Armitage unconditionality
I guess I’m not getting the issue with fan tension over “the drought.” (Servetus shrugs.) I don’t mean by that statement that I don’t understand why other fans are frustrated with the lack of information flow from the set of The Hobbit and wondering about their fandom. I understand the explanations for that frustration hypothetically; I just don’t really share it. I guess I think Mr. Armitage is just doing his usual “I’m concentrating on my role” thing. I don’t feel like he’s avoiding us in particular or any more than he usually does; I guess I’ve extrapolated that he’s concentrating on what he is doing, which is physically and intellectually exhausting. Admittedly, that’s based on my own experience of doing a job that takes up almost all of my energy when I’m doing it. Before her illness, my mom said if she didn’t have facebook she wouldn’t have concrete evidence that I was still breathing during the term unless she bugged me for it. I imagine Armitage’s job is much more demanding than mine, so I assume: he’s just occupied. He’s never seemed eager for the publicist role from my perspective; I’m sure he’ll do the necessary publicity when it comes around, but I never had the sense that he was dying for more media exposure.
Probably there’ll be something about Thorin from the Vegas event — some snippet or something, no? Someone could post a link here if they wanted.
I know that eventually my fandom will wane — the reasons that generate it will change, abate, disappear, whatever — I am just not experiencing that effect right now. I don’t feel like an end to that feeling is in sight at the moment no matter what he does or doesn’t do in terms of publicity or work or interviews. I’m still fully occupied with what he’s already done. I’m still fascinated with what he already is.
Again, this is not a criticism of people who have been fans for longer, and have his works memorized, and are struggling with the lack of info, or of people who are finding pictures of other great actors more stimulating. I’m just — not.
Still crazy for Armitage. At the moment, unconditionally.
[Sorry this is a bit lifeless — going on fourteen hours now. Going home. Will fix the gap in the previous post tomorrow sometime.]
Me + Richard Armitage 
Totally agree! It never even came to my mind that he’d be avoiding us or anything like that. It’s The Hobbit and it’s going to be huge, besides he probably is very busy.
I don’t really mind, I know I’ll still be seeing him on the big screen come December 😀
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Thanks for the comment, Sheepa!
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I just miss him; but I am assuming he is very busy, very much inhabiting Thorin and probably exhausted (but in a good way) from what has to be a tough schedule. I mean, he IS middle-aged. 😉 My Photoshop teacher is the manager of our local theater and he’s in Vegas this week. I will find out next week if he has any Hobbit news to share. 😀
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I discovered at about age 35 that I could not really burn the candle at both ends any more — and I’ve been so much happier since I stopped doing it. I would think if you have a job like Mr. Armitage’s you’d have to be very careful of your free time.
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I’m with you Servetus…still unconditionally crazy about RA. I am possibly a little impatient for December but I will survive…I mean I just received the Shakespeare Retold DVD which I’ve never watched before…still plenty to fuel my obsession 🙂
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I have a few things left, too, untouched. A few stray episodes of things, and a few audio discs …
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I’m rather concerned that RA works to much…I can do other stuff…read blogs 😀 …
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or gets overinvolved in what he’s doing. Love that you read this blog 🙂
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I have never been a patient person! December can’t come quick enough for me and not just for TH movie release. Richard no doubt is putting all his energy into this role, like he does for all roles and working hard. One reason why I admire him so much. A teeny tiny photo smiling would be nice…ok ok asking way too much again!! LOL
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like I said, I don’t mind people missing him, I’m just not suffering myself. I’d love a photo but won’t die without one, either 🙂
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I certainly don’t think that his current state of being invisible is somehow an affront or whatever one may call it towards his old and loyal fans. I never thought he owes us a life sign and in the past he never appeared without having a good reason either. I also don’t think it is a conscious decision, maybe even advised by a publicist as someone suggested, to drive the embarrassing army away.
However, I feel the longer we wait for the Hobbit the less excited and more worried I become that it won’t be the huge success everyone is anticipating and frankly, I can’t take another disappointment.
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Yeah, I honestly don’t think he’s that checked in to the outside world at the moment that he’s worrying about fans either positively or negatively.
I’m waiting to see. But I imagine I’ll like the film anyway; I liked the other three.
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Aah, the great RA drought, I’m thirsty 🙂
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who isn’t — but I’ll just suck on my necklace 🙂
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He’s obviously busy, and, hopefully happy, so I’m content with that, but I do miss him, having some news about him, or a new picture surfacing. Never at any time have I thought that we are being pointedly ignored, there is no reason why we would be on his radar. Nor am I even remotely tempted to direct my affection elsewhere, I’m still unconditionally crazy about him as well.
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I really really hope he’s happy, too. That’s the most important thing.
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I’m sure he is into Thorin too much to keep stepping away to do other things…………however from the reactions to the 10 mins preview this whole damn movie is suffering because of the choice of filming 3D 48 frames debate. Is anyone going to watch his detailed acting or just be complaining about the ‘look’………I try to be positive but I fear I shall be disappointed.
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I hope they either manage to fix it or it won’t be an issue because no-one buys the new projectors needed for 48fps. It would be dreadful if this problem would overshadow everything else and endanger the movie’s success.
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I’m sure the fact that they had this preview means they’re aware of the issue and will be working to move people to get the equipment and / or adjust their own stance.
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I think we have to keep in mind that people are always hostile to new stuff. Always.
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I think that the 48 frame thing is new and therefore will be met with resistance and some criticism. PJ is a brilliant director and knows the business well enough to gage the public interest. He will make the necessary changes he sees fit and he will put out an exceptional movie because that is what he does best.
RA’s Thorin will blow everyone’s mind. I would bet money that his role will steal the movie and he will walk away with the respect and admiration of a worldwide audience. We will most likely start getting new promos/publicity in the summer after filming is wrapped. Closer to December, he will be everywhere and we will be dizzy with happiness. Stay strong people, stay strong.lol
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I just read this after saying what I said above — in full agreement with your first paragraph, that’s just exactly how i read it.
Yeah, I bet we will get more of him as the summer wears to a close. Can’t wait!
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I get the impression that he always becomes a little anti-social when he works. Not just with regards fans, but also fellow actors.
It also strikes me that the more dramatic the role, the more withdrawn he is, possibly because it’s harder to stay in character if you’re playing an intense role? He’s even said himself that he didn’t make any friends on the Robin Hood set because he was always so moody from staying in character (or words to that effect). Reports from the Vicar of Dibley set though, show him to be quite open and friendly, but I dare say that didn’t really test his acting chops like say spooks did.
From what i can gather, he’s pretty isolated on the hobbit, even from the other dwarf actors on the set. I’m sure part of this is because his role is larger (they are entourage while he is one of the stars) and part is because he stays in character. It’s hard for some actors to joke around one moment, then be serious or threatening or dour minutes later.
It doesn’t make me like him any less, though given a choice, I probably wouldn’t choose to meet him on set just in case he was staying in character. I’d want to know the man, not the actor. I hope that made sense.
I’m not as active in the fandom because there simply isn’t as much to comment on during the drought, but I’m still a fan.
I’ll watch the first movie, but I’m quite prepared not to enjoy it (I didn’t really like the first 3) so i may not even watch the second as I don’t feel compelled to watch everything he does. That means my drought might be longer than for some fans 😦
I really hope his next acting choice is something more light-hearted, like a comedy or rom-com, because I don’t think that the intensity he puts into these bad-guy/dramatic roles can be healthy for someone to sustain for years on end.
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I’m not a Tolkien fan and didn’t see the other three movies so I wasn’t expecting to enjoy The Hobbit either. But I was surprised by the vblog where RA’s singing one of the songs in the book. If the entire movie is that good, I don’t think I’ll be disappointed. I agree with you though, I’m ready for something lighthearted. Maybe The Hobbit will be funny. They’ve mentioned some comedy and the other dwarves certainly look comical.
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would love it if there were funny moments!
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I’m up for seeing him with a goofy look on his face again, for sure.
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In today’s world, we’ve come to expect constant exposure to celebrities via ever expanding mass media. And even though there are celebrities out there who think their fans are hanging on to hear every thought that comes into their little ole heads (via tweeter), our guy RA is not one of them. And to me, that’s one thing most appealing about him — he’s not so caught up in the celebrity. But we’ll be hearing more and more from him as the premiere of The Hobbit approaches. I’m also wondering how I’ll be affected once The Hobbit comes out and he’s better known and we see more of him. Will I finally get some satisfaction from the media saturation and be ready to move on — or will this fascination just continue to grow? Like a lot of others out there, this is the first time I’ve been consumed by someone I don’t even know. The last I read, filming of the Hobbit will end in July. I’m curious about what RA will be doing after July – does he already have another movie lined up or some other project? It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
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Well said Sloan, one of the reasons I love him is because he appears to be refreshingly grounded and doesn’t need or want “celebrity” exposure. I reckon he’s enjoying the anonymity in NZ ahead of the brouhaha. It’s a double-edged sword though because it means I don’t get to see as much of him as I would like.
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I’ve always preferred anominity so I can imagine he’s savoring what’s left of his.
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well put re: expectations about constant media exposure.
I honestly don’t know how I’ll feel when everyone knows him, either. What I’m trying to hold on to is the openness to other new fans — I don’t want anyone to think that we feel like because we’ve known about him longer, we allow ourselves to have some special attitude.
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I imagine a lot of his new fans will respond to him in the same way many of the veteran fans have responded although I don’t expect everybody to feel the same way. Before you know it you’ll have so many people visiting this site you won’t be able to keep up. I really think it’s going to be phenomenal come December. It’s exciting to watch — even from afar.
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Richard is not even mentioned in the listed cast list in todays’ (English!) “Guardian”….. This is weird.
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Not weird at all, it has been like this since he was cast. They always list MF, the old LOTR star and better known actors like Benedict Cumberbatch. They have no idea what this movie is about except that it is a “LOTR prequel”. Doesn’t help that the dwarves don’t feature much in the new footage.
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oh, linda, didn’t anyone tell you — he’s been written out of the first film. (just kidding).
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To be honest, I don’t feel “the drought” as I’ve only been a fan for 5 months, so I’m still in the “discovery” phase…:) About the fans who give up on him because he’s not “visible”..Some people should get a grip. The man is busy. He’s never been into tweeting and facebooking, why would he start now? Why should he do things he isn’t naturally inclined to do? Attend publicity events and tweet pictures from his bathroom a la Demi Moore?THat’s just not him nor will it ever be. I’m sure once the time comes he’ll do his best to promote TH. Until then, I hope he spends what little free time he has doing stuff that he enjoys doing! He puts so much time and effort into his roles, always gives his all, surely that should be enough for any true fan?
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Let every fan have her own conscience — people use their fandom for filling particular needs, and I’m not going to be judging people who need more pictures or whatever. I just hope he’s happy. And as for me, I am still happy.
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Servetus, I didn’t mean to sound judgmental. Sorry if I did. I’m not a native speaker, which means that sometimes I can’t put my point across as subtly as I would like. 🙂
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No worries 🙂
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[…] him now if he’s in something I happen to be watching, but I’m not switching teams. I already knew I wasn’t suffering from drought fatigue. I realized last night — Mr. Armitage may not be perfect, he may not be the greatest at […]
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Implications of others’ other crushes and Armitage Grey — 50 Shades of Dealbreaker? « Me + Richard Armitage said this on May 17, 2012 at 8:09 pm |
[…] One possible explanation is that Mr. Armitage is actively staying out of publicity or avoiding public appearances for reasons of personality. This hypothesis relies on the assumption that Armitage is almost painfully personally shy or (in extreme readings) would prefer, in the best of all possible worlds, never to have to encounter fans or publicists. The latter reading relies heavily on evidence like newspaper reports that note his ambivalence about fan adoration, as well as, I assume, on an early message in which he mentioned liking Keane’s “Hamburg Song,” with its chorus, “I don’t want to be adored” (July 24, 2006). A variant reading that I occasionally encounter is the sentiment that at the beginning of his career he liked his fans, but has changed his mind about them either out of bad experiences referenced in his messages (e.g., 29 April 2007; 22 April 2008) or simply out of greater awareness that he can’t have an open level of involvement with us (or out of frustration with the press coverage and the career problems it generates — see below). Never having met him, I have no context for judging his personal behaviors, but it seems to me rational to conclude on the basis of statements made by interviewers in the press and reports of fan encounters that while it is sensible to preserve a space between oneself and fans, and while he is perhaps innately modest (or was socialized to be), mild-mannered, and / or introverted, he is not abnormally aversive of other humans, including fans who appear in appropriate venues and behave themselves. If we look at this report of a fan encounter last weekend, while Armitage was not shoving himself in people’s faces, there’s no indication that he was running away from attention, either, or consciously avoiding fans. He was there to aid in a fund-raising effort and did what was asked of him without exhibiting noticeable personal tics that indicated fear or distaste for the people around him. He regularly poses for pictures with fans and we see them and he never looks uncomfortable (or if he is, he hides it successfully for the purposes of the picture). Consequently, I admit that I’ve never been convinced that Richard Armitage is actually or consciously hiding from the li…. […]
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Armitage stands in the back, or: Tropes Armitage fans live by « Me + Richard Armitage said this on June 28, 2012 at 5:42 am |
[…] in the late spring when everyone was getting tired of so little information about Armitage — though I wasn’t frustrated, lots of people were. People started to peel off, and one of the major destinations was the Tom […]
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Armitage leads with the feelings, or: How thick is Richard? A beginning. « Me + Richard Armitage said this on December 5, 2012 at 2:41 am |