Richard Taylor and the Wizards of Wētā Workshop

A Q&A with Richard Taylor about the making of Middle-earth

Sir Richard Taylor. Photo provided by Wētā Workshop.

How does one create a world? Do you start from scratch and proceed meticulously, one step at a time? Or does it usually come as a burst of inspiration, where everything happens all at once? Where does this creativity come from? Is it innate, or can it be learned? Can anyone do it, or is it a kind of everyday magic reserved for the chosen few?

More than two decades ago, I found myself in the massive cinema hall at the Colosseum in Oslo, Norway, watching The Fellowship of the Ring for the first time. Little did I know this film would be the first of three to become my all-time favorites. They would literally change my life.

What struck me most profoundly was the seamless blend of what felt utterly “real” and unmistakably “magical.” It was as if a tangible, enchanting form of magic had been wielded to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth to life on the big screen. And more often than not, when delving deeper into creations woven from formulas and magic, you will discover the true wizard at their core.

In December 2022, I met the wizard I’m introducing today: Sir Richard Taylor, the esteemed (and quite nerdy) head of the famous special effects company Wētā Workshop in New Zealand. “Just call me Richard,” he insists, shrugging off formalities, including his knighthood. This laid-back demeanor is humorously showcased by a massive mural outside the wonderful public attraction Wētā Workshop Unleashed in Auckland, where he’s hilariously depicted in his underwear, astride a rocket Dr. Strangelove-style, and strumming a bass guitar. This knight remains refreshingly unpretentious.