Would There Ever Be a Possibility...? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Macalaure · 03-26-2008, 09:40 AM

I think the great advantage of a project like this is, that we need to abide to less restrictions than a commercial radio adaptation would have to. We can, for example, take as much time as we like to, or afford to worry less about characters that might not seem credible to a non-reader. There is no real reason to cut anything - unless there is something which turns out to simply not fit into the whole.

This is probably a stupid question, but I guess it should better be cleared early on: Could there be any copyright problems for this?

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 03-26-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Could there be any copyright problems for this?

I'm sure that you would have to go through the Tolkien Estate or something to get their approval for this... but other than that little detail, I think that this would work out fine!

Azaelia of Willowbottom · 03-26-2008, 01:47 PM

I'm not sure, but I believe that as long as it's just for personal use and we're not going to sell it or otherwise make money from it, we should be in the clear as far as copyrights go. In other words, if it goes no farther than our little community, I don't see that we'd have a problem.

However, getting the Tolkien Estate's approval is more than just a "little detail", especially if they expect that we buy the rights, which I can't imagine would come cheap.

I dunno. I don't know too much about copyrights, and I could very well be wrong. Perhaps we should ask someone who knows more about this sort of thing.

MatthewM · 03-26-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

This is probably a stupid question, but I guess it should better be cleared early on: Could there be any copyright problems for this?

I really don't think it is a big deal. It's not like we are going to sell it. If everybody went around trying to seek the approval of the Tolkien estate for doing anything LotR related not only would the Estate be overly rich but nothing would get done because the Estate is extremely slow in response. Have you ever ran a search under YouTube for LotR videos? I verily doubt that each person who put a song to New Line's movie clips asked for New Line's permission, along with the Estate's permission, along then with the artist's permission for who's song they are using.

I can see an issue if we were going to sell this for money. But we're not.

So, let's talk about this. How would we record the parts for our respective characters seperately? Also, we would need a voice sample from everybody who was auditioning for a spot...we can't just have anybody saying they will do this project and than finding out they can't deliver, or do not fit their part.

Macalaure · 03-27-2008, 09:39 AM

Well, I was just asking because Copyright has been discussed a lot recently on the Downs and because, after all, in the ideal case, we would be putting an adapted version of the whole LotR available on the Internet. YouTube is a bad example, because much of what's on there isn't actually legal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew

So, let's talk about this. How would we record the parts for our respective characters seperately? Also, we would need a voice sample from everybody who was auditioning for a spot...we can't just have anybody saying they will do this project and than finding out they can't deliver, or do not fit their part.

I don't think separate recording would work out well. I think services such as Skype allow to record calls (not sure whether the quality's sufficient). All who play a role needed in a particular scene (plus a "director", maybe) could just call each other at one time to record a scene. With a little bit of scheduling, this might be a way.

The voice samples are a good idea, but who decides who gets to decide over who gets which role?

Rikae · 03-27-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Well, I was just asking because Copyright has been discussed a lot recently on the Downs and because, after all, in the ideal case, we would be putting an adapted version of the whole LotR available on the Internet.

It seems like it should be legal if we aren't selling it, but we should probably start off with a disclaimer to that effect, just to be on the safe side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

The voice samples are a good idea, but who decides who gets to decide over who gets which role?

Democracy?
The question is, do we vote for representatives on the casting committee, or have a general election on the casting of each role? Dictatorship is right out.

Rikae · 03-27-2008, 10:51 AM

Actually, on second thought, discussion (a la Wikipedia) tends to give better results than democracy when you have a small enough group to make it feasible - the trouble there, though, is the inhibiting effect concern for the prospective actors' feelings will have. Secret ballots it must be...

Oddwen · 03-27-2008, 07:44 PM

Do we have enough male voices? That seems to be a common problem on the internet, though less severe here.

(*cough* My resumé *cough*)

MatthewM · 03-27-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

think services such as Skype allow to record calls (not sure whether the quality's sufficient). All who play a role needed in a particular scene (plus a "director", maybe) could just call each other at one time to record a scene. With a little bit of scheduling, this might be a way.

The voice samples are a good idea, but who decides who gets to decide over who gets which role?

What's Skype? I'm not familiar with it...is it something like a program online in which you could record conversations, etc? If so, that's definitely a start and a good idea. Indeed with some scheduling it is a way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikae

Actually, on second thought, discussion (a la Wikipedia) tends to give better results than democracy when you have a small enough group to make it feasible - the trouble there, though, is the inhibiting effect concern for the prospective actors' feelings will have. Secret ballots it must be...

Well, I would say a discussion on the matter of casting would be fair enough for everybody. Definitely samples are needed though, auditioning for a certain character, perhaps? What do you mean about Wikipedia? Do they have discussion boards? We could also discuss here about casting for each role - let me just say, it's no secret who I want to voice - and I could provide you with an excellent audition via my crummy microphone here to prove my worth.

Male voices - I am one, I'm sure we would have plenty. Maybe somebody could also, if they have the skill, do more than one voice. I don't think I could, but I'm sure other people have this skill.

It's also necessary to decide which parts of the story we shall attempt to do - my vote is Book II, that being The Council of Elrond - The Breaking of the Fellowship. Any other parts people would like to attempt? I know Gwathagor mentioned Bombadil.

Gwathagor · 03-27-2008, 10:50 PM

Well, from LOTR, a few other scenes that might be fun would be the Council of Elrond, the conversations between Faramir, Frodo, and Sam, and the Treebeard scenes.

And then there's always The Hobbit and Unfinished Tales.

Gwathagor · 03-27-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Male voices - I am one, I'm sure we would have plenty. Maybe somebody could also, if they have the skill, do more than one voice. I don't think I could, but I'm sure other people have this skill.

I'm planning on playing everybody.

MatthewM · 03-28-2008, 12:26 AM

Here is a quick layout I wrote up if we were to do a chapter of/part of/all of Book II. In all of Book II, here are the characters that I think are necessary to include. I do not think I have forgotten any. I didn't include the Balrog, because of course he does not speak - but of course he is included.

Purposed list of characters to include listed below.

Characters

Narrator

The Fellowship
Gandalf
Frodo Baggins
Samwise Gamgee
Peregrin Took
Meriadoc Brandybuck
Boromir
Aragorn
Gimli
Legolas Greenleaf

Others
Elrond
Galadriel
Celeborn
Haldir
Gloin
Glorfindel
Bilbo Baggins
Orcs
-
Arwen?
Radagast
Saruman
Gollum

The last four characters may be mentioned in a flashback during the chapter The Council of Elrond. I have a question mark after Arwen because I was debating whether or not it is necessary to include a flashback from "Many Meetings" of Aragorn and Arwen sometime in the beginning to give value to Aragorn's despair/solemness in Lorien.

Here are some other questions we must ask-

*How many voice actors?

*Sound effects- how accessible are they?

*What do we include? What do we not include?

*Background music

Macalaure · 03-28-2008, 07:42 AM

An important prerequisite for our voice-actors (for the main roles, at least), apart from a fitting voice and some acting ability, is long-term availability. Losing, for example, our Frodo at some point in the middle would be a problem. Looking over this thread, there seems to be a shortage of elder posters, but for characters such as Gandalf, Saruman, Treebeard, Theoden, Denethor etc. we need voices that have an older sound. But I'm sure that, once we actually managed to record a scene or two, we can warm up some of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew

What's Skype?

It's an Internet service that allows you to phone other people via the computer. From one registered (free) user to another, it's for free. Several people can join in one conversation. I've never tried it, so I don't know how the quality of it is, but there exists the possibility to record calls.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew

Maybe somebody could also, if they have the skill, do more than one voice.

Given the huge amount of minor characters, we will probably have to do that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew

Any other parts people would like to attempt?

Take five different people and you'll get five different answers.

Personally, I'd like to hear some of the long dialogues, like between Frodo and Gandalf in "The Shadow of the Past" or the ones between Denethor, Faramir and Gandalf in "The Siege of Gondor". But I'm fine to start with Book II.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwath

It would be cool just to do certain parts of the story that we felt needed improvement, or that we particularly liked - such as the Bombadil episode.

I'd say let us just pick one scene now (preferably one that requires little re-writing, for the beginning) and go ahead. It needn't be perfect (I'm sure we'll end up re-doing some early scenes later anyway), just a sample to see whether we really have a shot at making it work.

03-26-2008, 01:47 PM	#3
Azaelia of Willowbottom Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: By the Sea Posts: 446	I'm not sure, but I believe that as long as it's just for personal use and we're not going to sell it or otherwise make money from it, we should be in the clear as far as copyrights go. In other words, if it goes no farther than our little community, I don't see that we'd have a problem. However, getting the Tolkien Estate's approval is more than just a "little detail", especially if they expect that we buy the rights, which I can't imagine would come cheap. I dunno. I don't know too much about copyrights, and I could very well be wrong. Perhaps we should ask someone who knows more about this sort of thing. __________________ "Wherever I have been, I am back."

03-27-2008, 07:44 PM	#8
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	Do we have enough male voices? That seems to be a common problem on the internet, though less severe here. (cough My resumé cough) __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

03-27-2008, 10:50 PM	#10
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	Well, from LOTR, a few other scenes that might be fun would be the Council of Elrond, the conversations between Faramir, Frodo, and Sam, and the Treebeard scenes. And then there's always The Hobbit and Unfinished Tales. __________________ Stories and songs.

03-28-2008, 12:26 AM	#12
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Here is a quick layout I wrote up if we were to do a chapter of/part of/all of Book II. In all of Book II, here are the characters that I think are necessary to include. I do not think I have forgotten any. I didn't include the Balrog, because of course he does not speak - but of course he is included. Purposed list of characters to include listed below. Characters Narrator The Fellowship Gandalf Frodo Baggins Samwise Gamgee Peregrin Took Meriadoc Brandybuck Boromir Aragorn Gimli Legolas Greenleaf Others Elrond Galadriel Celeborn Haldir Gloin Glorfindel Bilbo Baggins Orcs - Arwen? Radagast Saruman Gollum The last four characters may be mentioned in a flashback during the chapter The Council of Elrond. I have a question mark after Arwen because I was debating whether or not it is necessary to include a flashback from "Many Meetings" of Aragorn and Arwen sometime in the beginning to give value to Aragorn's despair/solemness in Lorien. Here are some other questions we must ask- How many voice actors? Sound effects- how accessible are they? What do we include? What do we not include? Background music __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

03-26-2008, 09:40 AM	#1
Macalaure Fading Fëanorion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: into the flood again Posts: 2,911	I think the great advantage of a project like this is, that we need to abide to less restrictions than a commercial radio adaptation would have to. We can, for example, take as much time as we like to, or afford to worry less about characters that might not seem credible to a non-reader. There is no real reason to cut anything - unless there is something which turns out to simply not fit into the whole. This is probably a stupid question, but I guess it should better be cleared early on: Could there be any copyright problems for this?

03-27-2008, 10:51 AM	#7
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	Actually, on second thought, discussion (a la Wikipedia) tends to give better results than democracy when you have a small enough group to make it feasible - the trouble there, though, is the inhibiting effect concern for the prospective actors' feelings will have. Secret ballots it must be...