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Bag End Update III by Daniel Falconer
En Suite - Sweet!
One chimney in particular caused some speculation, given that it appeared almost directly over one of the unseen rooms just to the right of the front door when viewed from the lane. If, as it was speculated, this room was Frodo's bedroom, where did the chimney come from? The mystery was solved when David Tremont realized it must not be a smokestack, but in fact be the vent from Frodo's en suite bathroom!
Outdoor pursuits
While the interior was being fashioned component by component in the Weta model making department, in the sculpting room Daniel Cockersell and Lindsey Crummett were working together on the exterior hillside and garden, creating the gentle terrace of flowers and vegetables outside Bilbo's parlor. Daniel also single-handedly sculpted the oak tree that perched atop Bag End, a work of art all in itself, with its twisted limbs and layers of leaves.
It's pretty, but does it work?
Finally, it fell to David Tremont to combine the many different elements, each created in different media, and assemble them into a functional and aesthetically successful whole. David also worked in close communication with the factory research and development team to ensure that the Weta prototypes he fashioned were broken out into the most efficient components for the most accurate reproduction.
Now check out Part IV - LAUNCH!
Here follows the third instalment in Daniel Falconer's article series about the creation of a miniature collectible of Bag End from The Lord Of The Rings. It's getting near launch... keep an eye out before Easter!
If you haven't already - check out:
Part I
Part II
Part III:
Weta's new Bag End collectible miniature environment required the pooling of skills and technologies from all over the workshop and was a truly collaborative project. Overseen by senior model maker David Tremont, the build began digitally, with Weta designer and animation director Steve Lambert creating a detailed virtual Bag End using the programs Maya and ZBrush. This model was based on original set blueprints created at 3 Foot 6 Ltd's art department for the movies and photographs of the exterior location and interior sets.
Rapid prototyping
The digital model was used to plot out the layout and scale of the collectible, place detailing and determine how much could be squeezed into the miniature. The file was printed using a rapid prototyping machine which laid down successive passes of material to create a physical representation of the digital design that was then taken apart by David Tremont, recast and refined even further, with different artists taking different parts of the tiny home to finish.
Hobbity clutter
Model maker Shari Finn joined David, together applying the minute detailing to the model including such elements as the exquisitely tiny floor tiles and window panes. Shari was also tasked with replicating all of Bilbo's belongings and furniture to fill the tiny rooms with their appropriate level of Hobbity clutter. To convey an appreciation for the delicate nature of this task, among the largest pieces of furniture created was the outdoor bench upon which Bilbo and Gandalf sat blowing smoke rings on the eve of the old Hobbit's birthday party, yet this tiny piece would comfortably fit on the nail of a person's pinkie finger.
Central heating - Hobbit style
Among the other delightful little pieces created were such delicate treasures as a wheelbarrow and toothpick thin bird tower for the garden. Four tiny chimneys were crafted to perch among the grass atop Bilbo's roof, and during the placing of these it was discovered that some discrepancies existed between where these sat on the outside of Bag End and the location of the fireplaces on the plans. For whatever reason, it seems Hobbits build twisting smoke pipes into their underground homes, perhaps to help warm the rooms?
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