Reblogged from Armitage Agonistes. Click the photo to read more:
Something to Chill While You’re Waiting for the Berlin Premiere
If this premiere is anything like the one in LA, and I understand it’s even more so, there are people who have spent a long night camping. A little something for them and the rest of you as we wait the last several hours:
Yeah, some cello.
And in case you missed it, the event will be live streamed in a little less than six hours. You can see it here. It should last from 6:20pm to 8:00pm Central European Time. World Clock is here for you to determine the time where you are in relation to Berlin.
Richard Armitage Gets the Star Treatment Down Under
I think the Aussies like Richard Armitage.
Empire Magazine in Australia made Thorin the only cover available for their January issue.
Richard Armitage is Empire's new cover star @armitageblogger @RAFrenzy @RA_Central @RAteam2013 @RCAQuotes @RAnetdotcom #RichardArmitage
— Empire Magazine Aust (@EmpireAust) December 8, 2013
@RAFrenzy @RA_Central @RAteam2013 @RCAQuotes @RAnetdotcom It's the only cover for @EmpireAust
— Empire Magazine Aust (@EmpireAust) December 9, 2013
Yeah, I think they really like him in Australia. :D
Okay, I’m Ready for Berlin, Sir Peter
Yesterday I had to revert to a casual fan to get my bearings before the Desolation of Smaug premiere in Berlin, which I understand is now going to be live streamed here. Starts at 6:20pm Berlin time. For those in the U.S. that’s 12:20pm Eastern Time.
A couple of photos of the preparations.
I was at the Sony Center tonight. Smaug looked halfway finished. #Hobbit #premiere #Berlin http://t.co/E1f8z94tt1—
Basthet (@lil_basthet) December 06, 2013
Maybe it’s me, but it look like there’s still a bit of work to do, but then it wouldn’t be any fun if we could see this completed two days before the event:
Yep, some photos, but how many candid shots will we get of Richard Armitage? I hope we get a lot! And I will admit to wondering what his father looks like. Perhaps some of you already know, but I haven’t been as attentive and did not see any images of him at the London Premiere last year.
Taking Notes
Last year around this time my bullshit detector was running on high due to all the press gushing over The Hobbit. I figured if I stayed away from most of the PR this year, the detector would keep quiet. No luck. Every time I get close, that thing makes an awful racket. None of this is to say I’m against the PR. Not at all. Sir Peter and Warners have to do what they have to do. Gotta make a living, and there’s no shame in that. But I’m not feeling the love for my part in it. Mainly because, well, I am bored with it. Okay, there I said it, and that was hard to say because I know so many are having fun with it. I envy you, but mostly I ain’t feelin’ it. If I can find some humor, I’m okay, but when I can’t, it’s hard to keep up the pretense I’m into it.
And if my gut is still working well, I would say Richard Armitage isn’t into it either. But again, gotta make a living, and I wish him all the best with what he has to do. Thankfully, I don’t have to do it with him. LOL!
Now for the good part. Yeah, there’s a good part to this; it’s not just a mini-rant about the droning of the Hobbit press. So the good part is Richard is getting quite the education in how to promote a movie and all the shit that goes on with it. This is a wonderful thing for him for two reasons. One, I still believe he’s destined for a spot behind the camera, and it’s going to be good. No, I’m in no rush for him to stop acting, but hey, why does he have to leave acting to get behind the camera? Why are those mutually exclusive? Clint Eastwood didn’t leave acting to direct or produce. If he can do it, Richard Armitage can do it. Two (and maybe this should be One), is there any doubt Sir Peter is the master on how to mount and promote a project? Oh you doubt that? ROFLOL!! You need to do some homework.
The dude is a marketing genius, and his ability to leverage fandom is, in my opinion, unmatched by any other director. As a business person who’s had to put on the marketing hat, I really appreciate his ability in this area, because that is hard work. And for those purists who hate all marketing types, let me put it this way, you wouldn’t see most of the movies you love if not for the marketers. It’s a necessary evil like insurance and pap smears. Sorry to digress. The point is Richard is learning from one of the best. And if there’s one thing that seems to be evident, he’s teachable and has a keen bullshit detector himself.
I love photos like this one because he has that look in his eye that says, I know what’s going on, and I’m going along with it, but inside, I’m smirking a little:
And this is one great perk to blogging — I can attach any meaning I want to a photo. :D
Other than all of this above, I am looking forward to seeing the next installment of The Hobbit.
Pardon Me, I’m in Zuni World
note as of 11-23-14: Zuni has a new Twitter account for her music.
I’m aware there is currently a huge press push for The Desolation of Smaug, but I am taking a short break from the deluge and soothing myself with an artist I’ve come to adore. Hey, I run a fan blog, so my adoration has to go somewhere when I’m taking a breather from our guy, which I’ve done a few times this last year.
When I first witnessed Zuni Stevenson’s performances several months ago, it was due to her following me on Twitter, and I responded as per usual — going over to the website or YouTube channel listed on the profile and checking it out. The thumbnail on the first video looked like at least a thousand others I’ve seen and usually come away from respecting the person for sticking out their neck with a public performance and nothing more. But Zuni didn’t just have chutzpah. Damn! this girl actually had some talent:
I was also charmed by her sweet but somehow knowing demeanor, so I watched another video:
And another one:
And another one:
And before I knew it, I was a fan and had these songs converted to MP3 and loaded on my phone with this possibly being my favorite:
Yes, please, please give Zuni what she wants, which is to make singing her full-time profession. Obviously, I believe she can attain it, and a big part of that confidence is not just in her talent for singing but in her ability to take a song and make it hers. I now count her cover of Life on Mars as my favorite version.
Not long after I listened to those first few videos, I found myself wishing she had some original material, and then it happened:
May this continue! And please note that even if I already owned some of these songs, I bought all of them from the original artists as a sort of support for Zuni. But I look forward to the day I can buy her music. Hopefully, someone who can help her is out there listening!
To hear more from Zuni, check out her website and her YouTube channels here and here. You can also follow her on Twitter.
another note: I’m not sure why Zuni followed me. Maybe she’s a Richard Armitage fan. :D
Google hangout link at YT, if you’re so inclined.
Reblogged from Me and Richard. Click to check it out over there:
and it will begin in a little over an hour.
Mach die Leica startbereit!
Click for more info about the event.
I assume the German fans are aware of Richard Armitage’s plans to attend the Berlin premiere. In fact, the German fans are about the most knowledgeable of his movements. That’s based on my watching almost six years of how they act and react in the fandom. Germans are on it! And they give lots of in-depth assessments as well. I don’t think they can help themselves on this one. It’s generally a German trait to examine the dog out of everything, and I don’t say that as a criticism just an observation.
My view of this characteristic is mostly influenced by having married into a very German clan and thereby knowing lots and lots of Germans or Americans with a strong German ancestry. SO’s parents have almost no other than German. His grandparents and great grandparents also spoke with heavily accented English, and they were the type of people to encourage looking beyond the obvious. Always look beyond the obvious! Never swallow anything whole! It must be thoroughly chewed first! Yep, that’s the German psyche, and a big reason SO has always been into philosophy and theology and generally studying the pursuit of knowledge and truth. Again, none of this is a criticism. I love this about Germans.
The only problem is sometimes they get so into assessing and discussing a subject that they may not be concerned about recording something tangible for others to examine. In this case, I’m thinking we may not get many photos of Richard at the premiere. We’ll hear about it certainly, but I’m afraid the photos will be few. So yeah, this is my encouragement to take a few for the team, Meine Freunde.
My only qualm about this is the Armitage clan will be there. What that means, I don’t know, and whether or not it’s appropriate to take their pictures, I’m not sure. I tend to think their pictures should not be taken except for this comment, which almost seems like an invitation to record their presence:
Man, does he realize what this invites? Seriously, does he know what can happen when he makes a statement like this? Whatever the case, I hope we at least get some photos of him at the event. And I can’t wait to hear assessments. :D
note: feel free to correct my German!
Further Thoughts on The Desolation of Smaug Premiere
No deep thoughts here. Wait, maybe they are deep, since I’m going to highlight something that’s the answer to almost everything uncomfortable.
Do I even need to say it? Oh yeah, I’m going to say it.
It seems something was still missing at this latest premiere. If they had just listened to me last year, this shindig would have gone down in history, and there would have been a marvelous solution to the ever present logistical problems at Hobbit premieres in America. Here.
Last year’s advice (hint: in the fake fan letter)
Mr. Armitage Goes to Los Angeles, or RA on Politics Part III?
The conversation between Richard “I have no experience” Armitage and Little Jackie Paper was a scream. It seemed there was a private joke between them and any moment both of them would break out in giggles. Heck, I did break out in giggles when “Jackie” kept referring to Thorin “Orkenshield.” [edit: I have been duly chastened on the proper spelling of Orcenshield. :D]
Then it got even funnier when Richard gave a lesson on inhaling and blowing:
And Jackie Paper is thinking, “Oh yeah, man, that’s perfect.”
Or at least it looked that way. But what do I know? Pass the brownies. :D
note: watch some people take this seriously.
RAFrenzy 