The Tolkien Professor

SilmFilm 1-13: Episode 11 - Aulë and the Dwarves

February 4th, 2016  |  2 hrs 6 mins

In this episode, we explore why Aulë does what he does, showing parallels with Melkor and planting the seeds of impatience for the Coming of the Children of Iluvatar amongst the Valar.

Episode 302: The Last (Really!) RITD Episode -- BotFA EE Review

January 24th, 2016  |  2 hrs 9 mins

SilmFilm 1-12: Episode 10 - Fall of the House of Ainur (Part the Second)

January 18th, 2016  |  2 hrs 2 mins

Subtitle: If you have a Balrog, you don’t need a cat. In which we start to link together all of the subplots and develop the first multi-episode story arc.

300: SilmFilm 1-11: Episode 9 - The Fall of the House of Ainur (sort of), Part the First

January 12th, 2016  |  1 hr 54 mins

In Episode 9, we begin to look at the downfall of various Ainur, setting the stage for the three rebellions that happen over the rest of the season: Aulë’s rebellion, Mairon’s (Sauron’s) rebellion, and Ossë’s rebellion.

299: SilmFilm 1-10: Episode 8 - The Two Trees (Aftermath)

January 9th, 2016  |  1 hr 44 mins

In the eighth episode of Season 1, we focus on the Two Trees, showing how they help to beautify Valinor – and instill jealousy and devious plans in Melkor.

298: SilmFilm 1-09: Episode 7 - Finally, Something For The Fëanturi To Do!

January 5th, 2016  |  2 hrs 2 mins

In today’s session, we come up with a new tagline for the SilmFilm Project: “It’s better than Jackson could have come up with.” Also, we talk about the establishment of Valinor and provide a view of the Valar settling into their new homes.

297: SilmFilm: Fantasy Casting for the Silmarillion Film Project

December 26th, 2015  |  2 hrs 3 mins

296: SilmFilm 1-08: Episode 6 - Murder of the Lamps

December 5th, 2015  |  1 hr 54 mins

After wrapping up some loose ends from the previous session, we shape episode 6 into something of a “whodunit” murder mystery, with the victims being the Lamps of the Valar.

295: SilmFilm 1-07: Episode 5 - Creating the Lamps, Distressing the Damsel

December 5th, 2015  |  2 hrs 5 mins

In Episode 5, we discuss the decision to create the lamps and the introduction of Tulkas

294: SilmFilm 1-06: Episode 4 - Yay Melkor!!

December 5th, 2015  |  2 hrs 5 mins

In the fourth episode of Season 1, we determine how Melkor meets the other Valar and focus on the end of the Ainulindalë and Iluvatar’s conversation with Ulmo.

293: SilmFilm 1-05: Episode 3 - He Who Shall Not Be Named Morgoth

October 19th, 2015  |  1 hr 58 mins

We continue to discuss central themes of the season, in particular focusing on Melkor – including what the heck to call him (as well as others who experience name changes in The Silmarillion, like Sauron).

292: SilmFilm 1-04: Episode 2 - From Chaos to Harmony

October 19th, 2015  |  1 hr 50 mins

Today we are figuring out the content of the frame story and the Silmarillion story for episode 2 and how to tie it all together.

291: SilmFilm 1-03: Episode 1 (Pilot) - The Ainulindalë

October 2nd, 2015  |  1 hr 48 mins

It’s time to discuss the Music of the Ainur, one of the most thought-provoking and beautiful stories Tolkien wrote. This is a central core concept that, while it’s detached from the “main” story of The Silmarillion, it’s always there in the background.

290: SilmFilm 1-02: Narrative Overview

September 2nd, 2015  |  1 hr 59 mins

We continue our discussion about the overall narrative of Season 1, as well as focus on the elements of the frame story that will encompass the show.

289: SilmFilm 1-01: Plot Overview

August 26th, 2015  |  1 hr 54 mins

We will begin by discussing the overall plot of the first season and the major events that we want to occur during the season, including the Music of the Ainur, creation of Arda, the making of the Two Lamps, and the arrival of the Valar.

Episode 288: Tolkien Chat: Makin’ Movies in Middle-earth

August 12th, 2015  |  43 mins 16 secs