What Can I Say? Seriously

Yes, I’m just full of questions today and ironically, I’ve been full of questions since the getgo of my Richard Armitage insanity. What is it about this guy that gets to all of us? Okay, some of you he doesn’t get to. Of course I’m not talking to you. Feel free to listen in (or look) as you might learn something, but having said that, I am wondering, “What is wrong with you?!” No, don’t answer that. It will keep us here too long. Send me an email if you’re really in earnest about Richard Armitage not moving you in any way.

Okay, where was I? Oh yeah, I was looking at this:

RichardArmitageinStaged 1999 DDenison work

This is a scene from Staged, written and produced by Darren Denison but never shown (“widely”). If you want more information on it, check out his Facebook page, and be sure to check out his interview at RichardArmitageNet.com

Yeah, it’s the eyes, and the head, and what’s in the head. He has a purity about him that makes no sense given his profession and experiences. But is he beautiful or what? Someone did an eyelash study but not a really serious one. We need a serious study done. I am not being snarky. Where are the analychicks with an examination of those lashes in action? (yep, I made up another word. :D Wait. Do I need to hyphenate?)

So when are we going to get more than this Staged Clip? (sorry, embed isn’t allowed). I know that’s the question.

Yeah, he doesn’t seem so pure in this, but when did that ever stop any of us from thinking it? I still believe Guy of Gisborne was just put upon. ;-)

I have other thoughts that I will leave for today since my jaundiced eye is trying to kick in about Denison. All I will say is it gives new meaning to found footage, and begs a question: what else is out there that we don’t know about? :D

edit: I have a feeling I’m going to get my hand slapped.

January 11, 2013
Categories: Movies, Staged . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 11 Comments

Now Do You Believe Me About Being a Make-up Artist?

79-RAandTamiLane

See. Being a make-up artist can be rewarding on lots of levels. :D So far I’ve only covered some of the personal rewards. But for Tami Lane, who received an Oscar nomination for her work on The Hobbit, it has transcended the personal, and it’s not her first time. She was nominated and won an Academy Award in 2006 for her work on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

But working on The Hobbit was a far different experience for Ms. Lane when considering the unforgiving eye of 48fps:

Since the 3D movie was being filmed in 48 frames per second instead of the normal 24, their work had to be flawless, she said. Each set of dwarf eyebrows, which are not reusable after removal, had to be re-created daily to look exactly the same – for all 266 days of shooting.

“All the old tricks we use for film had to be thrown out the window. Shooting like this makes you a better artist,” Lane wrote by email.

Read the article here

The 48fps aspect of this film just gets more interesting. Could dealing with near ten times the normal frame rate be any more daunting in its rendering of reality? I wonder. 48fps seems pretty tough.

And now a must:

Dear Ms. Lane,

You did a marvelous job. I think it’s safe to speak for other fans to say how much we appreciate the time and care you took to make RA look so spectacularly Thorinesque. [is that a word? if not, it should be. Then again, I suppose it’s okay if it’s hyphenated — Thorin-esque. Hmm. I can make anything a word if I hyphenate it. Can’t I? :D]

All the best and at the Oscars as well!

Signed,
One of Richard’s crazy fans who sometimes covets your job for all the Richard-esque moments you got to witness. ;-) Yeah, it’s lame, but I need coffee, and it is my first time to make up somethin’. At least I didn’t say Armitage-esque. I’m outta here!

P.S. Wait. One more thing. I hope you can chuckle at all those shallow girls in high school who didn’t think it would pay to be a geek. Oh, how wrong they were. Look at your life, and the fantastic views you see. Damn! I need to start this letter over, but I don’t have time. Best o’ luck!

After I drink some coffee, I may be back with some other words that you’ve never seen. :D

January 11, 2013
Categories: Geek, Interviews, Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 16 Comments

A Siren’s Song

Sometimes I just get blue. I used to always pick it apart — that blue funk. But analyzing it, nailing it down can be wearying, and sometimes it’s just that I’m a displaced Texan living in the Rockies. Texas can be a terrible and wonderful land, but mostly it’s a big heart with a cutting edge spirit that often thumbs its nose at convention while appearing tacky. Don’t be fooled by the seeming yahoo. Underneath is a class leveler, and I miss the plain talk and the willingness to be a stereotype in its pursuit. A place where words like ‘shit’ reverberate with meaning way beyond the obvious.

The mentality is best represented in an old joke:

A Texan went to Harvard, and on his first day there he was walking across campus and trying to find a particular building. He saw a group of preppy looking guys and stopped to ask them about it, “‘Scuse me, but can you tell me where the libary’s at?” The obvious leader of this group returned with a sneer, “For your information, it’s ‘library’ and no self-respecting Harvard man would end a sentence in a preposition. Would you care to rephrase that question?” The Texan grinned and replied, “Sure. Can you tell me where the libary’s at, asshole?”

I’m not going to wax on further about my love for Texas. I’ll inflict that on you another day. Feel free to bring the Chainsaw Massacre jokes. I’m ready. :D

Oddly enough, all of this is actually leading to some musicilove.

Shawn Colvin has become the epitome of someone who does her own thing despite her difficulties and is not out to impress anyone unless she wants a boyfriend. ;-). She’s become part of the charm of Austin, Texas along with a cadre of world class artists who make Austin a cultural destination. I’ll talk more about that later if I get inspired. For now I want to focus on Shawn who grew up in London, Ontario and Illinois but eventually settled in Texas. It fit her nature of being tender but hardscrabble when necessary and always startlingly honest.

In her performances she always seems to be trying to get at the truth. She focuses on almost anything but the external, intent on something inside herself, and the timid but wry twist of her mouth reluctantly given makes it devastating. But it’s her voice purring and her guitar along with it that puts a stroke between bone and muscle.

Some of you have heard her pieces. One of her most well known from “A Few Small Repairs” CD:

From the “Serendipity” soundtrack CD:

Other goodies.

From “Steady On” CD:

From “Fat City” CD:

From “A Few Small Repairs” CD:

The title track from “All Fall Down” CD, her latest:

I like that video, but I think I prefer Shawn alone with her guitar:

And I may be wrong about Shawn Colvin’s honesty, but I don’t think so. Just started her memoir. Wow.

And she might wonder, “Who the Hell is Richard Armitage?” I have an answer. :D

Off to listen to the rest of her new CD. She’s also touring in January and Mary Chapin Carpenter will join her in February. I haven’t seen her perform live for years. May have to make a run over to Aspen in February.

edit: I did not realize today is Shawn Colvin’s birthday! Talk about serendipity. :D

January 10, 2013
Categories: Musicilove . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 4 Comments

It’s Friday, and I Don’t Have a Job…

Okay, I do have a job and return to my usual schedule on Monday. But I’ve needed something to displace this wonderful lethargy. Just need a yellow suit and a red Mercedes:

And yeah, I know it’s not a Mercedes. If I’m going to dream about a sports car, it’s going to be better than a Mazda. :D

January 4, 2013
Categories: Tangents . Tags: , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: Leave a comment

What’s a Beard To Do?

Richard_Armitage_Project_Magazine

Most of you know how I feel about Richard’s beard, and I was disappointed when he was without it at The Hobbit premiere, but has anyone noticed his silence? Not Richard; I mean RichardsBeard. He’s been very reticent the last several weeks. It was hard to see his removal since I love the beard and have wanted to see him interacting again. I tracked him down to find out how he’s feeling:

Me: You were with Richard for so long during the filming of The Hobbit. I mean he wanted you with him. Even favored you over a fake beard! Yet when the reward came, he seemed to cut and run. I would accuse him of bald face, but well….and it just has to be hard for you to be hair and gone again.

RichardsBeard: ::sighs:: To beard, or not to beard? That was the question. But it’s true what you’ve heard that hell hath no fury like a beard shorn…especially when it begins to grow back.

Of course it was disappointing not attending, and it was especially hard when I knew RichardsStubble shadowed himself, but I’m always pragmatic. Remember my motto: A shaved beard only comes back stronger. #Beardhappens.

Truthfully, being left out was partially my fault. As a beard, I could be a bit nettlesome. I insisted Richard share my ideas with Sir Peter for alternate movies titles — There and Beard Again (not to be confused with Hair and Back Again), Lord of the Beards, and my personal favorite, Beards Behaving Badly.

And though normally I’m not prone to bouts of dipsomania, since becoming a #displacedbeard I do admit to spending some time in the pub waiting for my agent to call. #beardslikebeer

Me: Is that anything like a wild hair?

RichardsBeard: You could say that, yes! Maybe more like a #Wild Hair of Durin. This is also a sticking point between me and Richard’s Tastebuds since they seem to prefer wine. The taunts of #LagerisforLosers are especially cutting, but I just tell them #AleingkeepsmefromAiling

Me: I see Sir Peter at least paid tribute to you in one of his vlogs.

RichardsBeard: I’m completely chuffed about the beard segment of Sir Peter’s vlog. My fellow beards and I stole the show, and we’re letting our hair down. #Thebeardsarebasking. We make The Hobbit #beardtastic, even though the Hobbits themselves apparently grow their beards on their feet.

Me: Ooh, that must be tuft for the Hobbits.

So what are you doing now?

RichardsBeard: #KeepingCalmandBeardingOn. It isn’t my intention to dissemble, but after all, that is what a beard does best. #beardyblather

Me: Yes, a beard does conceal if nothing else, but I think you’re capable of much more. And you do it so well! You must be itching to be back at work.

RichardsBeard: Literally. ::laughs:: You know, a little bit, a tad, just a hair of #VisageVengeance will be rather sweet. #TheBeardisn’tBitter, but it may turn out that RichardsFace and I have a purely Antipodean relationship.

Me: Well, I’m hoping when you emerge, that you survive much beyond New Zealand. Perhaps #BeardtoEternity.

note: If you want to catch up with RichardsBeard, you can find him at Twitter.

Photo courtesy of RichardArmitageNet.Com

January 3, 2013
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 26 Comments

Happy New Year!

2012 was quite a ride for Richard Armitage. Too much happened to recap it! Not even going to try especially when there are so many others who have done such a marvelous job of it, and if you don’t want a recap and just want to immerse yourself in information and photos about Richard Armitage, try Places to Get a Fix or The Addict List.

As for me, I’m taking a day off and celebrating! I may go skiing, and I may go see The Hobbit again. It occurred to me I was tense about SO‘s take on the movie and couldn’t really enjoy it like I wanted. So back to the movies without him. Until then, I’ll be outside.

And now a word or two to our guy:

Richard,

I hope you can take the day off. It’s lovely weather for skiing somewhere, and you’ve got the funds to go where you would like. Yes, I realize you know that, but with someone like you, a reminder may be in order.

If you take it into your head to grace our slopes in the U.S., there are plenty of great places. I’m not even going to mention my area although it’s great too!

Wherever you go, I hope you can get outside. That’s where I’m headed. I adore being outside, and I don’t mind saying it’s days like today that make me want to pinch myself because I live where I do.

Hope you have a great day and don’t break a leg. :D

Signed,
One of your crazy fans, who wishes she could do this:

P.S. If you missed it, check out my other letter about skiing. I’ll be back tomorrow to give you a hard time with my speculation about what you’re doing. :D

January 1, 2013
Categories: Movies, SO, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 6 Comments

There and Gone Again

Looking backward. Isn’t that what today is about? I guess it’s infected me because the subject I’m about to broach was not something I was going to revisit. However, recent reports I’ve read and new thoughts I’ve had compel this post. :D

I’ve run through a range of musings about The Hobbit premiere in New York. One of my first thoughts was New York is too cool to get excited about a movie premiere. This is a matter of pride for New Yorkers. They love to let you know they make barely a flicker of an eye when the famous pass by them. After countless trips to New York and living there one summer, I can attest to the sheer numbers of celebrities strolling around the streets and making the ho hum attitude understandable. But another thought was remembering the fanfare I’ve seen there. “Ticker tape” parades so huge the surreal feeling takes days if not weeks to go away. When these people throw a party, they know how to throw a party!

Outside at The Hobbit premiere was like a meeting. No party atmosphere but the distinct feeling it was all business. I could almost hear the marching orders repeating themselves in the heads of some of the cast who came to the fans lined on the street, “If you greet the fans, make it short. Don’t linger. Get it done and get inside the theater. And for God’s sake watch the cars coming down the street behind you!” Yep, the normal traffic flow was not completely blocked but rather interspersed with the celebrities’ cars stopping in front of the Ziegfield Theater which made it a dicey affair for the cast to be on the street. Then there were the thugs (TheQueen has another name for them) trying to get autographs to hawk on eBay. Since I had effected the New York cool, I wasn’t too worried about them even if they could have easily pushed me down on the barricade and busted my kneecaps. No problem. I was there to see Richard Armitage blast it! and after my deal with the thugs, no sweat (picture the optimist who was put in a room full of horseshit. :D)

But I’ve been wondering if the sober feeling from many of the cast was actually the ominous thought of combating traffic and facing the New York thugs. Something has to explain the wary looks I saw from some of them. Their demeanor was certainly a far cry from the cheerfulness in Wellington, Tokyo and London. It makes me wonder if this is the norm for New York premieres. I’ve never been to a movie premiere in New York. Never been to a movie premiere, so I really don’t know. I had only seen two live streaming until this one.

But despite all of that, I must give thanks to someone for a very enjoyable part of my premiere experience:

Dear Andy Serkis,

Man, I love you! Thank you for injecting some party atmosphere into the affair known as The Hobbit Premiere NYC. Thank you for the time you spent with the fans lined on the street. You almost single handedly made me forget the feeling of a business arrangement.

And I have a suggestion for your colleagues at next year’s premiere to make them feel secure about dealing with the fans, the thugs and might help with dodging traffic. I’m passing this along now so they have a whole year to practice.

Signed,
One of Richard’s crazy fans who thought your wife was also lovely. :)

P.S. I watched Distant Voices, Still Lives the the other day. Wow.

And a big thank you to @nancyjohnson1 for holding a place for TheQueen and me since yours truly had to run errands until about 45 minutes before the premiere. Phew!

Watch someone take all of this seriously. Yes, I’m talking to the action fans. This subject isn’t about a cure for cancer nor a solution to world strife, so it is not serious. LOL!

December 31, 2012
Categories: Movies, The Hobbit . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 17 Comments

Conflicted Fangirl

Yes, it’s my quarterly bout of circumspection. It started last week when I posted something sane for a change. But I cannot be completely sane if pictures like this are still floating around:

GuyofGisborne-and-his-sideburns

Before I submerge my sanity again, I want to make it clear that my wish to take Richard out of his box is also a wish for myself. I do not want to be in continual fangirl mode. Sometimes it bores me. There I said it. No, it’s not the first time I’ve said, and it won’t be the last. And I don’t want to get into a debate about desire nor diagram this photo although it begs for diagramming. I acknowledge that readily, and that the man is walking desire. But I also see something far beyond that. Much beyond that, and the sane part of me doesn’t want to lose sight of it.

However, today when I was sifting photos, this one knocked me silly again. LOL! That might be a maniacal laugh. I’m not sure yet.

And actually, this is a public service post for the new fans. Yes, indeed that’s what it is! They’re still dazed by Thorin Oakenshield, but when they’re done, they now have something else to drool over. :D

I’ve had this picture for so long that I have no clue if it’s one of my screencaps or someone else’s.

December 29, 2012
Categories: PHWOAR!, Robin Hood . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 39 Comments

The Black Sky Mashup

Since there’s been more talk lately of Richard Armitage’s future projects, I’m going to hit the question and yes, the fear about his next film, right up front. Will special effects be the star of Black Sky? We’ve all heard how Steve Quale, the director has been a protege’ of James Cameron. And many of us know while Cameron’s movies can be long on thrill ride, they can also be short on story. Will Quale be the same? And where does that leave Armitage who can certainly do action but puts a premium on story and character? How does Gary Morris (Armitage’s character) navigate a disaster?

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That’s the question Todd Garner wants answered, “What does a normal person do in that situation?!” And “situation” in this instance cannot just be an allusion. It must seem real, which is where Quale comes in and necessitated by the video game era with the target audience being the video game age — 30s and below. A problem you say? Oh, I don’t know. I just saw a wonderful movie, which recently hit the half billion mark on revenue at less than two weeks after release, and it was primarily aimed at the video game age. Had a lot of special effects too.

But that was Tolkien, so the material was already great, and this can’t be as good? Black Sky may have something more appealing than The Hobbit. Yes, I really said that, and I’m a Tolkien fan! But I do not make a steady diet of fantasy. Most of the time I prefer movies that focus more on the human condition and with quirks. Enter Simon Beaufoy who is one of the writers of the Black Sky screenplay. His CV includes Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and The Full Monty. He’s got human condition and quirkiness down. The other writer is newcomer John Swetnam. I don’t know much about him although I was made aware of him a couple of years ago by Scott Myers at Go Into the Story. It seems Swetnam could be part of the impetus for the found footage story of Black Sky,and that’s an aspect that has fantastic possibilities for the character finding the footage. I’ve also looked at Swetnam’s Twitter timeline, and if it’s any indication, he’s quirky and witty. He seems a good match for Beaufoy. I can’t wait to see the mashup of these two and Quale.

And aren’t mash-ups the thing now? Some are so unlikely. Those are the ones I love. The unexpected that makes me consider from a new viewpoint, that takes my thinking out of a box. When I consider Black Sky‘s unlikely mashup of talent, the special effects are less threatening in upstaging Richard’s portrayal and are the obvious place for his creativity in crafting characters. I imagine him coming with a fascinating answer to Garner’s question about Gary Morris.

December 28, 2012
Categories: Black Sky (Into the Storm), Movies . Tags: , , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 17 Comments

A Thank You for Richard

A message from our friend, Janine:

I don’t do big, elaborate gestures.

It’s not me.

Which is why a couple of weeks ago I realized in the midst of the worldwide blitz for “The Hobbit” that all I wanted to say to Richard Armitage was “thank you.”

Eight letters. Two simple words. Overflowing with power and meaning.
The thought bounced around in my head and came to roost while I was on Twitter. After a little back and forth with a friend, what hatched was the idea that sending a flock of thank-you notes would be a lovely gesture from his admirers around the world.

Why? For me, who found this British actor in March of this year, it was because I admire him. And after watching the world premiere from Wellington and reading his thank you to his admirers, I liked him even more. It confirmed what I had felt in my heart about him: a thoughtful man who is cognizant of himself and believes in showing gratitude to the people who support him.

But it was also because I have been welcomed into the fold that is sweetly called the Armitage Army. I have been surprised by the worldwide following that this singular individual has rallied. Because of it, I have encountered people I never would have met otherwise, and the experience makes me grin.

It also makes me thankful.

This simple gesture to thank Richard is quite easy. What you say to him is your business. You can send your own card (nothing bigger than a letter-sized sheet of paper, please) or you can print out the one I built featuring the Hobbit hug from the movie.

You can seal up your letter so I can’t see it. Or not.

Details about what to do are over on my blog, with directions to get to the password-protected page that contains my mailing information.

Deadline to hit the mail is Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. I will be mailing the package out the week of January 7th, looking for stragglers if you let me know in advance.

As for postage, I have asked for a quarter or so if you can. Any money above the amount for postage will be given to one of Richard’s Just Giving charities.

I hope you join this little gesture for a nice guy who has brought us so much.

Thank you.

I’m game. :D

December 27, 2012
Categories: Fandom . Tags: , , , , . Author: RAFrenzy . Comments: 6 Comments

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