May 26, 2001
On the Set of 'The Lord of the
Rings'
Staff Reporter
"One of the coolest things I’ve ever done”
29-year-old Philip Capil, information systems student from Christchurch, New Zealand, is the webmaster of one of the oldest sites on the ”Lord of the Rings”-movies. For the last six weeks of shooting he was working as a production assistant on the set and saw more of Peter Jackson’s ring vision than any other fan. SPIEGEL Online talked with him about his experiences.
Spiegel: For six weeks you were right in the midst of the "Lord of the Rings” world. Have you now gotten readjusted to real life at all?
Philip: I am graduating this year, so there was no other choice. Besides, I am glad I don’t have to get up that early like during production .
Spiegel: Thousands of fans must have envied you for this job. How did you get your hands on it?
Philip: Through my website I got friendly with Peter Jackson and his wife Fran Walsh. In September they invited me to the Edoras set where the scenes at the court of the king of Rohan are taking place. When I thanked them in a letter, I cautiously asked if there was any chance of a job. And they said sure.