'I think [fans are so interested] because vampires are scary and sexy at the same time,' author says.
By Larry Carroll, with reporting by Kim StolzNEW YORK — She is the brains behind the book series that's rivaling Harry Potter. She has millions of loyal Twilighters at her beck and call, many of whom would devour you in a moment if you dared to say anything bad about their Edward and Bella. She's also a very nice lady, who is every bit as cool to hang out with as you'd hope.
She's Stephenie Meyer, and just after midnight on Friday (actually 12:01 a.m. on Saturday), she will wrap things up at her New York book launch and officially invade the bestseller list again with "Breaking Dawn," the book that concludes her "Twilight" series.
Mere hours before she becomes responsible for making bleary-eyed teens around the world stay up all night, she sat down with MTV News' Kim Stolz for a (spoiler-free, we promise!) discussion about that controversial "EW" cover, the toughest questions she's ever been asked — and whether you'll be able to trade in your underwear for an official "Twilight" thong.
MTV News: How does it feel to suddenly have so many people obsessed with you and your writing?
Stephenie Meyer: It's kind of cool. No one's ever accused [the Twilighters] of not being passionate, and it makes me feel really good that they care so much about everything. Even when they weren't sure about the movie things, they cared — and that's what matters.
MTV: Are you worried about doing something with the movie that's going to tick off all your fans?
Meyer: Not really [laughs], but now I will! I'll be worried now. Mostly, I just worry that they're going to ask me something I don't know that I should.
MTV: What's one of the harder questions you've had to answer?
Meyer: There are a couple different kinds. There's ones [with] just one totally tiny detail like, "On December 1st of 1981, where were Emmett and Rosalie that night [at] dinner?" It's just like, "Oh gosh, I don't know these things!" Then sometimes I get ones that are a little more aggressive, like, "Do you think Bella is an anti-feminist hero?" I actually enjoy answering that one, because I like to explain my version.
MTV: Can you elaborate on that?
Meyer: Well, there's an idea out there that to be a strong female role model you have to know kung fu and the whole line of Prada products from that year, and I think you can be a strong person by just being who you are and being really strong mentally. I don't think Bella gets enough credit for just knowing who she is, [possessing] her confidence, and also making some really tough decisions.
MTV: It's hard to reconcile [the notion of her being a strong female] with the idea that Bella is so beaten down when Edward leaves her.
Meyer: Yeah, but how many shows do you see where the guy leaves and the girl eats a bunch of chocolate, watches sad movies, listens to sad music and then she's good? If you notice with that, the guy's always, like, something she's really better off without. I wanted to write about really true love — the kind that when they leave it's really not an easy thing. She doesn't listen to sad music or mope around; she goes on with her life, just a little bit different than before.
MTV: What is it about this vampire thing that has made the tween demographic, and older people as well, so obsessed with you?
Meyer: I think it's because vampires are scary and sexy at the same time. Think about all the other monsters: People love monsters and seeing scary movies, but they're usually really gross and oozing and stuff. Vampires are really terrifying — but at the same time, hot! [Laughs.] And they're usually immortal and they have castles and stuff.
MTV: Did you purposefully plan out the demographic you were writing for?
Meyer: The surprise was really the young adults, because when I wrote "Twilight" it was for me, and I was 29. So it was for the moms who still remembered what it was like to be 17. But then it really caught on with the 17-year-olds, and I'm not surprised at all by the 30-somethings. I love them all! [Laughs.]
MTV: Do the tweens and 30-somethings get different things from your novels?
Meyer: One of the things I've noticed — and this is just a generalization and I know there's a lot of exceptions — but it seemed like the moms were more willing to give the idea of second love a chance. Whereas a lot of people who have never fallen in love before want to think that when you fall in love, that's it, and you won't again.
MTV: The cover of "Breaking Dawn" has already proven quite controversial. What are your thoughts on the response it has received since you released the image?
Meyer: It's kind of like "Ouch!" because I really had a lot to do with this cover. But I think when I can finally explain what it means, people will be like, "Oh yeah, OK."
MTV: How about the equally controversial cover of Entertainment Weekly, where we recently got a sneak peek at Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart?
Meyer: It was interesting, because on the one hand it's really visual. You can see that across the store, and that's the whole idea when they sell magazines. I was like, "Wow!" I have to say, I prefer Rob's styling in the movie; the hair [on the magazine cover] was a little different. But they still look gorgeous. How could they not?
MTV: What did you think of the fan response?
Meyer: I think the funniest one was a letter where someone said something about Donald Trump's toupee being on Edward's head. That totally made me laugh.
MTV: When a movie hits it big, merchandising always follows. We've already seen the "Twilight" candy bar, so what's next?
Meyer: They ran some things by me, but I don't know anything that's official yet.
MTV: Which do you like best?
Meyer: I don't know how much I'm supposed to comment, but I'll say that I've always had a dream of ... not action figures so much as really pretty dolls. I'm hoping that's going to happen.
MTV: Any products that you definitely would not want to have?
Meyer: Gosh, anything that was sleazy, that would suck. But I get approval on that kind of thing, so that's good. There'll be no "Twilight" thongs. [Laughs.]
Every Tuesday is "Twilight" Tuesday here at MTV News! Check back here each and every week for the hottest scoop on the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's beloved vampire series, and we'll still bring you breaking "Twilight" news throughout the rest of the week. And make sure you check out the MTV Movies Blog for our ongoing "Twilight" discussions each and every day.
Check out what Stephenie had to say about a "Breaking Dawn" film on the Movies blog!
Check out everything we've got on "Twilight."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.Related Photos
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Thursday, July 31, 2008
MTV
Twilight Interview: Jacob Vs. Edward
By Jeff Otto
For the tweener hardcore faithful of Stephenie Meyer's wildly successful Twilight novel series, the Edward vs. Jacob debate unquestionably holds more weight in 2008 than McCain vs. Obama. Some Borders book stories are even hosting live debate sessions to celebrate the midnight release of the fourth book in the series, Breaking Dawn, on August 2nd.
Perhaps equally anticipated by fans is the first Twilight movie on December 12, 2008. When casting was first announced, young girls across the nation cried out in gleeful joy or rather, in some cases, tearful disappointment at the casting news. Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward, claims that the fans hated him at first, although the ear-piercing screeches of the young ladies at each and every public appearance these days seems to indicate that they've certainly come around.
At last week's Comic-Con, ReelzChannel was in the highly enviable position of sitting right across the table from the young hunks portraying Edward Cullen and Jacob Black. Oh, if only I were a 13 year-old girl...
Laymen may not realize that Twilight fans are generally split into two categories -- Team Taylor and Team Edward. Which, oh which, should fair Bella choose? Edward is super-hot but, you know, he's got that issue of yearning for the taste human flesh. Also, he's 108, but he does look quite good for his age. And then there's Jacob -- mysterious, quiet and, yeah, he's a little hairy at times, sure. But Bella can get past that and see the beauty within, right?
In the first movie, Jacob's hot," Taylor Lautner says of Meyer's description in the first novel. "But Jacob, he won't live forever. He's more human-like than Edward. With the first book, you don't really know much. You just know that he's this really happy, go lucky guy who's in love with Bella."
"[Edward is] this kind of semi-reluctant vampire who's 108 years old," says Rob Pattinson. "He's stuck in the body of a 17 year-old school kid pretending to be a human. He wants to either die or become a human again. He meets what becomes [the focus] of his life, a mortal girl called Bella and he falls in love with her. Their story is of the trials and tribulations which occur when a vampire falls in love with a normal girl who he wants to kill all the time."
Although the release of Twilight in theaters is still a few months away, the fandom is already quite rabid. The movie has been declared a hit before ever being projected on the big screen.
"The book has so many obsessively loyal fans," Pattinson says of the phenomenon. "It's strange because people immediately relate you to the character rather than you as an actor."
"It's very surprising," Lautner admits. "But at the same time it's because the fans behind it are just extraordinary. [They] are driving this thing and the story line is awesome. It's got everything in it so it's going to be interesting to see on the big screen."
As Lautner mentioned, the book describes Jacob as being far from hard on the eyes. But his description is nothing like the female fantasy Edward is described as. "It is kind of weird when you read the description of him," Pattinson says with as much modesty as humanly possible. "So beautiful it kind of hurts. It's kind of difficult to handle that. Hopefully they've done a lot of post production airbrushing." (Laughs)
Mr. Lautner, your 30-second rebuttal? ""Edward? Who's Edward? Is there an Edward character in the book?"
But it would be hard for anyone affiliated with the movie to avoid the fan intensity of the Edward vs. Jacob debate. We asked Lautner whether he checks out any of the fan sites online. "I'm not online crazy 24-7 but I come across things. It's weird, weird to see shirts that say 'Team Taylor' on them and other materials of clothing. I don't have a shirt. [And] I don't own the thong." (Laughs)
Even if it is Edward that ultimately win's Bella's affection, physical satisfaction might prove difficult considering the animal instincts his character just can't seem to shake. Screaming teenage girls everywhere will be happy to know that Edward and Bella do indeed swap spit in the Twilight movie, albeit briefly. "There's only really one time," says Pattinson. "The more Bella says 'I'm not scared of you, you're not a monster' the more I believe it. I kind of forget that I am a vampire and what my actual instincts are. I try and kiss her and it ends up being a nightmare. She has a sort of hormonal rush and I have the 'I want to kill you' rush."
"It ends up being quite sexy though in a weird sort of way."
For the tweener hardcore faithful of Stephenie Meyer's wildly successful Twilight novel series, the Edward vs. Jacob debate unquestionably holds more weight in 2008 than McCain vs. Obama. Some Borders book stories are even hosting live debate sessions to celebrate the midnight release of the fourth book in the series, Breaking Dawn, on August 2nd.
Perhaps equally anticipated by fans is the first Twilight movie on December 12, 2008. When casting was first announced, young girls across the nation cried out in gleeful joy or rather, in some cases, tearful disappointment at the casting news. Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward, claims that the fans hated him at first, although the ear-piercing screeches of the young ladies at each and every public appearance these days seems to indicate that they've certainly come around.
At last week's Comic-Con, ReelzChannel was in the highly enviable position of sitting right across the table from the young hunks portraying Edward Cullen and Jacob Black. Oh, if only I were a 13 year-old girl...
Laymen may not realize that Twilight fans are generally split into two categories -- Team Taylor and Team Edward. Which, oh which, should fair Bella choose? Edward is super-hot but, you know, he's got that issue of yearning for the taste human flesh. Also, he's 108, but he does look quite good for his age. And then there's Jacob -- mysterious, quiet and, yeah, he's a little hairy at times, sure. But Bella can get past that and see the beauty within, right?
In the first movie, Jacob's hot," Taylor Lautner says of Meyer's description in the first novel. "But Jacob, he won't live forever. He's more human-like than Edward. With the first book, you don't really know much. You just know that he's this really happy, go lucky guy who's in love with Bella."
"[Edward is] this kind of semi-reluctant vampire who's 108 years old," says Rob Pattinson. "He's stuck in the body of a 17 year-old school kid pretending to be a human. He wants to either die or become a human again. He meets what becomes [the focus] of his life, a mortal girl called Bella and he falls in love with her. Their story is of the trials and tribulations which occur when a vampire falls in love with a normal girl who he wants to kill all the time."
Although the release of Twilight in theaters is still a few months away, the fandom is already quite rabid. The movie has been declared a hit before ever being projected on the big screen.
"The book has so many obsessively loyal fans," Pattinson says of the phenomenon. "It's strange because people immediately relate you to the character rather than you as an actor."
"It's very surprising," Lautner admits. "But at the same time it's because the fans behind it are just extraordinary. [They] are driving this thing and the story line is awesome. It's got everything in it so it's going to be interesting to see on the big screen."
As Lautner mentioned, the book describes Jacob as being far from hard on the eyes. But his description is nothing like the female fantasy Edward is described as. "It is kind of weird when you read the description of him," Pattinson says with as much modesty as humanly possible. "So beautiful it kind of hurts. It's kind of difficult to handle that. Hopefully they've done a lot of post production airbrushing." (Laughs)
Mr. Lautner, your 30-second rebuttal? ""Edward? Who's Edward? Is there an Edward character in the book?"
But it would be hard for anyone affiliated with the movie to avoid the fan intensity of the Edward vs. Jacob debate. We asked Lautner whether he checks out any of the fan sites online. "I'm not online crazy 24-7 but I come across things. It's weird, weird to see shirts that say 'Team Taylor' on them and other materials of clothing. I don't have a shirt. [And] I don't own the thong." (Laughs)
Even if it is Edward that ultimately win's Bella's affection, physical satisfaction might prove difficult considering the animal instincts his character just can't seem to shake. Screaming teenage girls everywhere will be happy to know that Edward and Bella do indeed swap spit in the Twilight movie, albeit briefly. "There's only really one time," says Pattinson. "The more Bella says 'I'm not scared of you, you're not a monster' the more I believe it. I kind of forget that I am a vampire and what my actual instincts are. I try and kiss her and it ends up being a nightmare. She has a sort of hormonal rush and I have the 'I want to kill you' rush."
"It ends up being quite sexy though in a weird sort of way."
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wrapping it up at 'Dawn'': Twilight' fans eagerly await the final installment in the popular series
By Omie Drawhorn, Daily News staff writer
Posted on: Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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Andrea Chavez is picky about her vampire books.
"We've all done Anne Rice, and I barely got through with 'Interview with the Vampire,' " said the Moscow resident.
So when she first saw the books in Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series, which revolves around a romance between a high school student, Bella, and a vampire, she didn't pick it up.
She thought she'd eventually get around to it.
"Fantasy I love, mysteries I love," she said.
As the hype about the series grew, some started to compare its popularity with that of the "Harry Potter" series.
"Twilight" was followed by "New Moon" and "Eclipse," and Saturday, "Breaking Dawn" will hit shelves across the country and around the world.
Chavez wanted to see what all the hype was about, so she picked up the first book.
She couldn't put it down. She breezed through the first three books and fortunately, "Breaking Dawn" - the fourth and final installment - will be waiting for her at midnight Saturday at the University of Idaho Bookstore book release party, which begins at 11 p.m. Friday. Moscow Hastings also will have a book release party that night.
Although the series is aimed at young adults, Chavez said it appeals to all ages.
The plot centers around Bella, who moves to the dark coastal town of Forks, Wash., and falls in love with a vampire.
"You wonder, 'How is Bella going to deal with this?' " Chavez said. "Edward (the vampire) falls in love with her. It is her smell. He's never smelled anything quite like her, and he can read minds but he can't read her mind."
It's details like this that keep readers intrigued, Chavez said.
A movie based on the first book will be released in December.
Besides the series' popularity, Chavez doesn't see the similarity between "Harry Potter" and "Twilight."
"They are completely different stories," she said. "But Harry Potter got kids reading."
She described Twilight as a "sweet, gentle love story."
Bella has to decide whether to be with Edward forever and turn into a vampire, or choose a different love interest, Jacob, who happens to be a werewolf, Chavez said.
"That's not something I had to deal with when I was 17," she said.
UI Bookstore employee Claudia Wohlfeil is coordinating the book release party.
"There is a huge fan base," said Wohlfeil, who waited for her teenagers to devour the books and then read them herself.
She read the first book in a day over Christmas break.
"Oh, my gosh, it was so good," she said.
She was careful not to tear through the second book because the UI Bookstore was closed through Christmas break, and she didn't want to wait to get the third book.
"Meyer does a great job with the characters; they are believable," she said.
She said the party is going to take on a wedding shower type of theme, since many fans of the series are hoping Bella and Edward will be married in "Breaking Dawn."
There will be cake, punch, a trivia contest and DVDs on the making of the forthcoming "Twilight" movie.
She said people are passionate about Bella's decision.
"Seventy-five percent want Bella and Edward to be together and 25 percent are rooting for Bella and Jacob," she estimated.
She's encouraging people to design their own "Team Edward" shirts or "Team Jacob" shirts, and the bookstore will give out prizes for the best shirts.
"People say how books are dying. Books aren't dead; people want to read books," Wohlfeil said.
UI student Jo Seely also is a fan of the series.
"I read Harry Potter when I was younger," she said. "This is the same genre, so it appeals to me. I heard this was rivaling (Harry Potter) for the best fantasy series."
Seely said that despite the fantasy element, every girl can relate to some themes in the book.
"At times, (Bella's life) is too perfect, but it's fantasy so I'll let it slide," she said. "If I read any other novel, I'd probably put it down and give it up if it's too perfect."
Seely will be out of town for the book release, but she did reserve a copy.
"I'm the type of person who has to know the conclusion," she said. "(Meyer) keeps you hanging on so you can't wait to see what happens."
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Interview with Twilight Cast and Crew
DAILIES TRANSCRIPT
"Twilight Interview"
INTERVIEWED: Taylor Lautner, Catherine Hardwicke, Stephenie Meyer, Robert Pattinson
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: July 28, 2008
See where to watch ReelzChannel TV
Mike Richards: Welcome to Dailies. I'm Mike Richards. Now as part of our Fan*tastic Summer we've taken Dailies on location, out of the soundstage to bring you the latest in all the big summer movies. And the big summer action was right here in Comi-Con, We're in San Diego, the big comic book and movie convention. A lot happened over the weekend, we've got it all covered for you. Let's start with the stars of Twilight who talked to me about meeting the very excited fans of this book, soon-to-be movie.
Mike Richards: This is your first, sort of, interaction with the fans of Twilight and they're rabid fans.
Taylor Lautner: It was good, you know, the fans they're, uh, they're crazy but they're passionate. I understand their passion for the book because I'm just as passionate for it.
Mike Richards: Was there nerves bringing your books, your movie to Comic-Con?
Catherine Hardwicke: Well I didn't wear white in case tomatoes were hurled at me but Stephanie was brave...
Stephenie Meyer: I wasn't afraid.
Mike Richards: We've talked to the cast a little bit about being on the set, that it didn't feel like this big, huge movie but now that it's here you're, I'm watching them begin to get overwhelmed. Did you guys give them any advice?
Stephenie Meyer: I did lean over to Rob today with the screaming and said, "I apologize for what I've done to your life." (laughs)
Robert Pattinson: It's a terrifying sound, like, hearing 6,000 people screaming. It sounds like the devil is coming down or something.
Hype, excitement building for 'Twilight' finale 'Breaking Dawn'
'Twilight' Tuesday: 10 Things Comic-Con Taught Us About 'Twilight'
SAN DIEGO — Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you've likely heard that the stars of the film "Twilight" (due in December) made their first collective public appearance at Comic-Con on Thursday, setting off a feeding frenzy among media who are just now realizing that this movie might sell a few tickets.
But as we welcome other media outlets to the party, we've also got one thing to confess: Even after all the "Twilight" Tuesdays we've been running this year, there are still a few things about Stephenie Meyer's universe that we didn't know.
Now, we've returned from Comic-Con a little bit older, a little bit wiser and a little bit deafer, and we present our list of "10 Things Comic-Con Taught Us About 'Twilight.' "
We Believe In Spunk Ransom
"Whenever I used to go to a fancy dress party, I always used to dress up as Fox Mulder," Robert Pattinson revealed to us after grabbing a look at some of the caped crusaders roaming the halls. "It was such a normal costume, but I'd just wear a suit." The actor added that he can't wait to see the new "X-Files" flick. "Yeah, I'm a big fan," he said. "I'm definitely going to see it."
Tonight, We Dine in Forks!
Asked which costume he'd want to wear if he attended Comic-Con as a fan, Cam Gigandet said that he'd like to bring back the impressive abs he showed off in the movie "Never Back Down." "What are the guys from '300'?" he asked about Zack Snyder's barely clad Spartans. "I'd like to be one of them."
No Needles, Just Pins
One Twilighter made special pins and allowed the cast to choose which ones they received — and the ones they chose to pin on their shirts revealed a lot about them. "We were just doing an autograph signing, and a girl made up a bunch of different ones and she let me pick one," gushed Rachelle Lefevre. "So I appropriately picked the one that says 'I Punched a Werewolf in the Face,' and I love it!" (Director Catherine Hardwicke's read "Friends Don't Let Friends Date Werewolves.")
Laurent Wants To Be A Guitar Hero
"I felt like a rock star," Edi Gathegi said about the chaotic scene inside Comic-Con's enormous Hall H. "[I've never seen anything like it] in my life — it was thrilling. If I could change one thing, I would have stepped out and strummed an air guitar. That'd be cool. But instead, I came out shy and timid."
You're Welcome, Cam
Gigandet revealed to us backstage that he might be a bit more prepared for Hall H than some of his co-stars, because he had appeared in front of a large crowd once before. "It was the MTV Movie Awards," he remembered of his recent appearance. "But I didn't really speak. I just kinda mumbled a few words." Still, he said that answering fans' questions on the spot is tougher than acting: "I'm not good. I wish they were all written for me — my lines just kind of posted up on the wall [of Hall H] would be great."
Robert Pattinson Is A Better Musician Than He Thinks
Onstage, Meyer and director Catherine Hardwicke called their star's musical compositions "amazing" and told us where they'd be in the movie. RPattz himself, however, is charmingly shy about his talents. "It's just a weird little song," he said of one of the compositions, which he hasn't named yet. "It's really random. It comes at a strange point in the movie. ... It's towards the end of the movie, but it's not Edward-related. There was one cut of the movie [I saw the other day] that had the song."
The "Twilight" Actors Are Yummy In More Ways Than One
"Once we got to get in there with each other up against the mirrors and stuff, it was pretty wild," Gigandet said of the ballet-studio fight scene they revealed to the audience. "We had honey and chicken flying everywhere! That was our substitute for human flesh. Honey and chicken [were all over us]. I'm serious!"
Getting To Know You
Although Twilighters have been obsessing over them for months, many of the movie's stars had never met each other until just recently. "I didn't meet [Lefevre] until a couple weeks ago," marveled Taylor Lautner. "And I just met Edi today for the first time."
Want a Preview Of The Film's Fight Moves? Watch "Never Back Down"
"There were a couple moves I did actually have from the movie that they let me incorporate," revealed Cam Gigandet, adding that if you look closely, you might see some mixed-martial-arts moves in his epic battle with Robert Pattinson. "[I worked in] a lot of things that I do well. But it was so much different from the fights in 'Never Back Down,' because [the 'Twilight' vampires] have superhuman strength. So every hit and every throw and everything, really, had to have such a huge effect. [We'd] go flying into the rafters, through windows — having that much wirework made it on a much grander scale than ['Never Back Down']."
Lullaby And Good Night
The "Twilight" stars broke big news about "Bella's Lullaby" and told us backstage about the one person who made sure the musical moment got into the film: Stephenie Meyer. "I asked for the lullaby to be in there," the author revealed, saying she knew the fans would insist upon it. "It was not in the original script." Added Hardwicke: "The day that [Pattinson] played the lullaby scene, we were weepy. ... We're really glad that Stephenie made us put it in."
Every Tuesday is "Twilight" Tuesday here at MTV News! Check back here each and every week for the hottest scoop on the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's beloved vampire series, and we'll still bring you breaking "Twilight" news throughout the rest of the week. And make sure you check out the MTV Movies Blog for our ongoing "Twilight" discussions each and every day.
Check out everything we've got on "Twilight."The ‘Twilight’ Cast Offers A Comic-Con Message To The Fans
Published by MTV Movies Team on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 11:09 am.
Sometimes, the two best words in the English language are the simplest ones: “Thank” and “You.”
Now that Comic-Con 2008 is in the rearview mirror, one memory will remain for quite some time: The resounding gratitude “Twilight” fans showed to Stephenie Meyer, Catherine Hardwicke and the actors hard at work on making a film of the beloved, dog-eared tome Twilighters carry with them as if it were photos of their loved ones.
Now, the stars would like to return the favor. Just hit “play” to get a little taste of Cam Gigandet, Catherine, Stephenie and Robert Pattinson saying “thank you” to the Twilighters.
So pat yourself on the back, keep watching for more Twilight Tuesdays, and then get ready for the movie hitting theaters December 12th. By then, there should be so much shared love going around that it’ll make Edward and Bella’s romance pale in comparison.'Twilight' Takes Comic-Con By Storm
But as we welcome other media outlets to the party, we've also got one thing to confess: Even after all the "Twilight" Tuesdays we've been running this year, there are still a few things about Stephenie Meyer's universe that we didn't know.
Now, we've returned from Comic-Con a little bit older, a little bit wiser and a little bit deafer, and we present our list of "10 Things Comic-Con Taught Us About 'Twilight.' "
MTVWe Believe In Spunk Ransom
"Whenever I used to go to a fancy dress party, I always used to dress up as Fox Mulder," Robert Pattinson revealed to us after grabbing a look at some of the caped crusaders roaming the halls. "It was such a normal costume, but I'd just wear a suit." The actor added that he can't wait to see the new "X-Files" flick. "Yeah, I'm a big fan," he said. "I'm definitely going to see it."
Tonight, We Dine in Forks!
Asked which costume he'd want to wear if he attended Comic-Con as a fan, Cam Gigandet said that he'd like to bring back the impressive abs he showed off in the movie "Never Back Down." "What are the guys from '300'?" he asked about Zack Snyder's barely clad Spartans. "I'd like to be one of them."
No Needles, Just Pins
One Twilighter made special pins and allowed the cast to choose which ones they received — and the ones they chose to pin on their shirts revealed a lot about them. "We were just doing an autograph signing, and a girl made up a bunch of different ones and she let me pick one," gushed Rachelle Lefevre. "So I appropriately picked the one that says 'I Punched a Werewolf in the Face,' and I love it!" (Director Catherine Hardwicke's read "Friends Don't Let Friends Date Werewolves.")
Laurent Wants To Be A Guitar Hero
"I felt like a rock star," Edi Gathegi said about the chaotic scene inside Comic-Con's enormous Hall H. "[I've never seen anything like it] in my life — it was thrilling. If I could change one thing, I would have stepped out and strummed an air guitar. That'd be cool. But instead, I came out shy and timid."
You're Welcome, Cam
Gigandet revealed to us backstage that he might be a bit more prepared for Hall H than some of his co-stars, because he had appeared in front of a large crowd once before. "It was the MTV Movie Awards," he remembered of his recent appearance. "But I didn't really speak. I just kinda mumbled a few words." Still, he said that answering fans' questions on the spot is tougher than acting: "I'm not good. I wish they were all written for me — my lines just kind of posted up on the wall [of Hall H] would be great."
Robert Pattinson Is A Better Musician Than He Thinks
Onstage, Meyer and director Catherine Hardwicke called their star's musical compositions "amazing" and told us where they'd be in the movie. RPattz himself, however, is charmingly shy about his talents. "It's just a weird little song," he said of one of the compositions, which he hasn't named yet. "It's really random. It comes at a strange point in the movie. ... It's towards the end of the movie, but it's not Edward-related. There was one cut of the movie [I saw the other day] that had the song."
The "Twilight" Actors Are Yummy In More Ways Than One
"Once we got to get in there with each other up against the mirrors and stuff, it was pretty wild," Gigandet said of the ballet-studio fight scene they revealed to the audience. "We had honey and chicken flying everywhere! That was our substitute for human flesh. Honey and chicken [were all over us]. I'm serious!"
Getting To Know You
Although Twilighters have been obsessing over them for months, many of the movie's stars had never met each other until just recently. "I didn't meet [Lefevre] until a couple weeks ago," marveled Taylor Lautner. "And I just met Edi today for the first time."
Want a Preview Of The Film's Fight Moves? Watch "Never Back Down"
"There were a couple moves I did actually have from the movie that they let me incorporate," revealed Cam Gigandet, adding that if you look closely, you might see some mixed-martial-arts moves in his epic battle with Robert Pattinson. "[I worked in] a lot of things that I do well. But it was so much different from the fights in 'Never Back Down,' because [the 'Twilight' vampires] have superhuman strength. So every hit and every throw and everything, really, had to have such a huge effect. [We'd] go flying into the rafters, through windows — having that much wirework made it on a much grander scale than ['Never Back Down']."
Lullaby And Good Night
The "Twilight" stars broke big news about "Bella's Lullaby" and told us backstage about the one person who made sure the musical moment got into the film: Stephenie Meyer. "I asked for the lullaby to be in there," the author revealed, saying she knew the fans would insist upon it. "It was not in the original script." Added Hardwicke: "The day that [Pattinson] played the lullaby scene, we were weepy. ... We're really glad that Stephenie made us put it in."
Every Tuesday is "Twilight" Tuesday here at MTV News! Check back here each and every week for the hottest scoop on the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's beloved vampire series, and we'll still bring you breaking "Twilight" news throughout the rest of the week. And make sure you check out the MTV Movies Blog for our ongoing "Twilight" discussions each and every day.
Check out everything we've got on "Twilight."The ‘Twilight’ Cast Offers A Comic-Con Message To The Fans
Published by MTV Movies Team on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 11:09 am.
Sometimes, the two best words in the English language are the simplest ones: “Thank” and “You.”
Now that Comic-Con 2008 is in the rearview mirror, one memory will remain for quite some time: The resounding gratitude “Twilight” fans showed to Stephenie Meyer, Catherine Hardwicke and the actors hard at work on making a film of the beloved, dog-eared tome Twilighters carry with them as if it were photos of their loved ones.
Now, the stars would like to return the favor. Just hit “play” to get a little taste of Cam Gigandet, Catherine, Stephenie and Robert Pattinson saying “thank you” to the Twilighters.
So pat yourself on the back, keep watching for more Twilight Tuesdays, and then get ready for the movie hitting theaters December 12th. By then, there should be so much shared love going around that it’ll make Edward and Bella’s romance pale in comparison.'Twilight' Takes Comic-Con By Storm
Monday, July 28, 2008
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Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, front, star in the first movie in the “Twilight” saga, to be released in December.
By Jeanné McCartin
features@seacoastonline.com
July 27, 2008 6:00 AM
It's the hottest book series you've probably never heard of. That is, unless your life puts you in close proximity to a tween, teen or 20-something female. But it's bound to penetrate the world of the unacquainted soon.
The "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer will release the fourth and final installment Aug. 2, with midnight release parties nationally — including on the Seacoast. And if that doesn't burst through, the "Twilight" movie in late '08 likely will.
Related Stories
'Twilight' magazine cover photo gets blood boiling GO & DO
EXETER
WHAT: "Breaking Dawn" release party
WHERE: Water Street Bookstore, 25 Water St., Exeter
WHEN: Aug. 1, 10 p.m. ends with the release at midnight.
COST: Prepaying for book includes admittance for you plus one guest; first edition of "Breaking Dawn," $5 gift certificate; raffle ticket, (prize worth more than $80).
Contact: Water Street at 778-9731 or Time of Wonder Bookstore at
778-6027
NEWINGTON
WHAT: "Breaking Dawn" release party
WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 45 Gosling Road, Newington
WHEN: Aug. 1, 10 p.m., costume contest and a costume parade (Vampire and prom dress is optional).
CONTACT: 422-7733 or www.barnesandnobleinc.com
PORTSMOUTH
WHAT: "Breaking Dawn" release party
WHERE: Portsmouth library, 175 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth
WHEN: Aug. 1, 9 till midnight (book for sale), themed around her previous books
CONTACT: 766-1740 (youth department)
• •
WHAT: Pre-order special: 20 percent off "Breaking Dawn," comes with a keepsake
WHERE: RiverRun, 20 Congress St., Portsmouth
CONTACT: To reserve book e-mail info@riverrunbookstore.com
Some facts: The series consists of "Twilight," "New Moon," "Eclipse," and soon "Breaking Dawn." They have sold more than 6 million copies and counting in the United States. "Twilight's" first printing was 75,000; "Breaking Dawn's" 3.5 million. All that sans blockbuster marketing — just lots of girl-tells-girl power.
"Twilight," the film, hits in December. The current standing on Yahoo Movies has "Twilight" teaser No. 2 at 411,902 views, the original at 121,284. Coming in at number 3 is "The Dark Knight: You Wanna Play" at 115,689 clicks. Get the picture now?
So what is "Twilight" and why the incredible loyalty? First an explanation, then the fans.
The book's core is a romance between everyday teen Bella and her classmate Edward — a vampire. Then there's Jacob her best friend who also loves her, a Native American — oh yeah, and a werewolf, the vampire's natural enemy. It's romance and paranormal fiction with tension galore; from early Bella and Edward encounters, to the later ones with some very bad vampires.
So what grabs the reader? "It's because every girl can relate to Bella," says Bridget Swift, 18, of Stratham and a mega fan. "Also because it gives normal girls that hope of the one true love that's been lost in fairy tales over the years. ...; Now everyone dies, or cheats. ...; You can't find a real good happy ending. I haven't found a good one since 'Jane Austen' and that was a couple of centuries ago."
Swift tracks info on the movie daily "sometimes hourly," and sends alerts out to a dozen equally interested friends. She stays abreast of news as a member of a fan Web site. She's also helping to arrange the Exeter's Water Street Bookstore release party. (See box)
Till a friend gave Swift a copy of "Twilight" in February '08, when she was a high school senior, she'd never heard of it. "As soon as I read it I started seeing other people carrying around the book everywhere I went. I'd stumbled into the underground movement."
Maybe not everyone. But a check with a few bookstores, fans, and fan sites verifies some adult women and boys are fans.
Swift's hopes for the conclusion? "A happy ending for everyone. ...; The way it's written you want every one to be happy, you care for them, feel like you know them on a personal level," she says.
The best possible outcome is Bella and Edward marry and she becomes a vampire. "She wants to go with him wherever he goes." Note: vampires never die or age.
As for Jacob, "I want him to imprint on somebody other than Bella." If you don't know the term, we won't ruin your read by explaining.
And of course there must be tension — as with the previous three. All those asked, starting with Swift, believe the struggle will be with the Voltari, a very nasty lot of Italian vampires.
And what are her thoughts on the movie? Swift likes the casting. "I think they're perfect. In my head I first put Bella's voice as naive, almost too girly. But when I heard Kristen Stewart talk, it really fit the voice of the character, not girly — smart and extremely strong."
Edward is played by Robert Pattinson. "From the beginning I loved him, ever since I saw him in Harry Potter, (as Cedric Diggory). I think they really got the Greek god, hard jaw, classical looking." She thinks Taylor Lautner as Jacob should work as well.
Emily Braile, 18, Durham, is another series latecomer. Today her circle of friends, which includes Swift, is hooked.
Her book expectations? The same as the above, Edward and Bella together and both vampires. Jacob happy with someone else. "All my friends are for Edward, probably because he's impossibly perfect," says Braile. "He's what every girl hopes they can end up with."
And the movie? She's not following it too closely. She wants to be surprised. But she's fine with the casting. "I don't know any of them ...; but the one playing Edward," says Braile. "I'm excited to see if they can actually act."
Braile weighs in on the recent Entertainment Weekly photo "controversy." The cover shot depicts Edward and Bella in romance novel style and dress — open shirt and all. Related Web sites were stormed with pro and con comments. Braile liked the photo. "I thought it looked like them, the characters. They made him look really pale and her normal tone. ...; It's like the Hollywood version, it's what they do. They could do a lot worse."
Kristen Ladua, 20, of North Hampton attends the University of New Hampshire. While college isn't the target audience, she knows quite a few classmates who have read the series.
"I feel like a lot of people are turned off to the whole plot of it. ...; You think it's going to be a creepy vampire book. But once you get into it and once you get to know the characters you get totally absorbed. ...; It's like Harry (Potter). He's a wizard 'get over it.' In this Edward's a vampire, 'so move on.' It's more about his personality and less of what he is."
And oddly enough he is relatable, as is Bella. And there lies the draw. "Even though it's mythical creatures it feels like it's something that could happen. And it's so romantic and funny and nice you wish it could."
Book four wishes? "I don't want her to lose who she is as a human when she becomes a vampire and the biggest part of that is Jacob. I do feel it's inevitable she's with Edward, but I hope Stephenie (Meyer) is more imaginative and finds a way to make her part of everyone's world."
Macy Howarth, 14, Portsmouth, resisted reading "Twilight." That vampire thing was a bit much. "But my friend said 'you have to read it.' ...; I've read it six times now probably," she says. "I thought it would be on the horror side. It was more in the romantic; not gory."
She preferred books one and three, a common theme with fans. She didn't like the morose Bella, or her reference to Jacob as her sun. "It bugged me." But the series works overall because it's fast-paced, has numerous twists and strong characters. "You know them."
The series' publisher recently released a special edition of "Eclipse," which included the first chapter of "Breaking Dawn." Nice marketing ploy. Howarth's friend bought it and passed it around. "We were fighting over it," she says laughing. "It sounds like they're getting married, but (Meyer) might throw a twist into the plot. ...; I kind of want them to get married. I really hope she doesn't go for Jacob. I think Edward has picked his love."
As for the movie, the cast isn't her dream team. Edward is OK, she says. But she's not wild about Stewart as Bella and she's no fan of the teaser trailers either; "Too dramatic." Furthermore it shows Edward flying; "Doesn't happen." "I don't think they're going to get it right. I think when you go to the movie you have to forget the book. If you compare it, it will be an awful movie."
That said, she wouldn't miss it for anything.Love at first bite: Interviews with the 'Fanpire'
As they await the new book, Chicago's obsessed fans try to tempt you with tales of beautiful vampires and first love
July 27, 2008Recommend (6)
BY PAGE WISER
They debate about whether to call themselves Twilighters, or maybe Twi-hards, or even the FanPire. They have strong opinions on whether Bella belongs with vampire Edward or werewolf Jacob --and don't get them started on the casting of the movie.
There is no such thing as a casual fan of the "Twilight" saga. That would be like saying a vampire has a passing interest in blood.
» Click to enlarge image
"Overall, it's about love," says Abigail Szymonik about the "Twilight" vampire book series.
(Rich Hein/Sun-Times)
» Click to enlarge image
"Vampire" fan Erica Jackson of Chatham says "the love story -- between a teenage girl and a 100-year-old vampire -- is so forbidden." A fourth book is due soon.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times file)
CAST YOUR VOTE
What team do you play for?
Team Edward
Team Jacob
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Find scenes from the film 'Twilight'
PDF: What you've missed
Vote: What team do you play for?
Stephenie Meyer, a Mormon mother of three, had a vivid dream one night and started writing. The result, Twilight, was published in 2005. The book was a fast read for young adults, and word of it spread even faster.
Her second book in the series, New Moon, came out in 2006 and was ranked at No. 1
on the New York Times best-seller list for more than 30 weeks. The third book, Eclipse, sold 150,000 copies its first day. Now Twilighters are staying up at night in anticipation of the fourth and final book, Breaking Dawn, which comes out Aug. 2; it has a first printing of 3.2 million copies.
Dominique Bloink, 13, of Northbrook, will be at one of the many midnight parties -- at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. "Once I get the book, I plan on staying up to read all night, or at least until I fall asleep," she says.
It's not just a vampire book, explains Bloink. "They aren't the fanged, blood-dripping-down-the-mouth creatures that most people think of when they hear 'vampire,'" she says. "They're breathtakingly beautiful beings who sparkle in the sun, have special powers, and are hard as rock. Really the only tying characteristic to your average vampire is the fact that they drink blood."
The main character, Bella, moves to Forks, Wash., and falls for the hottest guy in school. Who happens to be a "vegetarian" vampire who dines on animal blood. "Here the vampires are the good guys," says fan Laura Rincon, 16, of West Rogers Park. "I guess the obsessiveness comes from the fact that Bella is just an ordinary girl who happens to fall in love with someone extraordinary. Also, her love interest, Edward, is supposed to be the world's most perfect man. He's a gentleman and extremely handsome. And it doesn't hurt that he has superpowers."
Author Meyer will be in town Aug. 5 for an appearance at the Harris Theatre. You guessed it; the $20 tickets for the event are sold out. For the time being, most related Internet message boards are shut down, so that no one can spoil plot details before everyone has read it.
Luckily, the FanPire can still look forward to the movie version of Twilight, which comes out Dec. 12. It was no small decision to cast the most beautiful man in the world, but the online community is now rallying around actor Robert Pattinson, who played Cedric Diggory in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Catherine Hardwicke (2003's "Thirteen") will be directing, and she chose Kristen Stewart (last year's "Into the Wild") to embody Bella.
Twi-hards often are young and female, but their enthusiasm soon spread to their mothers, who wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. Now the saga is difficult to ignore. "All the lady faculty at school are crazy about the books," says Elizabeth Buenning, 58, a librarian at Lake Zurich Middle School.
"Any subject matter that gets and keeps young people reading is worth its salt," says Tom Garza, a professor of Western vampire history at the University of Texas at Austin. Usually, he focuses on classic Russian vampire stories from the 19th century, but he'll make an exception for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" -- or Twilight. "The vampire story is not, inherently, a violent or horrific one," he says. "It is based on profoundly religious or philosophical grounds of love and the afterlife."
Why is the series so successful? Here are five theories.
1 Harry Potter paved the way. With J.K. Rowling on hiatus, there's room for a new super-author. Time magazine recently asked the question, "The next J.K. Rowling?" and then put Meyer in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Profiles of Meyer always make the comparison, although Meyer herself plays it down. Rowling made it possible to get 800-page young adult books published. Meyer returned the favor by knocking Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows out of the No. 1 spot with her Eclipse.
Demographically, the Twilight series is perfect for readers who are too old for Harry Potter but too young for Anne Rice. "I think [Twilight] definitely measures up to Harry Potter," says Twi-hard Bloink. "Perhaps not in sales yet, but as far as fan enthusiasm, definitely."
2The books have a strong morality. Edward wants Bella's blood, but as a gentleman, he restrains himself. Metaphor for sexual abstinence, anybody?
Meyer, who sees no conflict in writing vampire stories with her Mormon faith, doesn't like horror books and has never seen an R-rated film. There's remarkably little blood shed in the Twilight saga. "Overall, it's about love," says Abigail Szymonik, 29, a fan who lives in the St. Ben's neighborhood. "First love, paternal and maternal love, love of and for a friend, love of life. It would be hard for a reader to not find a kind of love they can relate to in the story."
3 Edward is the ultimate good/bad boy. Professor Garza makes the point that, since Tod Browning's 1931 Dracula, vampires are "suave, sophisticated, attractive," he says. "After all, what better way to take a victim over to the dark side than through seduction?"
Erica Jackson, 34, of the Chatham neighborhood says, "The books are chaste, but at the same time can be sexual, because the love story -- between a teenage girl and a 100-year-old vampire -- is so forbidden."
Edward is the key, says 13-year-old Bloink. "Lots of people have fallen in love with him, just as much as they've falling in love with the whole series," she says.
4With vampires, you can make up your own rules. In Twilight, vampires exist much like humans. They can go in the sun, just not in front of other people; garlic doesn't bother them; they don't sleep in coffins; in fact, they don't sleep at all.
They just like blood, that's all.
There's only one requirement, says Professor Garza. "A vampire is a creature that takes its sustenance from another living creature, and in doing so, weakens or kills it," he explains. "Everything else is literary and historic license."
5 The economy is bad. Historically in the United States, periods of war and/or economic strife are accompanied by a surge in "fantasy" or "supernatural" films and literature. "It's all about a very necessary and therapeutic kind of escapism that often creates even more production of such works," says Professor Garza.
Twilight has pretty much already been declared a hit even though it doesn't release in theaters until December 12th. A sequel (New Moon) is already planned and when the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, hits book stores on August 2nd, it's pretty likely screenwriters will be getting to work shortly thereafter.
We asked series author Stephenie Meyer whether the casting of her creations on screen has had any influence on the her writing as she continues the adventures of her Twilight creations.
"Luckily I got a head start. I had finished Eclipse before Twilight ever came out in the stores," Meyer told us.
"With Breaking Dawn, I already knew exactly what I was going to write. I had the outline. I knew what I was doing. I wasn't influenced by fan reaction or by the movie."
Meyer pauses, then admits that it has started to pop into her head: "Although, I will admit, when I read it now, I'm picturing Rob [Pattinson] and Kristen [Stewart] doing the stuff." (Laughs)
Posted 07/25/2008 by Jeff
Twilight
Fans eagerly await last 'Twilight' book
By Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Fresno Bee
07/28/08 00:00:00
More information'Twilight' parties
Some bookstores will host "Twilight" parties Friday night to celebrate the release of "Breaking Dawn." The parties will start at 9 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Fresno and at 9:30 p.m. at Borders in Fresno and Visalia.
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For the uninitiated, there's a phenomenon out there called the "Twilight" series, which has grabbed a lot of teen and adult fans by the throat.
If you haven't noticed, there has been a lot of coverage, including a recent Entertainment Weekly cover story, because the fourth and final book, "Breaking Dawn," will be released at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
What's the big deal? The Bee provides this primer, in case you find yourself in the midst of "Twilight" chatter.
What's it about? It's a contemporary tale of love, fantasy and horror about a smart but awkward teenager named Bella and a handsome vampire named Edward. There's also another guy, Jacob, with supernatural issues of his own and, well, if this isn't a classic setup for a love in conflict, what is?
OK, "Twilight" was first and "Breaking Dawn" will be the final one. What are the others? The second one is called "New Moon," the third "Eclipse."
Who wrote these books? Stephenie Meyer. She is a housewife who lives just outside Phoenix with her husband and three sons. She is a Mormon who earned a bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University.
What are we talking about in terms of ka-ching? Here are the latest numbers we've seen: The first three books have sold more than 5.3 million copies in the U.S. alone since "Twilight" debuted in 2005. The publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, has so much confidence in the fourth book that it's doing a first printing of 3.5 million. When that happens, nearly 11 million copies of the four books, hardback and paperback, will be in print in dozens of countries.
Well, that's nowhere near the "Harry Potter" series, right? True, but know this: The third novel, "Eclipse," did just what that title says last summer to J.K. Rowling's seventh and final Potter book. The Potter book was in the top spot for three weeks when "Eclipse" took its place. No small feat there.
And didn't Time ask the question of whether Meyer is the next Rowling? Yes, it did. It's interesting that both were mothers of young children (or a child, in Rowling's case), and each came up with brilliant idea for a story and found success. But, excuse our bias, Meyer is no Rowling. Potter's author is a fastidious detailer, with a sharp imagination and depth that appeals to readers of all ages. Meyer is admirable, but not on the same level. Her primary audience is female.
So why is the "Twilight" series popular? First, it's a romance novel. There is plenty of mushy writing and dialogue (Example: "I caressed his cheek, delicately stroked his eyelid, the purple shadow in the hollow under his eye. I traced the shape of his perfect nose, and then, so carefully, his flawless lips.") Second, it's romantic and a bit lusty, but not graphic. The love story is chaste because it has to be when one partner is human and the other a vampire. Third, there's suspense because vampires apparently are endangered by other vampire covens and beings. And fourth, despite the hundreds of pages in each volume, the books are fast page-turners, along the lines of Dan Brown's hugely successful "The Da Vinci Code."
But why are vampire stories, in general, popular? We're not sure, but it's partly the allure of the forbidden and -- in Hollywood's versions -- lots of handsome and beautiful vampires. It gives off a sensual vibe. So what began famously with Bram Stoker's 1897 horror novel, "Dracula," has evolved into Anne Rice's popular gothic "Vampire Chronicles" books to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." HBO has a new drama coming up called, what else?: "True Blood." We suspect that if Hollywood and authors insisted vampires look like the terrifying and repelling one in F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent film "Nosferatu," vampire-theme films and books would have ceased in 1922.
So there has to be a movie coming of "Twilight," right? Of course. The film version of "Twilight" premiers Dec. 12, just in time for the money-making holiday season. You can check out the trailer and other information at twilight themovie.com.
What some young fans are saying
Why is the "Twilight" series so popular? The Bee asked three fans to explain. Two, Lindsay Krage and Lucy Liu, are current BackTalk writers for The Bee. The third, Mane Chakarian, is a former BackTalker.
Lucy Liu, Clovis High School: "It's Stephenie Meyer's writing that pulls the story together for me. Her writing is simple, natural and descriptive, which all help to bring the reader into her magical world. Her ability to convey the most powerful of human emotions, like love and despair, to the reader is what makes her 'Twilight' series so captivating."
Mane Chakarian, Edison High School graduate: "I'm so entranced by the 'Twilight' series because it serves as a cure for the Potter Blues. Once the Harry Potter series ended, I felt as though I needed a new novel or series to serve as 'brain candy,' something I could read to relax and de-stress, rather than for educational or analytical purposes."
Lindsay Krage, Sanger High School: "The books captivate your attention from the first chapter and really make me feel like I know the characters personally. It leaves me cheering for Bella and Edward. I simply can't put the books down."
The reporter can be reached at fmatlosz
July 27, 2008
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Recommend (2)
BY DONNA VICKROY, Staff Writer
Once bitten, twice obsessed.
Bridget Fiore's friend had to practically force the 15-year-old to read "Twilight," by Stephenie Meyer.
» Click to enlarge image
Michelle Carrier (from left), Arlene Carrier, Lori Ritter and Christina Ritter have enjoyed the "Twilight" book series by Stephenie Meyer। (Brett Roseman/SouthtownStar)
'Twilight' time: Fans will party till the 'Breaking Dawn'
Seacoast followers of Stephenie Meyer's mega-popular series prepare for final book
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'Twilight' time: Fans will party till the 'Breaking Dawn'
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2008 Miss Hampton Beach is crowned - 7/28/2008Police: Woman peddled pills in public housing - 7/27/2008Speedos are a sign of economic trouble - 7/27/2008Crash in York sends one to hospital - 7/27/2008Raymond woman dies in Route 4 motorcycle crash - 7/28/2008Israel baseball league player's story to become movie - 7/28/2008 Photo 1 of 5 Zoom Photo +
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, front, star in the first movie in the “Twilight” saga, to be released in December.
By Jeanné McCartin
features@seacoastonline.com
July 27, 2008 6:00 AM
It's the hottest book series you've probably never heard of. That is, unless your life puts you in close proximity to a tween, teen or 20-something female. But it's bound to penetrate the world of the unacquainted soon.
The "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer will release the fourth and final installment Aug. 2, with midnight release parties nationally — including on the Seacoast. And if that doesn't burst through, the "Twilight" movie in late '08 likely will.
Related Stories
'Twilight' magazine cover photo gets blood boiling GO & DO
EXETER
WHAT: "Breaking Dawn" release party
WHERE: Water Street Bookstore, 25 Water St., Exeter
WHEN: Aug. 1, 10 p.m. ends with the release at midnight.
COST: Prepaying for book includes admittance for you plus one guest; first edition of "Breaking Dawn," $5 gift certificate; raffle ticket, (prize worth more than $80).
Contact: Water Street at 778-9731 or Time of Wonder Bookstore at
778-6027
NEWINGTON
WHAT: "Breaking Dawn" release party
WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 45 Gosling Road, Newington
WHEN: Aug. 1, 10 p.m., costume contest and a costume parade (Vampire and prom dress is optional).
CONTACT: 422-7733 or www.barnesandnobleinc.com
PORTSMOUTH
WHAT: "Breaking Dawn" release party
WHERE: Portsmouth library, 175 Parrott Ave., Portsmouth
WHEN: Aug. 1, 9 till midnight (book for sale), themed around her previous books
CONTACT: 766-1740 (youth department)
• •
WHAT: Pre-order special: 20 percent off "Breaking Dawn," comes with a keepsake
WHERE: RiverRun, 20 Congress St., Portsmouth
CONTACT: To reserve book e-mail info@riverrunbookstore.com
Some facts: The series consists of "Twilight," "New Moon," "Eclipse," and soon "Breaking Dawn." They have sold more than 6 million copies and counting in the United States. "Twilight's" first printing was 75,000; "Breaking Dawn's" 3.5 million. All that sans blockbuster marketing — just lots of girl-tells-girl power.
"Twilight," the film, hits in December. The current standing on Yahoo Movies has "Twilight" teaser No. 2 at 411,902 views, the original at 121,284. Coming in at number 3 is "The Dark Knight: You Wanna Play" at 115,689 clicks. Get the picture now?
So what is "Twilight" and why the incredible loyalty? First an explanation, then the fans.
The book's core is a romance between everyday teen Bella and her classmate Edward — a vampire. Then there's Jacob her best friend who also loves her, a Native American — oh yeah, and a werewolf, the vampire's natural enemy. It's romance and paranormal fiction with tension galore; from early Bella and Edward encounters, to the later ones with some very bad vampires.
So what grabs the reader? "It's because every girl can relate to Bella," says Bridget Swift, 18, of Stratham and a mega fan. "Also because it gives normal girls that hope of the one true love that's been lost in fairy tales over the years. ...; Now everyone dies, or cheats. ...; You can't find a real good happy ending. I haven't found a good one since 'Jane Austen' and that was a couple of centuries ago."
Swift tracks info on the movie daily "sometimes hourly," and sends alerts out to a dozen equally interested friends. She stays abreast of news as a member of a fan Web site. She's also helping to arrange the Exeter's Water Street Bookstore release party. (See box)
Till a friend gave Swift a copy of "Twilight" in February '08, when she was a high school senior, she'd never heard of it. "As soon as I read it I started seeing other people carrying around the book everywhere I went. I'd stumbled into the underground movement."
Maybe not everyone. But a check with a few bookstores, fans, and fan sites verifies some adult women and boys are fans.
Swift's hopes for the conclusion? "A happy ending for everyone. ...; The way it's written you want every one to be happy, you care for them, feel like you know them on a personal level," she says.
The best possible outcome is Bella and Edward marry and she becomes a vampire. "She wants to go with him wherever he goes." Note: vampires never die or age.
As for Jacob, "I want him to imprint on somebody other than Bella." If you don't know the term, we won't ruin your read by explaining.
And of course there must be tension — as with the previous three. All those asked, starting with Swift, believe the struggle will be with the Voltari, a very nasty lot of Italian vampires.
And what are her thoughts on the movie? Swift likes the casting. "I think they're perfect. In my head I first put Bella's voice as naive, almost too girly. But when I heard Kristen Stewart talk, it really fit the voice of the character, not girly — smart and extremely strong."
Edward is played by Robert Pattinson. "From the beginning I loved him, ever since I saw him in Harry Potter, (as Cedric Diggory). I think they really got the Greek god, hard jaw, classical looking." She thinks Taylor Lautner as Jacob should work as well.
Emily Braile, 18, Durham, is another series latecomer. Today her circle of friends, which includes Swift, is hooked.
Her book expectations? The same as the above, Edward and Bella together and both vampires. Jacob happy with someone else. "All my friends are for Edward, probably because he's impossibly perfect," says Braile. "He's what every girl hopes they can end up with."
And the movie? She's not following it too closely. She wants to be surprised. But she's fine with the casting. "I don't know any of them ...; but the one playing Edward," says Braile. "I'm excited to see if they can actually act."
Braile weighs in on the recent Entertainment Weekly photo "controversy." The cover shot depicts Edward and Bella in romance novel style and dress — open shirt and all. Related Web sites were stormed with pro and con comments. Braile liked the photo. "I thought it looked like them, the characters. They made him look really pale and her normal tone. ...; It's like the Hollywood version, it's what they do. They could do a lot worse."
Kristen Ladua, 20, of North Hampton attends the University of New Hampshire. While college isn't the target audience, she knows quite a few classmates who have read the series.
"I feel like a lot of people are turned off to the whole plot of it. ...; You think it's going to be a creepy vampire book. But once you get into it and once you get to know the characters you get totally absorbed. ...; It's like Harry (Potter). He's a wizard 'get over it.' In this Edward's a vampire, 'so move on.' It's more about his personality and less of what he is."
And oddly enough he is relatable, as is Bella. And there lies the draw. "Even though it's mythical creatures it feels like it's something that could happen. And it's so romantic and funny and nice you wish it could."
Book four wishes? "I don't want her to lose who she is as a human when she becomes a vampire and the biggest part of that is Jacob. I do feel it's inevitable she's with Edward, but I hope Stephenie (Meyer) is more imaginative and finds a way to make her part of everyone's world."
Macy Howarth, 14, Portsmouth, resisted reading "Twilight." That vampire thing was a bit much. "But my friend said 'you have to read it.' ...; I've read it six times now probably," she says. "I thought it would be on the horror side. It was more in the romantic; not gory."
She preferred books one and three, a common theme with fans. She didn't like the morose Bella, or her reference to Jacob as her sun. "It bugged me." But the series works overall because it's fast-paced, has numerous twists and strong characters. "You know them."
The series' publisher recently released a special edition of "Eclipse," which included the first chapter of "Breaking Dawn." Nice marketing ploy. Howarth's friend bought it and passed it around. "We were fighting over it," she says laughing. "It sounds like they're getting married, but (Meyer) might throw a twist into the plot. ...; I kind of want them to get married. I really hope she doesn't go for Jacob. I think Edward has picked his love."
As for the movie, the cast isn't her dream team. Edward is OK, she says. But she's not wild about Stewart as Bella and she's no fan of the teaser trailers either; "Too dramatic." Furthermore it shows Edward flying; "Doesn't happen." "I don't think they're going to get it right. I think when you go to the movie you have to forget the book. If you compare it, it will be an awful movie."
That said, she wouldn't miss it for anything.Love at first bite: Interviews with the 'Fanpire'
As they await the new book, Chicago's obsessed fans try to tempt you with tales of beautiful vampires and first love
July 27, 2008Recommend (6)
BY PAGE WISER
They debate about whether to call themselves Twilighters, or maybe Twi-hards, or even the FanPire. They have strong opinions on whether Bella belongs with vampire Edward or werewolf Jacob --and don't get them started on the casting of the movie.
There is no such thing as a casual fan of the "Twilight" saga. That would be like saying a vampire has a passing interest in blood.
» Click to enlarge image
"Overall, it's about love," says Abigail Szymonik about the "Twilight" vampire book series.
(Rich Hein/Sun-Times)
» Click to enlarge image
"Vampire" fan Erica Jackson of Chatham says "the love story -- between a teenage girl and a 100-year-old vampire -- is so forbidden." A fourth book is due soon.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times file)
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Stephenie Meyer, a Mormon mother of three, had a vivid dream one night and started writing. The result, Twilight, was published in 2005. The book was a fast read for young adults, and word of it spread even faster.
Her second book in the series, New Moon, came out in 2006 and was ranked at No. 1
on the New York Times best-seller list for more than 30 weeks. The third book, Eclipse, sold 150,000 copies its first day. Now Twilighters are staying up at night in anticipation of the fourth and final book, Breaking Dawn, which comes out Aug. 2; it has a first printing of 3.2 million copies.
Dominique Bloink, 13, of Northbrook, will be at one of the many midnight parties -- at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. "Once I get the book, I plan on staying up to read all night, or at least until I fall asleep," she says.
It's not just a vampire book, explains Bloink. "They aren't the fanged, blood-dripping-down-the-mouth creatures that most people think of when they hear 'vampire,'" she says. "They're breathtakingly beautiful beings who sparkle in the sun, have special powers, and are hard as rock. Really the only tying characteristic to your average vampire is the fact that they drink blood."
The main character, Bella, moves to Forks, Wash., and falls for the hottest guy in school. Who happens to be a "vegetarian" vampire who dines on animal blood. "Here the vampires are the good guys," says fan Laura Rincon, 16, of West Rogers Park. "I guess the obsessiveness comes from the fact that Bella is just an ordinary girl who happens to fall in love with someone extraordinary. Also, her love interest, Edward, is supposed to be the world's most perfect man. He's a gentleman and extremely handsome. And it doesn't hurt that he has superpowers."
Author Meyer will be in town Aug. 5 for an appearance at the Harris Theatre. You guessed it; the $20 tickets for the event are sold out. For the time being, most related Internet message boards are shut down, so that no one can spoil plot details before everyone has read it.
Luckily, the FanPire can still look forward to the movie version of Twilight, which comes out Dec. 12. It was no small decision to cast the most beautiful man in the world, but the online community is now rallying around actor Robert Pattinson, who played Cedric Diggory in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Catherine Hardwicke (2003's "Thirteen") will be directing, and she chose Kristen Stewart (last year's "Into the Wild") to embody Bella.
Twi-hards often are young and female, but their enthusiasm soon spread to their mothers, who wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. Now the saga is difficult to ignore. "All the lady faculty at school are crazy about the books," says Elizabeth Buenning, 58, a librarian at Lake Zurich Middle School.
"Any subject matter that gets and keeps young people reading is worth its salt," says Tom Garza, a professor of Western vampire history at the University of Texas at Austin. Usually, he focuses on classic Russian vampire stories from the 19th century, but he'll make an exception for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" -- or Twilight. "The vampire story is not, inherently, a violent or horrific one," he says. "It is based on profoundly religious or philosophical grounds of love and the afterlife."
Why is the series so successful? Here are five theories.
1 Harry Potter paved the way. With J.K. Rowling on hiatus, there's room for a new super-author. Time magazine recently asked the question, "The next J.K. Rowling?" and then put Meyer in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Profiles of Meyer always make the comparison, although Meyer herself plays it down. Rowling made it possible to get 800-page young adult books published. Meyer returned the favor by knocking Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows out of the No. 1 spot with her Eclipse.
Demographically, the Twilight series is perfect for readers who are too old for Harry Potter but too young for Anne Rice. "I think [Twilight] definitely measures up to Harry Potter," says Twi-hard Bloink. "Perhaps not in sales yet, but as far as fan enthusiasm, definitely."
2The books have a strong morality. Edward wants Bella's blood, but as a gentleman, he restrains himself. Metaphor for sexual abstinence, anybody?
Meyer, who sees no conflict in writing vampire stories with her Mormon faith, doesn't like horror books and has never seen an R-rated film. There's remarkably little blood shed in the Twilight saga. "Overall, it's about love," says Abigail Szymonik, 29, a fan who lives in the St. Ben's neighborhood. "First love, paternal and maternal love, love of and for a friend, love of life. It would be hard for a reader to not find a kind of love they can relate to in the story."
3 Edward is the ultimate good/bad boy. Professor Garza makes the point that, since Tod Browning's 1931 Dracula, vampires are "suave, sophisticated, attractive," he says. "After all, what better way to take a victim over to the dark side than through seduction?"
Erica Jackson, 34, of the Chatham neighborhood says, "The books are chaste, but at the same time can be sexual, because the love story -- between a teenage girl and a 100-year-old vampire -- is so forbidden."
Edward is the key, says 13-year-old Bloink. "Lots of people have fallen in love with him, just as much as they've falling in love with the whole series," she says.
4With vampires, you can make up your own rules. In Twilight, vampires exist much like humans. They can go in the sun, just not in front of other people; garlic doesn't bother them; they don't sleep in coffins; in fact, they don't sleep at all.
They just like blood, that's all.
There's only one requirement, says Professor Garza. "A vampire is a creature that takes its sustenance from another living creature, and in doing so, weakens or kills it," he explains. "Everything else is literary and historic license."
5 The economy is bad. Historically in the United States, periods of war and/or economic strife are accompanied by a surge in "fantasy" or "supernatural" films and literature. "It's all about a very necessary and therapeutic kind of escapism that often creates even more production of such works," says Professor Garza.
Twilight has pretty much already been declared a hit even though it doesn't release in theaters until December 12th. A sequel (New Moon) is already planned and when the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, hits book stores on August 2nd, it's pretty likely screenwriters will be getting to work shortly thereafter.
We asked series author Stephenie Meyer whether the casting of her creations on screen has had any influence on the her writing as she continues the adventures of her Twilight creations.
"Luckily I got a head start. I had finished Eclipse before Twilight ever came out in the stores," Meyer told us.
"With Breaking Dawn, I already knew exactly what I was going to write. I had the outline. I knew what I was doing. I wasn't influenced by fan reaction or by the movie."
Meyer pauses, then admits that it has started to pop into her head: "Although, I will admit, when I read it now, I'm picturing Rob [Pattinson] and Kristen [Stewart] doing the stuff." (Laughs)
Posted 07/25/2008 by Jeff
Twilight
Fans eagerly await last 'Twilight' book
By Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Fresno Bee
07/28/08 00:00:00
More information'Twilight' parties
Some bookstores will host "Twilight" parties Friday night to celebrate the release of "Breaking Dawn." The parties will start at 9 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Fresno and at 9:30 p.m. at Borders in Fresno and Visalia.
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For the uninitiated, there's a phenomenon out there called the "Twilight" series, which has grabbed a lot of teen and adult fans by the throat.
If you haven't noticed, there has been a lot of coverage, including a recent Entertainment Weekly cover story, because the fourth and final book, "Breaking Dawn," will be released at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
What's the big deal? The Bee provides this primer, in case you find yourself in the midst of "Twilight" chatter.
What's it about? It's a contemporary tale of love, fantasy and horror about a smart but awkward teenager named Bella and a handsome vampire named Edward. There's also another guy, Jacob, with supernatural issues of his own and, well, if this isn't a classic setup for a love in conflict, what is?
OK, "Twilight" was first and "Breaking Dawn" will be the final one. What are the others? The second one is called "New Moon," the third "Eclipse."
Who wrote these books? Stephenie Meyer. She is a housewife who lives just outside Phoenix with her husband and three sons. She is a Mormon who earned a bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University.
What are we talking about in terms of ka-ching? Here are the latest numbers we've seen: The first three books have sold more than 5.3 million copies in the U.S. alone since "Twilight" debuted in 2005. The publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, has so much confidence in the fourth book that it's doing a first printing of 3.5 million. When that happens, nearly 11 million copies of the four books, hardback and paperback, will be in print in dozens of countries.
Well, that's nowhere near the "Harry Potter" series, right? True, but know this: The third novel, "Eclipse," did just what that title says last summer to J.K. Rowling's seventh and final Potter book. The Potter book was in the top spot for three weeks when "Eclipse" took its place. No small feat there.
And didn't Time ask the question of whether Meyer is the next Rowling? Yes, it did. It's interesting that both were mothers of young children (or a child, in Rowling's case), and each came up with brilliant idea for a story and found success. But, excuse our bias, Meyer is no Rowling. Potter's author is a fastidious detailer, with a sharp imagination and depth that appeals to readers of all ages. Meyer is admirable, but not on the same level. Her primary audience is female.
So why is the "Twilight" series popular? First, it's a romance novel. There is plenty of mushy writing and dialogue (Example: "I caressed his cheek, delicately stroked his eyelid, the purple shadow in the hollow under his eye. I traced the shape of his perfect nose, and then, so carefully, his flawless lips.") Second, it's romantic and a bit lusty, but not graphic. The love story is chaste because it has to be when one partner is human and the other a vampire. Third, there's suspense because vampires apparently are endangered by other vampire covens and beings. And fourth, despite the hundreds of pages in each volume, the books are fast page-turners, along the lines of Dan Brown's hugely successful "The Da Vinci Code."
But why are vampire stories, in general, popular? We're not sure, but it's partly the allure of the forbidden and -- in Hollywood's versions -- lots of handsome and beautiful vampires. It gives off a sensual vibe. So what began famously with Bram Stoker's 1897 horror novel, "Dracula," has evolved into Anne Rice's popular gothic "Vampire Chronicles" books to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." HBO has a new drama coming up called, what else?: "True Blood." We suspect that if Hollywood and authors insisted vampires look like the terrifying and repelling one in F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent film "Nosferatu," vampire-theme films and books would have ceased in 1922.
So there has to be a movie coming of "Twilight," right? Of course. The film version of "Twilight" premiers Dec. 12, just in time for the money-making holiday season. You can check out the trailer and other information at twilight themovie.com.
What some young fans are saying
Why is the "Twilight" series so popular? The Bee asked three fans to explain. Two, Lindsay Krage and Lucy Liu, are current BackTalk writers for The Bee. The third, Mane Chakarian, is a former BackTalker.
Lucy Liu, Clovis High School: "It's Stephenie Meyer's writing that pulls the story together for me. Her writing is simple, natural and descriptive, which all help to bring the reader into her magical world. Her ability to convey the most powerful of human emotions, like love and despair, to the reader is what makes her 'Twilight' series so captivating."
Mane Chakarian, Edison High School graduate: "I'm so entranced by the 'Twilight' series because it serves as a cure for the Potter Blues. Once the Harry Potter series ended, I felt as though I needed a new novel or series to serve as 'brain candy,' something I could read to relax and de-stress, rather than for educational or analytical purposes."
Lindsay Krage, Sanger High School: "The books captivate your attention from the first chapter and really make me feel like I know the characters personally. It leaves me cheering for Bella and Edward. I simply can't put the books down."
The reporter can be reached at fmatlosz
July 27, 2008
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Recommend (2)
BY DONNA VICKROY, Staff Writer
Once bitten, twice obsessed.
Bridget Fiore's friend had to practically force the 15-year-old to read "Twilight," by Stephenie Meyer.
» Click to enlarge image
Michelle Carrier (from left), Arlene Carrier, Lori Ritter and Christina Ritter have enjoyed the "Twilight" book series by Stephenie Meyer। (Brett Roseman/SouthtownStar)
PHOTO GALLERY Southland readers love 'Twilight'
Notable quotables
"I love men that sparkle."
- Nancy Heuser, teen librarian at Orland Park Public Library
"Who wouldn't love to date a vampire?"
- Jackie Kuehl, 42, Lemont marketing consultant
"It's kind of like 'Romeo and Juliet.' There's that forbidden love effect."
- Kaitlin Zawacki, 18, Orland Park
"I think that the Bella and Edward complex is absolutely sweet. It's like lion meets lamb, cat meets mouse. They are perfect for each other, and it warms my heart every time I read about them."
- Molly Feil, 14, Midlothian
"It's easy to believe these creatures could exit."
- Becca Evans, 15, Tinley Park
"My friends and I are really into vampires. We like the idea of people being different."
- April Balasa, 14, Orland Park
"It's hard to choose which couple I like better. Edward is romantic and careful. Jacob is more outgoing and adventurous. He's more like Bella. If it was a normal world, she'd probably end up with Jacob."
- Ashley Matkey-Winder, 11, Steger
"My desire to want nice endings leads me to favor Bella and Jacob. I get the distinct feeling, though, that she's going to join their league in the fourth book."
- Arlene Carrier, 68, Orland Park
"I like to read fantasy and I guess I got hooked on these books because I finally found a good fantasy book that wasn't about dragons, elves, witches or wizards. The more I read the more I realized that ('Twilight') is not your typical vampire book. It's something completely different."
- Tamara Murskyj, Orland Park
'Breaking Dawn' events
• Stephenie Meyer at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago, (312) 629-8696, at 7 p.m. Aug. 5.
• "Breaking Dawn" Midnight Release Party at Barnes and Noble, 160 Orland Park Place, Orland Park, (708) 226-9092.
A book-release party will kick off at 10 p.m. Friday with a vampire prom/wedding costume contest and "Bella Bloody" beverages.
• "From Twilight 'til Dawn: A Night With a Bite" at Borders Books, Music and Cafe, 15260 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park, (708) 460-7566.
The in-store book-release party will begins a 9:30 p.m. Friday and go to midnight, when the book officially goes on sale. Costume contests, trivia contests and lively debates are on the agenda.
• "Breaking Dawn" Book-Release Party at the Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy Ave., Evergreen Park. Registration is required at (708) 422-8522.
Are you a big book fan?
Then you should join the "Calling all bookworms!" discussion on Jessi Virtusio's "Elaborating on Entertainment" blog.
"She said, 'It's about vampires' and I said, 'No way,'" said Bridget Fiore, who lives in Orland Hills.
That was so 498 pages ago. Today, Bridget has read "Twilight" and its two sequels, "New Moon" and "Eclipse," several times over.
She's so fascinated with the storyline - which keys on a teenaged girl who falls in love with a beautiful vampire - that she's dedicated part of her bedroom to the popular book series and the upcoming movie.
"My friends think I'm way too obsessed," she confesses. "But these books changed my way of thinking."
In addition to eagerly awaiting the fourth and final book in the series, "Breaking Dawn," which hits store shelves Saturday, Bridget is among the few lucky fans to score a ticket to the author's Chicago appearance Aug. 5 at the Harris Theater in Chicago.
"I just hope I get the chance to thank her because I can't read another book without comparing it (with) the 'Twilight' books," she said.
She's hardly the only one to set her literary standards by Meyer's work. Readers, romantics and vampire fans of all ages and walks of life have put all three of Meyer's books in the top 10 on best-seller lists.
Kaitlin Zawacki didn't know it at the time but she was ahead of the curve when she chanced upon "Twilight" one October a ways back.
"I always read a Halloween book and it was on sale at Borders," the Sandburg High School graduate said.
She'd never heard of the author, yet the plain cover with two hands holding an apple intrigued her.
A few pages in, she was addicted. Naturally, the Orland Park teen did what any teen would do when they find a good thing: she told all her friends.
And now all her friends love the book, and indeed the Meyer series.
But Kaitlin plans to bring her mom, also a fan, along Friday when she attends the "From Twilight 'til Dawn: A Night With a Bite" event at Borders Books, Music and Cafe in Orland Park.
The book-release party, which goes from 9:30 p.m. to midnight, will include costume and trivia contests.
Across the street at Barnes & Noble, a "Breaking Dawn" midnight release bash kicks off at 10 p.m. Friday. A vampire prom/wedding costume contest is on the agenda there.
Add to this excitement the upcoming movie adaptation, which is set to be released in December.
"The previews are definitely fueling the fire," said Lori Ritter, librarian at Prairie View Middle School in Tinley Park.
While the series is aimed at readers age 15 and up, some younger girls are jumping at the chance to delve into stories that promise reality fiction with a fantasy aspect.
Word-of-mouth endorsements mean a lot to kids, she said.
So what is it about this vampire series that has cast a spell over such a broad range of readers, from 11-year-old Ashley Matkey-Winder, of Steger, to 68-year-old Arlene Carrier, of Orland Park?
Ashley found the books on her own. She likes how Meyer describes the characters and the setting.
The main characters, Bella and Edward, are easy to identify with. She's clumsy and fiercely independent. He's strong, yet kind. Complicating things is Jacob, a werewolf who also loves Bella.
For Carrier, the books are simply fascinating.
Her daughter, Lori Ritter, introduced her to the series. "They present an interesting supposition - nice vampires," Carrier said.
"I'm from the era of Bela Lugosi and the scary vampires, so this is completely new."
For 42-year-old Jackie Kuehl, of Lemont, the books evoke much-desired, yet elusive, emotions.
"Those first love tingles. That excitement, that thrill," explained the DePaul University marketing instructor. "Who wouldn't love to date a vampire?"
The mother of two boys says she didn't expect to fall in love with Edward.
"There's something about the danger of it all that's very attractive." Kuehl said. "That knight in shining armor thing is still very much alive for many women."
But don't tell Kuehl's husband.
"He doesn't know anything about the series," she laughed. "Maybe he needs to."
If Bella and Edward's relationship is mired in intrigue - how does one maintain a relationship with a vampire - there is also a huge safety net, something fans like Becca Evans, 15, of Tinley Park, appreciate.
"We're used to seeing vampires as bloodthirsty creatures, but in these books they're nice. They just want to live harmoniously."
Molly Feil, of Midlothian, was waiting for something like the Meyer series - something that would be "amazingly wonderful and make me want to read them again."
The books offer suspense, love, comedy and "everything you look for in a good vampire book," the 14-year-old Bremen High School freshman said.
Cindy Stahler credits Meyer with inspiring her daughter to read.
"Keeping reading logs in junior high was tortuous for a few years," said the Orland Park resident. Then her daughter, Jacqueline, found the Meyer series.
"Now we spend a lot of time at Barnes & Noble. It's great that an author can have that kind of positive effect on a child."
Donna Vickroy can be reached at dvickroy@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-5982.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Extended Twilight Scene shown at Comic Con!
Something for you guys to enjoy. The video below was actually shown during the Comic Con event for Twilight. It is actually the extended scene of the the scene from the ballet studio. Enjoy
Friday, July 25, 2008
'Twilight' Star Robert Pattinson Reveals His Inner Geek, Has Beatles Moment At Comic-ConThe up-and-coming actor admits to 'Dr. Who' fandom and a love of spandex.
By Larry Carroll
SAN DIEGO — Thus far, the toast of Comic-Con has been "Twilight," Stephenie Meyer's fast-growing franchise, which exploded into a true Hollywood phenomenon yesterday in Hall H, in front of the assembled media of the world and thousands of crazy fans who looked straight out of "Hard Day's Night."
But if the film's young stars are the new Beatles of the vampire world, Robert Pattinson is Lennon and McCartney rolled into one. Mere moments before he took the stage to shrieks of "We love you!" and questions like, "Boxers, briefs or nothing?" the 22-year-old hearththrob spoke exclusively to MTV News. He revealed his self-deprecating charm, his love of spandex and the fears that he would soon be whisked away by the audience's warm reception.
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Comic-Con: ‘Twilight’ star Robert Pattinson talks about the Entertainment Weekly cover
10:33 AM PT, Jul 25 2008
As promised, a Comic-Con burning questions session with “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson, who talked to Hero Complex about perfecting an American accent, the pressure to play Earth’s most “beautiful” vampire, and what he really thought of that Entertainment Weekly cover. (Don't forget to check out our video of him and the play-by-play of yesterday's "Twilight" panel.)
First things first: Let’s talk about that EW cover.
Um, I guess my hair turned into a little bit of a toupee, didn’t it? I don’t know what happened. Laughs. I just sort of was like, it’s only out for a week anyway.
Tell us about having to play “beautiful.”
When I first read the script and heard about the casting I was thinking, ‘This is impossible. This is physically impossible to play this part.’ I kind of preempted what everyone’s reaction would be. There was also a very real possibility that you could get so freaked out by having to look 'beautiful' all the time that you just end up doing the whole thing, like, pouting. Like, ‘Can I just cut all my lines and just stand still so you can shoot it really well?’
So what’d you do?
I thought about it a lot. It was kind of a deceptively complicated character to play. When you look at what Edward says, it seems like he always says the right thing. Always just the perfect gentleman. But when you put it in the context of his actual life situation and it doesn’t compute that he would be this completely easygoing, normal guy. That’s what he was before, then he got bit. He’s still trying to be a nice guy, but he’s also killed like 50 people, so he’s kind of in a state of constant penance.
Ah yes, we know you read Stephenie Meyer‘s manuscript for “Midnight Sun,” essentially a re-write of “Twilight” from Edward’s point of view. It won't be published for a while. Any tidbits?
Bella never knows what’s going on inside Edward’s head. Throughout the entire series of books, she never really knows who he is. In 'Midnight Sun,’ you find that he hides a lot from her, you find out the things that he’s hidden. Even basic things like there are other vampires who are going to kill her; I mean he kind of lies about it for ages.
Did it help you do anything different with the part?
It’s interesting in “Midnight Sun” he’s kind of disgusted with himself, which is kind of how I saw Edward anyways. He knows (his relationship with Bella) is right but he can’t stand the fact that he keeps hanging around her. It’s like ‘I know I’m in love with her, I know that’s all well and good, but I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m a vampire, I should just accept that and kill myself now.’ It’s a lot of self-loathing. Laughs. And I wanted to play it 100% self-loathing the whole time, and nobody would let me. They had to kind of lighten me up a bit.
Might we hear more about this reported journal you kept to prepare for playing Edward?
I don’t know where the whole journal idea came from. I mean, I just wrote tons and tons of notes. I had like six versions of the script. I wrote of that while I was in Portland (where the movie was shot) for two months by myself. I was there before (director) Catherine Hardwicke or anyone else.
To get into character?
I wouldn’t be doing anything in London that would be of any help, and I thought that just being separated from anything that I knew would be good. Also, the accent. I thought it would be helpful if I just pretended to be American for two months.
How do you think it turned out?
It’s supposed to be sort of old-fashioned America. I haven’t actually seen it yet, but hopefully it worked out.
-- Denise Martin
Comic-Con: Screaming throng greets 'Twilight' cast
More girls than ever crammed themselves into Comic-Con's Hall H this afternoon — and it wasn't just to see clips from the Dakota Fanning futuristic actioner Push and the Nicolas Cage apocalyptic drama Knowing. No, they were there for the panel they'd long been waiting for: Twilight. And from the moment convention staffers placed the name tags of the Twilight cast on the dais, the ladies in the crowd never stopped screaming. The film's actors seemed completely overwhelmed by the rabid Twilight fans. "This all baffles me," said the British star Robert Pattinson. "Its nice though, it's nice." Director Catherine Hardwicke, meanwhile, brought along part of the climactic ballet-studio scene, which put the screaming fans into a even more of a tizzy than the promise that Pattinson sang Bella's lullaby himself. Twilight goes up against The Day the Earth Stood Still on Dec. 12, and if today's reaction is any indication, Earth's aliens should be very afraid of Stephenie Meyer's vampires.
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