Like Sarah Dunn instead for being so amenable to giving us photos of our guy.
Click the photo to reach her Facebook page.
Thank you again, Richard
Richard Armitage’s annual Christmas message just appeared at RichardArmitageOnline.
19 December 2013
Hi everyone,
Well I just wanted to come on line and wish everyone a Happy Christmas (Turkey Day or Holiday, depending on your preference) it’s been another wonderful year, which has been full of hard work, fun and surprises. Thank you for your continuing support of my work, I hope you never underestimate what that means to me personally. Seeing so many at the LA premier (sorry about the un fan-friendly red carpet) Berlin, London, Madrid is really the highlight of the year. I am very proud to have such a dedicated community of ‘well wishers’ (better word than fans…right?) Proud because of the dignity and decency with which you communicate with each other and document your ideas. It’s always illuminated with positivity and support for each other, unlikely friendships forged through a common interest. That makes me proud, and brings me to my real reason for the message. To say a huge thank you to Annette Gill, who has worked so hard on her web pages, doing exactly what I just described in a very elegant way. I think she is truly a wonderful journalist and archivist and I would like to thank her personally for all the time she spent creating and updating the site.
I wanted to wish you love and happiness for 2014, thank you for the generous gifts and the donations to the ‘Just Giving’ pages I think our totals are looking very healthy.
Without getting into a pulpit or onto soap box, (cynics tune out now!) I want to say that for me especially as I get older, this time of year becomes more about making the journey to be with family or friends and sitting around a table which hopefully has some good food on it, however bountiful that is. But for those who don’t have very much or are alone, I wish them at least a sense of peace for a day. I know that I am happiest when I can be useful, which usually involves giving time and effort towards something. That gives me peace. (Guess who’s making the gravy this year!!)
This quote isn’t meant to be maudlin, because I actually find it uplifting, but it expresses what I mean. It’s Sonya from Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
What can we do? We must live out our lives….we shall live, Uncle Vanya. We shall live all through the endless procession of days ahead of us, and through the long evenings. We shall bear patiently the burdens that fate imposes on us. We shall work without rest for others, both now and when we are old. And when our final hour comes, we shall meet it humbly…. we shall enter on a bright and beautiful life. We shall rejoice… A tender smile — and — we shall rest. We shall hear the angels. We shall see heaven shining like a jewel. We shall see evil and all our pain disappear in the great pity that shall enfold the world. Our life will be as peaceful and gentle and sweet as a caress. I have faith…we shall rest.
fumblingly sent from my iPad
Interesting message, and one that is so appropriate for me to hear today. And how I pictured Richard as I read the note:
Dear Richard,
I hate to admit I’m always surprised you still give messages to the fans. That is not meant as a slur on your character but rather an acknowledgment that you’re a busy man.
So thank you for the message and especially one that seeks to give great comfort, and for this person does give comfort.
Many blessings to you and yours,
A well wisher :)
Yes, I’m still putting the fake fan letter tag on these ’cause I don’t have a better tag at the moment. I’ll have to think of one for the future.
Candid photo courtesy of Heather Siemon
Click on Line Interview – Dwarf vs. Elf
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.
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)
RAFrenzy 