"Calan vain, Ennor! Sí abgen edregol an i Laer
ovol."
On the day of the global premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, New
Zealand has transformed into Middle-earth with a special long-range
forecast in Elvish.
Broadcast on TVNZ's Breakfast and presented in Elvish by TV host
Tamati Coffey in Elven themed dress, the summer long-range forecast
sees New Zealand become Middle-earth, and Matamata, the home of
Hobbiton, the Shire.
And, as the forecast confirms - 'they appear fair the lands, and a
season good for wanderers.'
Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said
broadcasting the forecast as the weather of Middle-earth reinforces
TNZ's 100%
Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand campaign.
"With New Zealand's scenic landscapes starring in The Hobbit
Trilogy, the Elvish forecast reinforces that the big screen imagery
is more than a fleeting glimpse of fantasy, and that the dramatic
film locations are real places here in New Zealand that visitors
can enjoy."
With parts of the forecast presented in Elvish, translation of the
script was provided by language expert David Salo, who provided
Tolkien language translations for the films. Tamati's pronunciation
of the language was supported by Elvish dialect specialist Leith
McPherson, who coached the Elven cast during filming of The Hobbit
Trilogy.
"In his role as an Elf, Tamati is speaking to the people of
Middle-earth in Sindarin, which is spoken in conversation between
various Elves and friends of Elves in Middle-earth,' said Leith
McPherson.
"However, if he wanted to attempt to summon a mighty power to
change the weather, he'd have to speak Quenyan, which is used for
the casting of spells or for invocations in The Hobbit
Trilogy."
Throughout the course of the morning broadcast, Tamati slowly
transformed into an Elven weather presenter, with costume provided
by 3Foot7 and makeup and wig provided by Weta Workshop.
A self-confessed Hobbit fan, Tamati revelled in the transformation
and the chance to become a part of Middle-earth.
The broadcast completes months of activity which has seen New
Zealand once again gear up for a nationwide celebration of
Middle-earth proportions as the host of the global premiere of The
Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a production of New Line Cinema and
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM).
In the time surrounding the release of the first film in The
Hobbit Trilogy, visitors can enjoy all things Middle-earth,
starting with Air New Zealand's 'An Unexpected Briefing' safety
video, arriving at the 'Gateway
of Middle-earth' at Auckland Airport and visiting the Middle of
Middle-earth, New Zealand's capital city Wellington.
In the Middle of Middle-earth they can see a 40-foot Gollum diving
for fish at Wellington Airport, enjoy a Hobbit Artisan Market until
Wednesday 28 November featuring local artists who have worked on
The Hobbit Trilogy and visit the Embassy Theatre which has been
transformed into Bag End for the premiere. They can even purchase
legal tender of Middle-earth, with New Zealand Post releasing the
world's only legal tender coins of Middle-earth, and send a
postcard with Middle-earth stamps postmarked from
Middle-earth.
The film, being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and
MGM, opens in New Zealand on December 12.