After what a lot of false starts, The Hobbit is finally filming, and the always-enthusiastic director Peter Jackson has released the first of what he promises to be a series of video blog updates from the set in New Zealand.

Not only does he discuss the process it has been thus far, but also gives a behind the scenes look at the set, which many will look familiar from The Lord of the Rings.

Jackson also invites us to sit in on a blocking session with the actors as they sit in Bilbo’s home to discuss the mission to retrieve the gold.  What a great site it is to see the Dwarves sitting with Gandalf and Bilbo!