Bag End Update by Daniel Falconer

One of the first things to do when the notion of producing Bag End as a miniature collectible environment was mooted was to get some artwork for us all to look at and discuss. We can talk about a piece all we want but its impossible to really begin meaningful discussion until a visual exists that defines the bounds of the piece. With a common visual to reference the team can discuss specifics, like, "Will it include the tree? If it does, how big does that necessitate the collectible being? What do we do with the back of the hill? Where do we bisect it? How far down the hill in front of the gate will the collectible extend? How small will the windows be? How about the garden? What shape will the base need to be?"

We started out with something that included much more of the hillside, but very quickly chopped it back to focus on just the portion of the hill in which Bilbo resides. The most recognizable image that we all as fans carry of Bag End has to be the original reveal as seen when Gandalf drives up to front gate, so we wanted to be sure that whatever we did, it recalled that scene most strongly. With that in mind, I began with a screen-grab of that scene and painted back into it using Photoshop, tweaking certain things and resolving what would or wouldn't be part of the miniature.

Once signed off by all the relevant folks at Weta and with approval from the studio, this image provided the first point of reference for the talented sculptors and model makers who would be building the piece, supplemented by drawings of additional angles, some plan drawings, location reference photography and set blueprints. Also of particular relevance in the case of this miniature was artwork detailing the difference between the two versions Weta will be producing. Oops, was I supposed to mention that?

If you haven't already - check out:

Part II

Part III

Part IV