EXCLUSIVE: New Moon Director Chris Weitz, Audio Interview, Part 1
October 23, 2009 by RetroEd
Filed under Sci Fi Movie Zone
The Twilight Saga: New Moon is only a few weeks away, and SciFiTV Zone is pleased to present the first part of this audio interview with the film’s director, Chris Weitz, who shares his overall feelings about the production. Look for part two on Tuesday.
Related posts:
- EXCLUSIVE: New Moon Director Chris Weitz, Audio Interview Part 2
- New Moon: Chaske Spencer and Alex Meraz, Exclusive Audio Interview Part 2
- New Moon Exclusive Interview: Alex Meraz & Chaske Spencer, Part 1
- New Moon: Kristen Stewart & Taylor Lautner Comic-Con Audio Interview
- Exclusive Interview: Writer Melissa Rosenberg, From Dexter to The Twilight Saga
Dang I have to wait till Tuesday for part 2. And to the interviewer New Moon is more than guys not wearing shirts.
Hi Sia,
Glad you liked part one. For the record, though, I want to say that in my conversation with Chris Weitz, I didn’t say that New Moon was just about guys without shirts on. My comment was that as a serious filmmaker, it must be frustrating that that’s how the film has largely been sold, which may not allow the film — however good it is — to reach a more widespread audience.
Ed
For those who were listening, yes that is exactly what you said. I would like to have heard the rest of your comment and question on the trailer? I look forward to the second part of this interview. Thank You.
Great questions… I felt like you got some cool tidbits out of CW… I love that he really is into making it interesting for the masses… looking forward to the second part!
Chris recognized Kristen’s outstanding acting along with axilliary casts- wolf pack and the vampires. This was a very insightful interview. Thanks Chris!
I can only imagine how that kind of marketing may be frustrating to Chris given than it is already frustrating to fans who know that there are more to the story than man meat! Sadly, that seems to be the direction marketing is going. I don’t think they know the actual demographics of the fan base which is kind of sad.
Great interview by the way.
I can’t resist commenting that, the same marketing strategy seems to not be a problem when it is naked and sexy girls/women being flaunted.
It’s just my opinion that Summit should have come up with a two-tiered marketing approach, gearing the film for fans and people in that demographic, but also a more mainstream approach so that it would reach the great unwashed public out there. No question they’re going to have a giant hit no matter what, but with the proper marketing approach, they could have turned this into a mega-blockbuster. I think that kind of approach would be more appropriate for a filmmaker like Chris Weitz, who will likely bring a sense of “epic” scale to the film despite its $50 million or so budget.
Abby, I agree with you that Hollywood has no problem marketing films using “naked and sexy girls/women.” And again, I’m not criticizing the marketing of this film to its key demographic. I just think due to what Chris is attempting to bring to the franchise, he deserved to have an additional marketing campaign to show other aspects of this film.
Well said, RetroEd. I agree Summit could have had a smarter marketing approach. That said, the trailers are already convincing people that the film has something to offer a broad audience. It is obviously beautifully shot and has (as you said) an “epic” feel. What I am “hearing” from the other comments is that, as fans of the series, they feel that they have been largely misunderstood by the media. As much fun as it is to ogle cute guys, that is not why fans will line up to see this movie. I guarantee that the core fan base agrees that the diamond effect and the wolves are “frosting” to the “cake” of the relationships, but that those things have to be believable in order not to distract from the main story. I am anxious to hear the rest of your interview.
well said, i wouldn’t be interested in this story at all if the relationships weren’t as they are
I agree that the number of conversations about abs has reached the point where I am no longer amused. This movie is so much more that how many pounds Taylor put on for his role. I’m so glad it was a journalist who mentioned this and decided to do something different because that is where I feel a lot of the problem is. I watch, listen to, or read probably almost all of the interviews that are released as well as the footage directly released from Summit. I’m not a journalist – I don’t know the process of researching a topic, the difficulties of thinking of new questions for a topic that is this popular, and any number of things that I can’t begin to know. But i’m tired of hearing reporters and journalists ask the cast about their abs and their workout routines. I feel like that’s where most of the objectifying happens (the screaming fangirls don’t help). And i am, so to speak, a crazy fangirl, granted i’m 19 so i’m older than some of them but I know there is more to these men than they’re stomachs. And don’t even get me started on how many fans are older than what the media thinks them to be (all of my friends in college love this series and so do a bunch of my mom’s friends). So I don’t think it’s the “marketing strategy” that’s wrong – I think it’s the reporters who need some new material. They should just go to the books, if they knew what they were talking about they could ask some serious questions and probably get some answers they wouldn’t have otherwise, like spoilers, like things that will make people visit your site and show your site to their friends. Sorry, rant over. Thank you to RetroEd who takes some pride in his work. Oh, and I just want to say that Chris is amazing and I can’t wait to see the filming, counting down the days. And he so right, we want to support them and cheer them on until they give us a reason not to and Chris has never come even close. I was personaly won over completely after the letter he wrote – and that was before filming started. It was just…beautiful.
Great interview. As an avid fan of the books and the film(s), I so appreciate getting to listen to the director reflect on the film.
The interviewer at some point seemed very bothered when he brought up the point of the the shirtless boys (wolf pack) and how this seems to be emphasized in the marketing of the film. I wonder if he has read the book. That part is true to the book, the wolf pack spends the majority of their time shirtless. I’m not bothered, nor am I drawn to the films because the guys are shirtless.
Also, I wonder if he raises the same criticism when he sees women objectified in filming/marketing. It’s such a part of our cultural way of seeing, maybe he doesn’t notice it, maybe he chooses to leave it unchallenged. Their was an air and tone of male privilege in his complaint to Chris Weitz, and I felt CW handled the question gracefully.
I need to emphasize again that my question in the interview had nothing at all to do with objectification. What it was purely about was the fact that Chris Weitz is making a serious film, a drama with conflict, raw emotion, and character arcs, but that much of the marketing has been geared towards showing the abs of Taylor Lautner and the rest of the actors playing the wolf pack. As a result, the concern I was raising was whether or not the general audience seeing trailers and magazine layouts with interviews was getting a sense of what Chris Weitz, as a filmmaker, was attempting to accomplish with this chapter in the saga, or if that was getting lost in the beefcake marketing. That is truly my ONLY point in raising the issue.
The general audience may not be exposed to Chris’s vision yet, but the fans get it. We look at every photo, watch every trailer multiple times, and check out every interview by Chris or the cast. And as many people on this post have pointed out, the fans also feel misunderstood by the media. And Chris’s analogy of going to get a hamburger and getting something better than expected, is a little backward. We are expecting something special and really hope we don’t get a hamburger. But as has been pointed out, Twilight fans are rooting for Chris. We have complete confidence in him.
Does anybody else have problems loading the interview? Whenever I try to go to either one of the links, it always says that the site is unavailable. I even tried using another browser–nothing.
The host of the interview seems to having a connection problem. I’m trying to determine what the situation is.
There seem to be definite pros and cons when it comes to male vs. female interviewers but especially when the subject at hand is the phenomenon known as Twilight. At the risk of generalizing, males seem to ask more interesting quesions but you find few who have actually read the material. I imagine it would be difficult to do for every interview (especially if the genre is not your cup of tea) but had the interviewer read the books, he’d know the wolf pack goes shirtless for practicality.
First is the fact that their temperature runs substantially higher than humans. Also, when they’re “young” wolves, they have less control over when they phase into their wolf form. Phasing unexpectantly with any unexpected surge of emotion ultimately leaves their clothing in tatters, right down to their shoes. And it’s not like teenagers living on the res can go out and buy new wardrobes when theirs are inadvertantly shredded. Lastly, they’re often on the hunt for vampires throughout the series. So, if you think about it logically, it’s not as if their fur comes with handy pockets in which to hold their clothing while in their wolf form. (Something that always bugged me about Superman)
So even though the visual of half naked, good looking “men/boys” doesn’t hurt for “fan girl” marketing purposes, neither would it hurt for the interviewer to consider asking if the ab shots were for marketing instead of cynically assuming it.
I’d like to sign this as a “fan girl” but, at 45, I supposed it’d be too great of a stretch for me to claims the moniker.
Hi Kelly,
There really wasn’t cynicism in my question to Chris Weitz, it really was, again, just a question of a filmmaker’s vision potentially being put at cross purposes with the marketing department. In fact, when the question is asked, Chris Weitz replies that he trusts marketing to get “bums” (behinds) in the seats, but then he goes into a discussion of how there is so much more to this film and he hopes people come to realize it.
I know I’ve indicated this a few times in my responses here, but my question really wasn’t an attack. But as a journalist and a viewer, aware of what Mr. Weitz can bring to a project, it was my opinion that the marketing was not giving a full sense of his directorial vision, and allowing the film to expand beyond the constraints of the type of franchise Twilight is PERCEIVED to be by the million of moviegoers out there who are not familiar with the depth of Stephenie Meyer’s novels.
RetroEd
I thought that was an excellent question! As an aspiring filmmaker, I can understand it would be frustrating for CW to try to make a moving, intelligent film and have it sold by sex alone. Have no doubts about it: the wolfpack may run shirtless for practical reasons, but Summit is plastering those shirtless bodies all over posters and T-shirts to sell, sell, SELL!
The question actually echoes the frustrations a lot of Twilight fans have had over the representations of the series and its fans in the media. We should be applauding this question! As a thirty-year-old, happily married, mom-to-be, I have zero interest in 17-year-old Lautner’s abs. Yet, the media keeps portraying Twilight fans as crazed 14-year-olds, and giving us nothing but interviews about Lautner’s 30 lb weight gain. How refreshing it was to have intelligent questions about the style of the film and to hear CW talk, even cursorily, about the cinematography, art direction, acting, and effects!
I think the real problem here is that the media is underestimating their audience. Perhaps trailers of half-naked Megan Fox can get men’s butts into seats, but I don’t think that approach works as well for women. I do find it… almost refreshing to have the media accept that women are sexual beings and to actually cater to the female gaze. However, it would be great if we could market these films based on their actual merit! (As RetroEd was implying with the question). I do find myself wondering if you’ve ever asked the same question to a director whose film was being marketed with half-naked women?
New Moon’s target demographic will show regardless of any trailers or posters. We love the books, and will give this film a chance to capture them for us. The question is, will non-Twilight fans see this movie? Will males see this movie? My 26 year-old (heterosexual) brother found the first trailer exciting, and he knew nothing about Twilight at the time. CW did say he trusts the marketing dept to do its job. Hopefully it will. Many good films have been killed by bad marketing. Lets hope New Moon is not one.
Loved the interview, one of the few I have come across that are interesting all the way through. Only thing that is really getting on my nerves is how people constantly say this is a teenage girl series. I am 30, virtually everyone I know that has fallen in love with this series is AT LEAST mid-twenties, I have bought and passed on Twilight to everyone I have met who I think would fall in love (most over 30) with the story since 2007 and ever since Twilight the movie I have been defending the series because the media keeps telling everyone this is for kids. Yes, there are a substantial number of girls that love Twilight but there are just as many of us over 18 that love the series too.
And I’m not attacking you RetroEd, just voicing that I wish someone would acknowledge that not all of us are teenage girls.
I think RetroEd did acknowledge that by giving is an insightful interview!
Great interview RetroEd, and please ignore any silly, ignorant people who are accusing you of saying things that those of us who listened closely know fine well were perfectly innocent statements. This film HAS been sold largely by trying to get teenage fangirls horomones going, and I think its quite fair to ask the director what his thoughts on this were, considering its being portrayed in the media as a hot, steamy eye-candy filled film, rather than a serious romance story. Im not going to deny that I would seriously miss my footage of the shirtless wolf pack if it stopped altogether, but it does make it hard for the film to be appreciated by older audiences. You stated a very good point well and fairly, and I strongly disagree with anyone who says otherwise. Thank you very much for asking intelligent questions instead of just asking for information on taylor’s admittedly amazing, but completely over-advertised abs.
Shona, Ireland
Great interview. I love seeing whatever the directors have to say about the movie because I know I can get a more clear picture of the film going to look like from the person who created it in their vision rather than an actors opinpion.
Good Job!
☺
I’m here via a link from bellaandedward.com and I have to say that this interview is like a breath of fresh air. Chris is amazing and was a perfect choice to manage the material and cast. Summit has a “win” there.
Mr. Wietz does not pigeonhole Twilight fans as soley teenagers and their parents.
THANK YOU CHRIS!!!!!
Frankly, while I appreciate the hard work to get and maintain an 8-pack I am weary of hearing about it. There must be more to these young actors besides their exercise routine and bedrooming habits but the media seems to rarely notice.
Thoughtful questions and a great interview! I look forward to Part 2!
Thanks so much for the compliments about the interview. Genuinely appreciated.
By the way — and it’s a change of topic — are there any TV genre shows that you guys are interested in seeing covered? Obviously you’re here for the Chris Weitz interview, but I’m attempting to turn this site into an all-encompassing one for the genre on television. So if you’re looking for coverage of particular shows — whether past or present — please let me know. Thanks!
I understand what your trying to say. I could see where guys and others would get that idea about the boys being without their shirts all the time. And it is a legitimate question. And I’m happy you asked it ! And it’s not only Summit doing this it’s a lot of the media and they have no idea or basis except for sexy men with out shirts without knowing why they don’t have shirts on most of the time it’s being shown as sexiness and hotness and it’s sad there turning this into something it’s not. Being a huge fan of the books I just want to see it come to life for me. Yes it’s cool to get the boys and others to watch it but I hope they don’t forget who the core audience is and what they want to see.
I guess the Twilight fans aren’t good enough because Summit wants more money and well there company were it’s necessary to make profit to stay a float. I just hate that we always have to get the male audience to watch but never does a romance ever think “How can we get the male audience to watch this” ? lol ..
Thanks again RetroEd I look forward to the second part !
Doctor Who! Can never get enough of the Doctor.
Hi there! In regards to your query, I’m afraid I would not be one to quiz on current television programming. I don’t watch network tv anymore and I do not subscribe to cable.
Netflix and the Internet are where I spend my entertainment time.
I will watch seasons of a show like Dexter and Prison Break…..but I’d be interested in anything projects to which Bryan Fuller or Joss Whedon are attached.
Sorry to say my favs are dead and gone. Pushing Daises, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Wonderfalls, Buffy, Angel………Gilligan’s Island…..lol.
Anyway, I’m sure how helpful this is – but there you go!
Thanks for an great & informative interview.
Nice to hear a directors take on the differences between the movies.
I can certainly see how it may be a little hard for us Twihards to get our partners into the movies (Mine won’t read the books
) Due to the fact the alot of the marketing is on the “Shirtless” Thank you for asking the questions that may help mine past that 
WOW! Thank you RetroEd for this insightful interview! I would love to forward this to Entertainment Tonight, People and all those other so called “Entertainment-focused” media outlets that simply regurgitate the same tired questions and stories from one to the other. THEY are the engines that populate the belief that Twilight is for screaming teen girls and that it’s all about the half-naked men and Taylor’s transformation. I would say that Summit even missed the mark marketing the first movie. I knew nothing about Twilight and did not want to see it because I thought it would be your typical vapid teen horror/love story with a shallow plot and bad acting.
My 13yr. old daughter finally dragged me to see it and I was hooked! Mainly by the story and the deep connection of these two main characters. After that I read the entire series and became a huge fan. But I also introduced the series to my 20-something friends, who love it (movies & books) and have been on blog where women in there 40s, 50s and even 60s enjoy the movies (I represent the 30-something block). It frustrates me as well that the media portrays this as a “teen phenomenon”. The teens are just the loudest spokes on the wheel. But I believe for the majority of the fandom, the love for this series is about the relationships, and CW was entirely correct about that! I wasn’t on the CW bandwagon for awhile at first. I wasn’t in love with the new color palette and I was afraid that New Moon was going to become a big Hollywood production and CGI lovefest. But after reading his insightful interviews and seeing more clips I am 100% on the bandwagon. Chris really cares for the heart of this series and that was my main concern. From what I see, he’s managed to give the movie epic scale without discarding that personalized feel of an arthouse film.
RetroEd, THANK YOU for taking this movie seriously and not passing it off as a “teen sensation” (ugh- I am truly SICK of that saying!!). I’m really excited for the movie AND for the rest of your interview.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Ellie. Much appreciated.
And by the way, earlier I posted part two of the interview with Chris Weitz.
ahh i love this comments thread.
i couldn’t agree more with you guys that twilight has been largely sold to the younger female teen population as a silly girl’s movie, when really it can be for everyone if they stop putting it down like it’s only for girls.
i’m a self-defined nerd and i don’t usually like things that others see as “popular”… which is making it quite difficult for me to like something that you hear about ALL the time. i miss the days when you could just be sitting back, reading twilight and have someone ask you hey, what’s that about?
but i have high hopes for this movie that it will expand the fan base to different demographics, and perhaps then the media will take it seriously and stop treating it like another hannah montana.
at least now i dont feel so alone in my thinking
I used to watch Buffy,Charmed,Angel,Moonlight. I now watch Supernatural and Smallville. Now I am looking forward to V tonight! I looked in on True Blood but it was too porny and the Vampire diaries remind me of a poor man’s Twilight!
I hoping you keep updating.