I don’t know how many versions of this I have on this site now. Consider this the final draft until I write my next one. These wishes are really in no particular order.
There may be some SPOILERS here. I’m not moving this to my Twilight page because at this particular moment I am thinking that if you’re surfing for Twilight stuff, specifically stuff on New Moon, you don’t mind spoilers so much. If you do, surf elsewhere for now. But do come back later.
Dear Summit Entertainment, Chris Weitz, et al,
I’m happy to hear that New Moon will be filming in Vancouver AND Italy. If you can’t film in Forks, Vancouver seems ideal. Not only is it one of my favorite places I’ve been, but they are used to the film and television industry up there. From what I heard, Portland was a little overwhelmed. It’s strange but I’m not terribly concerned about the continuity of having the same high school or the same Cullen house, or even Bella’s same house. In all likelihood you would have chosen different shots, and it would have seemed like different places anyway. Who knows, maybe you can even shoot in such a way that it feels like the same places even though they aren’t the same places. It will be interesting to see how that turns out.
So, Wish #1 is already taken care of. I was really concerned that you were going to fake Italy. I hope if you don’t shoot in Volterra that you pick an Etruscan town at least. I’ll be able to tell if you don’t. It will bother me and “take me out” of the movie. I don’t like these kinds of distractions. While I’m on the subject of Italy, Alice really needs to steal a yellow Porsche.
Which leads me to Wish #2: More Cullens! I was pretty disappointed that we didn’t get to know the Cullens much in Twilight. I think the script could have been much tighter to include these wonderful characters. They are truly a family, and I didn’t get that feeling from them in the movie. Also, Jasper’s gift was never even discussed. There is some catching up to do in this regard, now, if we are to fully feel the emotional impact of Bella’s birthday. I’m happy to help in any way I can. Have your people call…well, me. I don’t have people yet.
Wish #3 is better dialogue. Please don’t fail the actors again. They’ve had a rough couple months if they are reading the endless flaming in the blogosphere about their “wooden” acting. They can only do so much with the words you are putting in their mouths. Yes, I’m aware that most of what is said in the books is actually being said in Bella’s head, but you’ve chosen to adapt the Twilight Saga to the screen so you really need to figure out a way to translate what’s in Bella’s head into dialogue and stage direction. And please, enough with the voice overs. Remember, show, don’t tell.
Wish #4. Like Edward, I’m wishing for more time. What’s your rush? I know you want either a holiday or summer release. I know you don’t want to go up against Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in July. I know you don’t want to wait another whole year. Why not a May 2010 release? You could be the Memorial Day/Early Summer blockbuster and not compete so heavily with Harry Potter for the summer box office. It would give you another six months. Would six months be so bad? I think it would really help. We’ve all been pretty forgiving about Twilight because we understand that it was originally this little indie film and that the fan base exploded during filming. We won’t be so forgiving this time. This time you knew in advance what kind of film this was going to be. If it’s not budgeted, scripted, and filmed accordingly you will not get the return on your New Moon investment that you did with Twilight. I’ll see it twice, tops, if you mess it up. I’ve seen Twilight 7 times, and you can check my blog for what I thought of that one to begin with.
Oh boy. Here I go. Wish #5 is better direction. Catherine Hardwicke, again, we disagree on what the basics of story are. I have to say once again that I appreciate your willingness to step back when you didn’t get the time you wanted for pre-production. I’m with you on this one. I just hope that Chris Weitz is up to the task. I watched The Golden Compass, which I think is one of the worst adaptations of a novel to screen that I’ve ever seen. I was highly entertained, don’t get me wrong, but I could tell there was something missing. When I read the books immediately after seeing the movie I understood just how much was cut away. It was almost unrecognizable. New Moon won’t have a completely fantastic setting to awe the audience into submission, and the fans are a bit more rabid than your average His Dark Materials fan. One thing I did think was good about The Golden Compass was the acting. I found all the characters believable and engaging. There was some big talent there, sure, but I’m certain that some of the credit goes to Chris Weitz. There were some pretty young actors, including the star of the film, Dakota Blue Richards, who I see has no other credits before this film listed in IMDB. I have high hopes for Chris Weitz’s handling of actors here. To tell the truth, I was hoping for David Fincher. He directed Panic Room…and Kristen Stewart.
Wish #6 is for KStew herself. I like you. I have been working on a blog post just about you for some time now. I’ve been catching up on your movies since Twilight came out. I’ve been one of your biggest supporters. I just can’t take the stammering. Did you just not learn your lines properly? Where you encouraged to ad lib? Please get this under control. It’s very distracting. I don’t see you doing this in other films, but I do see you doing this in interviews. Please, get more into Bella. You have a very emotional performance coming up. If you do it right, we’ll all be crying with you. If not, we’ll just be crying.
Wish #7 is a faithful script. I am one of the few who did not like the whole treetop thing in Twilight. Visually dynamic, blah, blah, blah. It was out of character for Edward to allow Bella to go climbing around in treetops. He can’t fly. If she were to fall, there is no Superman/Lois Lane “you’ve got me?!? Who’s got you?!?” scenario. There is so much to this wonderful story. At over 500 pages, you should not be lacking to the point of needing to create new scenes.
We all know what happens for 379 or so of those pages. Wish #8 is a faithful script. Yes, I’m wishing this twice. Do not diminish Bella and Jacob’s relationship by having Edward hanging around over much, if you know what I mean. If you are too nervous about a lack of Heart ThRob, then give us a few cut scenes to show us how miserable he is. Don’t over do, though. We want to feel this pain. It’s the heart of the story. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
As I sit here listening to the Twilight Soundtrack, I am reminded how terribly important music is to a film. Wish #9 is, and I cringe to say this, no soundtrack. Sure I’d love another killer CD like this one, but Bella just really doesn’t like music during this particular phase of her life. I really want a soundtrack though. So, if you could, just give us a few snippets, maybe while Jacob is learning about Bella’s aversion to music, that would be great. I vote for Kristen Stewart covering Radiohead’s Creep, as I’ve stated in a previous post. Other than these few snippets, and some mood music, I really think this film should be pretty quiet. I think an absence of music would go a long way toward the mood, as much as I’d like another Supermassive Black Hole moment. Hey, maybe the whole soundtrack can come from before Bella’s birthday and after Volterra. The dark spot inbetween would be pretty powerful, I’d bet.
I think 10 wishes is enough, for now. Wish #10 is better wardrobe for the Cullens. The character quirks in the Twilight Saga are what really make if for me. Jasper’s inner struggle to satisfy his physical and emotional cravings. Emmett’s love of both Rosalie and irritible grizzlies. Rosalie’s love of Emmett and auto mechanics. Carlisle and Esme’s love for each other and their work. And Alice’s love of couture. She is the personal shopper for seven very wealthy vampires. We are forever seeing French tags on clothes. Please, pay more attention to the clothing, or Alice will be very put out. I’m going to throw Jacob’s wig into this category. You can do better.
All right, so I’m turning it up to 11. Wish #11 is that everything not be blue. I love blue. Twilight has long been my favorite time of day because everything turns blue. But Forks doesn’t exist in eternal twilight. It’s not in Alaska. It’s in Washington. If I go to Forks and find that every building I visit does indeed have a blue interior, I will recant this wish, but until then, please, give us some natural light.
Let’s just make it an even dozen and talk about effects. Wish #12 is for better special effects. You have a bigger budget this time, but I know a chunk of that is going toward locations and higher salaries for the actors. I know you are already thinking in terms of effects, but please, if you can’t improve on Edward’s sparkle, don’t feel compelled to make him sparkle at all. And for heaven’s sake, no more cheesy wire work for running through the forest. Just keep it real, and save the effects budget for fur-sploding werewolves.
What’s on your Wish List?
January 20, 2009 at 11:10 pm
omg get over yourself
let them write the movie script how they wont
your opion really dont matter does it
the movie twilight was awesome and half the world loved it
if you really like kristen stewart then you shouldnt complain about her
the movie was fine the way the produced it otherwise they would not have produced it
and as for the music that is what gives the film its edge
as well as the vampires and the humans and the fighting scences the music is what gives it the whole at the edge of your seat cant wait for the next movie ideal setting
…Get a life and just like the movie or dont like the movie its a simple as that…
thats all i have to say other then the fact that the movie was awesome and im looking forward to New Moon and hopefully Eclispe and Breaking Dawn
January 21, 2009 at 12:07 am
Dear Shannen,
Thank you for visiting my blog, but there wouldn’t be much of a point to having a blog, if I were to get over myself. If I had an opion, I assure you it would matter, and I would blog about it here most likely. I’ll have to settle for having an opinion until I can figure out what an opion is, and determine whether or not obtaining one is worth my time and effort.
Half of the world did not love Twilight. Assuming an average ticket price of $10.00USD, which is high, there have been approximately 18.5M tickets sold. There are over 6 billion people in the world. I think your math may be off. Then again, I’ve never been a math wiz.
I do really like Kristen Stewart, but that doesn’t mean I believe she walks on water. I’ve read a lot of complaints about her work, both before and after Twilight, and I’ve defended her all the way. I merely offer some advice so she doesn’t have to hear the rude comments about how she sucks from immature fangirls when she does her press junket for New Moon. What ever gave you the idea that just because you like something you would never have a complaint about it? I love my family and they love me, but sometimes there are complaints.
Your theory that the movie was fine the way it was produced or it wouldn’t have been produced fascinates me. Do you apply the same model to people? Should we not strive to better ourselves? Is there no room for improvement? I infer from your statement that you believe anything that makes it into existence is “fine” the way it is or it would not have made it into existence. Lemon Laws say otherwise.
I think you should read Wish #9 again. Nowhere do I state that I do not care for the Twilight soundtrack or imply that it is broken in any way.
I really hope you visit my blog again so you can explain something. How does my posting of my opinions on my blog imply that I don’t have a life? Would I have a life if I spent my time flaming you on your blog?
January 21, 2009 at 7:01 am
I don’t have to tell you that you are a genious, because you should already know! I very much like all of your wished, and i totally agree!
January 21, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Dear Christa
I am very sorry for bashing your blog the way i did.
I do suppose you are right about everything, i guess i just read some things wrong, or mis interpretated it. I am sorry for being so rude and considerate of the way you feel.
I would also like to state just one thing that i dont want to sound rude or anything but yes i do believe that things in existence eg people are cereated the way they are created for a reason and they should not have to change them selves cause other wise they would not have been created that way.
I am also very sorry that i said you didnt have a life, i was very angry when at the time as i was fighting with a good mate of mine and i took it out on your blog and im very sorry about that , i hope you understant that i meant no harm towards you or your blog.
Thank you for taking the time you took to reply to me and be considerate enough to take in my opions and explain yours.
Once again i am truly sorry and i hope you can forgive me for what i have said.
Thank-you
January 22, 2009 at 6:16 am
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January 22, 2009 at 7:50 am
Ok, so my one wish has to do with #6 (KStew) but also was probably exacerbated by #11. Kristen NEEDS TO BLUSH!! Dear sweet God, after watching the movie several times I almost think that Kristen pulls off a better vampire than the Cullens!! Incredibly pale (which she’s supposed to be, but she blushes, ALOT) and the purple circles under her eyes would have done the trick for the Cullens. The blushing (and angry tears which we also did not see) is THE biggest physical characteristic of Bella. Of course this almost a moot point since in New Moon they actually talk about the fact that she doesn’t blush much (doesn’t show much of any emotion, so Kristen should be fine), but when it comes to Eclipse lets get some color to that child!!
So that’s my one wish, everything else you already listed, especially the Cullens’ wardrobe!! i think Alice would die, if she could, if she saw what they had them wearing!!
January 22, 2009 at 7:53 am
Yes! Blushing and angry tears! They were definitely missing. You’re right that Kristen will be ok for New Moon (for the 379 pages anyway) but Eclipse needs to see a more exuberant Bella, as Alice would say.
January 22, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Shannen,
No worries. Just keep it in check in the future and you’re welcome to visit my blog any time.
January 22, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Hey Christa
Yer i will is this the only one you have or do you have any more then this one
Cause if so id like to be know those to so i can visit and i wont bitch on them i swear
well please and thankyou
January 22, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Nope, this is my only one. Maybe when I get more writing done on my own book I’ll have another blog about that.
January 22, 2009 at 11:59 pm
hey thats sounds good
oh your writing a book
what is it about??
if you dont mind me asking and all
your dont have to reply if you dont wish to
thats up to you
January 23, 2009 at 12:19 am
Vampires of course! And witches and werewolves, oh my!
January 23, 2009 at 12:21 am
lol
sounds good
hope that you make a blog and post your story
it sounds like a good one to read
well hope you do that and hope you post the link on here
id love to read it
well byebye
xo
January 30, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I thought the movie was GREAT!!!!!!!!!
Well, the running was stupid, and Jacob’s wig. Other than that I really liked it.
February 7, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Amen. Amen. Amen!
I sure hope Chris W. gets a look at this wish list. Everything I wanted, you’ve got here. The only thing to add is some capital letters in the request for good werewolf special effects. And a plea that Chris remembers that they are really WOLVES and not werewolves, so make them look accordingly. Nothing like the werewolf in Prisoner of Azkaban…that wolf was just crazy-looking!
February 16, 2009 at 12:00 am
Rick Mugrage’s music is perfect for the Twilight series!! His song “Signs” would be so awesome in New Moon. The lyrics and the feel of it are PERFECT!! He’s a HUGE Twilight fan too, which I think is cool. You can check out his song “Signs” on his myspace at http://www.myspace.com/rickmugrage
You’ve got to listen to it! I promise you’ll dig it and if you’re a Twilight fan you’ll definitely agree it fits the series. He’s an indie artist from Oregon and is starting to make waves. Check him out and tell people to add his song “Signs” for the New Moon soundtrack.
Here’s a link to his music video on youtube for “Signs” too!
February 16, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I just listened to his stuff. It’s very good! I like Medicate for the New Moon soundtrack best.
February 17, 2009 at 12:57 am
Yay! You’re great for going to listen Christa. You’re right! Medicate would be cool too! I forgot about that one! I’m going to tell him you said that.
Pass the word along Christa if you think about it. We’re hoping with enough E-Noise we can get Alex Patsavas (the music director for the Twilight films) to to take a listen and consider his material. The great thing is that Rick Mugrage is definite Twilight fan. He loves the whole series. It upsets me to see artists like The Jonas Brothers jumping on the bandwagon. They haven’t even watched the movie, let alone read any of the books. Yet, since they’re the “Jonas Brothers” they think they can just have one of their songs on the soundtrack because it’s popular. I really hope it all doesn’t come down to money and entertainment politics for the supervisor’s pick. She is really good at what she does though.
It’d be such a cool thing to have indie artists like Rick Mugrage get a shot and a big break through something they’ve supported. Here’s hoping.
Thanks again for listening to Rick’s stuff. Tell friends!
Elaine
February 17, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I’d be really surprized if they went with something like Jonas Brothers for the soundtrack. Since they’ve said they want to keep New Moon in the same style as Twilight, I would think the new soundtrack would be at least as indie original. If it goes bubble gum, I’ll be disappointed.