The Tolkien Professor

Corey and Maggie return with many Rings of Power things to discuss, including their interview with JD and Patrick, and Corey's trip to England.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 137, recorded on October 26, 2026.

Corey talks about his trip to London and becoming a dwarf, they share info on upcoming Signum classes and events (Maggie is teaching a class on adaptation in December), and they share info about their long interview with showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay that just dropped.

Adaptation Discussion with Rings of Power Showrunners - J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay • Adaptation Discussion with Rings of Power ...

Corey becoming a dwarf • Corey Olsen dressed as a Dwarf for Prime V...

Maggie's December class on adaptation at EverLearn https://blackberry.signumuniversity.o...

Signum University Fall Fundraising 2026 • Signum University Annual Fundraising Campa...

Signum Fellowship https://www.signumfellowship.org/home

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: / discord

For more about Signum Fellowship, the home of Signum University's programs, events, and community, please visit https://www.signumfellowship.org/home

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET, on this SignumU Youtube channel / signumuniversity

and SignumU Twitch channel / signumu

Check the schedule here. / schedule

For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here. • Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl... https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subsc...

Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor https://signumuniversity.org/director...
Dr. Maggie Parke https://signumuniversity.org/director...
For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit Signum Studios https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory https://collaboratory.signumuniversit...

For more information about Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/

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Maggie and Corey are back for a Rings & Realms pre-production meeting! We will tell you what we plan to do, and get your feedback on what you'd like to see.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 136, recorded on October 12, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: / discord

For more about Signum Fellowship, the home of Signum University's programs, events, and community, please visit https://www.signumfellowship.org/home

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET, on this SignumU Youtube channel / signumuniversity

and SignumU Twitch channel / signumu

Check the schedule here. / schedule

For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here. • Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl... https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subsc...

Hosts: Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor https://signumuniversity.org/director...
Dr. Maggie Parke https://signumuniversity.org/director...
For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit Signum Studios https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory https://collaboratory.signumuniversit...

For more information about Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/

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The SilmFilm team is ready to start with real episodes! Today we discuss the Episode 1 script, written by Ilana Mushin.

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After a discussion of the recently released Narnia images (which reveal a lot!), Corey and Maggie return to think about what we expect in S3 of Rings of Power.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 135, recorded on September 21, 2026. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: / discord

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET, on this SignumU Youtube channel / signumuniversity

and SignumU Twitch channel / signumu

Check the schedule here. / schedule

For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here. • Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl... https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subsc...

Hosts: Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor https://signumuniversity.org/director...
Dr. Maggie Parke https://signumuniversity.org/director...

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit Signum Studios https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory https://collaboratory.signumuniversit...
For more information about Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/

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Corey and Maggie are back, and thinking through Rings of Power Season 3 stuff, and the Road Ahead.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 134, recorded on September 14, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: / discord

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET, on this SignumU Youtube channel / signumuniversity

and SignumU Twitch channel / signumu

Check the schedule here. / schedule

For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here. • Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl... https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subsc...

Hosts: Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor https://signumuniversity.org/director...
Dr. Maggie Parke https://signumuniversity.org/director...

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit Signum Studios https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory https://collaboratory.signumuniversit...

For more information about Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/

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Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation

Corey and Maggie take a step back to think through the upcoming Tolkien film adaptations (Rings of Power, Hunt for Gollum, Shadows of the Past) and consider them as creative undertakings. Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 133, recorded on August 31, 2026. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: / discord

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET, on this SignumU Youtube channel / signumuniversity

and SignumU Twitch channel / signumu

Check the schedule here. / schedule

For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here. • Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl... https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subsc...

Hosts: Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor https://signumuniversity.org/director...
Dr. Maggie Parke https://signumuniversity.org/director...

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit Signum Studios https://studios.signumuniversity.org/

Signum Collaboratory https://collaboratory.signumuniversit...

For more information about Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/

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The SilmFilm writer's room is joined our resident composer, Phil Menzies, for some discussion of the musical themes and passages that we will want to include in Season 8. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: / discord

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Maggie and Corey are together in the studio to chat more about Rings of Power Season 3 and Rings & Realms.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 132, recorded on August 10, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: / discord Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET, on this SignumU Youtube channel / signumuniversity and SignumU Twitch channel / signumu Check the schedule here. / schedule

For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/ You can watch or listen to the recordings here. • Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl... https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subsc...

Hosts: Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor https://signumuniversity.org/director... Dr. Maggie Parke https://signumuniversity.org/director...

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit Signum Studios https://studios.signumuniversity.org/ Signum Collaboratory https://collaboratory.signumuniversit... For more information about Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/

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SilmFilm returns, in the homestretch of the pre-production process. Today we discuss Casting Criteria for our new characters in Season 8.

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Maggie and Corey return to the Rings of Power to do some analysis of the Rings of Power Season 3 teaser trailer.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 131,
recorded on August 3, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET, on this SignumU Youtube channel / signumuniversity and SignumU Twitch channel / signumu Check the schedule here. / schedule For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/ You can watch or listen to the recordings here. • Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendl... https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subsc...

Hosts: Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor https://signumuniversity.org/director... Dr. Maggie Parke https://signumuniversity.org/director...

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit Signum Studios https://studios.signumuniversity.org/ Signum Collaboratory https://collaboratory.signumuniversit... For more information about Signum University https://signumuniversity.org/

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It is time to decide on the frame story for Season 8! Today, we consider possibilities and flesh out its relationship to the main story and theme of Season 8. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Mythmoot XIII: June 25-28, 2026
https://signumuniversity.org/event/mythmoot-xiii-june-25-28-2026/

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In today's writers'-room meeting, the SilmFilm team will complete the planning of the Season Outline for Season 8!

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Maggie and Corey return today, and they return to Jane Austen, to check in on and continue that production.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 130,
recorded on June 1, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.gg/szXMFAv

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET,
on this SignumU Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/SignumUniversity
and SignumU Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/signumu
Check the schedule here. https://www.twitch.tv/signumu/schedule
For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIV0nHc_Ji8CLs1C-a6iuXMY
https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subscribe

Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/corey-olsen/
Dr. Maggie Parke
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/maggie-parke/

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit
Signum Studios
https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory
https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/

For more information about Signum University
https://signumuniversity.org/

Support The Tolkien Professor

As they near the end of the pre-production process, the SilmFilm team sits down to examine and finalize the detailed outline of all of Season 8.

Support The Tolkien Professor

Maggie and Corey return to Anne of Green Gables for Part 2 of their discussion of LM Montgomery adaptation.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 128,
recorded on May 11, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET,
on this SignumU Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/SignumUniversity
and SignumU Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/signumu
Check the schedule here. https://www.twitch.tv/signumu/schedule
For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIV0nHc_Ji8CLs1C-a6iuXMY
https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subscribe

Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor
https://signumuniversity.org/people/corey-olsen/
Dr. Maggie Parke
https://signumuniversity.org/people/maggie-parke/

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit
Signum Studios
https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory
https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/

For more information about Signum University
https://signumuniversity.org/

Support The Tolkien Professor

It's May the 4th, so Maggie and Corey are going to indulge in a Star Wars Diversion and take a close look at the final trailer for the upcoming Mandalorian film.

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 128,
recorded on May 4, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.gg/szXMFAv

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET,
on this SignumU Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/SignumUniversity
and SignumU Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/signumu
Check the schedule here. https://www.twitch.tv/signumu/schedule
For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIV0nHc_Ji8CLs1C-a6iuXMY
https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subscribe

Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/corey-olsen/
Dr. Maggie Parke
https://signumuniversity.org/directory/maggie-parke/

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit
Signum Studios
https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory
https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/

For more information about Signum University
https://signumuniversity.org/

Support The Tolkien Professor

As the SilmFilm Writer's Room nears the end of the pre-production planning, they look north, turning to the Villains.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor

Tonight, Maggie and Corey fulfill a long-standing request and look at Anne of Green Gables!

Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 127,
recorded on April 13, 2026.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Join us on Mondays at 4:30 PM ET,
on this SignumU Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/SignumUniversity
and SignumU Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/signumu
Check the schedule here. https://www.twitch.tv/signumu/schedule
For more information https://mythgard.org/miscellany/
You can watch or listen to the recordings here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIV0nHc_Ji8CLs1C-a6iuXMY

https://tolkienprof.fireside.fm/subscribe

Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the Tolkien Professor
https://signumuniversity.org/people/corey-olsen/
Dr. Maggie Parke
https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/

For more information about Signum Studios and Signum Collaboratory, visit
Signum Studios
https://studios.signumuniversity.org/
Signum Collaboratory
https://collaboratory.signumuniversity.org/

For more information about Signum University
https://signumuniversity.org/

Support The Tolkien Professor

Today, the SilmFilm team finally turns to the question that Tolkien himself never got around to answering fully: What was Galadriel up to in the last stages of the First Age?

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Join the SilmFilm team as we continue pre-production discussions, takling about Elves.

Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Support The Tolkien Professor