The Tolkien Professor
Episodes
653: SilmFilm 8-08: Doriath Story
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today the SilmFilm Team returns to pre-production discussions, considering the Doriath situation during the time of Turin. Join us on the Signum Univ...
652: SilmFilm 8-07: Outlaw Story
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
SilmFilm Season 8 Pre-production meetings continue in our writers' room for a discussion of Turin's outlaws. Join us on the Signum University...
649: SilmFilm 8-04: Túrin's Story
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to continue working through the Season 8 storylines! Join the SilmFilm writing team as we work through the big plot and character quest...
650: SilmFilm 8-05: Tuor's Story
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pre-production continues for Season 8, as the SilmFilm Team considers how to adapt Tuor's story and interweave it with Turin's story. Join us...
647: SilmFilm 8-02: The Journey Thus Far, Continued!
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today the SilmFilm team is back to complete their discussion of the Journey Thus Far, our recap and discussion of the trajectory of the project to thi...
646: SilmFilm 8-01: The Journey Thus Far
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It is time at last to begin the Eighth Season of the SilmFilm Project! Today, we look back at what we've discussed and prepare for where we are he...
651: SilmFilm 8-06: Dor-lómin's Story
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the team in the SilmFilm Writers' Room, as we continue planning Season 8, with a focus on Dor-Lomin and the Easterlings. Join us on the Sign...
648: SilmFilm 8-03: Story Structure and Themes
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The SilmFilm team sits down to work through the big picture of the post-Nirnaeth Season 8. https://signumuniversity.org/news/annual-fundraising-campa...
645: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 124
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return for another out-of-studio recording session for their Pride and Prejudice analysis. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friend...
644: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 123
14 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to Pride and Prejudice, continuing with the planning and recording of Episode 1 of the series. Other Minds and Hands: An Open...
643: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 122
31 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie are joined by special guest Una McCormack for a discussion on film-to-book adaptation! Maggie and Corey are joined by author Una McC...
642: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 121
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to Pride and Prejudice to start the filming of Episode 1 of the series. Corey and Maggie review last weeks' filming and do the...
641: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 120
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie are back for the New Year, and invite you to join them in a production meeting about several Signum Studios projects! Maggie and Core...
640: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 119
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Maggie and Corey for some exciting discussion of adaptation theory today, building on recent discussions.Corey and Maggie explore the terms and i...
639: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 118
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie return to pre-production on their Pride and Prejudice case study.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Ad...
638: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 117
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return with a brief look at another Rings of Power teaser and then more work on the opening episode of the Pride and Prejudice series...
637: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 116
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to the production meeting to flesh out some detailed notes for P&P Episode 0. Corey and Maggie finalise their plan for ep 1 of...
636: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 115
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to Pride and Prejudice! It's time to regroup and work towards script notes for our first episode.Corey and Maggie continue pla...
635: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 114
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey and back, and today we are looking at the brilliant adaptation work of Miriam Ellis in her paintings.Corey and Maggie review a video ...
634: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 113
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie look forward towards Rings of Power Season 3, with a discussion of their Sneak Peak videos.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl...
633: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 112
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey are joined by special guest Bradley Bethel, to discuss his film project, "Ranger of the North." https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38079687...
632: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 111
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return for a fun activity: An Unexpected Adaptation Workshop!Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adapta...
630: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 109
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to Pride and Prejudice, doing a close discussion and watch-along of the Wright adaptation.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and F...
631: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 110
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to their unplanned and unsurprisingly detailed analysis of the opening of the Joe Wright Pride and Prejudice film.Other Minds ...
629: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 108
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to Pride and Prejudice, doing some close analysis of the openings for the two film adaptations.Other Minds and Hands: An Open ...
628: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 107
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie return to some more detailed planning of Episode 1 of the P&P Project.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolki...
627: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 106
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to the planning of the opening episode of their new Adaptation video series.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discus...
626: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 105
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie return to the pilot of the new Pride and Prejudice project.Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptati...
624: SilmFilm 7-30: The Frame Story
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The SilmFilm team returns for the penultimate session of Season 7. It is time to discuss the frame! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: ...
625: SilmFilm 7-31: Music for Season 7
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the season finale of Season 7 of SilmFilm, Corey and Marie and Nick are joined by Phil Menzies to discuss his latest compositions!
623: SilmFilm 7-29: Episode 13
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The SilmFilm Team returns, and it is time for the tears to flow unchecked. It is time for the grim season finale. Aure Entuluva! Join us on the Sign...
622: SilmFilm 7-28: Episode 12
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The SilmFilm team returns with the second of the three episodes on the Battle itself. The hour of treachery has struck! Join us on the Signum Universi...
621: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 104
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return for another production meeting, planning Episode 1 of our forthcoming Austen analysis!Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Frien...
620: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 103
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return, to invite their viewer to join them in a production meeting for the proposed new Pride and Prejudice pilot.Other Minds and Ha...
619: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 102
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie, excited by their first experiment, are trying another FanTracks recording, watching Andor, s1e1 together.Other Minds and Hands: An O...
618: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 101
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome behind the scenes, as Corey and Maggie record a FanTrack commentary on Rings of Power Season 2, Ep 2.Thank you for your support for our projec...
617: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 100
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In their centennial episode, Maggie and Corey talk about some future plans and discuss adaptation analysis possibilities with the attendees.Thank you ...
616: SilmFilm 7-27: Season 7 Casting
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for the Season 7 Casting episode on SilmFilm, where we review the voting and find out which actors are going to get their big breaks! Join u...
615: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 99
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey are joined by Ben Davis for an anticipatory discussion of the material to be adapted in The Hunt for Gollum.Thank you for your suppor...
614: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 98
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie return to Narnia and the unfortunate Voyage of the Dawn Treader adaptation in order to address the question: Wherein does its badness...
612: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 96
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey turn aside for a discussion we've wanted to have for a long time: Rogue One as an adaptation.Thank you for your support for our proje...
613: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 97
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to Narnia to discuss Prince Caspian, focusing on the intro and the summoning of the Witch.Thank you for your support for our p...
611: SilmFilm 7-26: Episode 11
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Day Has Come! The Night is Passing! Tonight we discuss Episode 11, the first episode of the Battle proper. Let the Unnumbered Tears begin to fl...
610: SilmFilm 7-25: Episode 10
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the SilmFilm team for a discussion of the script for Episode 10 of Season 7. It's time for everyone to say goodbye! And fight dragons. Join us ...
609: SilmFilm 7-24: Episode 9
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight the SilmFilm team moves on to Episode 9, "The Death of Laughter". Join us for the uplifting discussion! Join us on the Signum University Disc...
608: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 95
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie turn to Narnia! Anticipating a new adaptation, we look at the earlier adaptations of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Thank yo...
607: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 94
08 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today Maggie and Corey are joined by Signum SPACE Preceptor Anni Fosberg to discuss anime conventions and the War of the Rohirrim.Thank you for your s...
605: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 93
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation Maggie and Corey pop in for a brief update from Principal Photography on ...
606: SilmFilm 7-23: Episode 8
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey Olsen and the SilmFilm writers' team discuss the episode outline of Episode 8, in which we return to Ulfang and the armies of the Emperor of Bre...
604: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 92
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey Olsen and Maggie Parke are joined today by Daniel Falconer, to discuss his work with Weta Workshop on several Tolkien adaptations.Other Minds an...
603: SilmFilm 7-22: Episode 7
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nick and Marie join Corey to discuss Episode 7 of Season 7 -- the second half of the Union of Maedhros summit meeting. Join us on the Signum Universit...
602: SilmFilm 7-21: Episode 6
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, Corey and Marie and Nick discuss episode 6 of season 7: the first episode of the Union of Maedhros summit meeting. Join us on the Signum Univ...
601: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 91
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey Olsen and Maggie Parke turn at last to a detailed discussion of The War of the Rohirrim!Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion o...
600: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 90
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's Christmas week, and Maggie and Corey return to the Christmas Carol for some close analysis of parallel scenes: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come...
599: SilmFilm 7-20: Episode 5
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SilmFilm is back, and tonight we discuss Episode 5, in which Galadriel does diplomacy with the Emperor of Bree. Join us on the Signum University Disco...
598: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 89
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie returns from her whirlwind experience on the red carpet in London to discuss the War of the Rohirrim premiere with Corey.Other Minds and Hands:...
597: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 88
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie are joined today by special guest Leith McPherson, dialect coach for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (and the Hobbit films!...
596: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 87
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie return to War of the Rohirrim, looking through a couple recent promo videos for the upcoming adaptation.Other Minds and Hands: An Ope...
595: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 86
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie are delighted to have Jordan Rannells back to talk about his new adaptation project: the Hobbit Soundscape.Other Minds and Hands: An ...
594: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 85
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie return to the War of the Rohirrim Tapestry.Thank you for all your help in funding Rings and Realms Season Two. https://www.kickstarte...
593: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 84
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey are joined by Kirsten Cairns, greendragon from The One Ring dot Net, to discuss the War of the Rohirrim tapestry.Thank you for all yo...
592: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 83
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey are back from Rings & Realms land, and ready to do some discussion and debrief from the Season 2 RoP experience!Thank you for all you...
591: SilmFilm 7-19: More Music!
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight we are joined by our Australian contingent to discuss more original compositions for Season 6! Please help us reach our goal to fund Rings and...
590: SilmFilm 7-18: Season 7, Episode 4
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for Episode 4 of Season 7. Unions will be forged! Trauma, revisited! Please help us reach our goal to fund Rings and Realms Season Two. ht...
589: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 82
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the last week before Maggie and Corey disappear into the studio for Rings & Realms production, they will discuss the War of the Rohirrim trailer!Pl...
588: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 81
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The new and Official trailer of Rings of Power Season 2 has dropped -- and the Tom Bombadil song! Let's discuss. Please help us reach our goal to fun...
587: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 80
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Maggie and Corey continue to prepare for Season 2 of the Rings of Power (Rings & Realms planning continues!), they will discuss today the latest BT...
586: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 79
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to the new Rings of Power trailer and BTS video! Please help us reach our goal to fund Rings and Realms Season Two. https://ww...
585: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 78
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey is back from SDCC, and the new Rings of Power trailer has dropped! Let's discuss what we've learned. Please help us reach our goal to fund Ring...
584: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 77
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie return for some discussion of recent Tolkien Adaptation news! Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adapt...
583: SilmFilm 7-17: Season 7, Episode 3
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight the SilmFilm team discusses Episode 3 of Season 7, which gives us an important battlefield death. Not for the last time! Join us on the Signu...
582: SilmFilm 7-16: Season 7, Episode 2
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to discuss the script for Episode 2 of Season 7! Hurin and Huor return, Maedhros plans, and Galadriel departs. Join us on the Signum Unive...
581: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 76
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today Maggie and Corey go back to the Rings of Power Season 2 BTS video to do some more analysis! Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussi...
580: SilmFilm 7-15: Telepathic Communication
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This evening on SilmFilm we discuss the Osanwe-kenta -- that is, telepathy -- and how we plan to handle it in SilmFilm. Join us on the Signum Universi...
579: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 75
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we get the opportunity to discuss the adaptation of Tolkien into opera! We are joined by Paul Corfield Godfrey and Simon Buttle to discuss upco...
578: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 74
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Finally, actual Season 2 Rings of Power stuff has dropped -- the first teaser trailer and some BTS footage. Join Maggie and Corey for some in-depth d...
577: SilmFilm 7-14: Music Commissioning
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is time to discuss music! Tonight we meet with Phillip Menzies, the SilmFilm composer, to discuss the commissioning of music for Season 7. Join us...
576: SilmFilm 7-13: Season 7, Episode 1
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight we discuss the script of Episode 1! Join us in Gondolin for the first episode of the season. Join us on the Signum University Discord server:...
575: SilmFilm 7-12: Questions Moving Forward
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight the SilmFilm team prepares the casting call for the new Season 7 characters! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discor...
574: SilmFilm 7-11: The Frame Story
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The SilmFilm team plans out the Frame story for Season 7. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv
573: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 73
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Maggie and Corey return for further discussion with Jordan Rannells, talking about soundtracks and audio as a medium of story adaptation. Other...
572: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 72
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today Maggie and Corey are joined by Jordan Rannells of the Long Expected Soundscape, to discuss audio and musical adaptation. Other Minds and Hands: ...
571: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 71
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight Corey and Maggie return to the Cracks of Doom! Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 71, recor...
570: SilmFilm 7-10: Nirnaeth Arnoediad
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Having planned the outline of Season 7, it is now time to think in a little more detail about the last quarter of the season: the Battle itself. Join ...
569: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 70
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today Maggie and Corey return to Tolkien in order to begin looking more carefully at the act of translation being done in the process of the conversio...
568: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 69
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey make a brief return to Arrakis this evening, joined once more by our resident Dune experts, Dom Nardi and Trevor Brierly Other Minds ...
567: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 68
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Gondorian New Year! Corey and Maggie celebrate the day with a discussion of their discussion of the adaptation of the Prologue to the Lord of t...
566: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 67
24 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey turn from Arrakis and return to their Children's Lit Adaptation sub-theme with Peter Pan. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly...
565: SilmFilm 7-09: Season Outline
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to outline Season 7! Let's make a plan.
564: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 66
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Maggie and Corey for analysis of the recently released Dune 2, one of the most remarkable adaptations in years. Other Minds and Hands: An Open an...
563: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 65
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corey and Maggie head to the Hundred Acre Wood for an Openings discussion about a Bear of Very Little Brain. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friend...
562: SilmFilm 7-08: Minor Storylines
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight we finish the general plot discussions with a consideration of the dwarf and villain plot lines in Season 7. Next stop, episode outline!
561: SilmFilm 7-07: Minor Storylines
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight the SilmFilm Team tackles various minor characters and subplots, ironing out the final details of the Season 7 story.
560: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 64
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, a case study of a modulation adaptation: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), following up on last week's Alice discussion. Other Minds and...
559: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 63
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey return to our Openings series for a consideration of Alice in Wonderland. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of T...
558: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 62
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey continue the Openings series to discuss Dune, including the 1984 and 2021 adaptations. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Di...
557: SilmFilm 7-06: Union of Maedhros
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, the SilmFilm team continues its big-picture planning discussions, considering the Union of Maedhros.
556: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 61
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Maggie and Corey continue in the holiday spirit with a close analysis of the Moment of Change in the Christmas Carol. Other Minds and Hands: An Open a...
555: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 60
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's the holidays! Maggie and Corey revisit the Christmas Carol as part of their Openings series. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discuss...
554: SilmFilm 7-05: Húrin Thalion
09 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The SilmFilm team begins working through the primary plot elements of the season, beginning with the primary character: Hurin Thalion. 2023 Fundraisin...