Something Twilight... From Guri

Where have I been? I ask myself this question every day, recently. At the risk of sounding unnecessarily dramatic, I have been involved in the longest, most challenging, scariest project I have ever undertaken. I have sacrificed and sweated and agonized - for good reason. Most of the folks involved are above my pay grade. And it's been a secret. Soon, I will return to "TwiMadness' with a vengeance…for now, just another blog post about my nutty Twilight experiences.

I get asked 3 questions all the time. Hard as it may be to believe, I have a few anecdotes in reply:

What's it like working with Stephenie Meyer?

Stephenie's success is just staggering and I am pretty sure many would and probably did feel intimidated around her. Here's the secret about Stephenie that I accidentally discovered, though…she is normal. REALLY normal. And funny. But mostly normal…like the kind of person you'd hang out with. Just to shoot the shit.

At first, I was pretty shy…for me. And nervous - I met Stephenie AFTER I'd been cast when some of us were called down to Baton Rouge for a make-up/wardrobe test before shooting began. So, I didn't know how she felt about me or my choices for Stefan. I mean, I know if she would have HATED my audition tape, I wouldn't be there but you know, maybe she was just like "Eh…Guri…whatever…thank GOD we also got better actors…"

When I finally met her in Baton Rouge, I was already in costume and make-up. I shook her hand and she said, "You are EXACTLY how I pictured Stefan" and smiled. And I relaxed. Like a baby, actually. In fact, I wet my pants…not really. Okay, a little.

So, from that point on, we just clicked. We chatted a lot and some folks that hadn't quite figured out the 'normal' part about her were speculating as to what she had to say and if there was any 'Twilight' secrets she shared. I actually had some folks come up to me asking, "What do you talk about?" So, as a public service, I would like to disclose one of our 'top secret' conversations now. I think the one that sums it up best is this story :

On set, there were different 'video villages' which are areas with monitors displaying different camera angles and chairs huddled around. It was a bit tense on set as we were behind schedule. However, I'm just an actor in a VERY silly mood and so I go find Stephenie…'cause her village was down like that.

"Guuuuurrrrriiiiii….how are ya?"

"Bothered, Stephenie."

"What's wrong?", she asks, all sincerely.

"Where are the Jewish vampires, Stephenie? Not ONE Jewish vampire?!?"

She laughs. "Because it goes against everything Judaism is about, GURI."

"I don't think you're seeing it. See, if there were some Jews in the vamp camp, we could sidestep all battles in favor of negotiation…plus, I think the vamp world needs a good kosher deli…"

Now, I notice Lily Collins there. She's laughing at my stupid Jewish vampire joke, so I immediately like her. And to the fans that are trying to stir up competition between the two Snow White movies, IMHO, they are VERY different films, they BOTH look great and I am a fan of BOTH actresses.

Back to the day. So, Stephenie is telling me about 'The Hunger Games' and what a great book that is and then we discuss the sacrifices we will all be making that night, as shooting is going to go LATE. I mention that I am VERY distressed that I will be missing my new favorite show, 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'. My wife's agitated and colorful commentary after each episode is just nothing short of priceless. But, that night, alas…no RHOBH. Stephenie doesn't even know the show and I'm aghast. Lily is also aghast. I look at Lily, who I now see is an incredibly astute young woman with FINE taste in reality television and we high five. We then describe the show to Stephenie by acting it out. She seems unimpressed by the show yet oddly adamant that we keep discussing our viewpoints about it with her. Oh! Right - and then Stephenie makes fun of me AD NAUSEUM for watching it. Not Lily, she got off scott-free for her allegiance to RHOBH. Just me. Whatever.

So, now everyone knows. Jewish vampires and the The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are excellent examples of the scintillating, exclusive topics Stephenie and I discussed.

guriweinberg to read the rest (and it is funny in true Guri style)
xoxo
Carrie

New Alex Meraz, Bronson Pelletier, Guri Weinberg & Michael Welch Outtakes

by Amanda Elkins

http://www.amandaelkins.com/blog/?p=3824 

Tip svetlanafadeeva

~Robstenfan

The Romanians Go To Hollywood

I laughed so hard reading this...Guri is a master at humor.

So, I get an invite for the Breaking Dawn 1 premiere and a few thoughts immediately jumped into my mind:

"Why in the name of all that is holy would anyone care that some actor from Breaking Dawn Part 2 is there?"

"Did I piss Summit off?"

"Can I wear the suit I wore to the last funeral?"

"Cool. Free alcohol."

I am on my way to Germany when this premiere invite comes in. I'm at the airport while I am on the phone to my wife and she tells me that my manager is all aflutter with anticipation of the red carpet. I ask the question that seems to have escaped all my representatives,

"What exactly am I promoting? The fact that I do, in fact, still breathe?"

"I dunno, angel.", she says. My wife calls me "angel". I can hear the taunts from Twifans already. Shut up.

"Well, that makes me feel HIGHLY uncomfortable. It's feels like I'm just press whoring around an event that is REALLY about Rob, Kristen, Taylor and broken headboards."

"Well, you don't HAVE to have your reps there. You COULD just go, see the movie, have a few cocktails and leave. It wouldn't be unheard of, you know, to just be a normal person."

So, I let my mangers know that there will be no big broo-ha-ha over this event and I would not be using a P.R agent for the BD1 premiere. In fact, I didn't think I wanted any reps there. I would, however, let them all "do their thing" at the premieres for Breaking Dawn 2. BIG argument ensues. I win with this simple logic.

"There are no less than 34,507 new vampires in BD2 and many will be vying for attention. The press, the fans, the reviewers, NO ONE knows who will be doing what and how large their characters may or may not be in the in the final cut for BD2. AND I am sure that, as BD2 is still A YEAR away, they could all care less at this point."

Don't get me wrong. I am VERY proud of my role in BD2. I am very proud to be a part of the Twilight Saga. I am very excited to see how fans react to the Romanians. I am also cheap. P.R. agents are EXPENSIVE. And, kinda…weird at red carpet events. I dunno…to me, it feels SUPER weird and egotistical to parade around in front of people that don't care all that much, insisting that they SHOULD care. I call a few actors from the cast to see what everyone else's plans are for the evening and apparently, I wasn't the only one to feel that way. So, I make a mental note to travel the Twilight black carpet with equally cheap cast mates that are also going the P.R.-less route. You know. Make it easier for the press if we're all just a group shot. Sort of a 'Those Nutty New Vampires' thing.

guriweinberg to read the rest
xoxo
Carrie

TWILIGHT BOYS: ROBERT AND KRISTEN IMPERSONATIONS

Warning about Language at the end

source
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Carrie

NEW Video BTS Zooey Magazine shoot with Twilight Boys

Zooey
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Carrie

Guri Weinberg Talks Stefan

SyFy
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Carrie

Michael Welch, Alex Meraz, Bronson Pelletier & Guri Weinberg BTS of their Photoshoot for Zooey Mag

ClevverTV through Bellasdiary via gossip-dance

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Carrie

Guri Blogs Again

Smoke and GFYS

I am quitting smoking. I use the verb in it's present tense because I still don't feel entirely comfortable using the past tense. I have fallen off the non-smoking wagon so many times in my life that it may ALWAYS seem like a process. For anyone contemplating smoking - just slap yourself for me. Detoxing when you stop is just ridiculously uncomfortable.

And, you know, you miss it. More accurately, you miss the social aspects.

On Breaking Dawn, I would generally find Rob Pattinson already smoking when I'd go outside to sneak a few puffs in. We would generally start chatting about whatever, he'd get fired up about whatever we were discussing and he would then generally finish his cigarette and ask for one of mine. He'd light another one and we'd keep talking. Then I'd light another one. We would chain smoke if there was a long enough break on set. I hate to say that's how we got to know each other but that's how we got to know each other. As shooting went on, I was smoking a LOT. Getting sick, looking tired, yada, yada, yada. So, I started my daily rant that my wife is ALL too familiar with through many attempts to quit - " I gotta stop smoking".

Rob looks at me and says, "You know, I heard that if you quit before you're 30 you're in the clear, health-wise."

Since I am passed 30, that doesn't seem too good.

"Hey, Rob. I'm over 30."

He just looks at me totally non-plussed. "I know."

Silence. I'm waiting for the "but"…it's not coming.

"Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine. Do me a favor - Go f*** yourself."

He's laughing hard now. He keeps trying to talk but he's laughing too hard. Feigning intense indignation, I get up to go to my room.

"Listen, man. I gotta go. Costco has a sale on caskets right now and obviously it's a matter of minutes AT MY AGE."

Now, he's having trouble breathing, he's laughing so hard. But, I'm still thinking…man…I have been smoking for way too long.

So, I am quitting. Again. Not too unusual for me. What IS unusual is what I poured that excess energy into.

Ever since I blogged the GFYS story, my website blew up with all the traffic to the "GFYS" blog with over a million hits. Fans have really taken the ball and ran with it. I see fans on Twitter telling one another to "GFYS", telling other cast members to "GFYS" and, naturally, I get several "GFYS" on a daily basis. That gave my wife and I an idea. How about we combine "GFYS" with smaller, local charities that really get overlooked when it comes to donations. Would people GFTS for charity? I must admit that the visual of people saying that they FTS for charity makes me laugh until I cry but there is also that charitable aspect. Just so people don't think I am only in it for the #GFYSLaugh…

guriweinberg for the rest
xoxo
Carrie

Tweets About Zooey Mag

@MichaelWelchAct @guriweinberg
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Carrie

New Photos Of Charlie Bewley, Guri Weinberg & Bill Tangradi From Twilight ItaCon2 2011 (Napoli - Italy)

more photos HERE
twilightitalianmoms via gossip-dance
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Carrie

GFYS

*Warning about language*

Daniel Cudmore and Toni Trucks...GFYS

When you're shooting on location for 5 months, you come up with some pretty juvenile inside jokes, catchphrases and pranks. For example, what started as three extremely tired actors getting exceptionally silly while grocery shopping at Whole Foods turned into an elaborate game between myself, Lee Pace and Christian Camargo wherein one of us would, at any time or place, kick one of the others in the shin as hard as we could and then run away.

But that's another blog.

My Twitter Followers know that there is currently a GFYS game playing out in real time - started by Charlie Bewley, who was quickly joined by Daniel Cudmore, Patrick Brennan and Toni Trucks in the GFYS Guri Weinberg campaign. Bewley and Brennan dropped out, Cudmore took the lead andTrucks keeps the pressure on. Thus, the name of this blog. Hey Cudmore and Trucks…if you're reading this…this blog will have your names and GFYS combined on a Google search soon! It's GFYS 2.0

But WHAT is GFYS?

GFYS started one day as Noel and I were walking back into our trailer after a long day's work. We each had one half of the same trailer as dressing rooms and our doors were on opposite ends. As we were opening the doors to our dressing rooms, I called out to him,

"Hey, Noel…"

He earnestly looked at me. "Yeah?"

UBER casually I say, "Go f*** yourself."

On his look of shock, I went into my room and shut the door. I admit, I was laughing pretty hard. The look on his face was priceless.

The next thing I know, an A.D. comes knocking on my door. When it's an A.D. at the door, that means we are needed on set. I have wardrobe to reassemble and it's a cold Baton Rouge winter day, so there's a minute or two of clothes prep/bundling involved with walking back on set. Finally, I'm good and I open the door. The A.D. looks up at me, smiles and says sweetly,

"Um, Guri? Don't need you on set, actually. Noel just needed you to go f*** yourself." and I can hear Noel laughing next door so hard, I think he might choke to death.

From there, as you might imagine, the cast and crew all heard about the GFYS game and immediately embraced the concept. The GFYS game was played in many variations on a daily basis - there were many combinations of cast mates, crew, hotel staff and occasionally, innocent bystanders in various scenarios. They're ALL funny. However…I can only elaborate on one GFYS story to give you the whole FLAVOR of this ridiculous game. The GFYS tale would not be complete without what I like to call my personal GFYS journey with Noel Fisher.

So, back to the same cold, rainy day on set where it all started. Noel had sent an A.D. to tell me GFYS, laughed like a serial killer on a sugar high and I think…this is the end. But Noel had enjoyed this all TOO much. So, he KEEPS sending A.D.'s to knock on my door all day. Every 5 minutes, SOMEONE is telling me GFYS. It was a LONG day. I get back to the hotel, getting ready for bed and a note comes under the door from the hotel. Usually, it's a bill so I go get it. Instead of a bill, it just read, "Mr. Weinberg…please GFYS. Thank You." As I am deliberating over that, I get a call in my room. I warily answer the phone and it's Toni Trucks in a thinly disguised voice posing as the hotel front desk staff. I'm waiting for it.

"Yes…Mr. Weinberg…we just wanted to make sure you got your bill and GFYS."

Then later, I got a text from an A.D. The text read, "Guri…your call time has been changed to go f*** yourself."

Oh, no Noel DIDN'T...

I get on set the next day and amble up to Bill Bannerman, our co-producer.

"Hey Bill…I need a favor. I need you to tell Noel 'go f***yourself' for me."

"Guri, what IS this 'go f*** yourself' thing all about? I hear everyone doing that?"

So I tell him. He's TOTALLY into it and thinks it's pretty funny (I mentioned we were ALL really punchy at this stage in filming, right?) and he calls one of the P.A.s over.

"Go get Noel Fisher. I need to talk to him". She runs off to get Noel, a little perplexed and nervous. I'm in heaven. I start walking to the stage door, far enough away for him not to suspect anything, close enough to see his face. Noel comes rushing onto set, pulling his wardrobe together as he walks. He looks nervous. He sees me.

"Hey, man. I just got called to set to talk to Bill. Know what it's about?"

"Noel. Dude. How would I know? He didn't say anything to me."

He nods, looks over at Bill and walks over. I linger by the door so I can see his face as he walks up to Bill.

"Hey, Bill. You wanted to see me?"

"Oh, yeah. Look, Noel…go f*** yourself."

Noel's face was nothing less then GFYS poetry.

So, I'm on set getting some water out of the cooler. We're on a short break and most of the cast and crew is there. The stage has a microphone for the director or A.D. to talk to people from behind the video monitors. As I'm getting my water, I hear in a low, raspy voice…

"Hey…Guri…"

Now, it KINDA sounds like Wyck Godfrey, our producer - if Wyck was a lounge singer. I turn around to find the source of the voice, as does the rest of the cast and the crew.

"Yeah…Guri…over here…go f*** yourself."

Nicely played, Noel, I'm thinking. Let's kick it up a notch.

So, what could I do? I had a talk with Kristen, then Rob to arrange a spontaneous GFYS from each to accent the rest of Noel's day. They were SO into it. However, before I know it, Rob is wrapped for the day and I'm thinking he forgot. Oh, me of little faith in Rob's silliness. As he walks off set back to his trailer,

"Noel. Go f*** yourself." Rob said it so casually, Noel looked at him for a second, not believing he'd heard what he just heard. Noel looks at me.

"I can't believe you did that. Nice.", he says.

"Thanks, man." I respond. But he hasn't heard from Kristen yet. AND now we're called back to set...

The minute I walk on set, Kristen is READY to do this thing with Noel. She keeps looking at me when he's not looking, mouthing, "Now?" I'm mouthing back, "Not yet." She keeps shooting me looks every few seconds, "Now?" and I keep going "Not yet. Rob just did it." I am thinking to myself, MAN, she REALLY wants to tell Noel to go f***himself. Did he piss her off or what?!? There's a break coming up and we all come back on set. Except Kristen. I look for an A.D.

"Where's Kristen?"

"Oh, she wrapped."

NO WONDER she wanted to do it so quickly. Dammit.

Now, a sane person would have let it go. I, on the other hand, saved the rest for Canada.

In Canada, I go to Peter Facinelli. This is TOTALLY up Peter's alley and quite frankly, something he was BORN to do.

Peter waits until right before 'action' to look at Noel and say,

"Hey Noel. Go f*** yourself." Then Bill called 'action'. Noel's reaction? Just another slice of GFYS genius.

So, next I went to Bill Condon. You guessed it…he was TOTALLY into it.

Bill waits until we're shooting a scene where we are perched in a rather uncomfortable position. He comes over, looks up at us and asks,

"Guri, you alright?"

I answer, "Doing OK, Bill. Thanks."

He looks at Noel. "Noel…are you cold? You seem cold."

Noel looks at him and says, "Actually Bill, it IS a little…"

Bill cuts him off. "Yeah? Go f*** yourself."

Noel. Is. Speechless. OH! The joy…but I'm not done. He THINKS I'm done but I am not done.

I mean, I WOULD have been done if I were not a complete CHILD but I am, so…I went to Stephenie.

I am full of confidence as I approach Stephenie. We were simpatico since day one and I just KNOW she'll be the feather in my GFYS Noel Fisher hat.

"Stephenie, I need you to do me a favor. Please tell Noel to go f*** himself."

Silence. She is staring at me and it occurs to me that I may have crossed a line here. Now, I am now wondering how long it will be until Stefan is cut from the film.

"I can't use the "f" word.", she says. OMG is all I am thinking…THAT is her only issue with it?!? Relief pours over me…along with renewed dedication to the GFYS Noel Fisher campaign I have launched.

"Stephenie…substitute ANY word for the "f" word. Trust me…HE'LL KNOW."

"I would be comfortable with that…you know what would be REALLY funny? If we…" and she went on to describe several GFYS games to play on several unsuspecting folks involved with BD. Her creativity knew no boundaries and suffice it to say that Stephenie is the COOLEST woman EVER and a GENIUS!!!

Naturally, Stephenie handled my request brilliantly and Noel was suitably shocked by the lengths I went in order to achieve this GFYS victory.

Most likely, we will all NEVER end this game. Now, I know some Twifans will use this opportunity to tell the cast GFYS at every opportunity. Just as a warning, it MAY sound different coming from a relative stranger than it would a co-worker, so be prepared for some shocked reactions if you go this route. And, it may not ENDEAR you to the cast as they may not understand you're joking. In fact, you could get a visit from security. So, as much as the visual of the Twilight/BD cast being told "Go f*** yourself!" from fans worldwide makes me laugh till I cry, it may not be the best idea in practice.

Now that my disclaimer is in place, I would like to say with love, respect and admiration to Twitter followers who have gotten involved in our exceptionally juvenile game…GFYS. :)

Next blog - my trip with my wife to Italy and ItaCon.

guriweinberg
xoxo
Carrie

@GuriWeinberg blogs about Mackenzie Foy

Awww!
When I first met Mackenzie, I knew she was special. What I didn't understand was how badly she could kick my a$$. Let me explain.
I met Mackenzie Foy in October, 2010 when some of the new cast in the Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn flew into Baton Rouge for some make-up/wardrobe screen tests and to discuss our roles with director, Bill Condon. While we were there, we got an invitation from the producers for a dinner party. Imagine our surprise when we show up and see Rob, Kristen, Stephenie, Ashley, Kellan, Nikki, Jackson...
and Mackenzie.

Please read the FULL article at guriweinberg.com

~Robstenfan

~Robstenfan

New photo of Charlie Bewley Guri Weinberg & Bill Tangradi at ItaCon

TeamTwilight via gossip-dance
xoxo
Carrie

Guri Blogs About Breaking Dawn Audition

My wife is rarely wrong. However, she has been wrong twice for sure in our marriage. I'll explain.

So, a few years ago I was depressed about the lack of forward momentum in my acting career. My wife sat me down and gave me some straight talk. She is an actress with decades of experience so I listened. She said, "Guri, you have to put yourself out there. You can't just sit around waiting for Steven Spielberg to call you and offer you his next movie". Made sense.

Shortly thereafter, I was offered "Munich", a Steven Spielberg film. My wife was the one that got the call. She comes into the living room and casually announces, "Guri it's Steven Spielberg. He'd like to offer you his next movie."

I was stunned. But I was smiling too because 1) she's funny and 2) she was WRONG and 3) she was WRONG!!!

"Really?!?", I stammer.

"Don't make a big deal out of it. I'm TOTALLY right most of the time."

The second time she was wrong led me to this blog.

So, I'm runnning errands and my wife calls me and says, "Guri, you have an audition next week for some vampire film and the part seems completely wrong for you. I just don't see them offering you this role."

I call my manager's office and her assistant, Elana, answers. I tell her that based on the breakdown, I feel I am not right for the role AND I have never used a Romanian dialect in my life. So, I think I'm going to pass on this one. Then I hear silence. TENSE silence. The kind of silence that makes you want to hide sharp objects.

"It's TWILIGHT, Guri. I don't CARE what you think of the role. Not only will you audition with a FANTASTIC Romanian dialect, you better get it..."

"Bbbbuuuttt...", I stammer.
"I WANT TO MEET STEPHANIE!"
"OK", I answer...meekly...

I go in with a QUICKLY developed Romanian dialect and...I get the offer. I couldn't WAIT to tell my wife.

"Don't make a big deal out of it. I am STILL right most of the time." was my wife's response followed closely with "You know, Guri...I think we're in for some big changes with this one." She kissed me, gave me a hug and said, "I think we'll need wine." and opened a bottle.

I dig that chick.

From there, my life becomes a whirlwind of change.

One change in particular that seemed innocuous - Summit P.R. ask me to get a Twitter account. I do but am unsure why Twilight fans would be interested in me, especially before the film is even out. However, it turns out that Twilight fans start blowing up my rather modest "followers" list. These are PASSIONATE fans and these are highly anticipated films in the saga and...they have lots of questions. So, before I know it I'm tweeting with Twifans all around the world. Paparazzi then start tracking me through Twitter and shooting me at airports. My life has come down to a blue bird.

The thing is...most of my stories take more than 140 characters. And, I realized, I have a LOT of great stories about people I've met, worked with, laughed with and cried with over the years, 'Breaking Dawn' being the biggest bag 'o' stories. So, I started writing them down.

So, welcome to my blog. Nothing is chronological - just an outpouring of memories. I originally thought I'd put out a few stories at once, seeing as how long it took me to write the %^&* stories. Naturally, I asked my wife. She thought that was a bad idea.

"You should put them out once a week, or once a month or something like that. EASE people into your odd point of view and twisted sense of humor.", she says.

I dig that chick.

Anywho, my next blog entry will feature the beautiful, intelligent, talented Mackenzie Foy. I hope, hope, hope we have a child like Mackenzie. I hope, hope, hope we're as good at parenting as Mackenzie's parents. Mark my words - this girl is going to be a big star AND have her head screwed on right when it happens. I'm saving the artwork she made me (yep, I'll post some pics) just because with her brains and talent, she might be Picasso one day. And I'll have known her when. :)

Take care everyone! See ya soon!
Guri

guriweinberg
xoxo
Carrie

A Bunch of Great Twitter Pictures

@noel_fisher, @amadouly, @chaskespencer, @mammarazzi1, @jacksonrathbone
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Carrie

Last Bits of Breaking Dawn Filming

celebrity-gossip for more
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Carrie

Guri With Fan and Daniel With Janelle Froehlich Out

brandheroin, brandheroin
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Carrie

Guri is a Fan of Peter

@GuriWeinberg
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Carrie

Guri Thanks Twilight Fans

@GuriWeinberg
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Carrie

New BD Cast on Twitter

More cast members have joined Twitter.  Summit is following them which means they are legit.  Find them to follow below

@judishekoni (Zafrina)

@AGabrielTweet (Kebi)

@AngelaSarafyan (Tia)

@LisaHowardNYC (Siobhan)

@TheOlgaFonda

@GuriWeinberg (Stefan)
xoxo
Carrie