Entering Rammoth:
Reflections of Ancanar at The Gathering of the Fellowship
Part one
by Anthony S Burdge
Chairman The New York Tolkien Society

The following is just some initial thoughts concerning Ancanar, The Gathering of the Fellowship and The New York Tolkien Society and will be expanded as time allows and brainwaves go back to normal…

Upon arriving at The Sheraton Center Toronto Hotel Jessica and I gathered our belongings and stood on line at the front desk. We were exhausted from a 12 hour train ride to Toronto from New York City and were eager to get some food and ale into our tired bodies. While chatting we noticed a rather tall chap who looked incredibly familiar. Then it struck me and I leaned over to whisper in Jessica's ear
"Do you know who that is?" I asked.
She stood for a moment and replied, "Isn't that…Ancanar?"
"Yep," I said with a grin.
"Well say hello to him." She said with a nudge
At this point Gregory Lee Kenyon (Ancanar) was probably wondering whom the two nuts were whispering behind him when I extended my hand and said hello.
"Mr. Kenyon?" I asked
"Yes", he replied shaking my hand
"Anthony S Burdge and Jessica Burke from The New York Tolkien Society. A pleasure to meet you."
"Great, how are you!" he replied.
We all spoke briefly concerning our trips to Toronto, GOTF and small talk for we all were all visibly tired.
The event had yet to begin and we were already meeting with the actor who has brought to life Ancanar.
After relaxing and having many pints and our full of fine hobbit fair with our friends and colleagues, Jessica and I retired for the night.

On Sunday we met with Sam, Raiya, Gregory, Joe and Jenna and discussed the forthcoming Ancanar presentations on Monday and Wednesday and how we would all approach doing them. At 2pm on Monday Dec.15th 2003 we had the 1st of the 2 Ancanar presentations. It went ok, everyone was nervous, the stage lights were bright and hot, but it was fun.

It was the 2nd presentation that was the better of the two, which had both Jessica and I on stage as opposed the 1st presentation with Jenna Brocious also of the Lonely Mountain Forge. This presentation went much smoother, our game plan was a lot more balanced and the questions from Jessica, myself and the audience were more informative with Sam, Raiya, Gregory, Joe and Jenna all fielding them very well.

Sam and Raiya spoke of how Ancanar has been filmed (mini-DV), the story's origins and its homage to Tolkien,shopping for costumes and props, characters, storylines and the filmmaking process. Gregory spoke extensively on his technique, approach on dialogue and language, the story and his thoughts on portraying a mythical character.
To quote Joe Piela:
"Gregory is often silent, but when he does choose to speak, he does so with great wisdom."
--This is very true and I agree for whether its on stage as part of a panel or in conversation with Gregory he speaks with great wisdom, though I must say that also of all of the Ancanar team. Joe and Jenna are such lovers of Tolkien and his works, their knowledge and expertise of both Tolkien and their field of Arms and Armour really rounded out the program, true Tolkienians, scholars and professionals. They announced that Jenna will be working on the Ancanar material for the first time so her her insights into the work she will be doing was inspiring for fans.

We spoke of all aspects of Ancanar and of the big news that they announced. ( Concerning the footage and news: Until I am told otherwise, I am not at liberty to reveal details of either one). Speaking from a fan's perspective, the footage answered alot of questions and solved some of the mysteries of the Ancanar story and left one further enlightened and in awe of it all.

That evening we all met at the hotel's restaurant for dinner, Sam, Raiya, Gregory (w/ friend, sorry Gregory I do not recall the name of your friend), Professors Michael Drout, Mike Foster, Amy Sturgis, Jessica and myself. It was an incredibly fun and enlightening evening. It was here that the guests we would have on panels during the course of the next three days met for the first time. Having them together, Tolkien scholars and filmmakers (both scholars as well) discussed all things Tolkien. Hearing both perspectives, of how Sam and Raiya approach Tolkien's themes to honor him in their work, and how the professors teach and write about Tolkien was such a memorable occasion and a wonderful precursor to the next three days of programming.

To be continued....!!!!