Would There Ever Be a Possibility...?

[Thinlómien]

I read through this thread and decided I might be after all interested. I have some experience in acting, like it a lot and dare to sound silly. (But as a downside I can't stand hearing my recorded voice... am I in the wrong place?) And I do not know who on earth do you want to be played by a childish female voice with a Finnish accent. (If not anything else, I would like to take the challenge, and could certainly commit to, being a random Orc. )

Well, considering accents, I do not think anyone should change theirs a lot in order to do their role better, it's probably going to sound only silly.

I will notify Nogrod of this project - I think he might very well be interested and he'd be one of those people we'd need: a middle-aged male voice (but he has a Finnish accent too ) and a person interested in composing.

Hmmm... I think we should use different accents to make differences. Like, if you decide that Finnish accent sounds weird we Finns could play people that are different in some way or from a certain place so that their origin/difference is highlighted. But on the other hand, I think I sound like we had some very extraordinary and strong accents, which I don't think we have...

Originally Posted by Legate

One note concerning the male/female voices. I think it's going to become soon obvious that there are far more female voice actors than there are female characters in LotR (not very surprising, as there are only two or maybe three who have more than a few lines). It would probably sound strange for a female to dub Gandalf (although if she were good, even that would be possible), but I think the Hobbits' voices and some Elves could be spoken by female voices with no problem. As well as the narrator, eventually.

I agree with everything said here.

And I also agree with whoever it was who said that we need some sound samples when it's time for that...

[Rikae]

Lommy, good to see you on board! I hope Nogrod can be enticed to join the project as well.

As for Finnish accents, I'll have to hear one before I give an opinion. I can say that Mac's very slight German accent sounds pretty good on the Witch-King (note - I'm not saying I agree with the theory discussed elsewhere on the 'downs regarding the word "Nazgul".) I think he could also play a quite decent Aragorn with some practice (and a downplayed accent). I think subtle accents aren't really a problem and could even be an advantage, depending on the role. Actually, although I haven't heard it, I wonder whether Finnish accents might sound good for Elves...

A thought - what does everyone think about perhaps forming an LJ community for discussion of this project? It might be a somewhat easier format to deal with than an increasingly long BD thread, and would facilitate voice post "auditions". We could also exchange Skype information there in a semi-private setting...

Originally Posted by Mac the Witch King

But wouldn't this move us farther away from a radio adaptation and closer towards an audio book?

Maybe, but I personally wouldn't worry much about whether it falls fully into the genre, and worry more about the overall quality - about our ability to create a sense of Middle-Earth through sound. The fact that we'll have actors, sound effects and music already takes it out of the "audio-book" category, as does any deviation from or editing of the text... I'm worried that if we try to force descriptions into the dialogue, the result will seem clunky and artificial (people don't generally describe their surroundings to one another, after all). Still this sort of overall-vision question might be easier to agree on when it comes to specific writing issues, I suppose.

[Macalaure]

Originally Posted by Lommy

I read through this thread and decided I might be after all interested.

All help welcome.

Originally Posted by Lommy

Well, considering accents, I do not think anyone should change theirs a lot in order to do their role better, it's probably going to sound only silly.

I agree. Considering the international cast that we're likely to have, I think we will simply have to live with accents - just as long as they aren't too thick, but I doubt we will face many of those here on the Downs.

Originally Posted by Rikae

A thought - what does everyone think about perhaps forming an LJ community for discussion of this project?

It would be practical, yes, but wouldn't it also remove us from the Downs community and maybe discourage the much-needed participation of people?

Originally Posted by Rikae

I'm worried that if we try to force descriptions into the dialogue, the result will seem clunky and artificial (people don't generally describe their surroundings to one another, after all). Still this sort of overall-vision question might be easier to agree on when it comes to specific writing issues, I suppose.

That's true. The descriptions will probably have to be cut down significantly... I think we have to somehow make them "flow" into the atmosphere of the respective scene. This is where sound effects might be crucial.
However, just take a look at the first page of "A long-expected party", where the narrator tells us about the rumours around Bilbo Baggins. This feels to me like it should be made into dialogue and fitted into one of the following scenes instead of being narrated. You're right, many decisions will have to be made when the issue is at hand, but I think we also need a sort of overall vision so that in the end we have something that looks like a coherent whole. But probably this will just emerge naturally once we really started.

[Gwathagor]

Tolkien based Quenya in part on the Finnish language. I don't know what a Finnish accent sounds like, but I would laugh if we decided to cast the Finns as Elves.

[Aganzir]

Don't know what a Finnish accent sounds like? Here's our Prime Minister, who is a good example of a Finn speaking English. They seem to be so ashamed of him that they have named him the PM of Sweden.

I don't think any of us Finns here speak so badly, though.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Tolkien based Quenya in part on the Finnish language. I don't know what a Finnish accent sounds like, but I would laugh if we decided to cast the Finns as Elves.

Okay, maybe I just have to record my speech a little then. In short, Finnish accent sounds flat and silly. If any of you watches F1 you must have noticed how Häkkinen and Räikkönen speak... But I daresay I and Nogrod sound much less horrible.

And as to composing and Elvish voices, I, Agan and Greenie toyed with the idea that we could compose and perform the A Elbereth Gilthoniel -song, if others think that would be cool.

edit: xed with Agan - too funny

[Gwathagor]

That news channel has cool theme music.

Ok, interesting accent.

[Eönwë]

I've been away for the week, but there, I've returned.

Yes, I'll be willing to do this (If my microphone doesn't die on me).



PS. What would Tom Bombadil's voice sound like? Young or Old, Tired or lively, etc?

edit: I would probably say quite childish, but strong

[MatthewM]

This is awesome to see so many people now on board! I knew we would catch some fire here. Anybody that you think can and will help us out is welcome.

Thinlómien- all your ideas sound great, keep them coming. Does this Nogrod character know how to record? Because Mac, Rikae, and myself have not the slightest clue on the technical part of things.

I have some acting experience and I am banking on voicing Boromir. I will, of course, give a sample through whatever medium we choose to go with. I'm just waiting for nose to heal fully as I had my deviated septum corrected two weeks ago.

With the narration thing- it does seem like we can figure this out once the writing starts. I'm sure with dedication this will flow.

Accents- I see no big deal in differing accents as long as they aren't hard to decipher. Finnish accents are fine! I also could see a certain accent, such as Finnish, working well with the Elves. At least one of the strongholds- Rivendell or Lorien. I'm American, so I don't really know how to describe my voice in terms of a distinct heritage like Europeans can. You'll see in the near future.

Oh and...what is LJ?

[Gwathagor]

LJ = LiveJournal

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Does this Nogrod character know how to record? Because Mac, Rikae, and myself have not the slightest clue on the technical part of things.

I'm no professional but I do know a thing or a two as I do recordings here at my home with an audio software program - mainly music but we have experimented with other stuff as well (with Lommy and Greenie that is).

And I don't think skype is the answer to our problem.

Something I think we might try out first.

Let's decide on a short scene or a part of a scene - let's say one page or two - where we have several characters speaking and some narration and then deal the roles. Then everyone involved records her/his part with any audio device which creates a digital recording ie. one that can be sent via e-mail. You should not worry about the "silences" between what your character says, just record the lines your character has one after another. I will then combine the audio files in the mixer unit of my sofware, cut them and organise them to follow each other in the way they should be.

I can then do some limited number of tricks with the tracks (yes, I'm going to make every one person's lines into one track in the final composition) like use an equalisator to add more bass or treble to the voice, add echo or pan the tracks coming from left, right or center etc.

One thing we might also consider would be testing with different settings for voices. If you send me a clip of your voice reading a part of the text I could make a few different-sounding versions of it so that you could then decide yourself which sounds the best (even if my software has limited possibilities to handle voices they still are varied enough to produce quite different sounding voices). This might also be one way of dealing with the problem of there being comparatively more females participating in this than there are female roles in the book.

So that's the first idea that comes to my mind. What do you think?

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

If any of you watches F1 you must have noticed how Häkkinen and Räikkönen speak... But I daresay I and Nogrod sound much less horrible.

I take your Hakkinen and raise it with Nigel Mansell..... actually I am always impressed by the English skills of sportsmen and wonder how many of our lot would cope away from their native tongue... which is already seemingly a struggle for so many. .

But to save this being totally OT, due ot my lack of time and technical competence I will un-bag galadriel ( from the last time this was suggested) so you will miss out on my Cate Blanchett/ Charlotte Green impersonation... but bon chance

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

But to save this being totally OT, due ot my lack of time and technical competence I will un-bag galadriel ( from the last time this was suggested) so you will miss out on my Cate Blanchett/ Charlotte Green impersonation... but bon chance

Come on... imagine it... "The Lord of the Rings - The Ring Goes South" by the Barrow-Downs community- renowned Tolkien enthuisiasts!

Alright or something of that sort. Anyway if you reconsider, let us know.

[THE Ka]

This is a lovely idea and I can't wait to see what happens (especially with Oddwen involved, heh heh.).
Though, from past experience, if I may add some advice:

A few years ago I joined, as did a number of other Downers on a project to make a fan-based film of The Silmarillion...
Yes I know, impossible feat, but we were dreaming big. The main thing, as others have said, about making an animation is that not only would we need deep pockets, skill, but TIME. I'm talking relatively, on a job-scale amount of time and effort. I only helped majorly in the drawing/storyboard section, and voice section (Hee hee, sort of a girlish wish to voice Irmo, even though he has about one line in the whole deal.), and it took quite a lot of time just to get started and plan the very beginnings out.

In short, from bad past experiences, a film of any level is something that is near impossible, unless you have connections, money and ultimately, lots of time.

Originally Posted by Nerwen

Despite what some people will tell you, it's not just a matter of pressing the "Make Dragon" button and letting it all take care of itself.

Oh dear gods, if it was really that easy the Silmarillion project would have been up and streaming online now... So. Much. Drawing and plans. No. Money. For Software.

The radio idea, that is definately able to pull off, and thankfully there are a few online radio sites. The only thing I would see being an obsticle is seeing if whether its a hosting thing, or if it is an account basis. Then, it depends on if there are any fees.

Another idea could be hosting a part of the Downs or another independent site with Podcasts. There are a few small radio stations I listen to that upload their shows online in the form of mp3 Podcast recordings and they always sound very clear. Only thing would be a problem of whether any of us can do this.
Excuse any repitition, I've been skimming the thread for a bit off and on.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

They are nice scenes but there is one problem considering the actual trial of making one whole chapter and that is the fact that The Council of Elrond is composed mainly of long monologues...

I truly feel sorry for whoever has to voice Gandalf...

I don't know if I have any skills in this field which could immediately help with the project (I only have a microphone, and probably low quality at that), but if there is a need for any help or extra/fill-in voices (I am quite fine with doing male voices, I've had to play male parts before. Just might come off a bit effeminate.), or research I'll be glad to help. It would be so wonderful if we could pull this off.

~ Ka

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by THE Ka

I don't know if I have any skills in this field which could immediately help with the project (I only have a microphone, and probably low quality at that), but if there is a need for any help or extra/fill-in voices (I am quite fine with doing male voices, I've had to play male parts before. Just might come off a bit effeminate.), or research I'll be glad to help. It would be so wonderful if we could pull this off.

Do join, it'd be great. The more there's people the merrier it is.

And Brinn too, great to see you in, whatever you'll be doing.

Originally Posted by Legate

Yes, tell me about that. Every time I go abroad and write something on the computer there, they have Z in the left-down corner and Y in the middle of the upper line. How can anyone write with that?

Easily. It's the natural order of things. How can anyone write with something else?

[MatthewM]

Has anybody contributed any more recordings?

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Has anybody contributed any more recordings?

Sadly no.

I'm still waiting for Mac and Rikae... and Gwath should give it a try as well.

Nerwen, where are you? We'd like to hear your voice too?

Also the Ka should absolutely throw us a line or two with her male-acting!

And Eönwë, don't freak out with your breaking of the voice. Just give it a try!


I'll try to get the gang here to do something tonight as Brinn is visiting us here in Helsinki (they are now having a city-tour while I have been in a choir-seminar and I'm now back home preparing a meal to us). We have here possibly the largest gathering of the 'Downers ever: Brinn, Lommy, Greenie, Aganzir, Volo and me. That makes six 'downers spending a weekend together...

So maybe we could pull out some reading to you as well...

So those of you who haven't done it yet, please send me your e-mail addresses so I can send you the things we've done so far and for you to receive my mail-address where you could send your contributions - just short clips to begin with so as only to see if the equipments work and to give us others a taste of your voice.

Looking forwards to more contributions!

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I'll try to get the gang here to do something tonight as Brinn is visiting us here in Helsinki (they are now having a city-tour while I have been in a choir-seminar and I'm now back home preparing a meal to us). We have here possibly the largest gathering of the 'Downers ever: Brinn, Lommy, Greenie, Aganzir, Volo and me. That makes six 'downers spending a weekend together...

Awesome! Can't wait to see what comes out of that.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

Nerwen, where are you? We'd like to hear your voice too?

I am making an ad for my film class, so I'm going to be pretty busy this week, but I'll send you something when I can.