the film industry according to Howard Stringer who is the C.E.O. of Sony.  He spoke about the rising cost in production, which inevitably leads American film producers to look elsewhere for filming locations to reduce cost.  Stringer also mentioned that filming overseas helps to broaden the audience of the film.  He specifically mentioned Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, stating “As we find that talent and develop it, I think you’ll see other kinds of movies reaching out to broader audiences in the way that “Crouching Tiger” did.”  Stringer also spoke in relations to filming overseas, that casting non-American actor will save on cost and reach a wider variety of people.  He believes that there is “great” talent to be found outside of the United States. 

 
 
“About J.R.R. Tolkien.” Lord of the Rings Fantasy World c. 2001-2002. 19 February 2006. http://www.lord-of-the-rings.org/author.html

 
“Interview Howard Stringer.” PBS Frontline. 1995-2005 WGBH Educational Foundation. 19 February 2006.  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/hollywood/interviews/stringer.html