Thursday, 28th March 11.00am GMT

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Sunday, 24th March - Inside The One Party, Special Guests Arrive

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this report are those of Ian Smith, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the official fan club, its staff or any of its members.

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While Peter Jackson took his time to introduce everyone, oscar winners and non-oscar winners alike, allowing each their turn on the microphone, it was clear that this was a solid team of people who rejoiced in working together. It was great to see them applauding each other as enthusiastically as we were. Several times throughout the evening Peter and Richard (Taylor) emphasised "We're fans - just like you". Perhaps the best quote of the evening for the organisers came from Peter Jackson when a TV crew asked him what it was like being at the party. "This is great. This is the party that I really wanted to come to tonight. It's really cool", he told them. Of course words are easy to say, but actions speak louder than words and it's only a few days after the event that I realise just how much the crew and Sir Ian McKellen delivered on those words. Imagine it: they have invites to the big parties where the "movers and shakers" of the industry are gathered, and they honour US by coming to OUR party. By any measure that's a pretty heavy commitment to the fans of the movie. Most of the fans have wonderful stories about the people they met... Primula tells of getting a hug from Howard Shore for the poem she had written and which he had been given at the recent book signing, and was told how he had hung the poem in his home. Richard Taylor gave her his business card for sending the club's dedication to Alan Lee. King Elessar tells of how he shouted out "Thanks" to the fifth hobbit, Peter Jackson, as he was leaving and of how PJ then walked back up the stairs and shook his hand. She-Elf talks of the interest Richard Taylor showed in her forthcoming trip to New Zealand, and of how he gave her his business card for contact when there. There are many other stories to tell. My own story concerns my friend Brian Sibley and Richard Taylor's comments about him. I hope neither of them mind me telling this story here because they reveal something about both men which I wanted to share.

I told Richard I had had dinner with Brian just before leaving for LA. Brian had been full of praise for the way Richard and his wife looked after him when he was in New Zealand preparing material for his 'Official Movie Guide' and 'Insider's Guide' and asked me to pass on his best wishes to Richard if I saw him. When I did this, and told Richard I was a friend of Brian's, his response was charming. "If you're a friend of Brian's you're a very lucky guy. He's a lovely man. Please send him my love." A very warm and generous man, Richard stayed at the party for what seemed an eternity, ensuring that anyone who wanted to hold the oscars he was carrying got to do so. I tracked him for quite a while and no request for a photo was refused and no time pressure put on any fan who just wanted to talk. What a guy! Continued on next page

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