EXCLUSIVE: Twilight Fan Blogs From the Italian Set of New Moon
June 5 2009, Published 12:24 p.m. ET
It's Ellie here! Jen and I were lucky enough to work a second day on the set of New Moon during our whirlwind trip to Italy. We got to set at 5:00 a.m. It was freezing outside, but by 6:15, they started letting us in. We suspected fewer people would turn up that day-it was common knowledge that the actors had finished their scenes and wouldn't be on set.
The crew could see how cold we were, so they brought us the warmest red cloaks they had and took us upstairs for coffee and snacks to warm us up. We could already feel the change in atmosphere. Everyone was warmer, more relaxed, and everything felt more controlled and at ease. It's crazy how the presence or lack thereof of one guy (ahem, RPattz) can completely change the tone of a set.
The scene they were filming that day was the one where Ashley and Kristen make their way up Volterra to the Piazza in the yellow Porsche. We were supposed to act as if we didn't notice the car trying to get through the crowd until it honked and was near us, because obviously we had to get out of the way. We did the take several times, from all different directions and angles. They were using the body doubles that day and Ashley's double was a man, which we found pretty hilarious! (Alice doesn't have a 'stache!) We figured they chose him because of his driving experience. He was clearly very adept at maneuvering the car through the narrow streets.
After the final take, they brought us all down to the road they'd been filming on, and there was a sea of fans with cameras rolling. The Porsche was parked in front of us, and everyone was taking pictures of us with the car. The assistant director made a speech thanking us for all our hard work and telling us we'd done a really great job. It was the last day of shooting in Italy, and it was sad for us to see the fountain being taken apart and the set being cleared away. (Apparently some fans and extras even kept pieces of the fountain.)
Back in town, Twilight fans had taken over Montepulciano. Most shops and restaurants had signs welcoming the crew and fans of the film. One restaurant even had a photo of Robert in a glass case outside! As extras, we were photographed loads. One of our friends was even asked for his autograph. He tried to explain that he was just an extra and that his autograph was worth nothing, but they still wanted it!
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Apparently, from afar, I must look like Rachelle Lefevre, because when we were out window shopping, groups of girls started following my friend and I around and watching us through the windows. Some of them even came into the shop, and when they'd get a closer look at me and realize I wasn't Rachelle, their faces would drop. We were in tears from laughing so much!
In the end, we actually preferred our second day on set, despite the fact that -- shock, horror -- there was no shirtless Rob. At first I had my worries that it was going to be changed too much from the book, but from seeing the trailer, and being on set when the reunion scene was being filmed, I am confident that it's going to be an amazing film, even if it isn't 100 percent true to the book. (Photo: WENN)
