Official Fan Club Q & A Session

with Bruce Hopkins (Gamling)

Ok folk...Bruce is here and you can start posting your questions under this one. Remember to...... ... (Lithilien Quicksilver (moderator) ... 04.22-20:54)
post only one unless I let you know we have time for a 2nd one. Ready...set...post! :-)
Welcome. Bruce my question is a two parter. What is your favorite lotr memory and your least fave? ... (Lindorie ... 04.22-20:57)

this may sound corny, but there was no least favorite. I shot for 40-50 days all up and every ... (Bruce H ... 04.22-21:03)
second of every minute of every day was joy. Yes being wet for 10 hours night after night at Helms Deep had a level of discomfort, but that is mind over matter stuff and easily surmounted by the buzz. Most favorite was turning up to the set at Edoras one day to see the whole mountain covered in fresh snow, that and flying in a helicopter with Bernard Hill and Miranda Otto to relocate at the end of a day from Queenstown to Twizel over the Southern Alps monutain range, with the sun setting as we flew

Mr. Hopkins, what is your favorite part of Rohan culture? (nt) ... (Elessar-elfstone ... 04.22-20:55)

definitely the horse, and the Led Zepplin hair do's. Learning to ride for the role was a major buzz ... (Bruce H ... 04.22-20:57)

I was wondering what it was like working with Harry Sinclair in the movie Linda's Body. Were ... (ElfinWolf ... 04.22-20:56) you able to spend any time with him on the set of LOTR?

Harry and I have been around the NZ scene for a while. I also performed with him and Don McGlashin ... (Bruce H ... 04.22-21:07) for a Mitsubishi [television commercial] many moons ago. We were also co-trustees of a theatre called the Watershed Theatre. It is always fasinating working with Harry he has a real vision. No we did not spend time time together on LOTR

Okay, I'm posting one for Calafalas: Was Grima as slimy as he appeared to be? nt ... (Peregrine ... 04.22-20:56)

yep he was awsome in person and on film, what an actor!!! ... (Bruce H ... 04.22-21:11)

Hi, how long were you a commercial fisherman and do you still enjoy recreational fishing?.nt ... (boriel ... 04.22-20:56)

I have commercially fished all my life as my father was NZs top crayfisherman ( Lobster ) ... (Bruce H ... 04.22-21:14)
I grew up in a small fishing village and recreational fishing was just what we did after school if there were fish schools around (trolling lures behind a dinghy). No I don't really fish at all now, just eat it, love cooked a **** nice smoked marlin dish last night in fact, but only my oldest boy likes fish, so it is unheralded labour

searching through the fish dictionary to see which fish gets Four **** stars...hehehe...nt ... (Overlithe ... 04.22-21:17)
Bruce got starred. Imagine that. nt ... (Sauron's Truss ... 04.22-21:17)

Shush! ::gently kicks Truss with the Mithril Boot. ;-) nt ... (Lithilien Quicksilver (moderator) ... 04.22-21:19)

How is the play in Auckland going? ... Aneya ... 04.22-20:57

we don't actually start rehearsals till July, however we will be doing some text workshops. i have b ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:16
great guy called Stephen Batt who wrote and directed a short I did called Warm Gun, check it out.

Is that only available in NZ or can we get it online somewhere? nt ... Hobbitlove ... 04.22-21:18

Here's a link to information on it (link) ... Primula(moderator) ... 04.22-21:21
We'll track it down somehow! NZ Writer's Guild: Warm Gun http://www.nzwritersguild.org.nz/look/filmsht.html
*whispers* "Warm Gun" is available in the US on a DVD called (txt) ... Gilian Serindë ... 04.22-21:23
"Dark Stories: Tales from Beyond the Grave" It's an OSSUM little movie! Get it!!!!

Burce, I saw in your biography that you are part of a comedy duo... ever take that to the stage ... Niphrandl ... 04.22-20:57
instead of just corporate meetings?

yeah we used to hire thatres and do an evening of our style of comedy, but the effort does not usual ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:20
ly equate to making a living and we both have children. Just yesterday I was out surfing at Piha beach and was approached by a guy who said he came to all of our shows. we were very diffenrent from other styles. Not standup, couldn't tell a joke for Jesus, but we create situations and involve the audience so they get right into it and seem to have a ball

Cool! Audience participation! I love it! nt ... Niphrandl ... 04.22-21:21

Mr. Hopkins, how do you feel playing a character in a big trilogy? nt ... lordbg ... 04.22-20:57

I am honoured, proud, was nervous, am hopeful ( it may lead to other work), but above all ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:22
working with the team that created that piece of movie magic made it all worth while ( the hanging around waiting for the phone to ring sayoing you may have a job that is )

I can see why since these movies are a real masterpiece nt ... lordbg ... 04.22-21:26

What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you on set--Helm's Deep or Edoras? nt ... Elvenstar ... 04.22-20:58

My sword ( which was hit aside by a stunty coming through the main gate, honest!!!) hit bernard ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:25
hill on the ear, he had to be taken to an ambulance to have a stitch put in the cut. he promptly came back to set had a disprin and carried on, a legend. he was the one who told me he saw the Uruk hit my sword which then hit him. I still felt a bit of a heel

Ouch . . . at least that was the worst! nt ... Elvenstar ... 04.22-21:27
Stay away from that handsome face!.{nt} ... seansbeanie ... 04.22-21:28
I'd love to see a list of all the injuries incurred on this production. LOL!!nt ... Hobbitlove ... 04.22-21:29
**cringe** not what you'd want to be remembered for I'm sure. oops i cut off B.H. ear~~nt ... Overlithe ... 04.22-21:29
And it always feels worse when you hurt someone else instead of yourself. nt ... Primula(moderator) ... 04.22-21:31
Oww,that sounds like it was really terrible.For him it was probably very painful nt ... lordbg ... 04.22-21:32
oh, that's good..let's have a whole thread... Tori*Took ... 04.22-21:34

Bruce, you play a radically different type of character in the L&P ads (txt) ... Ansis ... 04.22-20:59
than Gamling in LOTR, which do you think is closest to your real personality? ;) Ok that sounds a bit stupid but hopefully you get what I mean! Love those ads btw, I had no idea it was you in those fab clothes and sunglasses until I checked your website yesterday.

One of the perils of being a character actor, you sometimes do not get identified as being ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:30
in good work you have done (so feel free to go to IMDB etc etc and let them know what you think if you like my work) did that sound tooooo self promoty (part of the business unfortunatley). I think they are a good mix of my real self. i can be a real yapper like Les in the ads and I can also be very quiet and observational like Mrs Gamling's son. I was very awed at working on LOTR with people like Bernard, Viggo, Ian et al so that probably helped shape my character a bit. he stands back, waiting for the commands.

I can imagine that being an actor down here requires a fair amount of 'self promoting' (txt) ... Ansis ... 04.22-21:33
Draw your sword!!! nt ... Hobbitlove ... 04.22-21:33

Do you still dance, and can you still do that huge leap I saw in one of the pics online? nt ... Lithilien Quicksilver (moderator) ... 04.22-21:00

two issues here, one I don't have good stretchy tights anymore ( essential to avoid embarrasement ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:33
and the position for the jump would be OK but the landing is what hurts these days if done repetitively. i could give you a couple of jumps and then I'd have to have a bath with epsom salts

LOL! nt ... Lithilien Quicksilver (moderator) ... 04.22-21:34
Being the same ageas you Bruce, our knees are also the same age. Those are what go!...{nt} ... seansbeanie ... 04.22-21:35

Mr.Hopkins, I was wondering if I could get your permission to make you an honorary member of...... ... LOTRchild ... 04.22-21:01
my 'Lord of the Rings' group, the District of Dark Whispers? We would be honored to have you as a member:)
LoTRchild http://districtofdarkwhispers.net

sounds ominous, but like at wedding ceremonies if anyone can tell me why I should not be an ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:35
honourary memeber then why not, as long as it doesn't require sacrificing goats or something

so what are some of your favorite movies? nt ... Tori*Took ... 04.22-21:01

I have to apologise for my typing, I just caught a glimpse of that last answer did I get ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:41
50% of the words right, don't tell my Mum. "Hearts of Darkness" ( the making of Apocalypse Now, superd insight to the industry and the passion and madness of the people in the industry, present company excepted of course)
"LOTR" sheer audacity let alone the ability to achieve it ( plus great Rohan army commanders)
"The castle" an australian gem
"The Godfather 1,2,3"
"Taxi Driver"
most Pacino work
any work by a director by the name of Emir Kustarika ( "Black Cat White Cat", "Underground", "Time of The Gypsies", etc)
Plus heaps I cannot remember on the spot

I'll fix the typos in the saved version - never fear. :) nt ... Primula(moderator) ... 04.22-21:42
"Underground" is fantastic! (Link to Emir Kusturica on IMDB inside...)(nt) ... Rasputin the Evil Balrog ... 04.22-21:48
Emir Kusturica on IMDB http://us.imdb.com/Name?Kusturica, Emir

Bruce, are you (errr, is Gamling) being made into an action figure? :) (nt) ... Rosie(moderator) ... 04.22-21:01

I am a figure in some of the sets such as The Heroes of Helms Deep and some Games Workshop sets ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:44
I got scanned for a figure, but it does not seem to have eventuated. let the powers that be know if you would like to see Gamling as a figure, i certainly would be over the full moon if it happened as would my whippersnappers, they love seeing anything to do with the character out of the movie

I need to look harder then... though a ToyBiz would be great. :)... ... Rosie(moderator) ... 04.22-21:47
especially if it comes with an interchangeable red tux and removeable beard. :D

If I may call you Bruce. Aside from reading Lord of the Rings, ... Anarelen ... 04.22-21:01
assuming you did. ;-) What other preparation did you do for Gamling? For example, character journals, or other Tolkien works?. Thanks, (anarelen)

It all happened so rapidly, the call up etc that i just made sure I looked over any reference ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:47
to Gamling ( not that there is that much). Also the character evolved, supposedly because they liked what I was doing on the first few days. The costume is a big help in this type of shoot, plus the sets were astounding and gave you alot of feeling for who you were meant to be and what your purpose was etc etc. watching how the other actors pitched their work was a good indicator also of how to balance your own work

At this point in your life and career, what would be your dream role? (Movie or theater) |:|-[ (nt) ... True-Hearted Easterling ... 04.22-21:01

I love being part of devising roles, this is usually associated with whats called physical theatre ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:51
where you work from a prmise and improvise through veery intense but wonderful rehearsals to create a show. A film drector Mike Leigh apparently works this way in film. I enjoy his work alot. I am really looking forward to the challenge of being the lead in McBeth ( I don't have superstitions by the way about saying the name of the play) That is my short term dream role, I want to nail a really good job on that one. Film wise I would absolutely love to be in Peter jacksons King Kong

The lead! Congratulations! :-) nt ... Lithilien Quicksilver (moderator) ... 04.22-21:53
The lead in King Kong?...would that be the ape? ;-) nt ... Hobbitlove ... 04.22-21:55

*nudges HL with an elbow* silly! - MacBeth, of course. nt ... Primula(moderator) ... 04.22-21:57

What role will you play in the upcoming Macbeth in Auckland and will it be a traditional...txt ... seansbeanie ... 04.22-21:01
production or a more avante garde version such as Sean Bean just finished in the U. K. ?

I am playing the lead scotsman ie McB himself. it will be traditional in terms of setting but we ... Bruce H ... 04.22-21:56
are not going for shakespearean accents etc. It will be played quite naturalistically, with NZ voices, not thick kiwi accents, more neutral. The Silo Theatre is a wonderfully intimate theatre so will lend itself to a sense of close up etc

Look forward to lots of photos on your site! Love to your kids.....{nt} ... seansbeanie ... 04.22-21:58

Hmm...will McB's soon be available in Happy Meals(TM) with a Gamling toy?(nt) ... Aneya ... 04.22-22:01

Out of everything you've done (professionally), what is your most favorite? (nt) ... hobbitdreams ... 04.22-21:03

I have been blessed to have had some wonderful one of shows such as the millenium show "This ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:01
Is IT" here in auckland, performing for Kiri Te Kanawa ( one of the worlds great opera singers ) at her home here in NZ for her 50th B'day etc etc. LOTR is the favorite film gig, live theatre wise is 2 shows called The Lover & The Beloved and also Song Of The Civilised Thief, both devised shows like I refered to previuosly, by a company called Inside-Out Theatre, now Inside-Out Productions ( check their web site ), they created the last two Loius Vuitton Cup Balls ( held at the times of the Americas Cuip racing, huge spectacular live events )

Do you like riding - now that you have learned how, that is? - nt ... Shelob ... 04.22-21:03

I bloody love riding. yet having said that I have not riden since carving up orc and uruks. My last ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:05
two riding lessons before filming were with karl urban, and we galloped through a forrest outside Auckland, what a huge rush. I guess surfing is my riding now, although i have a niece who owns a horse and I am determined to get her to have me back out there galloping
Thanks for posting the same kind of question I would have asked Shelob! :D Yeah for riding! -nt ... Laerindae ... 04.22-22:10

Did you ever get to go surfing with the hobbits? ;-) And if so - teach them any moves? :-) nt ... Gonzai ... 04.22-21:05

I'd be a risk of choking on water borne fur balls from their feetsies. We were all lined up to have ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:08
a surf together in LA after the Awards night, but I gave them the wrong cell number for my roaming phone. I would say they would be the ones showing the moves. I only started 4 years ago having desired to do so for many many years. I'm doing ok and was riding 5 ft over head waves 4 days ago, a real buzz

water borne fur balls, there's an image! :-) Thanks! nt ... Gonzai ... 04.22-22:11

Of your many activities, (emcee, comedy, acting, etc) which do you personally enjoy the most ? nt ... Primula(moderator) ... 04.22-21:08

at this time I really enjoy film acting, it is such a challenge and the team work going on around ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:11
you is amazing. I quite honestly enjoy it all though, radio is a real cool medium to work in also. I have done 3 year of a weekly talkback show with the comedy duo I have. Hopefully we may be doing another radio show soon

Radio *is* wonderful. I hope there will be an audio recording we can hear someday! nt ... Primula(moderator) ... 04.22-22:15

What was it like filming the scene with you, Hama, and the Warg Riders? ... Light of Earendil ... 04.22-21:10

It was fanatstic. We were with a small guerilla unit filming on the slopes of Kelvin heights ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:14
in Queenstown. we would have to take cover every now and then as snow drifts would come over. it was bloody freezing, but as I have said I just loved the whole gig. It was a shame to see my mate John leigh (Hama) bite the dust. I enjoyed the challenge of having to work my horse in close quater fighting. I actually got a rear out of him at one point ( up on his hind quaters), but it was not used

Mr. Hopkins what is you all time favorite 'music' group, band, or person? (more) ... Aragorn Lover 1981 ... 04.22-21:11
Most of us here at the PP are into music, hence the all the karaoke. Maybe one of us could do a song for you by your favorite band to honor your performance of our dearest Gamling!

Again I find it really hard to pick out one of anything. I love Jim Morrison and the Doors ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:20
van Morrison ( is there a theme coming thru?) , Nick Cave, Smashing Pumpkins, Janes Addiction, a classical CD called Famous Adagios ( check that out for some passion), Led Zepplin, jethro Tull, early Bruce Springstein, Jurraisic 5, Eminem, US3 and heaps more i love alot of new dance stuff as well as some hip hop, Miles Davis. I hope I don't offend anyone but I am not into Abba, everyone else seems to be.

You have AWESOME taste in music, Bruce!!! =) (nt) ... Frodes ... 04.22-22:22
sounds like my kind of music! You rock! nt ... Aragorn Lover 1981 ... 04.22-22:24
That's it, I can't like you any more. I dont' care how cute you look in your red suit.! ;-) nt ... Hobbitlove ... 04.22-22:24

Hello again Bruce! Has being a part of LOTR changed your life? Thanks! (nt) ... elf-maiden ... 04.22-21:12

For sure, i'm sitting here right now talking cyberly to you lot and that is cool. that opportunity ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:23
without LOTR. Going to the onering.net party in LA etc etc is all a direct result of being involved in the movies. Travelling to Holland and the UK are happening again because of the role. So yes it is creating some wonderful opportunities to travel and meet people. Now for the offers of movies role

What does your family think about you being in Lord of the Rings? (Howdy from Texas!) ... Rasputin the Evil Balrog ... 04.22-21:12

They are pretty chuffed, especially when they come across references out and about ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:25
at school etc, when kids come up to them and say they liked my perfomance etc

Mr. Hopkins, were you a reader of JRR Tolkien before you became involved in the movies? ..txt ... Camellia Took ... 04.22-21:16
Or was getting the part of Gamling your first exposure to the Lord of the Rings?

I had a go at the Hobbit many moons back,but basically no. It blows me away to try to comprehend what ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:26
he achieved

What is your favourite book--besides LOTR of course! nt ... Peregrine ... 04.22-21:17

Anything by Spike Milligan, and I read a bit of self development stuff ( try to keep sane) ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:31
I really have not read alot in my life as I am a very slow reader and in fact last year started to look at foinf a speed reading course

Did you audition specifically for the role of Gamling? How did you find out you'd gotten the gig? nt ... Hobbitlove ... 04.22-21:26

No I did not audition for gamling. I did a generic 6 feet and over audition ( big people little ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:33
people stuff ). i got a call from my agent saying that they were wanting to know my availiblity spread over a few months from march in 2000

With all of your vibrancy, they should have cast you as Tom Bombadil! :) (tn) ... Rosie(moderator) ... 04.22-22:36

Hi Bruce!!! Do you know wether or not there will be more of your character in the (txt) ... Frodes ... 04.22-21:35
Two Towers Extended Addition??? Hi from San Diego!!!

Sara =)

Howdy san Diego ( I nearly ended up there when I got lost on the freeways in LA one time ) ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:35
I honestly have no idea how my role will be in the extended version or in ROTK

Hmm, guess we'll just have to wait then. =) By the by, those LA freeways are EVIL!!! (nt) ... Frodes ... 04.22-22:37

Have you ever been injured while working... [more] ... Tinidril ... 04.22-21:38 ...
on a film or other acting job? So many of the other actors on the LOTR set sustained injuries: Viggo broke a tooth and a toe, Sean A. cut his foot, John R-D had severe alergic reactions to the makeup, Orlando cracked several ribs.... the list goes on! It sounds like acting can be a rather hazardous job!!

God bless! Tinidril

P.S. I am just kicking myself that I chose to retire as soon as I got back from the One Party instead of going down to the lobby with my roomie... I missed meeting you in person!!!! ::pout::

No fortunately, I have remained uninjured. the odd strain from repeating an action over and over ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:39
etc etc, but nothing serious. i was riding alongside Orlando when he had his fall from his horse, it was very full on and fortunately he survived reasonably unscathed as it could have been real nasty, there were rocks all round him. The stunties are the one who bear the brunt of the injuires, they are amazing to watch work at times. maybe I'll see you at the next party!

Tini, Bruce gives great ((hugs))!...{nt} ... seansbeanie ... 04.22-22:43

Mr. Hopkins, Had you read the trilogy before filming, if so, did you like it? ... MrUnderhill ... 04.22-21:43

No I had not, but I got stuck into it once I knew I was on board. i have just realised, i did not ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:42
include LOTR in my list of favorite books, sorry JRR. It seems strange having most of you call me MR Hopkins, i feel like a teacher, call me Bruce if you

Yes Sir, Which of the LOTR actors were you most excited or nervous about working with/near? ... ElanorGamgee ... 04.22-21:43

Probably Ian McKellan at first. however after a few days that subsided as he is such a nice guy ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:45
Bernard and Viggo were also real cool to work around, and inspiring. bernard played a role many years ago in a series called Boys From the Black Stuff, which is regared by anyone who ever saw it a one of the greatest shows you could see. his was the character that ripped eveyones heart out, as he lost his sanity, so it was wonderful to stand alongside that guy as an actor

Mr. Hopkins, what was it like for you to be able to get dressed up in Rohan armor and use...(txt) ... Frodo Baggins ... 04.22-21:53
Rohan weapons - have you ever done anything of the sort before?

Probably doing various episodes of Hercules and Xena were as close as I came to doing this ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:50
type of weapons work. i Played Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet one time on stage so did a bit of sword work for that, and I trained as a PE teacher where we did a fencing course. Dressing up in the armour was great it was almost all the preperation you needed to feel like the character. When we did Helm Deep with the rain, the weight of the gear increased by about 2 tonnes!!! I loved wearing the wig, not so much the beard, eating lunch was very messy.

LOL I can imagine that! I love armor and swords and stuff like that. The ones in LOTR are so cool ... Frodo Baggins ... 04.22-22:54
Thanks a bunch from Denmarkk Bruce! nice meeting you. :)

Frodo Baggins

Sorry but I do have to get outta here, thanks alot for all your interest and support ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:53
I hope we can meet up in person at conventions or where ever one day. i'm sure I can say on behalf of all the LOTR crew from Peter to the production runners, your support has meant this thing has flown way beyond what could have been hoped for and taken all concerned on a wonderful journey many many thanks

ciao for now
I just heard this is where i should say thanks, and I do so from the bottom of my heart ... Bruce H ... 04.22-22:56
cheers to you all, as the maori say here in the land of the long white cloud, arohanui ( aroha is love and nui is vast/big)