Entertainment Tonight: A first look at the New Moon DVD Special Features

Entertainment Tonight has posted an extended New Moon DVD Special Featurette featuring three specific scenes from the movie. Director Chris Weitz chronicles the behind-the-scenes actions which includes filming the scenes, the conditions, bloopers and many more.

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HD Room New Moon Blu-Ray give-away

The HD Room is giving away Five (5)  New Moon Blu-Ray in celebration of the release of the Twilight Saga: New Moon on DVD and Blu-Ray. All you need to do is fill out this form here. Make sure to check back everyday so that you can increase your chance of winning.

This contest is open to all residents of the United States and Canada, and will close on April 15, 2010 at 9:59 pm EST.

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Three New Behind-The-Scenes Clip from the New Moon DVD (Updated)

MTV premiered today three new Behind-The-Scenes clip from the New Moon DVD. They feature Taylor Lautner talking about making the action sequences of the film, focusing on Bella’s maturity and the focus on Taylor’s character, Jacob Black.

Updated:

Access Hollywood also posted the same videos plus news that they are going to show an exclusive clip from New Moon tomorrow!

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New Moon DVD release party in Blockbuster – Chicago

Great News Twilight fans in Chicago!

Blockbuster has informed us that certain Blockbuster stores in Chicago will held a “Midnight Release Party” in celebration for the release of the New Moon DVD/ Blu-Ray on March 20. In the midnight of March 19, fans can come in costumes or in their favorite Twilight shirt to the BLOCKBUSTER STORE at 2025 LINCOLN Highway, St. Charles and be part of the festivities for the night.

The event will start at 8 pm on March 19 and will feature Julian from the B96 Morning Show and the B96 team. There will be games and prizes until the release of the film on Midnight. So get your friends together and have a wonderful time together with your fellow fans!

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New Moon DVD available on Comcast on March 20

Good news Twilight fans!

Comcast has informed us that The Twilight Saga: New Moon will be available On Demand beginning at 12:01 AM, Saturday, March 20 – the same day as the DVD release! This will be hours before most retailers open so you have the chance to be the first to see the film on DVD! Plus, ComCast customers will be able to view never-before-seen commentary from director Chris Weitz on a number of favorite New Moon scenes such as Bella’s birthday, the cliff dive, meeting the Volturi and many more. A preview has been posted above!

So make sure to log into comcast, to find out more details about it!

Thanks to Nicole.

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New Moon DVD release parties!

The New Moon DVD is set to be released in one week’s time (March 20) and Borders is organizing New Moon DVD release parties on March 19.

Not only that, Borders is also offering their “Twilight Saga: New Moon” Collector’s DVD Gift set, which comes with a complete tw-disc DVD that includes an array of exclusive features and contest as well as an exclusive two -sided high – quality medallion (either with a wolf tattoo design or the Cullen Crest).

There would also be Twilight merchandise on-sale.

To find the nearest store for a New Moon DVD release party, click here.

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Chris Weitz: One scene he regrets making

New Moon was panned by critics despite its box-office success. There were scenes in the film that was laughed at despite the film’s beautiful cinematography. However, according to director Chris Weitz, there is one scene that he regrets filming.

“I wouldn’t have shot Bella running through the forest with Edward, because I’ve never been at a screening of the film in which people didn’t laugh at it,” Weitz told me. “My heart sinks every time I hear that.”

“The moment anything is shown anywhere in public you can see it on the Internet in about a second,” Weitz said. “Something being shown at the Rome Film Festival for 400 people is given away instantly, [such is] that extreme portability of media.”

So how will he do it again, given a chance?

“I think I would’ve shot it in a much simpler way, and have it be an extreme close-up on Kristen and her eyes. She’s got a great face, and that would’ve been very satisfying. But I’m a sap,” Weitz said.

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Collider interviews Chris Weitz on New Moon DVD

Collider has published their interview with New Moon director Chris Weitz where he talked about the extras in the DVD as well as his next project. Here is an excerpt of his article:

The first thing though is a lot of people wanted to know…you might not remember me at the junket for New Moon. I’m the one who followed you up in the elevator and sort of…I sort of talked to you about what to expect on the DVD.

Chris:  I remember we spoke, yes.

And you told me at that point that there was going to be about 10 minutes of deleted scenes and there was going to be a commentary with Kristin, Rob and Taylor.

Chris:  I know and they blew me off. (laughter) By the time it came to record the commentary, I think that they were so exhausted because they had done even more press than I had. And I recall….we did it in New York and they were either on their way there or, you know, getting ready for some fancy function that evening and it just wasn’t going to happen. And so even though I think it’s probably terribly disappointing it’s just me and editor talking about things, but actually I think we’re rather funny.

So basically you’re telling me that the reason why the actors are not on it is due to time or just…

Chris:  Just due to time. It’s funny, you know, you sort of have to plot out amongst all the bejillion other things that they’re doing including getting ready to shoot Eclipse. Whether there is two hours for them to get to the studio to watch the film and then talk through it or not. And it just didn’t work out that way.

Okay, but this now leads to the next things which is forgetting about the actors, you mentioned about 10-12 minutes of deleted scenes. I looked at the DVD last night and I’m going to be honest, I couldn’t find those deleted scenes.

Chris:  No?

Were they on the DVD?

Chris:  Yeah. Well you’ve got a scene with Victoria in the car. Let me see…I’m trying to think…

Are they put back in the movie?

Chris:  Oh are they put back in the movie? You know to be honest with you, you have to tell me because I haven’t seen the final DVD menu. It might be separate or they might have been put back in the movie. I can’t answer that because I’m unaware of the final format.

To read the rest of the article,click on the link above.

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Interviews: Chris Weitz on New Moon DVD and Breaking Dawn (updated)

He was the man in-charge for the second Twilight film and now with only a few days before the film will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray, New Moon director Chris Weitz chats up about the process of filming one of th the most anticipated movies of last year, sorting through the materials that are going to be included and not, and working with his young cast. Here are the excerpts of his interviews:

Movie Web:

What has the transition been like from New Moon to Eclipse? Is David Slade bringing his own style to the project? Or did you guys discuss how to get the look and feel of what both you and Catherine Hardwicke have created into what he wanted to do? Was there a lot of back and forth between you three directors for continuity?

Chris Weitz: I think the continuity is supplied by the actor and the series of books. I can guarantee that David is bringing a new look and feel to it. Just as New Moon looked different from Twilight, I’m sure EclipseNew Moon. That is good. I don’t want to make anybody follow any type of particular aesthetic. The reason he was brought on was to make every movie different. I think Eclipse is much more action-intensive. For instance, I am pretty terrible at shooting action. He is much better in that regard.

Were you disappointed that you wouldn’t be continuing on in this world? Or was once enough?

Chris Weitz: That was always planned. David needed to go into prep while I was cutting my movie. Because these films are staggered in terms of their release. There was no disappointment. I miss the cast. I do. I liked them very much. By the time I was done with New Moon, I was completely exhausted. I don’t think I could have done it anyway. If that was ever the plan.

I paid attention to the promotional tour for this film, and it looked exhausting. What did that entail for you exactly?

Chris Weitz: It was very strange. It involved a lot of traveling. For a couple of weeks every day, you would show up in a new country, go do a press conference, and then be displayed to what could only be considered a stadium full of Twilight fans. Who were screaming so loud, your ears would short out like a speaker that has its volume turned too loud. It was unlike anything I have ever encountered in my whole life. There is something really wonderful about that. There’s also something wonderful about knowing that isn’t going to happen every time I step out in public. As for the kids, it’s a bit different. They have to deal with the ramifications of this franchise for the foreseeable future.

Did you almost feel like an interchangeable cog? Or do you feel like you were able to bring something out of the franchise that another director may not have found in the material?

Chris Weitz: Let me see. I don’t know if that is for me to say. You would have to ask the actors. What I really care about is working with the actors. Giving them free reign to do what comes naturally to them. I would say that our relationship is very, very close. That is what makes it work. That’s what the fans care about. Okay? I’ve done lots of CGI before. That stuff is very familiar to me. And I was able to work with the people who’d get it right. But what mattered most was working closely with the actors. will look different from

MTV

Going for the Gold In “Twilight,” RPattz and the rest of his vegetarian vampire cohorts have gold-colored eyes as a result of abstaining from consuming human blood. For “New Moon,” the vamps’ eyes were clearly more golden. Why’d Weitz have his actors switch to brighter contact lenses?

“It’s a more noticeable gold,” Weitz said. “I thought that in the first film they hadn’t popped quite enough and I wanted to have that sense of otherworldliness carry through more.”

The Silent Vampire Actress Rachelle Lefevre was notoriously replaced in her role as the vampire Victoria following “New Moon,” with Bryce Dallas Howard taking over the part for “Eclipse.” In “New Moon,” Lefevre is seen but does not speak. Is there a connection between her lack of lines and what happened with the casting decision?

“It wasn’t so much that,” Weitz said. “There was a dialogue scene with her, and eventually that will show up whenever they release deleted scenes. It was one of those scenes that, when you look back at it, it’s kind of a surplus to the whole storytelling requirement of the movie. So there was no ill intent there. I wrote Rachelle and explained why that scene didn’t end up in the film, and in terms of filmmaking I can’t regret it, although I do regret it very much if it hurt Rachelle’s feelings.”

“Of course I’m interested,” he said, but went on to add that he thinks another director could sink his teeth into a future project and guide the franchise to even greater heights.

“But I think I’m on record saying I have a 2-and-a-half-year-old son,” noting the grueling nature of making these films. “Because it’d be such a long shoot for ‘Breaking Dawn’, it kind of brings me to the edge of my physical and mental endurance,” he explained. “And I just don’t believe I have it in me, and I think that it’s appropriate that someone else go ahead and do it.”

IESB:

IESB: In doing the commentary for the New Moon DVD, was there anything that you realized you regretted having to cut, or did the final cut of the film meet all of your expectations?

Chris: I was very satisfied with the final cut of the film, personally. It was what I had set out to do.

IESB: Were there any specific parts of the film that you were most looking forward to talking about for the commentary?

Chris: I was very happy to talk about some of the more complicated shots that we did, like the roundy-round shot. That was a bit in which we took what was a series of chapter headings in the book and turned it into a motion-control shot in which the seasons passed as Kristen Stewart’s character, Bella, remained in the same place. What I like to do with CG is to use it as expressively as possible, and not to make things blow up good, but to sometimes render something ineffable that would be very difficult to do in camera. That involved a lot of work, in which a motion-control camera captured the movement of our steady-cam operator. So, it was a pleasure to talk about that, and about what goes into something like that.

IESB: Having had to deal with stunts, green screen, CGI, weather, bugs and everything you had going on, what was the biggest challenge in bringing this film to the screen, so as to please as many of the fans as possible?

Chris: I think the greatest challenge was the logistical load of it. When you’re talking about taking a film from beginning to end in one year, it’s difficult to do that with a normal film where people are just sitting on their butts, talking to one another. But, when you add in underwater work, heavy CGI work and wire work, it becomes extraordinarily complicated. And then, you add in getting the London Symphony Orchestra to record a soundtrack, and getting 10 or so indie bands to compose songs especially for the film, there are a lot of timelines that are ticking along, at the same time, and you hope that you are able to combine it all at the right point. And, you always end up, just at the last minute, on the last day, your final CGI shot comes in. There are about 400 and something CGI shots, which actually isn’t that many compared to what I’ve done before, but it’s quite a lot. It can complicate things when you’re in the editing room.

IESB: Did you have any preconceived notions, coming into this film, about what it would be like to work with Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, prior to filming with them? And, was there anything you learned about working with them that really surprised you?

Chris: I think what surprised me most was how level-headed they were, given the kind of pressures that they were under from the attention of the fans and the number of things that could have taken their head out of the game, and how much they really cared about getting their characters right. In the second film, in a franchise in which you know that people are going to go see it anyway, it’s very impressive to see young actors who really care about getting things just right. It’s the first time I’ve actually been twice the age of the actors, except on About a Boy, but that was really working with a child actor. These guys are actually rather grown up. I was surprised at how old I actually felt, in comparison to them. At the same time, I was really impressed by their professionalism.

To read the interview in its entirety, click on the link above.

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Update: Here is also an exclusive interview with Chris Weitz from E!’s Marc Malkin.

What do you think of Breaking Dawn being broken into two parts?
The book is very dense, so it’s appropriate that it’s broken into two parts. And I think that even though Twilight fans kind of want to have as much as they can at any one given time, I think they would be sad if it ended too abruptly.

What do you think of the idea of the violence and sex from the book being played out on screen?
A lot of it takes place offstage, offscreen, so I’m not sure if the sexuality presents a tremendous problem. The violence and the gore…I don’t think those are a particular problem either, because the MPA that sets the rating for it doesn’t have a huge problem with the violence for some odd reason.

Who do you think should direct the films?
I love Martin Scorsese, I love Wes Anderson, I love Michael Winterbottom. I’m not sure any of them would feel like this is their next best step, to direct a film in the Twilight series.

Is the obsession over Rob and Kristen’s possible romance ever going to end?
They’re both so appealing and attractive, and it’s very fun to think about them being together. But myself, I’ve always tried to maintain plausible deniability by knowing as little as humanly possibly as I could about what is happening, and I will continue to do so.

Do you have any advice for them?
The pressure they’re under and the amount of scrutiny they’re under is nothing that I’ve ever had to face. If I ever have that many people that interested in what I’m doing, I’ll call Rob and Kristen and ask them what I should do.

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Chris Weitz talk about New Moon DVD

Director Chris Weitz took some time out while working on the New Moon DVD to talk about the deleted scenes, the final cut of the film and many more.

The Bella and Edward running scene in the forest:

“I think it could have been less than an Arcadian fairy tale running through the foresty movement and more of an abstract at Kristen flash on her face,” Weitz says of what he would have changed. “That would have avoided laughter, which wasn’t only heard at the premiere where there are cynics and jaded Hollywood types, but the most packed fan screenings.”

On giving Back to the Twilight Fans:

“I feel like it was two-way street. The reason the fans have been kind to me is i really approached it from step one as ‘What would I want as a reader of the book?’ I didn’t concern myself with making a four quadrant movie or any overall effect other than to be true to the nature of the book. To be able to entertain people and give people joy in that way is something a director looks for his whole life.”

On the Deleted scenes and makes into the DVD:

“I think those were kind of made at the corporate level,” Weitz says. “I am very satisfied with the cut we did. Goofy running in the forest notwithstanding.”

On Going Back to Breaking Dawn:

“I think that for some rather dull reasons it probably won’t happen, but that’ because of my family and what I owe them having done tow big epic-y films and I get to make ‘The Gardener’ in LA,” Weitz says. “But  [to do that after 'New Moon'] I think my mind would explode.”

On Robert Pattinson:

“I think that he is probably happy to to be talking about a non-vampire role, because he’s so much more than that,” Weitz reveals during our chat about the cool extras in the upcoming “New Moon” DVD, coming out on Mar. 20. (Much more on that later!)

“While he’s perfect for the “Twilight” role, Rob is so much more than Edward Cullen. I think he is someone who can work in all kind of film genres,” Weitz said, adding, “So I bet there’s a huge degree of relief.”

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