The Fellowship Movie: The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers
This was the official website for the 2010 film, The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers.
Content is from the site's 2008 -2013 archived pages as well as from other outside sources.
Learn film making as we journey through our film "The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers".
Rating: NR
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy
Directed By: Ron Newcomb
Written By: Ron Newcomb, Scott Mathias, Christopher Bunn
In Theaters: Dec 3, 2013 limited
On Disc/Streaming: Dec 3, 2013
Runtime: 92 minutes
Trailer for THE FELLOWS HIP: Rise of the Gamers
2008
Ron Newcomb & Scott Matthias launch OPENING ACT PRODUCTIONS.
On May 1, 2008, Ron & Scott began their journey as independent film makers.
• The Fellowship, During their quest to become Lord of the Ring video game champs, a group of geeks become a true fellowship and learns that there’s a little bit of geek—and hero—in all of us.
2009
Who we are:
Opening Act Productions, LLC™ (OAP) is in business to produce theatrical motion pictures. We develop and produce high quality, innovative entertaining content that also is thought-provoking, and ultimately, inspiring.
OAP will not focus on one style or genre, but remain sensitive to current trends. We believe that a compelling, entertaining story coupled with quality of craft (and the right mix of marketing) will attract a mass audience. Beginning with the feature film currently titled, The Fellowship, a coming-of-age, Lord of the Rings-inspired comedy.
Opening Act Productions, LLC™ (OAP)
Are we looking for scripts?
At this time we have a plenty of scripts to last us awhile. We can’t accept unsolicited scripts at this time.
Can I get involved?
Absolutely! We are always looking to help others advance and get involved with their own filmmaking careers. Contact us and let us know your experience and interest.
How can I help movies get made?
Indie Films are always in need of "Grass Roots" support. Help this film get made by going to Support Us and enter your e-mail and state that you want The Fellowship movie made.
2011
Edited Interview
The Road to Mordor: A talk with the crew of The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers
Justin Olivetti
07.01.11
Buzz has been increasing about an intriguing independent film that looks to blend Tolkien love, geek pride, and Lord of the Rings Online fandom into one epic adventure. Called The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers, this movie is about a group of friends who undertake a journey to a convention in order to participate in a LotRO gaming competition (and stick it to some bullies while they're at it).
Many blogs, such as LOTRO Reporter and A Casual Stroll to Mordor, have promoted this up-and-coming film, and after seeing the trailer, we too became fascinated with what could be a fun movie that puts MMO gaming front and center.
One may not simply walk into Mordor, but with the right connections, one could phone the folks up there. We got on the line with three crew members for The Fellows Hip -- Ron Newcomb (producer, director and writer), Scott Mathais (producer and writer), and Shane McClung (producer) -- to see just what type of lovable insanity would cause a group of people to throw together such a movie.
Ron: We began with a story that we could tell. It's a story that resonates with the fact that we are big Tolkien fans and gamers. It's a story we wanted to see and that we felt hadn't been told as of yet. The Fellows Hip is not a goofy parody; it is a story that reflects an epic, though comedic, journey that we all might like to go on one day.
How long has the film been in production? How much of it is complete at this point?
Ron: We started almost two years ago now and filmed in August 2009. We are about 80% complete; we just have a few more visual effects and a bit of sound design, and then we are going to complete our color correction to give it that high-cinematic look.
Scott: With writing, it started back in 2007. It's been a long but exciting road -- moments of despair and moments of great fun, just like any journey. We're the four hobbits minus one.
Did I see... Tom Bombadil in that trailer? Tell me, does he skip and sing?
Ron: Ahhh... perhaps you did! Not only does he skip and sing, but he also bandies about while flashing his huge sterling silver statement rings (his manager later corrected me, saying they were not statement rings, but rather stylish sterling silver rings via sterlingforever.com), to draw attention to the movement of his hands. Since this is not a parody but more of a parallel, many characters take on the essence and character traits of the characters we love, including Tom.
Scott: That character is a mix of Bombadil, Elrond, Gandalf and maybe even Galadriel -- all the wise characters of The Lord of the Rings. We definitely gave him a Bombadillian (is that a word?) bent, knowing Tom was a character that we and other fans missed in the films.
Shane: The fun thing is this story; you will see a lot of parallels to LotR characters, but the characters in the story will also have traits of more than just one LotR character. Many fans will also recognize parallels to some of the cult-classic '80s movies that Ron, Scott and I all grew up with.
How long have you been playing LotRO, what's your class, and what's your favorite place in Middle-earth?
Ron: I always like to play as if I were there in Middle-earth. I have tried many variations, but my main is a Human Champion. And I'm pretty simple when it comes to Middle-earth. Though I enjoy Rivendell, I believe I still go back to the noob land of The Shire. I remember seeing Aragorn for the first time at the Prancing Pony -- now that was awesome!
Scott: I'm really a noob, so my time in LotRO doesn't amount to much, though I want to spend more time there. I did, however, play a level 65 Dwarf Guardian for the film. Alas, that character was provided especially by Turbine for only a short time and no longer exists. It's hard to go back. I journeyed up around Fornost and that area for awhile. It was really cool-looking and dangerous, not something you really get to know in the books or films.
Shane: I have been playing MMOs for a long time and really enjoy the depth of the stories and characters in LotRO. This is not a hack-and-slash game; it is a game where you actually picture yourself as the character and develop many skills, crafting abilities, hobbies, friends and fellowships. You are a part of the story, and you can see how you affect the game itself. My two favorite characters are my Hunter and Rune-keeper. As for favorite places, I would have to say I really enjoy the mines of Moria; Moria has a very extensive and well-done atmosphere. However, Turbine did an amazing job with the scenery visuals in the entire realm. I find myself just stopping and looking around, seeing how the world changes from daytime and nighttime.
From the trailer, it looks like the movie is inspired by the Peter Jackson films, the online game, and game conventions. Why the blend of these three? Are you worried that the film's references will go over the heads of people who haven't played the MMO?
Ron: When trying to go after a customer, you try to reach as specific as you can and you end up hitting the masses (that's the plan anyway). If we were too vague, it would not hit our fans where we wanted to and would have been just another indie film on the shelf. No, this is for gamers, convention attendees, and those who love them.
I'm a huge fan of what Peter Jackson did on film, so much that I flew to New Zealand a few years back. Tolkien introduced to a huge world in my mind; Peter Jackson put meat on the bones and brought it to life for me. I'm very visual, so what Peter Jackson pulled off was amazing. If we can create an homage to Mr. Jackson -- I would be honored.
On a fun side note, we did use his name in the film, and of course we had to get permission, so we put a thank-you to Mr. Jackson in the film, which is now listed on IMDB. If you look up Mr. Jackson and scroll way down -- there we are.
Shane: Most movies have references that most people will not recognize, but they are there for those who do. But all people will enjoy the film, and you don't have to recognize or understand the references to follow the story and enjoy The Fellows Hip.
What's your favorite fan convention?
Ron: I think DragonCon does the best fan-based convention. The organizers really seem to care about their fan base and really have fun with it. Atlanta goes all out with letting them host a huge parade where they shut down the streets for them and everything. It's a blast! Though I'm looking forward to some of my more local conventions in the DC area.
Scott: That's been our favorite so far. We've only been to a couple with the film but hope to make it to more.
Shane: Agreed, love DragonCon.
Are you still pursuing a theatrical release or are going straight to DVD?
Shane: Theatrical is something we're striving for. The main thing of note, though, is there are new ways to get the film to the fans, and we will be exploring and trying to release it all the ways available: theatrical, DVD, BluRay, OnDemand, TV and all digital forms domestic and international.
Did you get permission from Turbine to use in-game footage?
Ron: Absolutely. The Turbine folks were great to work with and went above and beyond to help us out -- including putting us on our own server and decking us out with uber toons.
Scott: Well, it wasn't our server, but one of the internal test servers. They also gave us some special powers so we didn't have to die if we didn't want to. It was cool, and like Ron said, they've been great to work with. To work with us like they have shows they're really for the fans.
Shane: Turbine has been wonderful, and by extension of their license, so has been Middle-earth Enterprises; both gave us permissions to use the LotRO and LotR references and visuals. Both companies have great people and we hold them all in high regard.
2013
REVIEWS
"Rise of the Fellowship" Hits Netflix on January 3rd, 2013
© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
Winner of the GenCon 2012 Film Festival, Rise of the Fellowship is, as one might expect, a low-budget geek love song to the ultimate geek epic films, the Lord of the Rings trilogy (especially Fellowship of the Ring). Scheduled to arrive on Netflix on January 3rd, Rise of the Fellowship has been making some waves on the indie circuit and on DVD.
Far more a tribute than an actual parody, though I suppose one could argue it weaves together both elements, Rise of the Fellowship centers around a group of ultra-geeky friends who embark on an "epic journey" with obstacles and threats along the way. They lose a prized possession along the way, and it takes all the courage they can muster to work through everything they face.
The film has also played at the Richmond International Film Festival and the Los Angeles Fear & Fantasy Film Festival, a pretty clear sign that it's aimed squarely at the fantasy movie-going fan and will easily get the most chuckles of familiarity from those familiar with all things Tolkien. Randall (Justin Moe) is a geek surrounded by even geekier friends. He works in a game shop, not a bad gig for someone who spends all his time gaming when he's not daydreaming about Stacey (Emma Earnest, which would be a kickass geek porn name), the school's prettiest cheerleader who, of course, happens to be dating a jock/bully. He's got a mother who doesn't understand him, a brother who bullies him, and friends who are such geeks that even the game shop owner wants to keep them out.
Everything changes when Randall learns about the Lord of the Rings gaming competition in Florida, a competition that seems a natural fit for Randall and his friends and offers, just maybe, a chance for their lives to have some meaning. The film's parodying elements are at times quite strong, with a good majority of the scenes playing as awfully familiar for anyone who knows the movies. While a lot of films, especially parodies, tend to cross that line into poking fun of its subject matter, Rise of the Fellowship is clearly intended as a loving tribute to its inspiration and, even when the film falters in terms of production and performance, its overall likability keeps it afloat.
The script, from director Ron Newcomb along with Scott Mathias and Christopher Bunn, is inconsistent but occasionally quite funny and, once again, never less than likable. Among the key players, lead Justin Moe is the most effective and seems like the kind of young man you'd have found in some of the early John Hughes films. Those who surround him are a bit more hit-and-miss, though Ms. Earnest has a winning screen presence and Wolf Sherrill definitely gives the film some abundant laughs.
D.P. Brian Pennington lenses the film quite nicely use the RED One , while Dale Clay's music is effective throughout in doing a sort of wink at the LOTR films while giving the film a rhythm all its own.
While there's nothing about Rise of the Fellowship that's going to blow you away, those who would like a rather easygoing and breezy latenight view on Netflix may very well appreciate what Newcomb and his cast and crew have accomplished. For more information on the film, visit its website linked to in the credits.
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Reviews
***½ Eric P
December 14, 2013
Rise of the Fellowship is a glorious love letter to both the Lord of the Rings and the world of gaming, with just a touch of John Hughes for seasoning.
We are introduced to a quartet of dedicated young geeks who go to school and play Lord of the Rings Online together while trying to avoid the typically abusive jock squad. This and other tropes such as our hero Randall being hopelessly In love with the lead cheerleader will be very familiar to anyone who grew up watching movies in the 1980's.
Things take an interesting turn though when a Lord of the Rings Online competition is announced and the jocks attempt to beat the geeks at their own game. They seem to do so but only through the use of trickery and in order to right this wrong, Randall, Stacy, Squirelly and Nate set out on an epic quest for truth, justice and the gamer way.
Astute fans of the Lord of the Rings trilogy will notice that Rise of the Fellowship plays homage to many elements from those movies and even crafts its own storyline to roughly follow that of the trilogy. Since this is only one movie and not three, that mechanism leads to certain things getting a bit muddled and hurried at some points but overall, it works.
The acting is surprisingly good, especially considering that it is a small independent film, with the standout being the film's director who plays Randall's older brother Stan. The character development is also handled well, with one possible exception. But as that is tied to a significant plot twist others may find it justified.
Finally, the film also gets high marks for its sound track and topnotch production values. All of these elements combine to make a film that will be appreciated by many for the light-hearted homage and geek rallying cry that it is. Definitely give it a look!
+++
***** Lovro H
December 3, 2013
Oh yeah! This was freaking epic! Lord of the Rings Online in a movie! Finally! This was a very good comedy film about 4 friends trying to win a "Lord of the Rings Online gaming competition" and on the trip to the convention they run into a series of events similiar to the ones described in the books and the movies. It was very interesting to watch, and I would really like to see more movies like this!
+++
***** Travis N
December 3, 2013
I freakin' love this movie! Great family film that my kids are asking to watch all of the time. and, what a great homage to LOTR / The Hobbit! Tolkien would be proud!
+++
***** David S
December 1, 2013
Sheer Brilliance!! Loved it :) Sometimes these spoof films can be rotten tomatoes! On this particular occasion it's a real Peach!! It's a must see :)
+++
Dawn N
November 29, 2013
This is an awesome film for the whole family. You will fall in love with the geeks and root them on to the end. This is a fun loving film with some very funny scenes that will make you laugh out loud! Don't miss this film for your next family movie night!
+++
***** Private U
November 28, 2013
This fun family film has it all: action, adventure, romance, and humor! Gamers and Lord of the Rings fans will enjoy all the references, too!
Opening Act Productions BLOG POSTS 2012 - 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
How to find out who’s really in charge of a film?
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
TFH: At Look into the character Nate Bingley – Fearful to Fearless
Now that I (Ron) have had some time to reflect on our film, “The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers,” I find that one of the characters I really have enjoyed has been Nate Bingley, played by Cole Matson. For a film, a character changes at least three times. That’s once when you write him, once when the actor owns him and once then in the editing room by how the editor (Brian) portrays him.
But it’s through the love of his friends and his loyalty that he is called out of his comfort zone. He must leave his safe haven to right a wrong. When he is thrown into the adventure, he is at first excited and ready for the challenge. But at the onset of his first test, he almost falls apart. With each step doubt creeps in. That is until he is introduced to the life of a hippie. There he begins to see who Nate is all about. He shows through his monologue that he has come to realize that life is meant to be lived, and he’s going to “suck the nectar out of life and drink down every last drop.”
Nate “gets it” and knows this could be the adventure of a lifetime. He who was fearful has become fearless. He begins to embrace his destiny and become the man he’s always meant to be. He puts aside the fearful gamer and begins to embrace the fearless explorer.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Earn the Title. Stay Motivated. Be Responsible.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
What do I need to do to get (re-)started in filmmaking?
- Find the local 48 Hour Film Project in your area. http://www.48hourfilm.com/ - they have them all over the world. People take them very seriously and really give it their all. I was very impressed about the team I found myself on. Or there are others, like the 168: http://www.168project.com/
- I was a little skeptical about this next idea, but when I attended one – I found 25 other local filmmakers just like me.
- Just about every college out there has some type of film program. Look within their communications department. You can either a) take a class, or b) volunteer for student projects. Just reach out to them, let them know what you can do, and be a contributor when you get a chance.
- Use social media to find filmmakers – from YahooGroups, to Google+, to Facebook (of course). Filmmakers know other filmmakers.
Posted by Ron Newcomb
Monday, December 17, 2012
Stay connected with us!
We are all over - how about you?
http://www.TheFellowsHipMovie.com
http://www.OAPFilms.com
http://pinterest.com/ronnukem/the-fellows-hip/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40256188@N08/
https://twitter.com/OpeningActProd
http://www.youtube.com/oapfilm
http://thefellowshipmovie.blogspot.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1669814/
http://thefellowshipmovie.com/film.html
http://ronnukem.tumblr.com/
Posted by Ron Newcomb
Friday, October 5, 2012
We have representation
The Highland Film Group has joined the team as our sales agent. We reviewed offers from several distributors and sales agents, but HFG was a cut above the rest. We’re excited about this partnership and looking forward to good things to come. Fellows Hip distribution is now in full swing!
Keep the buzz going! Encourage everyone to visit our IMDB page and YouTube trailer. Invite them to join our Facebook fan page too and follow us on Twitter.
Thanks for being with us on the journey, and be on the lookout for the latest distribution news!
Posted by Ron Newcomb at 7:39 AM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: distribution, Film, lord of the rings, movies, ron newcomb, Tolkien
Posted by Ron Newcomb
Monday, September 17, 2012
What is a fan film?
Fan Films are films that work off someone else's created content. I would suggest a true fan film, is one that does not spoof or act as a parody, but rather is a love of the content, and the film is an extension of that. It uses the same world and perhaps the same characters, but it’s not a remake.
They are generally not full length in time or scope as well - as they are not meant to be viewed as a feature, but more of a "side story"; with the goal of being a homage to the creator of the original content.
A parody is generally something that runs along the same story, but creates a funny take on it. These are expected to be cheesy and pokes fun at the content directly.
Why make a fan film?
There are many reasons to make a fan film. If you are an aspiring filmmaker, but do not have much of a story yourself – it’s a great way to dive into an all ready known world, like Middle Earth, which helps you establish certain rules. It is also very easy to garner a strong fan base for the content, as someone has all ready done that for you. You just need to tap into them. Many times, if they are well done, they will really make the rounds.
The main reason I like this, as indie filmmakers struggle with building a fan base. This allows you to do that.
A big note. You must proceed with caution in developing a fan film. As this is not yours! You might make an original story off of something established, but you are riding on the success of the film (or comic, or book) you love, such as from Tolkien. And in doing this, those people that do have the legal rights to create the content, could, and sometimes do, take issue with you making a fan film. If it’s just a few friends in your back yard, it’s probably not that big of a deal, ut the more professional it becomes the more it will get on their RADAR. Regardless – there are legal issues with fan films.
It does not matter if you do not plan on showing this to make money. This does not negate your responsibility to seek permission for what you are doing. Many times, they won’t mind you doing a fan film, but will simply give you a few things you will have to agree to.
What makes a good fan film?
Exactly what makes a great film! The story, the production value, and then how close can you get to the original content. So your props/wardrobe needs to be superb. Then your acting will speak volumes.
Some great Lord of the Rings fan films are: Halifirien, The Peril to the Shire, TheHunt for Gollum, and Born of Hope.
Our film however, “The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers”, is for fans, but not a fan film. It's commercial in nature with the goal being an ROI.
You can find some other great fan films at: http://www.fanfilms.net/
(another good resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_film)