The Making of…

Chapter 4

Scenes and Swordfights

“Right,” Peter began as we made our way onto the set. “Were going to film you walking through the archway here, into the courtyard,” He pointed to the ‘stone’ archway that marked the entrance. “And then Hugo is going to come up to you and you will say-”

“Suilaid, hir Elrond.” I replied with my elvish line that I had looked over while I was in makeup. “And I ‘bow respectfully’.” I smiled, quoting the command from the script.

“Yep, and then blah, blah, blah, you hug Hugo and then blah, blah, blah you walk off and that’s the scene done!” Pete smiled and I nodded as Hugo walked up to us in an amazing Elrond costume.

“Ready to go?” He smiled.

“Erm… Yeah I guess so.” I mumbled, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Right, so go stand outside the entrance, where that camera is, and we’ll do a quick rehearsal.”

Peter talked Hugo and I through the movements of the scene, and after coaching us through a rehearsal, the cameras started rolling.

“And… Action!” He shouted from his director’s chair.

I walked through the archway, conscious of the camera filming me from behind, and the other two in the courtyard. I looked around, like it had said in the script, feeling myself slip into character and allowing myself to behave as Rana would. I looked to where Hugo was now walking towards me and smiled.

“Suilaid, hir Elrond.” I murmured, bowing, just like we had rehearsed.

“Le suilon, Rana.” He said, I waited for Hugo to tilt my chin upwards. As he did I looked up at him and smiled, before throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

“It has been too long, I’m glad to be back.” I sighed, acting joyful as I pulled back.

“I am glad also; you have been missed these past few years.” Hugo replied in perfect character.

“I must ask, why did you summon me here?” I asked, arching my eyebrows curiously.

“All will become clear soon.” Hugo murmured in a mysterious tone. “For now, you should rest. You will find your room and all your possessions exactly how you left them.”

“Hannon le, but I would rather take a short walk, I have missed these woods.”

I looked around as I said the line, to re-enforce the point.

“As you wish, for now, Namárië” Hugo murmured, walking out of shot.

“Farewell.” I whispered, then turned to look around the courtyard, and directed my gaze at a small stone bench that would play a part in the next scene, a flashback to when Rana and Aragorn first met.

“Cut!” Peter yelled and I looked up, “That was great! Can we do it once more, just to be sure?”

Six takes later, I realised that Peter could be very specific at times, and if he said ‘once more’, he usually meant a lot more takes.

“Cut!” He shouted again, “Fantastic guys, that’s all for this scene, go grab some lunch and I’ll see you later.”

I hadn’t realised that it was lunchtime already; the time had just flown by.

“Great acting.” Hugo smiled as he approached me.

“Thanks, you were brilliant!” I grinned shyly. “I was getting a little worried that we had to do so many takes though…”

“Oh that was nothing; I had to do twelve takes earlier in the week, its just Pete’s way of doing things.” He said comfortingly.

“That’s a relief then!” I smiled as we walked off-set and I looked up to see Viggo and Sean Bean standing behind a camera. “I’ll catch up with you later Hugo!” I said, jogging over to them.

“Hey,” Viggo smiled, “We saw your last few takes, you were awesome!”

“Yeah, great work!” Sean grinned, giving my back a playful thump.

“Thanks guys.” I blushed, shuffling from foot to foot awkwardly as they complimented me.

“Here, we brought you some lunch.” Viggo said, handing me a sandwich and a thermos cup of coffee.

“Thanks!” I smiled gratefully, “I didn’t manage to get any breakfast.”

“But that’s the most important meal of the day!” Sean gasped in mock-horror as I bit into my sandwich and grinned.

“Hey Sean!” Peter yelled from across the set. “We have the horses all ready here; we’re going to do your entrance scene!”

“Ok!” Sean replied, “See you later guys!” He smiled, jogging towards where Pete and a few other people stood with a large bay horse.

“How come we don’t get to ride any horses until the second movie?” I grumbled, sitting down on a nearby chair.

“Do you ride?” Viggo asked, sitting down beside me as I sipped my coffee.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “I always wanted my own horse, but I could never afford one. I’ve loaned them before, but it’s not really he same.”

“Yeah, I have a few back home.” He murmured as we watched Sean mount the horse and ride it through the entrance over and over again until Peter was happy. As they finished the scene, Peter walked over to us.

“Viggo, we need you to do a few scenes with the Hobbit guys, but you’re free for the rest of the day Kira, you’re both off from filming tomorrow too.”

“Really? Thanks Pete!” I smiled.

“Don’t thank me yet, you both missed your weapon’s training, you need to catch up on that! So you need to be here early tomorrow morning, and then I’ll give you the directions to the training grounds.” Peter smirked.

I spent the rest of the day watching Viggo film scenes in the forest outside the Rivendell set with Elijah, Billy, Dom and Sean Astin (It was getting a little confusing with two Sean’s on set!). It was interesting seeing them all in character – I had no idea that any of the ‘Hobbits’ could be so cute! And Viggo was in ‘mysterious-Strider-mode’ which I was curious about, as I would never really get to act with him as ‘Strider’.

By the end of the day I was thoroughly exhausted, and had probably consumed too much coffee to keep myself awake, so I tramped back to the trailer to get my makeup off. Sean, Orlando and Liv had already gone back to the hotel and had all offered me lifts back (except for Liv, who didn’t have a car), but I had wanted to stay and watch the acting and become accustomed to the set. Just as I was brushing my teeth to get the ‘mud’ off them, Viggo walked in and we sat and chatted with our makeup artists, before heading over to wardrobe to leave our costumes off, and then getting back into the car and heading back to the hotel.

“See you in the morning then.” Viggo smiled as we once again found ourselves outside my door.

“Yeah ok, no chance of a lie-in then?” I asked.

“Well…” Viggo paused, pretending to be in deep thought, “I suppose we could sneak an extra hour in bed…”

“Thanks.” I grinned, “I really need it!”

“Same, see you tomorrow.” He said as I opened the door.

“Bye.” I murmured, closing the door and finding the room’s phone so I could dial for room service.

I tried to get to bed as early as possible that night, so I wouldn’t be half-dead in the morning, so I dozed off after finishing texting a few people from back home.

***

The next day, I found myself once again sitting in the passenger seat of Viggo’s Jeep on our way to the Rivendell set at some ungodly hour of the morning.

As we pulled up in the car park, we saw that Peter was already standing waiting for us.

“Morning!” I smiled, clambering out of the car.

“Hey guys, ready to go fight some stuntmen?” Pete grinned, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his shorts.

“Not in the slightest.” Viggo smirked, “So where are you sending us?”

“Go grab your swords and I’ll give you a map.” He said, waving us towards the wardrobe trailer. Viggo and I walked over and opened the door to find four ‘Hobbits’ trying to change while eating their breakfast. Thankfully, they were all decent as we walked in.

“Morning guys!” Elijah smiled through his mouthful of toast.

“Hi.” I murmured, squeezing past him to get my sword. “Do you think we should wear out boots too? So we can get used to wearing them?” I asked Viggo.

“Good idea.” He smiled, picking up his own sword and boots.

“Where are you going?” Billy asked as we headed for the door.

“Stunt training.” Viggo answered.

“Have a good time!” Sean called from the back of the trailer.

“Try not to get killed!” Dom grinned as I rolled my eyes.

“Thanks, see you later!” I waved as we exited and went to find Peter.

We found him leaning against Viggo’s car, clutching a map.

“Right,” He began, “This is your map, and I’ve written down the directions here.” He handed me the map and a scrap of paper that was covered in scribbles. “Your heading for an army base, the stunt guys and your trainer will already be there. Good luck and I’ll see you later!”

“Bye.” I smiled as he jogged off and we got back into the car.

“Off we go then.” Viggo grinned as he started the engine and drove off.