Smaug Alert
Dragons are born in New Zealand. It’s true! Thanks to the talented artisans at Weta Workshop, these amazing creatures come to digital life with astonishing detail. Now, Weta has published a book that celebrates the creation of Smaug the Terrible, from Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Here’s a page in which Weta Digital […]
Amaze Your Friends with Your Very Own Dragon Skull!
Want to make your own fossilized dragon skull? New Zealand sculptress Kim Beaton shows you how. Posted on YouTube on March 3, 2014, Kim outlined her presentation thusly: Using Pal Tiya – http://www.paltiya.com/ – plus some rather nifty short-cuts of Kim’s, it’s entirely possible your creation will brave the elements for many hundreds of years! […]
Smaug in Action
Videos have popped up on YouTube featuring a certain desolation-maker in the form of scales, fangs, and the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch: Smaug wakes Smaug threatens Bilbo Thorin vs Smaug
Train Your Dragon, Take 2
DreamWorks Animation is ramping up its second phase for its How to Train Your Dragon franchise. The TV series entered its second season with a title change to DreamWorks Dragons: Defenders of Berk, trumpeted with the following trailer: The feature sequel comes June 13, 2014, moving the story ahead some five years later. Teaser trailer: […]
Grandpa Dragon on a Plane
The appearance of a dragon on an Air New Zealand plane has caused quite a stir in the media. Grandpa Dragon comments: “Why ARE folks making such a big fuss over seeing MY FACE on an aeroplane? Honestly! I’m more embarrassed about having my DONUT obsession exposed!!! “…Which reminds me, when you’re visiting me at […]
Smaug Revealed!
It’s a secret no longer. Today, December 1, 2013, Air New Zealand unveiled the likeness of the vile dragon adorning its Boeing 777-300. Yes, now you can fly the friendly skies with Smaug! For details, click here. To view a video of the plane-decoration–and listen to Sylvester McCoy’s narration–click here. Note that the newly-decorated plane […]
Ed Sheeran Sees Fire
For the end credits music for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, writer-director Peter Jackson asked songwriter-singer Ed Sheeran to compose-sing “I See Fire.” Posted online November 6, 2013. Enjoy: And here is UK singer Alice Olivia‘s take on the music, published November 9, 2013: LYRICS: Oh, misty eye of the mountain below Keep careful […]
How to Paint Your Dragon — Fast!
Can this be the world’s fastest dragon painter?
Grandpa Dragon’s New Home
Want to hug a dragon? Well, now you can. At long last, Grandpa Dragon has found a home, at the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand. Here are a couple shots of his arrival: After he was transported from his previous location, Grandpa had to have his two halves sealed properly. Here he is waiting for […]
Grandpa Dragon Makes His Move
In the Spring of 2013, Wellington, New Zealand sculptor Kim Beaton began a search for a permanent home for her three-ton earthquake-proof yet huggable masterwork, Grandpa Dragon. Today, the Grandpa Dragon Facebook page began posting photos of Grandpa’s move to his new home. Lovely Wellington sky, isn’t it? Here’s Grandpa at his present location. Where […]
