“Twilight” Sells Out More Than We Thought Possible
Posted by: Nikki Dowling
Filed in:
entertainment
4:10PM, Wednesday August 19th 2009
It’s official: “Twilight” is the sell-out of the century. In fact, it could even be the sell-out of the millennium. I liked the books, but then there was the movie which spawned obnoxious Robert Pattinson fangirls and incessant Kristen Stewart gossip. This was followed by fugly “Twilight” gear and a weekly TV show dedicated to the making of “New Moon.” Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, Summit and Creation Entertainment have teamed up to produce “Twlight” fan conventions. These ridic things are coming to a bunch of major U.S. cities, complete with panel discussions, parties, musical performances, screenings, competitions, auctions, and, of course, merchandising opportunities. Oh yeah, and celebs will show up for pics and autographs. The details are fuzzy but check out my predictions, after the jump. [NY Times]
- Everyone there will be under 15 and female, with massive amounts of tween estrogen surging through their bodies.
- Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart won’t be there. Face it: They have better things to do. Plus, if R-Patz showed up at one of these things, I’m pretty sure the world would implode. Look out for the B-listers from the first flick, though.
- Gang-like fights will break out as “Team Jacob” and “Team Edward” battle over who is number one. Gang members can be easily identified by their black t-shirts with hazy pictures of their fave hottie emblazoned on the front.
- The “parties” will actually be a bunch of sweaty girls wearing body glitter and dancing to music by Robert Pattinson’s band “Bad Girls” and songs from the “Twilight” soundtrack. As an aside, R-Patz has a terrible voice. He sounds like he’s being choked and drowned when he sings.
- At least one girl at each convention will claim to be pregnant with Robert Pattinson’s baby. The others will say they don’t believe her, but at night they’ll secretly wonder…
- The panel discussions will attempt to cover topics like the technical aspects of how the movie was filmed, but will quickly disintegrate when girls start yelling out things like, “What does Robert look like in person?” and “Jacob is way hotter!” The panelists will give up and sit quietly, waiting for the shouting to subside. It’s OK; they probably didn’t even work on the movie anyway.
- The parents of several fans will have to declare bankruptcy after their kids place exorbitant bids on items that someone who knew Robert might have possibly touched. Once.
OK, so maybe I’m being too harsh here. Would you go to a “Twilight” fan convention?
TheFrisky.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
lea322
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 04:07 pm: [report]
And you can already by clothes identical to the ones worn by characters in the film…and barbies…and “Twilight” tours of Forks, WA, a place that the film crews of “Twilight” haven’t actually been to. Maybe “Twilight” plus 15 year old females equals the answer to the economic downturn!
Pinky
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 04:10 pm: [report]
I must confess the only reason I have gotten into Twilight is because I think Pattinson is so hot. And the Edward character. Although the charcter that plays his adopted father Carlisle is lovely too. Yes I can be this shallow.
Ginger
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 05:34 pm: [report]
Am I the only one who wants Harry Potter and Anne Rice fans to gatecrash?
marahe
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 06:06 pm: [report]
I, actually, have already been to a Twilight convention. They’ve been having them for awhile now. These are finally just sanctioned because Summit/Creation realized they should be making the money off them, as compared to poor lowly fans.
Check it out - this is what I went to w/ my friend Genevieve (the writer):
http://www.avclub.com/articles/i-attended-this-on-purpose-twicon-2009,31768/
TwiMom29
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 08:43 pm: [report]
Wow. How clueless are you? Don’t you know there is a HUGE legion of fans who are mothers? We’re not 15 yr old mothers, either.
Google it or go to Cafe Mom or at least a dozen other sites if you don’t believe me. Try doing a little research next time—your snarkiness will seem actually relevant.
Isista
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 09:09 pm: [report]
I agree with TwiMom29. I’m not a mom, but I am not a tween either. And your snarkiness about the subject comes off much more childish than the actions of any of the “Twi-fans.” We get it, you don’t like the craze; so why complain about it?
Isista
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 09:10 pm: [report]
Oh, and to answer your question: YES I would go. There have been far stranger conventions (the numerous sci-fi conventions where adults dress up like aliens?? Not knocking them, just pointing it out).
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 09:17 pm: [report]
Twilight ruined Comicon.
Ginger
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 09:34 pm: [report]
I wasn’t even at Comicon (unfortunately) and I agree CheeeeEEEEse.
*sam*
wrote on August 19 2009 @ 09:49 pm: [report]
actually, I rather like Niki’s article, I think it’s funny.
her ‘snarky-ness’ fits my sentiments exactly. though, I would venture to edit the part about it only being attended by tweens… there are plenty of 20-somethings and older ladies who for whatever reason, have let the value of quality literature and cinematography drop so low as to allow the blasphemy that is “Twilight” collect such a fan-base. 
side note/my major beef w/ this crap: vampires that GLITTER in the sunlight—ARE YOU F*CKING KIDDING ME!?!?! Bram Stoker is rolling in his own vomit-laden grave as we speak!!
I Go To 11
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 09:21 am: [report]
I’m a fan of the “Twilight” series, but the conventions would be a little much for me. I went to a midnight release party of “Breaking Dawn” at a Borders store last year with my friend and her 2 teenagers. The kids had a blast, but my friend and I were like, “OK, this debate over Team Edward vs. Team Jacob is lame.” I just wanted the damn book!
If I had to go to a convention, I’d rather go to a Rocky Horror or Battlestar Galactica one. (I bear an eerie resemblance to Starbuck on BSG.
)
marahe
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 11:06 am: [report]
One of the panels I went to at Twicon was about twilight and the media. The panelists, all of whom were professors at top-tier universities (University of Chicago for at least 2 of them, if I remember correctly) talked about how when women get really into something (twilight… “chick flicks”) it’s immediately looked down on as something frivolous and silly. When men get into something (sports, star trek, etc.) then that’s worthwhile and reasonable. A little crazy, but reasonable.
Thus, I find it hard to believe that Twilight “ruined” comicon - it just changed it a little, and it’s not the total bro-down it once was. It’s certainly not a culturally pure event by any means… it’s like… commercialism x 1000. It’s just going to keep getting more ridiculous every year from here on out, I would guess - and that’s not because of Twilight.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 11:24 am: [report]
http://blogs.laweekly.com/style_council/comic-con-2009/twilight-protests/
Ginger
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 04:35 pm: [report]
@ marahe The article that CheeeeEEEse linked to kind of explains why people thought Twilight ruined Comic Con. The fans got in the way of other fan-groups and a good majority of them were running around screaming. I watched about thirty seconds of a panel (my roommate at the time likes Twilight; I do not) and couldn’t take it for the screeching.
@ CheeeeEEEEse That was a good article, by the way. And based on what the writer said about fanboys versus girls, I’d rather be a fanboy. Mark Hamill pwns R-Patz.
marahe
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 04:39 pm: [report]
fair enough @ginger and @cheeeeEEEse.
It also makes some points about gender/sci-fi fandom:
“Where fanboys are stereotyped as socially awkward chaps who sleep in convention screening rooms, spend most of the day detailing the Star Trek universe and follow Mark Hamill to the bathroom, fangirls most frequently portrayed as screamers (“shrill” was the word used most often) who write slash fiction and chase after any guy who remotely resembles Robert Pattinson. To the rest of the world, their intense interests makes both outsiders, but inside Comic-Con, geeks rule. Hence, a different hierarchy applies. Racing to the Lucasfilm booth in the Exhibit Hall to pick up some Darth Luke flash drives is cool. camping out to ensure your entry into the Twilight panel, however, is not. ”
Ginger
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 04:53 pm: [report]
I don’t think there’s really a gender war going on, because I know more women who hate Twilight than men. It just happens that the Twilight fanbase is made up mainly of females. And because females are the group majority, it can be seen as an attack against females, or female nerds.
But Twilight also isn’t viewed as a ‘geek’ or ‘nerd’ thing. The fans are seen as fans. Rabid fans, some of whom take things too far at times (I’m looking at the Twihards), but not really geeky or nerdy fans.
Also, I wouldn’t really call Twilighters ‘outsiders’. Sure, some people are very much against them and that series, but if a girl (or even a woman in her early twenties) expresses interest in the books the most she’ll likely get is an eyeroll. Besides, the books are prominently displayed in bookstores. You don’t have to go to the off in a corner sci-fi section to find them like you do, well, sci-fi stuff.
bumbler
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 05:02 pm: [report]
SNAPE KILLED EDWARD CULLEN.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 06:08 pm: [report]
@bumbler: You’re adorable.
@Ginger & marahe: Yes you both grasped what I was going for. Thanks. But it was more that the lines which angered us geeks, the twilighters put added pressure on us because they were out in rabid numbers only there for 1 thing, and 1 thing only. When they camped out for the twilight “new moon” trailer they added to the already sizeable line to get into the room for everything else adding to the tension. In essence the clogged crap up for a single purpose, and if the organizers were wize in the slightest they wouldn’t of allowed the twilighters to set up shop so to speak. Frankly I wouldn’t of cared if they had something at the same time, just not the same place.
marahe
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 06:18 pm: [report]
@cheeeEEEse Oh, I totally agree w/ you. At the same time, isn’t that Comicon’s fault for poor organizing? Like, they had to know it would be totally rabid insane fans… but they probably left it like that because it got them way more press coverage for the insanity than it alienated the fans - you know what I mean?
After a weekend at Twicon almost a month ago, I still can’t tolerate screaming around me. Seriously. Even thinking about it, my ears hurt.
Ginger
wrote on August 20 2009 @ 07:30 pm: [report]
@ Marahe It’s my understanding (and I could be wrong) that they put the Twilight event on the first day so that the fans wouldn’t camp out all week and prevent other people from getting into the other events going on in that room.
And CheeeeEEEEse is right about the one thing only part. If you’re going to make the trek to Comicon and go through all of that hassle, you should be there for more than some arguably sexist sparklevamps. Especially if you’re going to annoy the people who also paid tons of money and went through the hassle of getting there.
hollyxxx
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 12:34 am: [report]
http://www.examiner.com/x-4908-Twilight-Examiner~y2009m8d19-Enough-with-the-Twilight-tween-bashing-media-antics-already
nutmeghan
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:17 am: [report]
I’m sorry, but I think you are definitely being a bit too harsh. I’m not a crazed Twilight fan, but I really enjoyed the books as a fun, quick read, and the movie, while laughable, was also enjoyable in its own way.
(also: it’s “kristen,” not “kirsten,” and everyone will not be 15 and under. i myself am 20, and have you ever heard of the proud twimoms?)
writergirl
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 05:46 am: [report]
Nikki—I appreciated the humor in the article and I don’t think you are being overly snarky.
As far as Twilight fans versus sci-fi fans, it has been my observation that as Twilight deals with vampires, women are more likely to be fans than men by a significant margine. Men don’t “get” vampires. And it isn’t just “Twilight”. Ask a man about “True Blood” and he will most likely roll his eyes, too.
When I saw the trailer for “Twilight” (before I read the books) there was a scene of Edward running through the woods during the daytime and I said, “That is so unrealistic. Vampires can’t come out in the daytime.” And my husband’s response was “Really? In all that, THAT is what you find unrealistic?”
For some reason while men can get into science fiction—Star Wars, Star Trek—because the technology is *Possible* (yeah, right) they can’t get into vampires because these are mythical creatures that don’t exist.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 12:48 pm: [report]
You’re just proving the point that this movement (Bowel, pun) is made up of just teenyboppers.
*sam*
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 12:52 pm: [report]
@robertlover123: and you’re a moron that can’t spell. there, is everyone even now??
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:03 pm: [report]
@writergirl - Men generally don’t like the romance-laden vampire stories such as Twilight and True Blood. There is nothing to not “get” about vampires. It is the way in which the story is told. I think Daybreakers will attract a largely male crowd, most non-love story vampire stories do.
True Blood stays a little more to the course than Twilight. Twilight completely bastardizes the genre by creating emo-vegan vampires that can live in the sun. At least we get the base instincts in True Blood, even Bill has done some pretty horrific things pre/post - Sookie.
Twilight was just a sappy love story with a fake-vampire coating.
Granted, it is pointless to argue semantics on sci-fi/supernatural characters; which is usually the quip of people that don’t like or understand it. I still think there is a general outline of what a vampire is, a creature of darkness that feeds off of humans. Take both of those away and you just have a goth kid(pale, sleeps in a coffin, wears black)that is really strong.
I cannot wait until the Twilight craze ends. So tired of moronic Twilighters. I’m with Nikki 100% on this.
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:29 pm: [report]
@RobertLover123 - You know Robert can never return your fatal attraction-style love, right?
As painfully obvious as it is, we know you don’t have to spell, use punctuation, grammar or even form a coherent thought.
writergirl
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:32 pm: [report]
@Riely—What’s Daybreakers? Never heard of it.
You aren’t the only one who’s over the whole vampire thing. I was at a writer’s conference back in may and two agents and an editor just flat out announced as soon as they sat down that they were done with the whole Vampire thing and the whole genre needed to go away. And that they won’t even consider a MS with a vamp story to it. They just toss them.
It was good, but now it’s being overdone to death.
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:37 pm: [report]
@Writergirl - Check it out on http://www.imdb.com; Ethan Hawke, Willam DaFoe, Sam Neil movie due out in January. The trailer looks promising, and a little more depth than a Blade-style movie.
I still like a good vampire story/movie; just not the Twilight tripe.
bumbler
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:45 pm: [report]
I do have to say that while I’m also tired of the vampire trend in general I do love HBO’s True Blood. Never liked Anne Rice, never liked the Interview movie, no interest in glittery vamps, didn’t even like the True Blood book but I am addicted to the series. I guess it goes to show me that no matter how cliched the source material if something is done well it can certainly rise above it.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:47 pm: [report]
Wesley Snipes killed the vampire thing. Also Ryan Reynolds.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:49 pm: [report]
Kate Beckinsale briefly resuscitated it but then it died again.
bumbler
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:51 pm: [report]
Sounds like its time for Bunnicula the movie to bring it back again.
writergirl
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:53 pm: [report]
@Riley—that looks really good. No too “I AM LEGEND” either.
@bumbler—the True Blood books were ok, not great. She lost the reader a lot in the middle books. Twilight, while I did read all four, was just painful.
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:55 pm: [report]
@Cheese - Seriously? The first Blade was much better than Underworld and her rebellion against authority. Neither improved with sequels/prequels. Budget and effects were improved; but the story did not.
Safe to say, I think I’d like to see either movie mesh up to Twilight and burn that town to the ground.
bumbler
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:55 pm: [report]
I’ve only read the first True Blood book for fear of spoiling the series and it was just meh for me. I really enjoy some of the side characters like Lafayette and Arlene so seeing that the books rarely feature them at all made me sad.
Ginger
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:56 pm: [report]
@Riley Normally I dislike the ‘scientific’ vampire movies, but this one has Dafoe in it. And Dafoe makes movies better.
So thank you for mentioning it.
@Bumbler How has there not been a Bunnicula movie yet? I’d never really thought about it before but it’s kind of surprising.
bumbler
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:59 pm: [report]
We should start a petition. I bet the only way it would work though would be if we suggested some brooding, emo teen in bunny ears for the lead role.
I Go To 11
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 01:59 pm: [report]
Does anyone remember the cartoon “Count Duckula”? I liked that show as a kid. Maybe that should make a comeback, too.
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:01 pm: [report]
@bumbler - you need an “endearingly awkward” teen girl with a desire for true love to bring out the best in our fledgling hero. Then let me know where you are writing/filming so I can torch the place.
*sam*
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:08 pm: [report]
lol, I’m such a prude when it comes to the vamp genre… I think it has something to do with how much I loved the classic(s) and whenever I read or see stuff that completely twists it into something else, I can’t stand it. so if this “Day Breakers” movie that Riley mentioned is more akin to the ‘Dracula-esque’ type, then I think I’d like to see it.
though, I will fully admit to LOVING “count chocula” cereal as kid
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:11 pm: [report]
Will Smith’s “I am Legend” was a remake of the 70’s movie “Omega Man”.
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:12 pm: [report]
@*sam* - Not Dracula-esque at all. Vampirism is a plague in this movie. I like both versions, but there are so many B classic vampire movies out there already. I think there is more room for a unique story in the scientific vampire movies. The classics kind of covered the bases already. No more remakes please!
writergirl
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:13 pm: [report]
@CheeeeEEEEse—was it?
I don’t remember seeing Omega Man…but I Am Legend bothered the hell out of me for some reason.
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:13 pm: [report]
@Cheese - Which was a remake of “The Last Man on Earth” - 1964.
*sam*
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:14 pm: [report]
@riley: oh, I feel you on the remakes!! but vampirism as a plague does sound interesting, I think I’m going to go check the trailer out
bumbler
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:16 pm: [report]
Coming Soon Bunnicula! Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the vampiric bunny and one of those Gossip Girls as Bunny the Bunny. Come see the startling story of their forbidden and fuzzy love.
I forgot to mention I totally love Salem’s Lot the book. Especially since Father Callahan reappeared in the Dark Tower series.
writergirl
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:18 pm: [report]
@Bumbler-Salem’s Lot! Thank you! THe movies scared the crap out of me when I saw it. Loved it.
And Please JRM can NOT star with a Gossip Girl. But I wouldn’t mind seeing him come out of the ground naked and dirty after being “made”.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:18 pm: [report]
@Riley: Quoted from imdb:
“I am aware of the fact that this 2007 blockbuster is a remake of a remake. It’s a remake of “The Omega Man”, which is a remake of “The Last Man on Earth”. All three films are adaptations of the novel, “I Am Legend”, by Richard Matheson. I haven’t seen the previous two versions, but definitely intend to. However, for now, since I’ve just seen this 2007 version of “I Am Legend”, and haven’t seen the rest, I’ll just have to judge it strictly as a movie, not how it compares to the previous two, or the book. So, while this particular version of the story seems to be polarizing, I was definitely impressed.”
Riley
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 02:21 pm: [report]
@Cheese - It isn’t really a novel, more of a short-story.
I thought both movies, have not seen the ‘64 version, were alright in their own rights.
crimsonletter
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 11:35 pm: [report]
I think there is a valuing, sometimes, of “men’s stories” over “women’s stories” especially those that involve the domestic sphere.
But, as some have said, that problem is not the issue with Twilight. Many girls and women seem to love it which depresses me, because it is filled with simply crappy writing. Nothing that poorly written should be that famous. And the co-dependent storyline is obnoxious, especially when young girls are modeling their ideas of relationships on this story. And of course, the way Stephanie Myers KILLED any kind of coolness vampires had kind of pisses me off too. All around, hate Twilight, hate the craze.
Frankly, I miss cool vampires. Like old school, the novel Dracula or the story Christabel. Even Buffy and Angel brought a smart, interesting spin to vampire legends.
But lately, I’ve had to set aside my love of vampires because of all of the mainstream crap that exists with “vampire” stories, thanks in large part to the Twilight craze.
That being said, I would totally watch a “Bunnicula” movie. Especially if it featured JRM.
Ginger
wrote on August 21 2009 @ 11:37 pm: [report]
This Bunnicula movie would terrify me if it starred JRM. There is just something about that man that skeeves me out.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 22 2009 @ 12:24 am: [report]
@crimsonletter: Keep hating the man, because he brought about the cash infused ‘twilight’ that you know and understand. The ever present dollar has warped the storied which were precious to us. I would of been happy with the potter books, nay content, but they made movies. In all actuality I picked up book two 3 months after it came out, and I was hooked. I believe that Hollywood ruins everything that I hold dear, Hence I will NOT see GI JOE (a beloved childhood icon of mine). If you liked the books before, fine, if you liked the movies, shame on you, you befoul everything that has been and shall be American pop culture.
writergirl
wrote on August 22 2009 @ 06:41 am: [report]
@cheeeeEEEse—you know though that Hollywood can’t simply let a best selling book be left to the literary shelves without making into a movie since Hollywood is seriously lacking in originality lately. Hence all the remakes.
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 22 2009 @ 11:07 am: [report]
@writergirl: Hollywood has lost touch with their roots. They don’t have originality anymore, hence the remakes and literal translations, I know this. They must either change or they will not survive, Darwinism ftw.
tattooed_redhead
wrote on August 22 2009 @ 08:37 pm: [report]
God, it’s a sign of the apocalypse.
I love a good cheesy (ha! CheeeeEEEEse!!) vampire movie - John Carpenter’s Vampires in one of my all-time faves, but when they take themselves seriously like Twilight it’s just laughable. All vampire stories since Stoker are laughable. Cliche and bogged down in romance.
@ bumbler - I would so pay to see a Bunnicula movie. And of course, it must be followed by The Celery Stalks at Midnight!
CheeeeEEEEse
wrote on August 23 2009 @ 12:15 am: [report]
@tattooed_redhead: Well when they come, I hope they suck the hope and seriousness pout of my penis. #&@$% the vampires.
writergirl
wrote on August 23 2009 @ 05:36 am: [report]
@CheeeeEEEse—can you imagine if you were right? What in God’s name would we do? How would the Democratic party raise any $$$$$?
Rawnee
wrote on August 23 2009 @ 07:37 am: [report]
It’s fiction! Some of us over a certain age like to escape real life now and then…from this article, it’s clearly keeping someone in work as well.
Lighten up. If you don’t like it, fair enough but why so vociferous?
Gingee
wrote on August 24 2009 @ 05:44 pm: [report]
Hah. I have my:
“And then Buffy staked Edward.
The End.” T-shirt.
The movie is beautifully filmed, even if some of it makes little and no sense. As for Forks, Washington, it’s in a lovely but remote area of Washington State. The movie was actually filmed in Oregona and California.
One of the better Vampire shows was Moonlight. It was so good it was cancelled.
Oh, yes, I am going to a public showing of Twilight. Complete with my Forks, Washington T-shirt. It’s a silly movie, based on the most vapid book, but it’s harmless, and in a way, so very sweet.
Cheers,
Gingee
Vampire fan
Shriekback68
wrote on August 25 2009 @ 12:24 pm: [report]
I have a few female friends who read the series. I picked up a copy of the first book at Powell’s. I made it 50 pages before I couldn’t stand it any longer
That book was honestly the worst example of “writing” I’ve ever seen in publication. And I’ve read some real trash. I’ve been in many writing groups, and that thing wouldn’t have made it through one group reading.
But hey, to each his/her own I suppose.