Weta Workshop - Trolls, Hobbits, Orcs, Narnia!

We had not originally planned on booking a Weta workshop tour, as I wasn’t sure my kids were old enough to appreciate visiting a studio. 

Weta workshop is the film effects and prop company that is most known for doing work for Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, the Narnia Movies, King Kong, Avatar and so much more.  

But, after we watched LOTR and The Hobbit while touring the South Island, I realized that they may be more excited. 

The. Tour. Was. AWESOME!!!

I have done a few studio tours since I lived in Los Angeles and worked in “the industry.” And, this is officially my favorite one yet. 

This may be because the folks leading the tour were just as nerdy as I was about the things they were talking about and kept getting excited with me. 

For example, when the guide placed the mitral armor on me that Frodo used in the movie, I started giggling erratically.  

And, the guide said, “I know, right?!” 

And then I looked up at the wall and said “Oh wow! Is that High King Peter’s sword! Look at the engraving!”

And the guide said, “It is, and it’s actually the sword smith’s favorite. But, did you see Susan’s horn?!” 

And then I look around and say “Whoa, did they really design a different orc helmet per age of middle earth?”

You get the idea. 

These guys are incredible artisans. The details on these props! You simply don’t see all of that in the movies. 

Unfortunately, I couldn’t take pictures in this room, so I have to hold these memories in my heart. 

Besides gawking at props, we also learned about the history of Weta, which started with a married couple who loved to work in horror and gory special effects before moving onto the fantasy epics. 

In another area, we learned about blood, make-up, silicon molds, prosthetics, sword craft, chain-mail (some is metal, but some is knitted cloth!) and so much more! 

A much smaller example from the Gallipoli exhibit at Te Papa. Most sculptures had hats on since the hair is individually placed.

Who knows which movies these helmets are from?

Then we met the wonderful “dragon puff” designer, Sonja Howard who took us through her creative process. 

Lastly, we got to try some creative work ourselves. There was nothing overtly fancy about this, since the heart of the owners of Weta is that art and creativity are accessible and shouldn’t be too costly. 

They gave us:

• tin foil, 

• a spoon 

• a hot glue gun 

Then a super excited tin foil creative genius, Warren Beaton (aka “Dr. Tinfoil”) showed us his work with making castles and dragons and so many other gorgeous bases by using just those materials. 

Then we got to work.

This tour was over too fast. We were inspired! We went out and bought some tin foil and a hot glue gun.