Of Lady Rangers and Symmetry

[dolamrothdame]

Those of you English folks are no doubt aware of the low-budget prequel to LOTR that's filming over in your neck of the woods:

http://www.bornofhope.com/index.html

I like the look of the photos so far, aside from the one casting incongruence that has Aragorn's mother looking like Eowyn's.  Little Aragorn is adorable!  The writer/director of the piece

Comments

[altariel]

it turns out the wretched concept is essential to doll-making

*innocent eyes*

Would it be possible to sculpt while looking at the image in the mirror? I can imagine it would be really hard, but you're very skilful.

[dolamrothdame]

Not sure it would be worth the learning curve, to tell the truth. I cut my own hair in the mirror, and that is difficult enough. Not to mention getting the stoneclay all over the bathroom...I'll think about it though.

[mikekellner]

From what I have read, symmetry is a sign of good quality genes. Humans and all animals are programmed to be attracted to those mates with the best genes in order to produce the best offspring.

The other thing that is attractive is how closely you match the average. We are programmed to be disattracted to those who deviate from the norm, i.e. have less than ideal genes. If you use a computer to average the faces of a few dozen beautiful people, the resultant face will be deemed even more attractive by most people.

Tolkien's Elves were considered quite beautiful by Humans. That means they must have been close to the average human in facial proportion and very symmetrical. I ascribe this to their being within a few generations of creation, and therefore mutations had not altered their original forms.

It is interesting that they devolved into the House Elves of modern times. No doubt due to the Elven penchant for marrying close relatives.

mk

[dolamrothdame]

I read that article too, about the symmetry thing being good genes, therefore our preoccupation with beauty isn't quite as facile as we think-it's biologically programed into us. Makes me feel a little better, even though it also excuses all the fascination with beautiful celebrities!

[mikekellner]

What we find attractive is determined by what everyone else finds attractive. This is how a species stays stable, by choosing mates who give our children the best chance of having children

[mikekellner]

I forgot this, the original purpose of my post.

Thanks for the link to the Born of Hope. Gilraen really looks like one of Éowyn or one of her relatives. The cast and costumes are look great.

One of the great things about the modern age is you can film, or should I say digital video a movie for far less that the typical Hollywood film spends for snacks. And you can distribute it world wide very cheaply. You could sell downloads for a buck or two and make a profit, or at least pay everyone starving artist grade wages.

I look forward to music and movies breaking away from the Hollywood hit machine.

mk

[dolamrothdame]

There's apparently another one out there too-Google The Hunt for Gollum. Same sort of thing-going to be posted on the web when it's done.

I think it's totally cool, and exactly what Tolkien envisaged when he said that he wanted other folks to take up the tale in drama and art. Gives us fanficcers license to play, or so I've always thought!

[mikekellner]

Darn!

Gilraen really looks like one of Éowyn or one of her relatives.

should read

Gilraen really looks like Éowyn or one of her relatives.

mk - editing impaired