The Tolkien Professor

The Tolkien Professor (Corey Olsen)

The Tolkien Professor podcast is a series of lectures, discussions, and seminars on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien by Corey Olsen, President of Signum University. All are welcome to enter – even those without any party business!

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663 episodes
Updated June 18

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Episodes663

Newest first

Nov 12, 2016 · 2 hr 37 min
323: SilmFilm 2-13: Episode 9 – Finally! The Flippin’ Silmarils!
After a season and a half, we’re finally ready to introduce the things at the center of the story: the Silmarils! Plus, we get ready for the next episode, where the central conflict of the season will come to a head.
Nov 6, 2016 · 2 hr 25 min
322: SilmFilm 2-12: Episode 8 – Everybody Loves Fingolfin
By the eighth episode of the season, we are getting ready for a bit of a twist as we prepare for the trial of Melkor and shift towards the real conflict of the season.
Oct 13, 2016 · 2 hr 9 min
321: SilmFilm 2-11: Episode 7 – Spirit of Fire (aka The Silmarillion needs more Rap Battles)
This episode focuses on the Noontide of Valinor, and in particular on the growth in Fëanor’s skill as a master smith, with lots of foreshadowing of him smithing with the red glow of forge-fire on his face.
Oct 13, 2016 · 2 hr 20 min
320: SilmFilm 2-10: Episode 6 – Finwë has a lot of reproductive work to do
In the sixth episode of Season 2, we work out the details of Fëanor’s birth and the death of his mother Miriel, establishing parallels between the two and laying the foundation’s for Fëanor’s doom.
Sep 12, 2016 · 2 hr 19 min
319: SilmFilm 2-09: Episode 5 – The Enemies and The Surfer Elves
In this session, we revisit the Thingol and Melian story, take a hard look at Sauron’s posse, and map out the structure of Season 2, Episode 5, which focuses on the arrival of the Noldor and Vanyar.
Aug 30, 2016 · 2 hr 7 min
318: SilmFilm 2-08: Episode 4 – The Avari (The Unwilling)
In the fourth episode of Season 2, we show the developing power struggle between Gothmog and Mairon, and the return of Lenwë to the Avari.
Aug 19, 2016 · 2 hr 7 min
317: SilmFilm 2-07: Episode 3 - DeGreat DeBate
Episode 3 of Season 2 will focus on the debate amongst the elves about whether to remain in Middle-earth or head over to Valinor.
Aug 4, 2016 · 2 hr 11 min
316: SilmFilm 2-06: Episode 2 – “Don’t Get in the Van, Elwë!”
In the second episode of Season 2, the Elvish ambassadors take a trip to Valinor.
Jul 25, 2016 · 2 hr 1 min
315: SilmFilm 2-05: Episode 1 – Crisis in Cuivienen
Discussion and outline of the first episode of Season 2, starting with Arwen’s frame story, which leads into the story of the awakening of the elves on the shores of Cuivienen.
Jul 11, 2016 · 2 hr 15 min
314: SilmFilm 2-04: Linguistics, etc.
Discussion about the linguistics of the Silmarillion, the continuing the Big Picture stuff for Season 2, and the sundering of races, as well as material culture and other markers.
Jun 27, 2016 · 1 hr 53 min
313: SilmFilm 2-03: The Elves
Today is the day we talk about the Elves – how they came to be and their divisions.
Jun 10, 2016 · 2 hr 11 min
312: SilmFilm 2-02: Episode Calendar
Deciding on general outline for season 2 – not in detail, as we will map out episode-by-episode plots later.
May 25, 2016 · 2 hr 3 min
311: SilmFilm 2-01: Brainstorming
Discussing the big-picture overview of the season, starting with the the awakening of the Elves at Cuivienen (from their point of view) and ending with the Darkening of Valinor.
May 12, 2016 · 2 hr 5 min
SilmFilm 1-20: Script Outlines
We bring on some additional panelists this week to discuss script outlines and fill in the holes left in our episodic discussions. Guest panelists include Karita Alexander, Brian Fattorini, Nick Palazzo, and Marie Prosser.
Apr 27, 2016 · 2 hr 3 min
SilmFilm 1-19: Music
Joining us for a discussion of the musical score is John DiBartolo of the Lonely Mountain Band. We also will listen to clips of proposed character themes from composer Philip Menzies.
Apr 16, 2016 · 2 hr 29 min
SilmFilm 1-18: Casting Poll Results and Costuming
We review the results of our casting poll from Session 16 and discuss what we’d like to see our newly cast … uh, cast … wear.
Apr 3, 2016 · 2 hr 8 min
SilmFilm 1-17: Envisioning Arda - Sets/Locations
Following up on our casting conversation, this time we’re talking about how we want things to look. What type of forests should fill Valinor? What architecture styles should we use for the Valar (and the elves who copy them)? What other visual considerations do we need to make?
Mar 13, 2016 · 2 hr 13 min
SilmFilm 1-16: Casting
Now that we’ve mapped out the characters, plot and action of the 13-episode first season, we get to decide who we’d like to see play the parts! This casting call includes a discussion forum component, so be sure to join in the fun!
Mar 7, 2016 · 2 hr 13 min
SilmFilm 1-15: Episode 13 - The War to Begin All Wars
In the 2-hour season finale, the culmination of the strife amongst the Valar comes to a head with three councils, two summonings, and an epic battle that will establish the Platonic ideal for all future battles.
Feb 18, 2016 · 2 hr 5 min
SilmFilm 1-14: Episode 12 - Can’t Kick the Orc Can Anymore
We’ve gone too long without discussing the Mûmakil in the room: those darn orcs. In this session, we stop kicking that tin ration packaging down the road and deal with the inevitable.