Lord of the Rings: The Animated Musical | Animatic for Book I, Chapter 1

I was not sure what to write to go along with this animatic, which is the culmination of many months of work. I had originally begun an essay about the history of computer programs used to create my animatic. While the essay was certainly interesting, especially for technology geeks, it did not seem in line with my other essays in this series. I have decided instead to keep this essay as simple as possible and instead offer a brief summary of what I have learned so far.

During my research of global histories and cultures, creating illustrations, and composing music, I have amassed a vast amount of knowledge and a wide-ranging skill set that I would not have thought possible at the beginning of the project. I have uncovered delightful stories and fun facts during this journey. For some highlights, I enjoyed learning about traditional clothing worn by Manchus, which partially inspired my depiction of Dunlending culture and took a MasterClass on voice acting presented by Nancy Cartwright while practicing “foreign sounds” used by characters in Middle-earth, although I still do not have the same skill as Frodo.

Some of the stories I discovered have been less delightful. I return constantly to the concept of feudalism, one variation on the ancient false idea that some people are naturally better than others, and a “greater” race should rule over “lesser” races. Particularly disturbing was the historic justification for keeping children as pets, although these children were loved and well-treated, especially compared to other working class or enslaved children of the time. As bleak as the current political situation may seem, especially to historically marginalized communities, the public has quickly forgotten how awful practices were once tolerated. We have by no means returned to earlier eras, and these stories should give us hope at how much we can continue to improve even in the face of powerful people who have forgotten how to care for the less fortunate.

According to Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings was not intended to have any meaning, and yet people have found meaning within its pages for over seventy years. I hope that my animatic feels inspired by and respectful of the text, along with the decades of commentary surrounding it. Feel free to sing along with the music, admire the scenery, and pay attention to the messages of loyalty and responsibility. I hope you enjoy my belated birthday present. I will take off next Sunday, November 2, but will return on November 9 to begin research on Book I, Chapter 2 “The Shadow of the Past”.

Watch the full playlist here: