Interview with Bruce Hopkins (Gamling)

Michael Martinez · 05-23-2003, 03:30 AM

New Zealand actor Bruce Hopkins, who played Gamling in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers', gave us an exclusive interview earlier this year. We have finally gotten around to publishing it.

Fans of the LoTR movies, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Shortland Street, and many other shows will want to read Bruce's comments on Kevin Smith, Peter Jackson, working in New Zealand, and more.

Here is a teaser:

Xenite.Org: Of all the roles you've played, which did you enjoy most for:

The place...

BH: The role of Gamling in TTT, the location for Edoras, which was Mt Potts Station in the South Island of NZ. It was the most astounding setting, surrounded on three sides by snow capped mountains and rivers. In particular there was one day when it was all covered in fresh snow. Maginificent beauty.

The people you worked with...

BH: Kevin Smith. We worked together on 3 telefeatures called Lawless, a couple of Hercules and Xena eps, as well as a feature directed by Michael Hurst called Jubilee. Kevin was genuinely one of the most open and complete human beings I have ever known. There was always laughter and intelligent heart felt friendship. (NOTE: Kevin Smith is best known outside of New Zealand for his roles on Hercules and Xena as Ares, God of War and Iphicles, brother of Hercules -- he died as the result of a tragic accident in February 2002 while working in China on the movie "Warriors of Virtue 2".)

The role itself...

BH: Gamling in LOTR. Even though Gamling is not a big heroic role to play, it allowed me to be a part of what felt like a form of heaven on earth. For me the 45 days I spent shooting LOTR were truely blissful. Wonderful crew and cast, sumptuous food, plenty of coffee, amazing locations and of course working with the one and only Peter Jackson.

Xenite.Org: Of all the projects you've worked on, which set had the best food?

BH: Probably LOTR. However, the Hercules and Xena shoots had great catering also. Almost every job I have done in NZ has had very impressive food, and despite resolutions to myself saying I will take it easy, I can't help literally pigging out.

Read the full interview here:
http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movi..._0001/566.html

Gwaimir Windgem · 05-23-2003, 07:15 AM

Can you say suck up?

gimli7410 · 05-23-2003, 10:36 AM

as JD would say "brownoser"

Michael Martinez · 05-24-2003, 11:51 AM

I guess the old Entmoot ain't what it used to be.

However, is there a problem with our running an interview with an actor who has appeared in two shows and a movie for which our domain has relevant content?

***azalea*** · 05-24-2003, 01:40 PM

Absolutely not! I found it to be a great interview of an actor who played one of the smaller roles in LotR, which is something that we don't really get to see very often (it is usually only the "big stars" who get the opportunity to speak to the fans about their experiences in these kinds of films). Interestingly, as I watched TTT each of the four times I saw it, I wondered who that actor was, because I hadn't seen him in anything before. Thanks for posting the link!

(I don't think GW was calling YOU a suck up, I think he was refering to Bruce Hopkins talking about how great the experience working for Peter Jackson was. Be careful not to be misunderstood, Gwaimir -- we love MM here and want him to keep coming on and posting links to his articles, etc!

)

Gwaimir Windgem · 05-24-2003, 02:34 PM

Ahem, yes, I meant Bruce Hopkins, not Mr. Martinez. I seem to have a habit of being stupid.

Michael Martinez · 05-26-2003, 12:05 AM

Well, okay, but let me point out that I am a professional suckup artist where I work. Keeping one's boss happy is an important part of being employed (and remaining employable).

Or, whatever.

Thanks for the clarifications.

Anyway, glad you all liked the interview. Many Bothans died to bring you that news....

Gwaimir Windgem · 05-26-2003, 12:42 AM

Oo

Which HoMe volume had the Bothans?

***IronParrot*** · 05-26-2003, 05:16 PM

MM! Glad to see you back again... xenite.org's content is robust and insightful as always. Are there any new LOTR essays we should take specific note of?

Michael Martinez · 05-26-2003, 06:21 PM

Heh.

Um. Let me finish rebuilding the site....

Bothans can be found in VOLUME XIII of THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: THE STAR WARS OF THE ELVES.

Gwaimir Windgem · 05-26-2003, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Michael Martinez
Heh.

Um. Let me finish rebuilding the site....

Bothans can be found in VOLUME XIII of THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: THE STAR WARS OF THE ELVES.

Hey! I thought there were only 12 Volumes!

05-23-2003, 03:30 AM	#1
Michael Martinez Elven Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 892	Interview with Bruce Hopkins (Gamling) New Zealand actor Bruce Hopkins, who played Gamling in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers', gave us an exclusive interview earlier this year. We have finally gotten around to publishing it. Fans of the LoTR movies, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Shortland Street, and many other shows will want to read Bruce's comments on Kevin Smith, Peter Jackson, working in New Zealand, and more. Here is a teaser: Xenite.Org: Of all the roles you've played, which did you enjoy most for: The place... BH: The role of Gamling in TTT, the location for Edoras, which was Mt Potts Station in the South Island of NZ. It was the most astounding setting, surrounded on three sides by snow capped mountains and rivers. In particular there was one day when it was all covered in fresh snow. Maginificent beauty. The people you worked with... BH: Kevin Smith. We worked together on 3 telefeatures called Lawless, a couple of Hercules and Xena eps, as well as a feature directed by Michael Hurst called Jubilee. Kevin was genuinely one of the most open and complete human beings I have ever known. There was always laughter and intelligent heart felt friendship. (NOTE: Kevin Smith is best known outside of New Zealand for his roles on Hercules and Xena as Ares, God of War and Iphicles, brother of Hercules -- he died as the result of a tragic accident in February 2002 while working in China on the movie "Warriors of Virtue 2".) The role itself... BH: Gamling in LOTR. Even though Gamling is not a big heroic role to play, it allowed me to be a part of what felt like a form of heaven on earth. For me the 45 days I spent shooting LOTR were truely blissful. Wonderful crew and cast, sumptuous food, plenty of coffee, amazing locations and of course working with the one and only Peter Jackson. Xenite.Org: Of all the projects you've worked on, which set had the best food? BH: Probably LOTR. However, the Hercules and Xena shoots had great catering also. Almost every job I have done in NZ has had very impressive food, and despite resolutions to myself saying I will take it easy, I can't help literally pigging out. Read the full interview here: http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movi..._0001/566.html __________________ http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/ http://www.michael-martinez.com/ http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/

05-23-2003, 07:15 AM	#2
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Can you say suck up? __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle Last edited by Gwaimir Windgem : 05-23-2003 at 07:48 AM.

05-23-2003, 10:36 AM	#3
gimli7410 the dumb stoner canuck Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: canada Posts: 2,542	as JD would say "brownoser" __________________ -"Down with the system"-Serj tankian of system of a down -“Humans have been on the earth for millions of years, yet we don’t believe man began thinking until he started building walls. And what good have these walls ever done us?”-Serj tankian of soad -"stupid people do stupid things"-Serj tankian of soad "Trying is the first step to failure" Homer Simpson "It isn't going to be easy"-jerseydevil "only the good die young" I AM CANADIAN If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

05-24-2003, 11:51 AM	#4
Michael Martinez Elven Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 892	I guess the old Entmoot ain't what it used to be. However, is there a problem with our running an interview with an actor who has appeared in two shows and a movie for which our domain has relevant content? __________________ http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/ http://www.michael-martinez.com/ http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/

05-24-2003, 02:34 PM	#6
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Ahem, yes, I meant Bruce Hopkins, not Mr. Martinez. I seem to have a habit of being stupid. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

05-24-2003, 01:40 PM	#5
*azalea* Long lost mooter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 3,342	Absolutely not! I found it to be a great interview of an actor who played one of the smaller roles in LotR, which is something that we don't really get to see very often (it is usually only the "big stars" who get the opportunity to speak to the fans about their experiences in these kinds of films). Interestingly, as I watched TTT each of the four times I saw it, I wondered who that actor was, because I hadn't seen him in anything before. Thanks for posting the link! (I don't think GW was calling YOU a suck up, I think he was refering to Bruce Hopkins talking about how great the experience working for Peter Jackson was. Be careful not to be misunderstood, Gwaimir -- we love MM here and want him to keep coming on and posting links to his articles, etc! )

05-26-2003, 12:05 AM	#7
Michael Martinez Elven Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 892	Well, okay, but let me point out that I am a professional suckup artist where I work. Keeping one's boss happy is an important part of being employed (and remaining employable). Or, whatever. Thanks for the clarifications. Anyway, glad you all liked the interview. Many Bothans died to bring you that news.... __________________ http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/ http://www.michael-martinez.com/ http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/

05-26-2003, 12:42 AM	#8
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Oo Which HoMe volume had the Bothans? __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

05-26-2003, 05:16 PM	#9
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	MM! Glad to see you back again... xenite.org's content is robust and insightful as always. Are there any new LOTR essays we should take specific note of? __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

05-26-2003, 06:21 PM	#10
Michael Martinez Elven Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 892	Heh. Um. Let me finish rebuilding the site.... Bothans can be found in VOLUME XIII of THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: THE STAR WARS OF THE ELVES. __________________ http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/ http://www.michael-martinez.com/ http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/

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