Fantasy Ezine Issue 1 Preview

Kate Madison Interview Continued...

How have copyright holders like Tolkein Estates and New Line Cinema reacted to your production?

We have been contacted by The Saul Zaentz Company (Tolkien Enterprises) who hold the rights to the film, stage, and merchandising rights in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and we have reached an understanding regarding this unlicensed non profit film.

How many years has this film been in the making?

Well if you count from when the idea first came up in 2003 then I guess that’s over 5 years and many of the main actors have been a part of the project for about 3 years.

It has been a long journey and it’s not over yet. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself once this is over; it’s been a part of my life for so long.

What has the reception been like from LoTR fans?

Brilliant! Obviously it’s hard to please everyone as ideas differ plus our meager budget limits us in what we can actually achieve but in general people are extremely enthusiastic and supportive of the project and they are all keen to see the finished film. We couldn’t actually be where we are without the fans. Many of them are involved and at this point sponsorship is helping to keep us in production. Without their help there would be no film.

Do you believe that this production will redefine the perception of fan films?

Fan films have always been a mixed bag. Most are just a bunch of friends who get together one weekend and make a home movie about a film they like. These are often full of love and dedication but the quality is extremely low because it’s just being done for a laugh to show their friends or they don’t have the equipment or skill to do anything more. However there are some amazing fan films out there and we hope to ride high with the best of them. With technology getting more affordable and the internet putting people from around the world in touch with each other it is easier to achieve high quality even without a huge budget. It is just necessary to find a wealth of passionate and committed people who want to show the world what they can do. I hope that our film will help to make more people aware of fan films and will set a new level for people to aspire to, as previous films have done for me.

When do you anticipate the release of Born of Hope?

This question has been asked many times over the years and it makes me reluctant to set a date. However, we are very keen to finish the film this year and are currently aiming to premiere it at the Ring*Con convention in October 2009 in Germany. It would then be released for free streaming on the internet. We have a lot of work to do before then including some more filming dates but post production work is about to start and we are currently looking to build a talented team to work on this. We will therefore be requiring people to help with editing, grading, visual effects, sound and music etc.

Next Page: Exclusive first look at Shaknar the Orc!