Twilight News
It’s been a while since we’ve posted a segment on just news on The Twilight Saga and its series.
MTV had an interesting article for their Twilight Tuesdays about the literary appeal of female YA heroines such as Bella and Katniss. Although some might disagree that Bella is labelled as a heroine but it does certainly make people especially young readers pick up a book and read.
“Both characters are appealing on a very archetypal level. One is very much a damsel in distress, this sort of empty, insecure vessel, which I think is very identifiable for young women,” she explained. “The other is sort of this superhero, strong, independent woman who doesn’t need anybody, which I think is also something that is very inspirational for women. In each one of us we have both of those entities, and as a result, people are drawn to these characters.”
Do read more about the literary appeals of YA heroines over at MTV.
On other news, Twilight, the first novel from The Twilight Saga series made it to the top 1,000 romance novel of all time list, compiled by RomanceNovels.me. The list of authors included are Jane Austen, Nora Roberts, Linda Howard to name a few. Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight came in #253.
If you would like to take a look at the list, here’s the link: Top 1,000 Best Romance Novels .
Twilight tonight on Mediacorp Channel 5!
We’ve watched the trailer for countless times & we read ‘Twilight’ over and over again! To celebrate the release of ‘Twilight’, Twilight Singapore collaborated with National Library and held our very first event – Twilight Soiree! Tonight, relive the moments all over again! 
Twilight News – The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide – James’s bio
Thanks to Twilight Lexicon for this!
We learn more about the tracker James.
Twilight News – Stephenie Meyer’s New Interview with USA Today
USA Today interviewed Stephenie Meyer in Vancouver on Friday & Saturday last week in conjunction with the launch of her LONG OVERDUE The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide which will be out on April 12 . In the interview Stephenie spoke MUCH about the new book, her role as a producer in the final installation of the Twilight Saga films and give us all some JUICY tidbits about Breaking Dawn!
To celebrate the release of this book, Stephenie Meyer had also invited 10 lucky Twilight fans from all over the world to Vancouver for a 2 day ‘chat fest’ with her.
“I just love having the chance to sit down with a small group of fans,” says Meyer, who is looking a little more Hollywood these days and a bit less like a suburban mom of three. “Bigger events are just too nerve-racking.”
For this literary star, the days of chatting with a few fans at a local bookstore are over. Meyer is an international celebrity. Her books sell in dozens of countries. The film versions are hotly anticipated. Fan sites have gone viral.
This two-day chat fest with Meyer, which took place last Friday and Saturday, was a top-secret affair. Even the attendees weren’t told where in the world they’d be meeting with Meyer until after they were notified they were among the chosen 10.
Ranging in age from 15 to 34, the contest winners include Eden Marie Starnes, 16, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and the sole male winner, Stefan Caes, 26, of Germany, who secretly entered the contest in hopes of winning and surprising his wife, Jenny, also 26, who’s here with him.
“We’ve been together since we were 17, so we see a lot of our story in Edward’s and Bella’s,” says Jenny, who married Stefan nine months ago.
Two fans were chosen in random drawings held by Little, Brown for Young Readers, Meyer’s publishers in the USA and Canada. The others won contests — which ranged from creating videos to writing essays to completing a Twilight trivia quiz — sponsored by publishers in France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Brazil and the U.K.
But like seasoned journalists (many of these fans blog about the series), they’re also here to ferret out juicy details: When will Meyer publish a new novel? What’s it like being on the Twilight film set? What’s new in The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, a 543-page encyclopedic companion that Little, Brown will publish in hardcover for $24.99 on April 12? (The e-book will be available for $11.99 on April 13.)
Meyer, relaxed and happy to share, tells them plenty:
•On the illustrated guide: “My favorite part is the vampire histories. There’s a lot there that’s new. Alice’s (Cullen) back story is one no one has known until now. And I think fans will be surprised at how much fun (Cullen nemesis) Victoria’s story is.”
•On whether she’ll ever write more books about Edward and Bella: “The story’s already been told, and I doubt I’ll ever write another series based on the same characters.”
•On the possibility she’d ever finish Midnight Sun, a Twilight novel told from Edward’s viewpoint that she nixed when parts of it were leaked online in 2008: “I’m hoping to do it someday because I know that’s what people want. No matter what book I put out from here to eternity they’ll want Midnight Sun, but I’m just not writing about vampires right now.”
What Meyer says about the filming of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, which because of the expansive story line is being told in two parts. (Part 1 is scheduled for release Nov. 18 and Part 2 in November 2012):
•The much-anticipated wedding of Edward and Bella has not been filmed yet, but Stewart is being fitted for the as-yet-unrevealed bridal gown. “It’s such an interesting mix,” says Meyer. “It has a vintage feel, but at the same time, there’s an edge to it. It’s really beautiful. And then on Kristen — oh, she looks amazing in clothes —and in that dress she’s so lithe and unbelievable.”
•On working with Pattinson and Lautner: “Rob is more like Jacob than Edward. He’s goofy, he’s funny, he doesn’t take much seriously. But he can turn Edward on like that (she snaps her fingers) when he needs to be Edward. Taylor’s who we hang out with most. He’s a lot like fun, happy Jacob.”
•On her expanded role as co-producer of the two new movies: “The big difference is just being there and seeing everything. I feel I’ve seen so much of the movie and really understand what it will look like. There are still a lot of compromises. That hasn’t changed. It doesn’t make a huge difference, but I have a producer credit, which is crazy.”
Fans, says Meyer, can expect a surprising performance when Stewart transforms from human to vampire. “She’s created a new character. I was really impressed. I’ve only really seen her as (the human) Bella, so to have her step up and change it in the right way — she didn’t have to talk to me. She knew. She knows the character so well now. She has really good instincts, and she looks amazing.”
Meyer says the first Breaking Dawn movie may end “when Bella opens her eyes as a vampire. That’s the way it’s been shot. They can still do it any other way, but I think that’s the general idea. You kind of have to get there in the first film. That way you have all the time in the world to explore being a vampire and those exhilarating first moments.”
READ MORE OF THE INTERVIEW AT USA TODAY!
Twilight ‘Surprise’ at the 83rd Academy Awards – Watch it ‘LIVE’ on STAR MOVIES (CH 622)
We won’t be able to see the ceremony on Channel 5 this year so TUNE IN on StarHub Cable instead to watch what Oscars producer promises to be ‘mind blowing’ for Twilight fans !
We’re not so sure now that it’ll be a surprise that involves Breaking Dawn or just the whole Twilight Saga and the phenomenon it has created in the film industry in the last 2 years. So we’ll just have to wait and see.
The Twilight Universe waits in bated breath for this surprise!
So TUNE IN if you have cable! Or wait till the videos surface on youtube later. 
THE 83RD ACADEMY AWARDS WILL BE ON:
StarHub Channel 622 STAR MOVIES 8AM TO 130 PM SINGAPORE TIME on MONDAY 28FEB2011
REPEAT AT 8PM TO MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY 28FEB2011
*UPDATED*
Aiyah… these Oscar people. Definitely NOT Mind Blowing.*LAME*
But for Twilight to be at the Oscars – SCORE!
At least it wasn’t as embarrassing as we thought a musical number’s gonna be. Wonder how much ratings The Oscars get with Twihards watching?
Twilight News – Bella & Edward’s First Kiss makes it as the 10 most iconic movie kisses
In the book, Bella & Edward’s first kiss occurred at the end of Chapter 13 : Confessions, Bella reeling after Edward carried her running through the woods.
” I was thinking there was something I wanted to try.” And he took my face in his hands again.
I couldn’t breathe.
He hesitated – not in the normal way, the human way.
Not in the way a man might hesitate before he kissed a woman, to gauge her reaction, to see how he would be received. Perhaps he would hesitate to prolong the moment, that ideal moment of anticipation, sometimes better than the kiss itself.
Edward hesitated to test himself, to see if this was safe, to make sure he was still in control of his need.
And then his cold, marble lips pressed very softly against mine.
What neither of us was prepared for was my response.
Blood boiled under my skin, burned in my lips. My breath became a wild gasp. My fingers knotted in his hair, clutching him to me. My lips parted in his heady scent.
And here’s what we got in the movie:
“Twilight”
Even the most diehard members of Team Jacob can’t deny the romantic power of Bella and Edward’s first kiss. Kristen Stewart — who’s almost uniformly closemouthed about her off-screen relationship with costar Robert Pattinson — did offer “I get to kiss Edward Cullen,” when asked to name a few of her favorite things about the gig.
Twilight News (Kinda) – SAM BRADLEY (Co-Writer of ‘Never Think’ from Twilight OST) is in Singapore!!!
Well at least he says he is – according to his tweet about half an hour ago
Looking forward to those pictures Sam!
So if any of you guys are in Bukit Timah or wandering around in Singapore or the touristy places like Sentosa, Botanical Gardens, East Coast Park (he should try our local food!), Little India, Chinatown etc in the next few days PEEL YOUR EYES! And if you do meet him – Give the guy a warm Singapore welcome – BE NICE & POLITE so he’ll come back!!! And if we’re lucky, he’ll play us a song or two!
Checked out his website and he is not on tour so its unlikely he’s here for a gig. We are so hoping we’re right.. *grrrr* So if he is on holiday then we hope he likes it here!
Our Message to Sam :
WELCOME & WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME IN SINGAPORE!!
Here’s Sam singing : Too Far Gone/ Never Think that he co-wrote with Robert Pattinson.
ECLIPSE NEWS – An interview with Alex Patsavas aka the wonder genius behind Twilight’s music & The Twilight Soundtracks DVD
We get to hear from Alex Patsavas, the person who is solely in-charge in finding and compiling the most extraordinary music & bands that we otherwise would have not heard of if we didn’t know the Twilight movies.
Thanks to Dose.ca for this GREAT interview!
Only the most try-hard of Twihards remember the exact rules of vampire baseball. But you might recall hearing Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole” as the Cullen family stepped up to the plate in the first installment of the Twilight Saga. But then, maybe that’s not your favourite Twilight musical moment (scenes involving goofy baseball shirts so infrequently are). Maybe you’re more into swooning along to Iron & Wine’s “Flightless Bird” as Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) slow-dance at their school prom (Twilight). Or gasping over Bella’s near-death visions of Edward as Grizzly Bear’s “Slow Life” burbles up from the watery depths (New Moon). Whatever your favourite Twilight track is, though, Alexandra Patsavas had a part in it.
Patsavas, who’s curated soundtracks for The O.C., Gossip Girl, Mad Men and Grey’s Anatomy, has served as music supervisor on all three Twilight movies — and she’ll be the “music lady” on the two remaining Breaking Dawn flicks, as well, she says. It’s a job that requires her to select and supervise all the music that appears on the movies’ soundtracks, collections that have defined a moody, Pitchfork-approved ambience for the popular romance series — and that have sold as crazy as, well, anything Twilight related. (Two of the three soundtracks thus far — Twilight and New Moon — debuted at No. 1 on the American album chart.)
Dose.ca: Could you tell me how you go about putting together music for a Twilight soundtrack? When does work begin?
Alexandra Patsavas: The work begins once the supervisor is hired and the script is distributed. We [the director, the producers and later, the artists] spend a lot of time during production while the movie’s being shot just starting to talk about music, starting to have a conversation about tone and feel, but the real work begins after the movie is shot so we can start to pair music with footage.
Dose.ca: Is it a different process working on a Twilight movie than any other project you’ve done?
Patsavas: It’s been an incredible process. Of course there’s been three Twilight movies that have been released and a great deal of interest from some pretty particular artists and that’s been really a wonderful experience. And also we’ve had many bands come into the cutting room and really work directly with the director to create music for these movies. Beck came in the cutting room and Lykke Li and Grizzly Bear, Mute Math — so we’ve had quite a few bands really tailoring music for the movies. Hayley Williams, as well, from Paramore.
Dose.ca: How unusual is that?
Patsavas: You know, I think it is pretty unusual unless it’s a movie about musicians or bands, in which case it’s a whole different animal. It’s pretty unusual to have so many bands creating signature pieces for a project.
Dose.ca: What do you keep in mind when selecting songs for the movies, apart from what Meyer has written in the books. What are the things you’re thinking of?
Patsavas: I think that music really resonates with fans when it enhances the emotions in the scene and the acting, so I think more than anything we’re trying to make — to make the score and the songs seamless. To make sure all the songs feel like Twilight songs. And tell a story to the audience. … I think definitely we’re always thinking about Bella and Edward and Jacob and just about the atmosphere of Twilight itself. There are characters and then there is the character of Twilight. … I think the music has to evoke, you know, it’s got an indie feel, it has a smart lyric, it has a memorable hook. Of course, over the three movies we have sourced many different kinds of scenes — love scenes and love-lost scenes, and fight scenes, but I think there’s a certain through-line.
Dose.ca: The indie feel you mention — definitely the last three soundtracks have really embraced indie acts. Why has that been the sound of Twilight?
Patsavas: Well, certainly Stephenie Meyer loves indie music and it does seem to fit the material. It’s what the directors love and if we have — we’ve had a couple of unsigned bands on the soundtracks as well the greatest artists of our time right now. …We’ve had the great, good fortune of having a lot of submissions, of having a lot of interest from the music community. And these are the songs and the feel that fit the best.
Its an interesting read and there’s more over at Dose.ca.
And oh! Check this out! We have not heard of it until now but its calling us to own it!
The Twilight Saga Soundtracks Volume 1, a collection of music videos and never-before-seen live performances of songs included on the three Twilight Saga soundtracks, arrives in stores Dec. 4.
We’re not sure yet if this is coming to Singapore – we’ll give you a heads up if we hear about it!
Twilight News – Portrait (online magazine) has the ‘Twilight Kiss’ as Top Movie Kiss!
PORTRAIT MAGAZINE polled it readers for the TOP 10 Movie Moments : MOVIE KISSES and Twilight came on top!
We have for you now the TOP THREE!
#1. Bella Swan & Edward Cullen (Twilight)
With a staggering 77% of your votes, the Twilight kiss came out as being the Top Movie kiss. I have a feeling this one will continue to be on the top lists of romantic movie moments for a very long time. After all, what better love is there then the love from an eternal (stud) vampire? Millions of people couldn’t wait to see how Bella and Edward’s first kiss from the series of books would turn out on the big screen and it’s oblivious to see, most of you were very happy with it. MTV Movie Awards 2009 crowned the movie scene as the best kiss with millions of you guys voting. So, let’s see what all the fuss was about…
#2. Rose DeWitt Bukater & Jack Dawson (Titanic)
Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt kiss a number of times in Titanic but the most romantic kiss in the film is under a glowing sunset on the prow as Jack whispers to Rose, “do you trust me”. Titanic, like The Notebook, will be one of those films you can’t stop watching and can’t stop crying to it every time too. Their unique bond and stolen moments (not to mention the element of forbidden love) make this movie magical and will always be remembered for its heartbreaking portrayal of young love.
#3. Allie Hamilton & Noah Calhoun (The Notebook)
The film that makes most girls weep … and the majority of guys too. After waiting 7 years for Noah to come back for her, Allie passionately argues with him. We all know what happens next in this story as most passionate arguments don’t end with anything but the carried away, romantic kiss. The Notebook has become a cult, romantic drama and won Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards in 2005. As Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling enacted the kiss on stage, so far, no other MTV Best Kiss winners have been able to top it.
Thanks to Twilight Lexicon!
Twilight Convention in Malaysia June 2011!
Twilighters Malaysia and Hub Productions will be holding a Twi-convention next year in Malaysia, just a link-bridge away for us Singaporean Twilighters!
Date: 17th to 19th June 2011 (Friday )
Venue: Shah Alam Convention Centre, No 4, Jalan Perbadanan 14/9, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
The Twilight stars that are confirmed coming are:
- Daniel Cudmore
- Booboo Stewart
- Fivel Stewart
- Bronson Pelletier
And more to be announced!
For summary event and information and purchasing the tickets, do head down to Hub Productions for details.
Weekend ticket – $220AU ~ Approximately RM680 / SGD285 / THB6,500 / IDR1.94m / PHP9,470
- Entry into event for full day of programming on Saturday including a performance by Booboo and Fivel Stewart
- A full day of programming on Sunday.
- Opportunity to pre-purchase autographs and professional photographs online until sold out.
- The first hundred tickets sold will include free entry into the Friday night masquerade party with all the guests in attendance.
VIP weekend ticket – $1000AU ~ Approximately RM3,100 / SGD1,300 / THB29,600 / IDR8.81m / PHP43,100
- Entry to the Friday night masquerade party.
- Entry to event for a full day of programming on Saturday, including a performance by Booboo and Fivel Stewart
- VIP afternoon tea with all guests attending.
- Entry to event for a full day of programming on Sunday.
- Seating in the front few rows (behind Platinum ticket holders) on both days
- Priority queuing behind Platinum ticket holders,
- An autograph from each of the guests
- Four professional photographs included (exact details to be confirmed at a later date).
Platinum Weekend ticket – $1600AU ~ Approximately RM4,920 / SGD2,100 / THB47,300 / IDR14.1m / PHP68,900
- Entry into the Friday night masquerade party
- Entry to event for a full day of programming on Saturday, including a performance by Booboo and Fivel Stewart
- VIP afternoon tea with all guests attending
- An intimate breakfast with the special guests
- A full day of programming on Sunday,
- Seating in the front rows, priority queuing,
- An autograph from each of the guests
- A professional photograph with each of the guests
- A set of the Bella and Edward Twilight Barbies.
Masquerade Party – $30AU ~ Approximately RM95 / SGD39 / THB890 / IDR264,210 / PHP68,900
Strictly limited and will only be sold to those who have already purchased a ticket for the Twilight Malaysia event.
- Entry to the Masquerade Party.
- Come dressed in your best or in costume and party with the special guests!
- Includes finger food and a cash bar for your convenience.
- Tickets are strictly limited and are only available to those who have purchased weekend tickets
- VIP and Platinum ticket holders are automatically included with no extra charge.
Professional Photographs
This is a great opportunity to have your photograph taken with the guests. Tokens need to be pre-purchased from the website and will be enclosed with your tickets. Please note that the photographs are limited and there will be no other photo opportunities with the guests aside from the professional photo sessions.
- Photographs with Booboo Stewart, Fivel Stewart, Daniel Cudmore and Bronson Pelletier $40AU
- PLUS MORE GUEST TO BE ANNOUNCED!
- Booboo Stewart and Fivel Stewart Double Photograph $80AU
Autographs
Autographs are charged per autograph per actor, including autographs on personal items. Autographs are limited and the tokens need to be pre-purchased from the website and will be enclosed with your tickets.
- Daniel Cudmore, Booboo Stewart, Bronson Pelletier $30AU per autograph
- PLUS MORE GUEST TO BE ANNOUNCED!
For more information you can visit Twilighters Malaysia
We over here at Twilight Singapore definitely can’t wait for the convention and are now planning for our trip! We hope to see you guys there too! =)
Twilight News – The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XXI – Tweenlight Preview
Seeing this clip for the first time – Can’t help but laugh at Lisa’s reaction to Edmund !
And here’s a compilation of an interview where Daniel Radcliffe (voice of Edmund in ‘Tweenlight’ ) talks about doing the special episode.
Thanks to ThinkingofRob for the video!!
Twilight News – Twilight in The Simpson’s =Tweenlight! [updated with The Treehouse of Horror XXI poster!]
GUYS!!! Check it OUT!
Meet Edmund!
He looks familiar doesn’t he?!!
Well meet Edmund the teen Vampire will appear in The Simpson’s upcoming Halloween Episode’s spoof of Twilight! The episode titled ‘Treehouse of Horror XXI’ will air on Sunday, November 7at 8:00pm EST.
Thanks to Hollywood News.com for the article.
The supernatural spells continue in “Tweenlight,” when Lisa (Yeardley Smith) becomes smitten with a mysterious new student, Edmund (guest voice Daniel Radcliffe), who also happens to be a vampire. When a romance blossoms, the young lovers run away to Dracula-la Land, leaving Homer (Dan Castellaneta) to come to Lisa’s rescue.
OMG!!! This is soo exciting!! Can you guys spot Lisa & Edmund? Or Milhouse with a tattoo – howling?! HAHAHA I can’t wait to see this episode! – The Simpsons Halloween Episodes ARE THE BEST!!
It would have been great though if Rob Pattinson can play Edmund. Nonetheless, we wanna see how Daniel Radcliffe fares as well!
TWILIGHT NEWS – Robert & Kristen’s Harpers Bazaar Magazine Cover WINS!!
After being voted best vampire cover on Amazon.com, our December 2009 Twilight cover went on to win the American Society of Magazine Editors award for Magazine Cover of the Year! We couldn’t be more thrilled — and we are so grateful to you, our readers, and everyone who voted.
The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide
It’s here! The Official Twilight Saga guide that we have been waiting for! Little Brown has released the information on when it’ll be released: April 12 2011
The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide provides readers with exclusive new material and everything they need to further explore the unforgettable world Stephenie Meyer created in Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. The Guide also includes character profiles, outtakes, a conversation with Meyer, genealogical charts, maps, extensive cross-references, and much more.
Thanks to Twilight Lexicon for the information. You can head over to Twilight Lexicon for a full description.
Cast News – Jackson Rathbone, Booboo Stewart and Tinsel Korey
This article might be a little old but thanks to Rozi, one of the Twilighters for scanning this article for us about Jackson Rathbone from The New Paper Thursday’s edition – FiRST.
I’ve been making plans to take a month or two and travel around the world, go back to all the places I’ve lived. And I really want to spend at least a week or two in Singapore – see where I was born and see where my parents lived at the time.
You can click on the image for a full view.
The ladies over at Twilight Lexicon had a funny video of Booboo Stewart and Tinsel Korey punking each other at the Official Twilight Convention in New Jersey. Enjoy the video!
I Wanna Be A Vampire
Enjoy the parody to the song “I Wanna Be A Billionaire”. One of the best spoofs so far!
Twilight News – Christmas White Twilight Books Edition – Its soo pretty!!
Check it out you guys!!
This was posted at The BookSeller.com
Stephenie Meyer’s blockbuster Twilight series is to be republished this Christmas with a new white jacket design.
The four limited-edition titles: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, will be published by Atom on 14th October as £7.99 paperbacks, available only in the UK and Ireland, and Little, Brown’s territories including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. The white editions will not be available in the US.
The white titles will only be published between October and Christmas 2010, replacing the usual black jackets. The titles will have crimson-edged pages and crimson back covers, with text confined to the spines.
Definitely deserve a space in my bookcase! Next to my Little Brown & Special Edition Twilight!
Cast News – MORE VIDEOS of Twilight Cast at the 2010 TCAs
Here’s a few MORE vids to top up on our previous post on the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. FYI, The Twilight Saga: New Moon/Eclipse & its cast members WON 16 TCAs!!
We can safely say – Twilight WON BIG at the 2010 TCAs.
You can watch the ENTIRE SHOW HERE (Parts 1 – 9 )posted on Youtube!
Thanks to Thinking of Rob for the heads up!
Twilight News – New clip from ‘Vampire Suck’
Earlier this month we posted the new Twilight movie parody ‘Vampire Suck’.
A new clip has been released and its the famous scene in the cafeteria where ” The Sullens” make their entrance! Check it out!
Twilight News – The Twilight Saga is one of the 100 Coolest thing on this planet!! (according to ‘The Sun’ at least)
Thanks to Twitter/Twilight for tweeting this! (whoa.. I just made a tongue twister! HA! )
From The Sun (UK paper)’s website!
Twilight News – Real Estate Tycoon Tom Barrack (Colony Capital LLC) Deconstructs ‘Twilight’
Thanks to RobPattzNews for this fabulous and really interesting story!
From The Wall Street Journal’s SPEAKEASY COLUMN
Bella and Edward Who? Real-Estate Tycoon Deconstructs ‘Twilight’
Tom Barrack is one of the biggest real-estate deal-makers in the world. His investment firm, Colony Capital LLC, has raised $16 billion from pension plans and other big investors to buy properties like gaming company Station Casinos Inc., Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, and possibly even Walt Disney Co.’s Miramax movie studio.
But recently, it turns out, Barrack has also been doing some soul-searching—thanks to Stephenie Meyer’s popular vampire-novel series, “Twilight.”
The memo was briefly posted on Mr. Barrack’s public “Chairman’s Corner” blog on the Colony website. Someone who had seen the memo on the website sent a copy to The Wall Street Journal. A Colony spokesman confirmed the memo was written by Mr. Barrack and said it was meant as an internal letter to employees.
I am going to share with you a personal breakthrough, which does not relate directly to our business but does reflect upon how we all look at all the “stuff” that drives us on a daily basis. Many of you will think that I have lost my mind or have finally experienced a mystical intervention of “my feminine side”. I promise you, it is neither.
I have had an agonizingly tough couple of weeks and have survived on pure adrenaline in the midst of tumult, controversy, tough negotiations with business counterparts, and a grueling travel itinerary that was challenging even for me. One of the recent meetings was in Turkey with our Mars partners. I made arrangements to have a bit of yacht time with them. When the meeting got cancelled I did the unthinkable for me, have a little down time all to myself. I boarded the gorgeous but stark Turkish Gulet right as the sun was setting. As I made my way into the main cabin I saw something so frightening it left me speechless. There, staring up at me from the ebony coffee table was a book. On the cover was a gorgeous red apple nestled between two soft and caring hands. Between the hands were written the words that strike terror in the hearts of every macho, red-blooded male…TWILIGHT. AAAARRRGGGGHHHH!! Alone, on a boat, with no wifi, no satellite, no magazines, no newspapers, just me and this book. This piece of chick lit, teeny bopper heartthrob stuff. Terror on the high seas! I wanted nothing to do with any of it. Not relevant, not interesting.
As I sat there with nothing to do the book kept taunting me. I began to think that there must be something I don’t understand. What could it be? What is it all about? Women don’t just read these books, they live them. They become each paragraph. I picked it up, but then immediately dropped it like a hot coal. What if someone saw me reading this? My macho reputation would be finished! I would be kicked out of the bench press section of the gym. My polo compadres would send me packing to the pony rides and my surfing buddies would exile me to the kiddie pool.
But it was a long night and there was absolutely nothing, and I mean NOTHING else to do. Long story short – not only did I read Twilight, I read the other two as well!! I was fascinated, captivated even. However, what intrigued me was not the same thing that hooked the millions of women whose lives and had been changed by this series, but something else entirely.
For you male Colonists, here is a brief synopsis. Stubborn teenage girl meets a handsome but moody vampire and against all odds they fall in love.
Here is my macho take – Stephanie Meyer is a total genius. As I flipped through the pages I was startled by the lack of detailed description of Bella and the surgical and illuminating development of Edward. As hard as I tried I could not really picture Bella, but I was grabbed by Edward’s character – gorgeous, super human, super strong, super fast and most importantly encompassing the wisdom of a 109-year-old man in the guise of a 17-year-old boy.
The description of Bella on the other hand, was not moving, or compelling. What I realized is the genius of Stephanie was that she knew that by keeping the character generic, any and every woman could climb inside and picture herself in Bella’s shoes. Thus the fascination and deep emotional reactions to what many (including myself) thought was a foolish teenage trashy novel.
I definitely got that the “anticipation” was much more romantic and sexy than the “consummation” to the woman. Slow, patient, caring, tender…. (guys have you heard those words before?) I found him incredibly appealing as he was taking care of Bella, putting her first, distancing himself from her to protect her and yet never being able to get her out of his mind. The relationship stood the test of time through many years, other men, family challenges and misconceptions of valiant and loving acts. A human relationship with a vampire is challenging on many levels, the least of which being you get older as your partner remain timeless. It was enticing, captivating, alluring…and dangerous. Through it all she believed that she could do it…. change her life… change his life…make it different…in spite of what conventional wisdom dictated.
Every woman longs for the anticipation, the romance, the journey, the taboo, the patience, and the attentiveness. Men, however, are all about the destination, the result, the speed and the outcome. The journey is merely penance to get to the destination. Which is why despite the vampires and werewolves, this book is kryptonite to most men.
In a world of technology these books are unique. There is so little imagination left in most of forms of entertainment today. See it, Google it, play it, do it…there is very little old fashioned make believe anymore. I could go on and on, but I know by now many of you are saying, “what happened to our leader?”… “Maybe Lebanese really is a sexual preference rather than a nationality”. I promise none of the above. [Mr. Barrack is of Lebanese descent.]
Here is my point. The idea of devoting half a day to reading these books was something that never, NEVER, entered my mind as something I would ever, EVER do. I hated them. I mocked them. It made no difference to me that over 20 million books were sold, movies made, and Team Edward and Team Jacob pandemonium had engulfed the world. I was simply stuck in my point of view.
Once I ventured into the books I learned something. I now understand why some women are emotionally altered from merely reading a book. I have also gained a deeper realization that understanding the circumstances and points of views of those with whom we are negotiating, working, living, loving or fighting is the key determinant factor in an enduring relationship.
In every day business, we think we know it all. We are the captains of our industry and we possess all the global knowledge. That which we don’t understand we push a button and it appears before us. We are lacking creativity…. it is hard for us to dream… harder for us to change our lives… hard to live in a situation that other people view as unconventional. And for sure, we all have no idea on how to be satisfied with the status quo.
It is time for all of us to become more creative, spend more time outside of the strict arithmetic cadence of our business, and understand foreign points of view. Most importantly we must really find the “moment”. Anticipation is everything. The process of getting to a destination is the objective and the more illumination, color, and vitality we give to the “road” the less important the final destination becomes. It will be what it will be!!!
On this 4th of July, slow down, take a breath, rediscover your imagination and create some excitement in your life. Take a few days to expand on the qualities of the character you would really like to become. Then live it, do it, become it! The better you are as an individual, the better we will be as a team.
I feel renewed and refreshed, having gotten out of my comfort zone and experiencing something so totally out of my normal realm. I don’t get it…. but I feel it. Taking the agenda-less time to absorb a point of view that I had ignored while loved ones around me relished in it, was an oasis for my soul. Having been unwilling to investigate the cause of such a startling movement until now was ignorant. Move your cheese!!!! Break through the comfort barriers, you can handle it whatever it is. The earth is turning on its axis. Planets and moons and suns are in orbit. Gravity is pulling and tugging, and molecules and quarks are warring inside of us. We need movement to live…
Do it Now!
Tom
READ THE FULL STORY AT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
HAHA ! Definitely a cool guy! We think contrary to what he says he does get Twilight and had a lesson to share for all of us!
No wonder he’s a billionaire. 
Twilight News – Beautiful Alice Portrait done with Photoshop CS4
All we can we saw – the wonders of technology plus awesome artistic talent = AmazingWork of Art!
Thanks to Twilight Lexicon for finding this!
Twilight News – Forbes Mag: The Power of Twilight
See what the Money World is talking about Twilight!
TWILIGHT NEWS – LA TIMES ARTICLE: WHEN ‘TWILIGHT’ FANDOM BECOMES ADDICTION
Here’s some food for thought.
For the latest illustration of “Twilight” mania, look no further than the hundreds of fans who pitched tents and slept outside for days in front of the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles in hopes of catching a glimpse of one of the stars at Thursday’s red-carpet premiere for “Eclipse,” the latest installment of the franchise, which opens nationwide June 30. “This is the first time I’ve been this passionate about anything,” says Kelli Chavez, a 39-year-old mom who drove in from Sylmar. “I’ve read each of the books at least eight or nine times and I’ve watched each of the movies over 300 times apiece.”
Chavez doesn’t hesitate when asked whether anyone in her life resents her passion for “Twilight.” “My 6-year-old son,” she says soberly. “I definitely need to go to Twilighters Anonymous about it.”
There is a Twilighters Anonymous, but it’s not a 12-step group. Rather, it’s a website for fans who want to feed their habit, not kick it. But an increasing number of confessionals have been popping up on community forums from women concerned about their tendency to neglect important aspects of their daily lives to dip into the fantasy that is Stephenie Meyer’s operatic saga about Bella (Stewart, in the films), a small-town everygirl whose je ne sais quoi mojo attracts the warring affections of a pair of metaphysical hunks: a vampire, Edward (Pattinson), and a werewolf, Jacob ( Taylor Lautner).
… Though it may be characteristically melodramatic of “Twilight” junkies to connect late-night reading jags to a future stint in the Betty Ford Clinic, there’s no doubt that the franchise does not lend itself to casual interest. To know “Twilight” is to love it or to loathe it, with not much room in between. No series of book-to-film adaptations, with the notable exceptions of “The Lord of the Rings” and ” Harry Potter” franchises, has captured the popular imagination with such enduring intensity. Worldwide, “The Twilight Saga” has sold around 100 million books, and the first two movies alone have grossed more than $1.1 billion.
… “If you take away ‘Twilight’ and put in a football team, this doesn’t look so much different from what guys have been doing for decades,” says Baym. “They stay up late at night looking at statistics and playing fantasy football. You could just as easily say they’ve lost touch with reality or that they’re addicted. ‘Twilight’ is just a story women are engaging with passionately, so people say it’s dysfunctional. On the other hand, maybe men’s relationship with football is dysfunctional as well.”
