“New Moon” brings out the wolves
By Jessica Poitevien
Staff Writer
At exactly midnight on Nov. 20, the joyful screams of millions of girls were heard coming from movie theatres all over the nation. It all started a few years ago when author Stephanie Meyers created the fictional characters of Bella Swan and her vampire lover Edward Cullen in the wildly popular book series, “Twilight.” A new worldwide fad was born.
When fairly unknown actors Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson brought these infamous characters to life, “Twilight” became an obsession for men and
the saga continues with the release of the second movie, “New Moon,” a love triangle is forming between Bella, Edward and his enemy Jacob, who comes from a tribe of Native Americans who have the ability to transform into wolves.
Jacob and his wolf pack will play a larger role in this installment of the “Twilight” series. Actors Alex Meraz and Kiowa Gordon who play the roles of wolves Paul and Embry, respectively, took the time to answer a few questions about “New Moon.”
How do you feel about being a part of the whole “Twilight” craze?
Alex Meraz: Being a part of the fandom, it’s kind of like a deer in the headlights. The fans are so passionate, so fiery and it’s like a big Mack truck heading right at you.
Was it difficult to bring out the anger in your (Meraz) character or the kindness in yours (Gordon)?
AM: I’m angry in the morning if I don’t eat so it was pretty easy.
Kiowa Gordon: It wasn’t really hard for me because I’m always like Embry. I’m pretty much the character.
What was your favorite thing about the costumes?
AM: The lack of costume? No
shirts? What was cool though, I do have to say, it really makes sense to our characters. We operate off of our instincts and we’re more kind of...primordial I guess is the word that comes to mind...very raw and we have this ability to transform into a wolf the size of a horse. So we’re closer to that transformation by being shirtless and it helps with the character.
I looked at it as it actually was: a costume.
You take the clothes off, you put the body paint on, you know, the bronzing and all that and you kind of feel in character. It makes you just want to be in tune, be aware and operate off of your instincts... Where normally, as actors, it’s all about the voice and the eyes... it’s subtle, but this time we can use our bodies as an extension of our character, which really helped I think.
Would you say your Native American background helped you connect more with your character?
AM: It did. What we’ve been saying to correct people, I mean I just don’t like that term, Native American, because it’s such a linear term. Two of the cast members are native from Canada so you’re going to say native Canadian? It doesn’t have the same sound so I
like their approach to it. They call native people first nations people. My tribe is actually from Mexico. It’s a tribe called Purepecha. It definitely did help us to connect. We’re native of the Americas and before there were borders and all that, there were trade routes that went all across so I’m very proud
to be able to represent my tribe and Mexicans.
I think if it had been a Caucasian playing this role, you just don’t have the same background, the cultural significance, the cultural understanding and how to deal with it in an appropriate manner. I wanted to honor that tribe...I wanted the Quileute people to be excited about this because it’s giving their tribe a spotlight.
What’s the next step for you guys?
AM: Hopefully something with clothes on. This is something that is very serious. When you’re doing something like this you always want to do something that’s going to show a different side of you. I’ll get meetings because “Twilight” is such a huge sensation, but “Twilight” doesn’t show anybody’s real acting chops. You want to be very careful of the next project you pick as an actor. So, you know, my team is looking at different projects
women of
all ages. As
and we’re getting a lot of things pitched to us, a lot of native roles. It’ll probably be edgy, darker and different. Hopefully it will help me out as an actor.
Source
xoxo
Carrie
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