The Caverns of Isengard

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

In this scene we're introduced to one of the characters that has a huge impact on the Fellowship. The leader of Saruman's Uruk-hai, bred for one purpose and I think leaves an enormous impression on all who see the films.



I often wonder: would I have been willing to become Lurtz if that was my only chance to be in Lord of the Rings? Could I have been able to sit through nearly half a day in makeup and costume? Could I have handled not only the mouth of Uruk-hai teeth but those funky contacts too? Most importantly, could I have let myself be covered in all that goo take after take after take?






But for the sake of argument let's say I could. (And let's say I'm a tall, muscular man and so had even a small shot at being cast. *g*) Would Lurtz have been as menacing, as feral and imposing? Not in a million years.

Because it was more than the awesome makeup and prosthetics. It was Lawrence Makoare.



Fun quote from Lawrence's site when asked for any anecdotes about working with Viggo: "Definitely keep away from his sword arm and try not to die." He also gives a nice shout out to Miranda as one of the people he most enjoyed working with.



This picture is from WETAHolics, and is from a live makeup application demo in Spain in 2007 as part of a Lord of the Rings exhibition. The full article, with a few more pics, can be accessed by clicking on the picture.



I'm including this just because I think it's a great shot of him. The full size pic can be found at James Bond Autographs

Last but not least, I found a great Lurtz Tribute video; it can't be embedded so click through to watch. But fair warning, most scenes are from Amon Hen so be prepared for Boromir and arrows.

Know any interesting bits of information about bringing Lurtz to life? Had the great fortune of meeting Lawrence Makoare? Anything you'd like to share, either here or in a separate post, is most welcome.

Comments

[afra_schatz]

I absolutely adore the last photo!

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

Isn't it gorgeous? It was a nice surprise find.

[silsbee329.livejournal.com]

"Definitely keep away from his sword arm and try not to die."
XD
He is so beautiful. WETA does amazing work! ;D

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

It's incredible what they were able to do, and I can imagine how much it took to bring the character to life when you're buried under so much stuff.

[shirebound]

He's magnificent looking.

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

I agree, and I so loved hearing about how much humor and positiveness he had during the whole thing as well.

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

I interviewed Lawrence right after ROTK came out & he was, hands down, one of the coolest & nicest people I have ever met in my entire life. Very ebullient and full of life and he has all of these great stories.

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

He's another of those people that makes me realize what an amazing job they did casting these films and bringing such lovely people together.

[sandelwood]

He played Gothmog too! The man is a force.

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

And the Witchking! He gets bonus points just for hurling that monster mace around.

[msilverstar]

Lawrence! I started in Lotrips the first day by reading a great fic with him and Viggo: Manflesh, by viva_gloria.

I met him when I went to C4 in October 2003. I'd never been to that kind of con before, and I hadn't found the fandom people yet, so it was just me, alone. He was very nice and slightly confused himself, first time for all of us. He was really gigantic! I can't find the photo, but I am not a small person, 5'6" and plump, and I felt so small next to him.

eta fixing html

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

Well he's something like 6'4" so he's got nearly a foot on us (I'm 5'8") so yeah, I get why you'd feel small. :-) I love hearing how he's something of a gentle giant, who if provoked could still kick a few butts. I'd love to meet a bunch of them, but beyond the Fellowship folks Sala and Lawrence are at the top of my list. And that cutie Shane Rangi too. *g*

The link didn't work but I tracked it down on her Web site. If I can find it on her LJ I'll leave a comment there.

[msilverstar]

Try this link, I'm sure it works and it's not locked: http://viva-gloria.livejournal.com/31211.html

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Her site actually had a link at the bottom for leaving feedback at an archive so I left a note there, but it's hard to tell where people prefer receiving comments. I think I'll leave the same comment at her journal too.

[caras-galadhon.livejournal.com]

*G* What a great post! (And good lord, he is so pretty.)

When I was in Wellington in 2003 for the RotK premiere, the group I was with did the whole red carpet thing (in that we stood at the red carpet and screamed and waved and collected autographs and said horrendously embarrassing, fangirlish things to the stars). Towards the end, as the crowds were starting to thin and most of our group left to go back to the bed and breakfast and do a little more sightseeing, myself and quabazaa were the only ones left still hanging out, not yet willing to leave. (Besides, there was a trickle of lesser-known stars/cast/crew still making their slow way down, and we had the good fortune to spot a couple of them and coax them over.) Well, wouldn't you know, down came Mr. Makoare, decked out in a gorgeous tuxedo.

We squeed and waved and he came over, grinning from ear to ear, to talk to the two of us. (By this time, there were very few other folks still around us.) He said hello, signed our books, and then we got a chance to talk to him for a couple minutes. Qua, as an icebreaker, asked him who he was playing in RotK (we both already knew ^_~), and he turned around and pointed at the huge statue of the Witchking astride his Fell Beast that was within sight, perched above the Embassy Theatre. He said, "That's me up there!"

We laughed, and I blurted out, "So you've got Sean Bean's disease, eh?" (Meaning Sean is, er, well-known for dying in films.)

He laughed delightedly and said, "Yep! I bet Sean really got a kick out of me dying!"

So while I beamed and added that to my personal store of "stories about Sean Bean," Qua piped up and asked if we could get a picture of him. He obliged, very generously, and posed for us. Qua then got this glint in her eye, and said, "Can you make an orc face for a picture?"

He blinked. "What, in a suit?" She nodded, he chuckled, and then went, "Grrr!" and Qua snapped a photo.

He excused himself at that point and continued up the carpet, and while I'm sure that day was probably a blur at best to him, that moment is one that still makes me smile like a loon now. (As do a number of others from the red carpet that day. ^_~)

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

I LOVE this story!! Thank you so much for sharing it here. *hugs* I just love hearing that he's been just as genuinely sweet and kind as he seems in interviews and things. Such a lovely man.

He does have kind of the Sean Bean disease doesn't he? lol (I adore his response to that question.) I think we need to petition to rectify this. :-)

[periantari.livejournal.com]

Cool links and great info! I'm glad to see Lawrence as an orc and also as himself. Thanks for sharing!

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

He's an imposing figure in and out of costume, but nice to know he seems like a sweetie in real life. *g*