THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG

CASE-STUDY RESEARCH PRESENTATION

INTRODUCTION

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) is a sequel to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), and prequel to The Hobbit: There and Back Again (2014)

The Trilogy acts as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001- 2003)

The Hobbit Trilogy, alike LOTR is based upon the fantasy novels by J.R.R Tolkien

INTRODUCTION

Synopsis: (Based on the book series by J.R.R. Tolkien) "The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.“ – IMDB

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG

THERE AND BACK AGAIN

PRODUCTION

Directed by Peter Jackson (LOTR, King Kong)

Production Budget of £135 million (approx, from $)

Produced by New-Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Wingnut Films

Peter Jackson received funds from these companies with which to produce the three films

PRODUCTION

New-Line Cinema is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Pictures, who therefore distributed the film – their most successful releases include Inception (2010) and The Dark Knight (2008)

Warner Bros. is one of ‘The Big Six’ production companies – this allows the Trilogy to be big budget and big release

Despite this, the Trilogy has faced some issues along the way – AUJ was delayed for quite some time due to MGM being tight on funds

PRODUCTION

PETER JACKSONNEW LINE CINEMA (SUBSIDIARY OF WARNER BROS.)

TECHNOLOGY

Filmed in 48 FPS (Frames Per Second), rather than the traditional value of 24 FPS

Processed for 2D, 3D, IMAX, IMAX 3D and HFR (High Frame Rate) 3D formats

SHOOTING & LOCATION

The entire Trilogy was filmed in subsequent blocks – beginning March 21 of 2011, ending July 6 of 2012

Filmed predominently in New Zealand, both upon various islands and on sound-stages

Some scenes were created on sound-stages at Pinewood Studios, England

SHOOTING & LOCATION

ON-LOCATION SHOOTSOUNDSTAGE RECORDING

CASTSTAR APPEAL

The cast of DOS includes:

Martin Freeman – Bilbo Ian McKellen – Gandalf Richard Armitage – Thorin Benedict Cumberbatch – Smaug

These, along with other cast members such as Orlando Bloom, Stephen Fry and Sylvester McCoy give star appeal to the film – people will want to see the film because of them

CASTSTAR APPEAL

MARTIN FREEMAN AS BILBO BAGGINS

IAN MCKELLEN AS GANDALF THE GREY

CASTING CHOICES

Ian Mckellen, Orlando Bloom and a few other members of the cast were slated for their roles for the Trilogy to reprise their characters from LOTR

Peter Jackson decided that Martin Freeman was the only person he wanted to play Bilbo after watching him in the television show Sherlock. Even though Freeman had already signed on for another series of Sherlock, Jackson reworked the entire shoot of AUJ to accommodate him. Before Freeman was realised however, actors such as Tobey Maguire, James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe were considered for the role

CASTING CHOICES

Benedict Cumberbatch’s role was revealed by his Sherlock co-star, Martin Freeman, at the 2011 BAFTA Television Awards. Ian McKellen later stated that Cumberbatch received the role as a result of a screen test which was “electrifying, vocally and facially”

MARKETING

First details of DOS were released by Peter Jackson at a live event on March 24 (2013) – some plot events were given, along with one scene from the film

The first trailer was released online and shown in cinemas from June 11 (2013)

A longer, ‘sneak/peek’ clip was released on November 4, which revealed new footage and plot points

MARKETING

FIRST FULL TRAILER SNEAK PEEK

MARKETING, SOCIAL NETWORKING

A Facebook page, Twitter page, official blog and Warner Bros. YouTube Channel have been used to share trailers, short clips, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, posters, competitions and more with social media users to create hype

This use of media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, has allowed fans to interact with the production by sharing information and ‘hash-tagging’ to gain more of an experience from the process

The official blog in particular attracts strictly the primary audience members, as they will want to find out as much about the film as possible, as soon as possible – regular updates are posted, some including ‘Vlogs’ from Peter Jackson himself

MARKETING, SOCIAL NETWORKING

FACEBOOK PAGE TWITTER PAGE

MARKETING, MERCHANDISING, SYMBIOSIS

A wide range of merchandise has been created to promote the film, including action figures and construction toys, vinyl figures and plush dolls, costumes and prop replicas, etc.

Companies such as LEGO, Vivid Imaginations and The Noble Collection have collaborated with Warner Bros. to create these products – the film(s) and these products will essentially ‘sell each-other’, and both Warner Bros. and the manufacturer will receive a percentage of the profit

This will also invite secondary audience members to the film – for example children who collect LEGO could be introduced to the film because of the series of sets

MARKETING, MERCHANDISING, SYMBIOSIS

MARKETING, SOUNDTRACK, SYNERGY

The Original Score (OST) for the film is available to purchase on CD or through Digital Download – iTunes, Amazon mp3 etc., in both Standard and Deluxe Editions. As the OST belongs to Warner Bros., it is an example of synergy, and therefore may attract secondary audience members to the film

MARKETING, SOUNDTRACK, SYNERGY

MARKETING, MEDIA CONVERGENCE

Ed Sheeran collaborated with Peter Jackson to write and record the song “I See Fire” for the soundtrack. This is an example of convergence as Sheeran is signed to Atlantic Records, not Warner Bros. This is more than likely to invite secondary audience members to the film – fans of Sheeran will hear the song and be aware of the film, and similarly fans of the film will hear the song in the credits of the film and may be attracted to his music – alike merchandise, the two will ‘sell each-other’

Similarly, various games have been created, available online and on smartphone software such as iOS. Alike merchandise, this promotes the film to more people, perhaps games enthusiasts. An example of this is an official game which Warner Bros. developed with Kabam, called ‘Barrel Escape’, which is based upon one of the scenes in the film

MARKETING, MEDIA CONVERGENCE

EXHIBITION

Shown in 3,928 cinemas worldwide

Released Dec 12 (2013) New Zealand, US & UK Dec 13, ranging between 12 Dec – 26 Dec elsewhere

Shown in 2D, 3D, IMAX, IMAX 3D and HFR 3D

Box Office Gross - £551 million (approx, from $)

EXHIBITION

MULTI-PLATFORM RELEASE

DOS will be available to purchase on DVD, Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D and UV from April 7

Digital Downloads – iTunes, PS3 etc. will also be available, along with a Television distribution between MGM and SkyMovies

MULTI-PLATFORM RELEASE

REVIEWS, RATINGS

Alike AUJ, DOS has received great critical success, with reviews from the likes of Empire Magazine and The Guardian

IMDB Rating – 8.2 (/10)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating – 75% (/100%)

REVIEWS, RATINGS

FUN FACT

Motion Capture was used to create the dragon Smaug, voiced and motioned by Benedict Cumberbatch – he would move in front of a screen in a CG suit, like a dragon, imagining where Bilbo would be stood. The same process was used to create Gollum and various monsters in LOTR and AUJ

FUN FACT

Cumberbatch also did specific exercises each day for six months to achieve the right physique and movement

FUN FACT

Open public casting calls were held for ‘extras’ roles such as Hobbits for AUJ– more than 3,000 people showed up to audition, police were called in to support and the event was eventually shut down