The Deeper meaning to it all. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ainaserkewen · 02-01-2005, 01:32 PM

During the recent bombardment of commercials, product placements, actor turned artist/model or vice versa, subliminal messages and little boys’ voices, we, as the human race (at least humans with TVs) have developed two separate ways of thinking. One is that you believe everything you see and hear about and are completely naïve to what’s going on around you. If you are one of these people, sorry, you won’t like this thread. If you’re not, and if you, like me, subconsciously question everything that is pumped like melted butter into the overly fat-and-happy media then maybe you will enjoy this.

As I watched the tremendous premier of The Fellowship of the Ring, being completely incredulous to the story, I found myself thinking afterward about how manipulative advertisers could have tampered with the movie. Are some characters only there because they might sell something? Either an action figure or a personality drawn to buy such action figures? How about the scenery? Is it only a product placement for the even bigger and more evil New Zealand Tourist tycoons?

Legolas for example was cast for the soul purpose of drawing in the ladies ages 10 to 25 and for those older than that, there was always Aragorn, though slightly dirty “I’d wash’em.” Quoted my married middle-aged English teacher.

The Ring was fashioned in such a way as to make us believe that gold alone is a crime. We must buy diamonds, platinum and colours, damnit, colours! And there must be more than One.

What do you think? Is this a timeless classic, or just another excuse to more subtly guide our buying impulses? What are some obvious examples that we should know about and beware?

(Just in case anyone didn't notice that this is totally for fun and I'm not serious!)

Atarah · 02-01-2005, 01:45 PM

I can see where you're coming from. I've even seen an advert selling Orange mobile phones with Sean Austin (sp?) in it. It uses Sean's role as Sam to help them sell mobiles, but I don't think it does any harm to LotR. And the films themselves were most definately not made just so they can sell merchandise after releasing them. Peter Jackson would not allow the trilogy to be used in such a way - he has too much respect or Tolkien and his work or that.

Lathriel · 02-01-2005, 03:47 PM

I always have trouble with these topics because they make it all sound so negative. I believe that New Line took on the movie because they saw the potential. However I don't think that PJ began LOTR for this reason. In fact most of the people who worked on this project did it because they love LOTR. Most of them didn't get payed a lot. Besides people such Alan Lee helped with the movies. Alan Lee joined because (as you can see by his illustrations) he loved to design ME. So there are lots of people like that who were involved in the project.
Of course this doesn't mean that everybody went into the project without thinking of the money.
Obviously New Line knew that if the movies succeeded it would be a huge benefit for them. Besides, most of the comercial things came after the first movie's success and not before. Its mainly other companies (e.g Gameshop) who take advantage of the movie. However I don't think the movie itself was completly geered on consumers.

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-02-2005, 02:50 AM

What a fun tongue-in-cheek topic, Aina!

I think the reason Gandalf the White got a new staff was so that the weapons companies could sell two versions - Grey and White. That is certainly the reason the Witch-King broke Gandalf's staff in RotK as well - but they messed up their chances when they only got it into the EE version. So I'm not sure if the third staff was given enough screen time to be sellable...

And of course Gandalf only got new white robes so that they could sell a second version of action figures!

After all, the other characters walked around in the same grubby clothes the whole time - why couldn't he?!

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 02-02-2005, 03:03 AM

It would certainly have been a better marketing strategy to have them change clothes often. From what I hear the Legolas in the blue tunic with circlet would have been a big seller!

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Wargs were played by candidates for adoption from the Ugly Dog institute of NZ. Although I can't imagine they were snapped up as quickly as the cute dogs they feature on the morning news every so often.

And I suspect that the plastic surgeon responsible for Gothmog's face isn't getting a whole lot of business.

Sophia

tar-ancalime · 02-02-2005, 04:14 AM

Quote:

and for those older than that, there was always Aragorn,

Ouch! This Viggo-fancier suddenly finds herself in the "old lady" demographic!

I suppose I'm only two steps away from saggy floral dresses and lots and lots of cat food.

02-01-2005, 01:32 PM	#1
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	The Deeper meaning to it all. During the recent bombardment of commercials, product placements, actor turned artist/model or vice versa, subliminal messages and little boys’ voices, we, as the human race (at least humans with TVs) have developed two separate ways of thinking. One is that you believe everything you see and hear about and are completely naïve to what’s going on around you. If you are one of these people, sorry, you won’t like this thread. If you’re not, and if you, like me, subconsciously question everything that is pumped like melted butter into the overly fat-and-happy media then maybe you will enjoy this. As I watched the tremendous premier of The Fellowship of the Ring, being completely incredulous to the story, I found myself thinking afterward about how manipulative advertisers could have tampered with the movie. Are some characters only there because they might sell something? Either an action figure or a personality drawn to buy such action figures? How about the scenery? Is it only a product placement for the even bigger and more evil New Zealand Tourist tycoons? Legolas for example was cast for the soul purpose of drawing in the ladies ages 10 to 25 and for those older than that, there was always Aragorn, though slightly dirty “I’d wash’em.” Quoted my married middle-aged English teacher. The Ring was fashioned in such a way as to make us believe that gold alone is a crime. We must buy diamonds, platinum and colours, damnit, colours! And there must be more than One. What do you think? Is this a timeless classic, or just another excuse to more subtly guide our buying impulses? What are some obvious examples that we should know about and beware? (Just in case anyone didn't notice that this is totally for fun and I'm not serious!) __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken? Last edited by Ainaserkewen; 02-01-2005 at 01:57 PM.

02-01-2005, 03:47 PM	#3
Lathriel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wandering through Middle-Earth (Sadly in Alberta and not ME) Posts: 612	I always have trouble with these topics because they make it all sound so negative. I believe that New Line took on the movie because they saw the potential. However I don't think that PJ began LOTR for this reason. In fact most of the people who worked on this project did it because they love LOTR. Most of them didn't get payed a lot. Besides people such Alan Lee helped with the movies. Alan Lee joined because (as you can see by his illustrations) he loved to design ME. So there are lots of people like that who were involved in the project. Of course this doesn't mean that everybody went into the project without thinking of the money. Obviously New Line knew that if the movies succeeded it would be a huge benefit for them. Besides, most of the comercial things came after the first movie's success and not before. Its mainly other companies (e.g Gameshop) who take advantage of the movie. However I don't think the movie itself was completly geered on consumers. __________________ Back again

02-02-2005, 02:50 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	What a fun tongue-in-cheek topic, Aina! I think the reason Gandalf the White got a new staff was so that the weapons companies could sell two versions - Grey and White. That is certainly the reason the Witch-King broke Gandalf's staff in RotK as well - but they messed up their chances when they only got it into the EE version. So I'm not sure if the third staff was given enough screen time to be sellable... And of course Gandalf only got new white robes so that they could sell a second version of action figures! After all, the other characters walked around in the same grubby clothes the whole time - why couldn't he?! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

02-02-2005, 03:03 AM	#5
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	Commercialisation failures It would certainly have been a better marketing strategy to have them change clothes often. From what I hear the Legolas in the blue tunic with circlet would have been a big seller! I have a sneaking suspicion that the Wargs were played by candidates for adoption from the Ugly Dog institute of NZ. Although I can't imagine they were snapped up as quickly as the cute dogs they feature on the morning news every so often. And I suspect that the plastic surgeon responsible for Gothmog's face isn't getting a whole lot of business. Sophia __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

02-01-2005, 01:45 PM	#2
Atarah Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nowhere fun Posts: 23	I can see where you're coming from. I've even seen an advert selling Orange mobile phones with Sean Austin (sp?) in it. It uses Sean's role as Sam to help them sell mobiles, but I don't think it does any harm to LotR. And the films themselves were most definately not made just so they can sell merchandise after releasing them. Peter Jackson would not allow the trilogy to be used in such a way - he has too much respect or Tolkien and his work or that.