Today officially marks the two-year anniversary of the birth of this blog. In many ways if feels as if this blog is still practically a newborn finding its legs, in others, it feels like a savvy old friend that's been around for eons. But new or old, this blog has inarguably charted the most interesting year's in the development of The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films. As we've followed the strange, winding path that fate has set before us, we've overhauled the book one concept at a time. And with each conceptual emendation, the book has become something far more luxurious, more amazing than we could have ever imagined. While the blog's loyal readers may occasionally envision a project stuck in the gate by misfortune and happenstance, we involved in the production see a constant evolution -- a slow bloom that we now accept as a gift. And that's optimistic folderol...
As I've mentioned before, our later summer delay created a window that we chose to exploit in every way possible. I now look at that delay as an absolute miracle, because it allowed us to send a few more inquiries out into the world and create a dream team otherwise unavailable to us. Today I'd like to introduce you to the first and most significant member of that team.
Gary Day-Ellison is a London-based graphic designer with a wealth of experience in the industry. His list of credits and associations is far too detailed to number here, though you should check out his website. Suffice it to say he's a bit of a living legend. Lord of the Rings fans will best know Gary through his work on The Alan Lee Sketchbook, and this Children of Hurin calendar. And of course I have to laugh, since Gary also has prior experience working with Douglas Adams properties! But project after project you'll note the strong, clean, artful ideas that Gary brings to every endeavor. And so did we.
As of a few week's back, Gary has generously agreed to enter our fold. He is now officially hard at work designing The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films. We've been bouncing ideas back and forth for a while now, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Gary's guiding concept has been that what Shore's music did for these films -- this story -- so must the layout do for this book. The design must bring the content to life and allow it to resonate off the page. Even so early in the process as we are, I am seeing this book reborn with an elegance, flow and function that I never could have imaged. I got into this project years ago because I believed analysis could be art, and Gary, I thank you for showing us how to achieve this.
By the way, Gary, too, is a blogger. He's generously agreed to postpone announcing his involvement until we here have had our fun, but I imagine he'll eventually have more details at his own little corner of blogspot, so be sure to bookmark his site.
I can't think of a better way to celebrate our second year on the web than by introducing you to the gentleman who will be designing the physical piece you'll soon be holding in your hands. Gary's actually been following the blog for a while now, silently looking over our shoulders to get a sense of this community. Please welcome him warmly! It is a sincere honor to have an artist of his caliber in our midst.
