Stonetown Galleria Hot Topic Report from Margaret:

When I first saw that Summit was working with Hot Topic to create the Twilight Talent Tour I got really excited, especially when they announced San Francisco. All the way up to Sunday I couldn’t decide on if I was going or not going. I knew it was going to be pure pandemonium but just the thought of seeing Rob up close made my heart beat a million times per second. So needless to say I decided I was going.

I called the Hot Topic store in San Francisco the night before the event and spoke with an employee. She was very clear on what was going to be happening. She said that there would be no lists and it would be first come first serve. In addition they weren’t going to let anyone line up at the entrance of the mall till 7:00 AM and then at 8:00 AM they would start selling them. They would let 10 – 20 people at a time go into the store to purchase the wristbands & shirts. From that information I decided that it would be best to get there before 5:00AM.

I arrived at 4:45 AM and can I just say “OME”! There was a sea of people lined up in the far back parking lot about 250 yards from the entrance. I guesstimated about 400 people. I grabbed my bag and jumped out of my car ready to join the crowd. The people started moving forward and I got mixed into the sea of people. I luckily ended up in the front. People were saying something about the list and I saw a mall security car. That’s when I saw the poor guy; a young, not to tall, male security guard all by himself. I don’t know how they thought one little guy was going to keep a crowd like this together. I felt horrible for him, especially when the mob started getting angry. I worried for his safety as well as mine.

By 6:00 AM the crowd had grown to about 800 people. The one security guard was still trying to keep everyone in the back parking lot but a few were slowly moving up a couple of feet. Then it happened. 1, 2, then 3 people started the run. As Rob Pattinson likes to say “the gates of hell” were opened up and everyone went running. I truly feared for my life. If I didn’t run fast enough or god forbid I fell, I knew it would be over. I would get trampled. One poor lady dropped her purse and bent down to pick it up. I wanted to help her but if I stopped I would have been stomped on. It was a blur of people screaming, running and falling.

When I reached the mall entrance I ended up in the middle right side close to the doors. We were all packed in like sardines. If one person tried to move we all moved. The crowd by this time was well over a thousand people. I was squished, compressed and not feeling too good. Here is one of the positive things I can say about what was happening at this moment. The people that I was compressed too were really nice. Everyone was trying to watch out for each other and trying to keep calm. More mall security finally arrived but it was too late.

They were trying to get the crowd to move back from the doors and to create a left and right side but all that did was create more anger and people squishing. There were people who couldn’t breathe and people who wanted to puke. We were able to get those people out so that they could get some help. I was stuck like this for over 2 hours. Helicopters were flying over head and then the police arrived.

When the police arrived that’s when things got worse. They kept telling the crowd to move back but there was no where to go. If they had started from the back then made room we could have moved but that didn’t happen. They just kept squeezing us in even more. By 8:30 there were well over 3000 people cramming in to get in any part of the line. The crowd was getting bigger, the mood of the “mob” was getting darker and the police had no control.

The Hot Topic employees and the police announced that the event was cancelled. That didn’t go over too well. No one believed it at first so no one moved. But then the police were getting frustrated and telling people they have to move. They finally brought out some police tape to clear the entrance. They should have had something like that or line ropes from the very beginning. This really was poor planning on everyone’s part, the mall, Hot Topic and the police. No one expected over 3000 people. A mall rep was actually quoted saying they estimated 250-500 people might show up. It’s TWILIGHT and not just TWILIGHT but ROBERT PATTINSON one on one. I was still stuck in the crowd & not too many people were moving. The police kept telling everyone that the event was cancelled due to safety reasons. Most of the crowd started trickling into the parking lot.

Don’t ask me why, because I really don’t know, but I just had this feeling that Rob was still coming. I decided right then and there that no matter what, I was staying and following this all the way through. The news crews were out and interviewing people. The crowd had actually shrunken down to 1000 people then it got even smaller. One of the Hot Topic managers who flew in from Los Angeles for this event was trying to help clear out the people and shouted out “for the love of Twilight please clear the entrance”.

I don’t think that the employees of Hot Topic or even the police were trying to deceive us. The truth is Rob Pattinson actually did hear about the chaos and craziness. If I were him I would have definitely been afraid to go there. Everyone involved really did think it was cancelled. There was no malicious intent to cover anything up. That’s just my take on that.

So I hung out in the parking lot and watched as new people came in. They were quite happy not to see a line of people but then they would get informed that it was canceled and then they weren’t too happy. I noticed that one of the employees was talking to a group of people so I walked over to see what was going on. The police started slowly leaving one by one. They were going to open the mall doors for their normal shopping crowd.

Hot Topic decided that they were going to still sell the Twilight Talent Tour T-shirts if people wanted to buy them. When they opened the mall doors we all headed upstairs for the Hot Topic store. This time they were ready. They had everyone line up one by one and we pretty much wrapped around the mall. They announced that they were only going to let 10 people in at a time to purchase the t-shirts. We all waited patiently for the store to open at 10:00 AM but then it got to be 10:30 and they still weren’t open. Then some employees of Hot Topic came out and handed us 10% off coupons for their store. Then another employee came out & announced that they were going to sell the t-shirts and give us the wristband as a souvenir, but the difference this time was only 1 per person instead of the 2. The people in this line were all very nice too. People were chatting and talking about all things Twilight.

I finally reached the front and got into the store. I purchased my t-shirt and they placed the wristband on my wrist. I put my name & number on a sheet, the cashier said it was so that they could send me the poster that was for the signing. The cashier next to him was telling someone else that they needed to be back by 6:00pm to pick up their poster. I took my bag and left the store. By this time it was almost noon.

I was tired, my feet were sore and I was starving. I grabbed some lunch and went shopping at Borders. Borders was sold out of everything Twilight. When I walked by the entrance again I noticed police barricades. People were already lining back up to get their posters at 6:00pm. They were only letting people with wristbands into the line. I grabbed my towel and bag and went back into another line.

I brought my Twilight Movie Companion with me so I sat down with that and waited. I only had 4 ½ hours to go. * I just need to add something here. Stephenie Meyers opened our eyes to a whole new world with the Twilight Series. Not just because when you read the books your immersed in an amazing story that sweeps you away but also because the new friends you make or the way you see something differently. My original plan was to purchase the 2 wristbands & t-shirts then go back to work, then my friend and I were going to be back for the signing. Of course that’s not what happened. I ended up doing it alone because I had no other choice. But I believe everything happens for a reason.

My 4 ½ hour line was filled with a lot of laughter and sharing. I made friends with 8 other Twilighters and we had a blast. We all cheered and screamed together when a Hot Topic employee came out to let us know that Rob felt so horrible for what happened that he wanted to be there for his fans. Everyone was excited & so happy. Hot Topic repeatedly checked the line to make sure that everyone had a wristband and cheered us on.

The countdown started to begin for 6:00 pm. I warned the people in my group that Rob is always late for his events and that we probably wouldn’t be starting till 6:45 or so. Needless to say he didn’t disappoint. The Hot Topic employees informed us that he was running late and was still coming. At 6:45 pm the line started moving.

I can only tell you that I started feeling sick and very nervous. When the first group came out after meeting Rob they all showed their posters. They let 10 in at first then later on they increased it to 20. We were escorted by mall security to the Hot Topic store. The mall was packed with people wanting to catch a glimpse of Rob. They checked our wristbands again and then unlocked the Hot Topic store gates. We all walked inside and then they locked them behind us. By this time I was shaking like a leaf. I asked the Hot Topic employee who was handing out the posters what I should say and she said “just say anything”. I wish I did say at least something. I got to the table and Rob was about 14” inches from me. I looked up at his face and he smiled. OME! That was all it took. I completely lost the thoughts that were swirling in my head and couldn’t think of anything. Well the only thing I could think was “he is so beautiful, more beautiful then anyone could ever imagine”. He was so kind and humble. I swear to you when I say that he really doesn’t understand why anyone would wait in line for him this is not an understatement or an act. He really is genuinely shocked by all of this attention. He listened patiently while I tried to spell my name for him. He looked in my eyes a couple of times and smiled and all I could honestly due was look down (I’m so STUPID). Thank goodness my hands worked because I gestured for a hand shake and he shook my hand. I was able to mutter the words “thank you” to the best of my ability. I looked up one last time and ran for the door. This is not my normal behavior. I have run events with over 1500 guests. I publicly speak with confidence and I don’t shy away from people. I have met celebrities in the past and again I don’t act like that. There is something about Rob that I just can’t put into words. He honestly DAZZLED Me.

The final question; was all of this really worth it, YES!!! I would do it all over again. I met some wonderful people and I got to meet Rob Pattinson. That’s all I can say.

Twilighter Forever! – Swtliltwilightboo

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One of our site owners, Queen B, has written up her Twilight movie review! Yay!

The Good, the Bad and the Steamy

It was 6 p.m. on Thursday night when we first got reports that fans were already lined up to watch the premiere in Arizona. I was shocked and wondered if the same could be happening here. Sure enough, we drove by our local theater and fans were indeed camping out. I was stumped, how can this be? Didn’t they already buy their tickets? Is there someone from the cast showing up that I didn’t know about? It seems I simply underestimated the devotion of the fans once again. If they are willing to show up 7 am on a Sunday to see the cast at the LA premier at 5:30 pm on Monday, why wouldn’t they wait a measly 6 hours to get prime seating to watch the movie they have all been anxiously awaiting? And so what if it’s cold, in the wee hours of the morning on a school night?

It seemed to be all worth though it for the young girls who were giddy and swooning as we left the movie theater. I almost wished to be that age again and just revel in how much easier it is to be pleased back then. But I’m 31 and if I were a teacher, I would have to give the movie a B+.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie. I squeed, laughed, and sighed happily during a lot of it. I always enjoy seeing a book I love come to life on screen. There’s just something about seeing a book visually. I’ve learned a long time ago to not expect too much with books made into movies. I will be thoroughly surprised if I ever see an adapted movie turn out as good as the book. But back to the movie… I liked the modern adaptation of dialogue in the the movie and I also thought the humans were well portrayed, particularly Charlie & Jessica. I have never seen Taylor act before this movie, so I was nervous since I had seen many people say he can’t act. But I thought he did well and that last scene where he exchanged glances with Edward makes me eager to see more in future movies. I thought a lot of scenes were well executed, like when Bella was seeing bits & pieces of what was happening while she was being poisoned by the venom, when Bella & Edward first showed up to school together, and I also loved how they did the scene where Mike is talking to Bella and all she sees is him blurred and Edward clearly behind him. If only more scenes could have been as cleverly portrayed.

Considering the small budget & early bad reviews I was already not expecting much going into the movie. But I was still caught off guard by the tone as the movie began. Raise your hand if you loved the latest trailer for this movie! Why was the movie not as well compiled or the music better implemented into the editing as the trailer? Important scenes seemed comical and the background music throughout most of the movie was so ill fitting and did not capture the mystery, the intensity, and the angst of Bella & Edward’s developing relationship. The music sounded terribly dated and affected my mood in several key scenes. I hoped to be more emotionally moved, but just didn’t get there, especially with the meadow scene, which I thought lacked a lot. I also heartily agree with those who already said that there was some over acting, some bad acting (I was particularly disappointed with Kellan), certain scenes that could have been done better (biology!) and that some book lines did not translate well at all on screen. But what bothered me the most besides that the background music was the under use and lack of dialogue of the other Cullens!

I suppose they wanted to put a lot of focus on Bella and Edward, literally, since they had so many close up scenes. Fortunately, Rob and Kristen had great chemistry, and even though certain things were overdone, they are both just so watchable. Kristen’s line deliveries and mannerisms were very Bella and Rob’s glances and mouth twitches, coupled with some husky delivered phrases did not disappoint. And that kissing scene…SHIVERS! Yah, I am so not one to quote Paris Hilton of all people, but “that was HOT!”

I look forward to seeing this movie again. I think I’ll definitely enjoy it more with less people around who may laugh at inappropriate scenes. I’m already replaying certain scenes in my head. I think a lot of us today will be still wrapped up in the movie, whether we’re reading or writing reviews, or simply daydreaming ourselves in certain scenes with Rob. And since it was a school/work night last night expect to see a rise in the female population showing up late, calling in sick, or deeply distracted with a smile on their face.

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Midnight showing-

Can I first start off by saying that EVERYTHING BAD happens at a midnight showing! The movie didn’t start until 30 minutes after midnight because they couldn’t get the damn projector straight! But anyways, first things first that I’ve told EVERYONE, go into that movie with an OPEN-MIND. Forget it, it isn’t going to be like the book, nothing ever is, and frankly it would be boring if it would be word-for-word for the book. I’m going to start off with the bad just like you did and work my way up to the, “OME I LOVED THAT!!” RUSH-RUSH-RUSH!! That is my biggest complaint about this movie, everything was put on MEGA Fast Forward. Okay, I know, they can’t put every single detail in there, but come on! Just a little bit more! I swear it was like, “Bing-Bang-Boom, two days pass and they’re in love!” You can’t even tell the movie is two hours long unless you looked at your watch at the beginning and at the end of the movie, which is kind of a good thing, I love the fact that I didn’t want it to end, but still TOO fast. Secondly, it was a love-hate with the comic relief. When Edward first smelled Bella when she walked into Biology for the first time, I couldn’t help but laugh!!! He looked like he was about to PUKE! LMAO, but at the same time if you’ve read the partial draft of Midnight Sun, that isn’t a comic moment at all! He was literally DIEING! It was funny but at the same time it shouldn’t have been. But over all the comedy wasn’t bad. LOL at Jasper’s restraint!! Another thing we have to remember, BUDGET. It’s well known that this movie did NOT have a big budget hence the chessy special effects. Those could’ve been way better. But hey, what can we do? Just hope and pray that this movie makes enough money and that New Moon will have amazing were wolf effects.

On with the good. Kristen sold me. She wasn’t perfect, but she isn’t the masochistic Bella I think she’d be. Overall she did a great job, very talented actress. So I give my stamp of approval on that girl, her snide comments and seriousness in real life doesn’t come into play too much in this movie. I loved Jacob and his infectious charm, personality, and that smile! Charlie became one of my favorites, he’s great!!! Angela, I love that girl. Eric was hilarious, I loved how they played the human’s parts up, it really makes you appreciate them. The most PERFECT moments were when the Cullens walk into the cafeteria the first time, when you see them through the windows all I can say is , “WHOA!” You can totally pick up on their angelic appearance from the get go and know that there is something special about them. EDWARD! SWOON UPON SWOON UPON SWOON!!!! I loved Bella’s determination to confront Edward in the “Confessions” scene, that was amazing!!! The baseball scene had to be one of my favorites!! Once Supermassive Blackhole by Muse came on it just tied in PERFECTLY! I LOVED Rosalie’s icy stares and fiestiness and Jacob’s thunderbolt stare at Edward in the prom scene. This movie also ended with the ULTIMATE cliff hanger, you think the actual book left you with one, well wait until the movie. The Victoria addition was an excellent idea. Oh! And the kissing scene was awesome!!! You those human hormones surfacing between the two of them AND Edward’s fighting urge to kill Bella. Overall HOT!

Mattne showing (2nd time)-

I didn’t think it was possible…but I fell in love with it even MORE! I recommend everyone do this. Not only will you know what to expect, but you’ll appreciate it a lot more. PLUS, I have to admit some things in the movie I wasn’t able to catch. There was some details that I missed! It was all due to the giddiness of the swooning and the fan girl squeels in the theater. Which I was one of them, so I was trying not to hyperventilate the first time, but let’s face it-YOU CAN’T help but SWOON once you see the Cullen men and yes, even Jacob every now and then. It’s unavoidable! THEY’RE RIDICULOUSLY GORGEOUS!!! But yes, I fell in love with it even more. So a due over is recommended to everyone-plus, give a chance for the sequals.

Overall, I’d give this movie a B. I personally loved it. Another thing I would recommend to people that haven’t seen it…you see this review I’m writing? You know that review from the movie you read on this mornings paper? And those rotten tomato critics? Take these reviews and FORGET ABOUT THEM. Shove them out the window. Has the movie trailors intrigued you to go see the movie? Are you eager to see the adaption brought to life? Then go see it, and be your OWN critic. Don’t listen to your friends, don’t listen to the Twi-hards out there that have the mentality of, “This movie has to be EXACTLY like the book.” Don’t even listen to the ones that say,”Go see it for Rob Pattinson,” go see this movie for YOU. Base your own review after YOU’VE seen it, not by he says she says. But DO take this advice, go to it with an open mind. And FINALLY…DON’T judge a book by it’s cover.

Lots of Love,
Ana- Dazzled since August 2008.

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TWILIGHT MOVIE REACTION/REVIEW

So up until mid-August, I had never heard of Twilight. I was told to read it by a close friend with similar taste and decided to do so while on vacation. It is one of the few books EVER that I literally could not put down. I read for 11 hours straight to finish. It consumed my time for weeks. First, upon returning home, I read the next three in less than a week. Then I begged my friends to read it. I got the audio books. I downloaded the music, video clips, and podcasts. I LOVE the Twilight world. I loved the fan sites and the cool graphic communities on LJ. I watched and read a ton of interviews. I taped over 5 hours of interviews on tv. I contributed to TA.com. I was in mid-frenzy…and driving my friends crazy with the latest info or photo. I constantly had a new desktop image. I spent money and time on the movie companions and magazines.

Then the movie came closer. I was overloaded with Kristen and Rob interviews and actually stopped reading anything about them for at least a week before the movie. The Rome clip where Edward plays for Bella put the first doubt in my mind about how the movie could be. I knew everything that had been said about the movie and how they made it from Edward’s tortured self in Midnight Sun. I knew they thought it would be a small cult film.

Then tonight, I arrived at the movie two hours early for the midnight premiere in Waco. Already, there were 24 girls ahead of me. We all talked about the excitement and random Cullen facts. I had several girls ask about my Forks Senior Shirt from TwilightersAnonymous.com. The place filled up by 10:30. There had to be crowd control and new lines formed. A tv camera was there filming girls dressed in prom dresses and homemade shirts or in the hundreds of shirts from Hot Topic. People actually acted civil as they finally let us in about 11:30. My friend ran ahead and got us great seats. I sat in my seat and watched the trailer on my ipod before the lights went down.

Then the trailers began. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised that we had a HP 6 trailer! Two girls in the theater had dressed as Cho and Hermione (I guess in protest of the big move). Then finally Twilight. Let me just say, I knew from pans I had read that it was going to be campy (from a critic’s eye). I have to agree. I absolutely love film and all aspect of cinema. I also love the Twilight Saga.

Let me start with the bad first, then move to the GREAT. Believe me, there is a wide range in the movie. First, leave the book at the door. If you expect every scene to be exact, it’s really not. The first 45 mins are choppy and segmented without a real smooth feel. Next, expect overacting, and I don’t mean from the girl next to you. My friend was so frustrated with the acting in the first half that she actually left. Yes, left. Sadly, she wasn’t the only one. I knew that Rob wanted to play Edward as tortured and flawed. However, I have to admit the makers were right to tell Rob to lighten up. People actually groaned and laughed at the awkwardness and awkward feel of the movie. It was overdone and dare I say melodramatic and borderline cheesy. (Mind you, I was jaded by this.) Kristen’s tic of shaking her head distracted me. I didn’t like how some of the scenes were put out there with little background — meaning, I don’t think newcomers to Twilight would understand how they “just fall in love.” One minute they are in class, the next declaring love. I missed Jasper and Alice. I know all the characters are much more developed in the later books, but come on. If you can create things for Jacob, do the same for Alice. Finally, I felt that the movie tried to hard to be action-filled and not enough love story. I read their explanations for it, but it still felt weird and forced. In some scenes, I caught myself saying, “Huh?”

Now for the good! I loved the interactions between the minor characters, especially the humans. Charlie was given some depth. I loved Mike! Angela was wonderful. I loved seeing Jasper and Alice interact! The movie got extremely better after the famous kiss. It alone is DEFINITELY worth seeing. I plan to go back just for it … well and to see Alice/Jasper. I melted at the classic lines like, “You don’t know how long I waited for you” or “you are my life now.” I was mush when he stayed all night and when they danced. The baseball scene was AWESOME! I loved the Rock-n-Roll vampire spin. When Edward eased up, literally the movie got better! I won’t say too much more about it for fear of spoilers.

Believe me, I had many hopes for the movie. My friends are convinced it won’t do well enough for sequels — which would be a shame because minor characters become major in the later books. I cringed at scenes, but I also clasped my heart at others. Go into the movie with an open mind. Enjoy what they created for us. Hope for the best and don’t compare. I think the second viewing will be MUCH better than the first knowing what to expect. We owe it to the book to give it a chance. That’s what drew us in from the beginning.

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Update from Shannon: I went to see the movie again at 3 pm. After knowing what to expect, I really enjoyed the second screening! It was so much better. Please let people know that it can be sooo much better the second time around! (Shannon)

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We have a new TA Talks Back article from forum member Evie

What is it about Rob Pattinson that makes the girls of the world crazy? Why are we standing in line for hours just to catch a glimpse of him? Why the crying, the screaming? And much worse, as we saw in San Francisco, why do we get pushy and let people get hurt?

Well first off it’s easy to say we all love Rob because he’s gorgeous and talented. But underneath that I think part of his attraction is the down to earth charm that he exudes in all of his appearances and interviews. I was lucky enough to see him in person, and that charm is sincere. He seems so real, so like the rest of us. He gets nervous, and he’s very kind. He’s not jaded and too “Hollywood” yet.

Rob seems to think we love him because we see him only as Edward, but I think he’s mistaken. I think most of the gals in the world are just glad to see such an iconic character brought to life by Rob.

As for the mob part, that can be scary. I think Rob’s more than a little overwhelmed by the giant crowds of screaming girls that greet him now at all of his appearances. Things in Rome, and now things in San Francisco have gotten out of hand, but a mob mentality is nothing new. From Frank Sinatra through the Beatles, and as seen recently with Rob; mobs all have crazy, crying, and screaming fans in common.

But when a large group of people get excited about something together, the results can be positive or negative. Everyone wants to be closest or first. People share enthusiasm, and crowds can give a feeling of anonymity. It’s easy to get swept up in the confusion of crowds and excited energy that is shared. If people feel like they’re not getting what they need in the experience, things can turn scary.

So please remember, if you’re lucky enough to attend a Twilight event, or even while you stand in line to see the movie; be respectful of everyone and their space. We all want to share the excitement and have a good time. And I think if we want to have the opportunity to continue seeing the Twilight cast members at events, we need to show them we’re not scary! I think Rob especially needs to shown that the Twilight fans are really the awesome people I know we are. Have fun and be careful out there.

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Our debut article comes from TA forum member Antares. Enjoy!

Twilight the Movie…. A case for Overexposure?

Type ‘Twilight’ into Google image and over fifteen million hits appear. ‘Twilight Film’ will provide eleven million hits with the term ‘Twilight film’ in the video section yielding twenty thousand . Not to mention the options for other terms such as ‘preview’ ‘movie’ and ‘trailer’ which provide a similar number of hits a-piece. Now, obviously some of these will be duplicates but it is clear that the popularity and demand for the film is enormous! Coupled with this are the hundreds of interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, Press junkets – not to mention all the magazine articles and personal appearances the cast are making and it seems that Twilight is everywhere! But, with still nearly two weeks to go until the films’ general release, isn’t it time someone asked: Will over-exposure ‘kill’ Twilight – the movie? We have seen this phenomenon before. As one article states – “The biggest flops flop big because of hype. Supposedly sure bets get massively pumped up, then poop out fast. Ishtar couldn’t lose with Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty, but it lost Columbia Pictures $40 million. Heaven’s Gate was an “epic film” that lost $44 million, forcing Transamerica to sell off United Artists”. Heavily advertised recent box-office disaster ‘Speed Racer’ – a film with a budget of 120 million USD – only grossing – 44 million – is an illustration of the fact that heavy spending on marketing doesn’t guarantee success among increasingly critical audiences.

Ahh ‘But!’ I hear you cry! Twilight already has an established fan base because of the books! Let me remind you of the much anticipated ‘big screen’ adaptation of Phillip Pullmans ‘His Dark Materials’ – ‘The Golden Compass’. Boasting a huge $270+ million budget and super-heavyweight cast – this celluloid adaptation of Carnegie Medal winning ‘Northern Lights’ proved not to attract the the box office takings New Line Cinema had hoped for. Couple this with the criticism the story received from the religious establishment that the industry now speculates the filming of the sequel has been shelved. Can we see any parallels with Twilight? Will the hype and expectation whip the fan base into such a frenzy of expectation that absolutely nothing – no matter how spectacular could satisfy?

Ask yourself – Are you sick of seeing yet more ‘behind-the-scenes’ footage or groaning at ANOTHER RPATZ interview – complete with nervous ‘hand-through-the hair’ gesturing? Is yet another article of Kristin Stewart being interviewed and asked all the same questions becoming frankly irksome?

Personally I am beginning to feel this way. I feel like there are almost no surprises left. I am left wondering…have I seen almost all the film in the little bits-and-pieces’ posted on the internet? I remain excited but am finding myself beginning to avoid watching any more of the trailers and footage that is available. I want to see it in sequence, as it is meant to be – on the ‘big screen. Those ‘heart pounding’ first moments when we find out that Edward is attracted to Bella being brought to life, the intense exchanges between them and the ‘hunt’ by James.I want to re-live the excitement and roller-coaster of emotions I felt on first reading the book. I worry that when I am watching it visions of the behind the scenes footage of them falling onto crash-mats, laughing about being in a tree and knowing that the scene of James’ ‘sticky-end’ was just a prop!! Why couldn’t we get those AFTER the release? So they could be enjoyed in context…..or indeed not at all … so that some of the ‘magic’ remains!! If Twilight proves to be a flop, I suspect it will not be necessarily because it us a ‘bad film’ or ‘poorly realized’. It may well be because the fandom has been ‘flooded’ – over-exposed and sick-to-the-core of a film not even yet released. I can only feel so much excitement!

Research from the University of Georgia shows that people remember and take more notice when they feel worse than they thought they would. The message is that ‘hype’ leads to disappointment due to unmet expectations.

And will all the ‘hype’ have a reverse effect – ensuring potential audiences who have not read the book steer-clear because they think the cinema will be full of screaming teenage girls ‘oohing’ over Rob Pattinson – and middle – aged ‘Twilight-Mommies’ indulging in a bit of romantic escapism? Are there going to be potential future fans who are ‘turned off’ by the over-exposure in a ‘well – we’ve probably seen all the best bits already’ fashion.

In summary, the anticipation and furor surrounding the release of Twilight cannot be underestimated. But the enormity and sheer volume of it’s exposure may actually result in disappointment, deflation and ultimate derision of a story that has captured our imagination and resurrected chivalry, romance and our love of ‘falling in love’!

Refs:
-Google search engine
-CNET News March 7, 2008 A brief history of chip hype–and flops (part 1)
Posted by Brooke Crothers
-ScienceDaily (Mar. 28, 2007) Marketing: Too Much Hype Backfires

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Welcome to the new TwilightersAnonymous.com section TA TALKS BACK. This section has been created for opinion blogs written by the TA fans and staff.

We will be bringing you opinion articles on everything Twilight.

If you would like to write an article for TA TALKS BACK, please contact us at newsblog@twilightersanonymous.com

Please be aware that we are picky. We want the articles to be well written with good grammar and spelling. Thanks!

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