For the latest international news check out

Film secrets exposed in new Lord of the Rings exhibition
		The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition, a unique experience based on the famous films, opens at the Science Museum on 16th September 2003 (tomorrow). Hundreds of props from the movies including models, armoury and costumes will be on display alongside interactive computer demonstrations of the cutting-edge technology used to bring the story to life. The family exhibition opens before the final instalment of the film trilogy and the Science Museum will be its only European venue. Visitors will also have a chance to see the first two films of the trilogy at the Science Museum's cinema. The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition has already sold more advance tickets than any previous exhibition at the Science Museum. We have extended the weekend opening hours of the exhibition and, although some tickets will be available at the door, advanced booking is the only way to guarantee entry. To prevent the advanced filmmaking technology displayed in the exhibition from being copied, all cameras and mobile phones are prohibited - the first time the Science Museum has ever had to do this.
The fascination exhibition includes: Demonstrations of special effects, including the combining of 'real' and 'digital' action and CGI (computer-generated-image technology). A scaling interactive explaining one way that the films managed to make characters seem different heights, and which allows visitors to become Hobbit sized in a scene from The Fellowship of the Ring - and then buy a print of themselves. A display on the prosthetics which transformed actors, including Hobbit hands and feet. Weapons belonging to Arwen, Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn. Outfits including Arwen's riding costume, Galadriel's stunning dress and Gandalf's robes. The exhibition culminates with a face-to-face encounter with the central icon from the films - The One Ring. Head of the Science Museum, Jon Tucker, said: "This excellent exhibition lifts the lid on the secrets behind this amazing film trilogy, providing a unique behind-the-scenes look at the science and technology that has created such stunning results." Tickets can be pre-booked on 0870 906 3890 24 hours (booking fee applies) or at www.sciencemuseum.org.uk The Science Museum will be running a series of adult and family events during the autumn half term and Christmas holidays investigating traditional and state-of-the-art filmmaking techniques. Exhibition 16 September 2003 to 11 January 2004 Ticket Prices Monday-Friday: Adults £9.95, Children/Concessions £6.95 Saturday-Sunday: Adults £11.95, Children/Concessions £8.95 Public information and booking line 0870 906 3890 (booking fee applies) Opening hours The Museum has extended the weekend opening hours for this exhibition Friday - Saturday 10am - 9pm Sunday - 10am - 7pm The exhibition will be open Monday - Thursday 10am - 6pm Notes to editors Admission to the main galleries of the Science Museum is free The museum is open daily 10am - 6pm The exhibition is developed and presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in partnership with New Line Cinema. (c) 2003 New Line Productions, Inc; The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, The Return of the King and the characters, events, items and places therein, are the trademark of the Saul Zaentz Company, d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises, under license to New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Lord of the Rings exhibition provides educational insight
		A new Science Museum exhibition based on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy will provide a stimulating and appealing experience for pupils in primary, secondary, further and higher education. The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - The Exhibition looks at the making of the famous films and provides an inspiring context in which science and technology are intertwined with arts and theatre. Teachers and course tutors can use the exhibition to support a range of subject areas including science, design and technology, ICT and multi-media, media and film-related studies, and art and design. Educational themes explored in the teacher's resource guide include the use of digital technology for audio and visual special effects, the application of materials science to produce realistic looking props, and the technology behind film production, from the use of scaling and perspective to set building. A special teachers guide designed to complement class visits to The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy - THe Exhibition can be found on the exhibition website www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/exhibitions. The guide highlights some of the challenges facing those making the breathtaking films - and suggests activities that will allow students to come up with their own solutions to the problems faced by filmmakers.
The activities in the guide link mainly to the following subject areas (otherwise called learning areas or content areas): Technology and Science (design and technology, science information and communications technology), English (literature and drama), Social Studies (PSHE and citizenship) and some activities also link to Mathematics. The activities can be adapted for use with pupils of all ages, from 8 years and over. Ben Gammon, Head of Learning and Audience Development at the Science Museum, said: "This exhibition offers exciting opportunities for learning about the science and the technology of filmmaking - from the use of high technology and special effects to the more traditional craft techniques that have been around for years." Discounted admission rates for educational groups who book in advance: £3.95 per pupil, 1 teacher/adult free per 10 pupils. A ratio of 1:10 is required. To book call the education booking office on 020 7942 4777 or email edbookings@nmsi.ac.uk The Science Museum will be running a series of adult and family events during the autumn half term and Christmas holidays investigating traditional and state-of-the-art filmmaking techniques. Look out for more information on the website. Notes to editors: Concessionary ticket holders must provide proof of eligibility. No readmission to special exhibition Entry is restricted to chosen timeslot - latecomers will not be admitted FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS, NO BAGS, CAMERAS OR MOBILE PHONES ARE ALLOWED IN THE EXHIBITION AREA. ALL THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE DEPOSITED IN THE CLOAKROOM PROVIDED. Admission to the main galleries is free Family tickets (1 adult + 2 children and 2 adult + 2 children) are available to telephone customers only. Please call 0870 906 3890 if you require these tickets. The museum is open daily from 10am until 6pm. The exhibition is developed and presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in partnership with New Line Cinema. (c) 2003 New Line Productions, Inc; The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, The Return of the King and the characters, events, items and places therein, are the trademark of the Saul Zaentz Company, d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises, under license to New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Factfile
		Director Peter Jackson took 18 months to film all three adaptations of The Lord of the Rings. The filming of all three parts of The Lord of the Rings in New Zeland took 15 months and required the services of 15,000 extras playing the parts of orcs, goblins and other creatures. 1,600 pairs of rubber ears and feet were used. 5,000 cubic metres of vegetables and flowers were grown a year before the filming started to make Hobbiton - the village where some of the hobbits live 250 horses were used. 70 of these were specially trained, including five miniature horses used for the Hobbits. Many of the sets were carved out of polystrene to make them look like wood that had aged over thousands of years Over £50,000 of coffee was drunk by the crew and cast during the 18 months of filming! Special software called 'Massive' was specially created for the impressive battle sequences within the films. 48,000 pieces of armour were designed and made for the film trilogy. 2,000 weapons were also produced, including swords, spears, pikes, maces, longbows, crossbows, daggers, knives and axes, as well as 10,000 arrows.

Email: ian@iansmith.co.uk