28 November 2012

'From Lord of the Rings to the Hobbit' - Dundee Arts Cafe on 4th December

Lord of the Rings fans eagerly awaiting the big screen appearance of The Hobbit can share in a discussion in Dundee next week of how director Peter Jackson is a master of using new media technology to promote his films.

Professor David Finkelstein, Dean of Humanities at the University of Dundee, will explore how Jackson has turned Tolkien's classic fantasy books, among others, into engaging films when he leads the next Dundee Arts Café event at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum on Tuesday, 4th December.

In particular, he will look at how Jackson has connected his film making with a global audience of many millions in order to build excitement and loyalty to his work. The most recent and highly anticipated of these cinema events, 'An Unexpected Journey', the first instalment in The Hobbit series, will be released on 14th December.

"My presentation will examine how the team behind Jackson's films has created a space for an online community to engage directly with him, watch these films take shape, and ultimately feel part of the production process," explained Professor Finkelstein.

"As The Hobbit prepares to hit our screens, we ask how Jackson has used online, digital media to draw in and keep such fans onboard and engaged with his vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's work."

Dundee Arts Café is a programme of talks showcasing arts research and developments taking place locally. The series is organised by the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, and Dundee City Council's Leisure & Culture department.

These events enable members of the public to relax and discuss the arts, from English to History, Philosophy to Architecture, and Fine Art to Product Design, with some of the leading names carrying out work in these areas in Dundee.

The events last one hour, and speakers talk passionately about their work for 30 minutes before the floor is opened up to an informal discussion with the audience. All talks take place in The McManus Café, Albert Square, Dundee.

'From Lord of the Rings to the Hobbit: How Peter Jackson Draws in an Online Audience' takes place at 6pm on Tuesday, 4th December. This event is free, and open to all. Limited seating means visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For more information about the event and Dundee Arts Cafe please visit www.DundeeArtsCafe.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277