HollywoodLife.com gives you an inside look at the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part One convention at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Culver City, Calif. First up, the Cullen family panel with Elizabeth Reaser, Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene and Jackson Rathbone.
*(Disclaimer: this isn’t an exact transcription!)
After working together for four years, what bugs you about each other?
Ashley: Everyone is perfect.
Favorite place to film:
Ashley: Italy. It was so amazing. The food was so good.
Peter: I liked Squamish.
Elizabeth Reaser: I loved Portland.
How was it working with Mackenzie?
Peter: I thought she was so talented. I mean, it was her first gig right?She was one of the most professional people I ever worked with. She wore the contacts and didn’t complain. I was so impressed by her natural ability.
Jackson: Peter’s a lot like Carlisle. He’s the rock of the Cullen family and the rock of our family.
Elizabeth: I think Peter is most like his character.
Peter: Thank you!
Any scene in the movie that only took one take?
Peter: No.
Jackson: Our dance scene only took three takes!
Peter: The camera you have to picture is this big elaborate camera move. Then they go to Jackson doing a flip and they were supposed to go to us just smiling. But I was like, ‘I want to dance!’ They landed on me and I tried to spin her. But she didn’t expect it so it was messy.
Elizabeth: It was a really elaborate shot. It was really early in the morning and it was like our last scene.
Peter: Carlisle has moves man!
Did you keep any parts of your costume?
Ashley: I kept my original Alice necklace.
Peter: I tried to keep my ring but then they asked for it back.
What was the last scene?
Ashley: It was cold. And we were tired. It was really nice to wrap everyone together.
Elizabeth: That was our first wrap. But then we had our second unit.
Elizabeth: Peter and I were wrapping at the exact same time. We had this epic hug. We were excited and sad and excited.
Peter: It was nice. Awww…
What’s your favorite book from the Saga?
Ashley: My favorite was Twilight. It’s what got me obsessed with the series.
Elizabeth: Me too.
Jackson: Eclipse. That scene…I really liked learning about my character and where Jasper came from. I really had to study that chapter.
Peter: I liked Eclipse because of the action stuff and that was kind of fun to read.
Have you seen Breaking Dawn yet?
Elizabeth: It’s off the charts amazing.
Peter: It feels like it’s own movie. This one feels like it has a beginning, middle and an end. It’s like it’s own meal. I can’t wait for you guys to see it!
What was it like working with Bill Condon?
Jackson: It’s been so rewarding. Bill has this amazing old Hollywood aesthetic. You really feel that love between Edward and Bella. Everything else melts away except these two characters and [their love].
Any family members Twilight fans?
Elizabeth: Gotta be. If they aren’t they are lying.
Upcoming projects?
J: So no one knows I’m part of a band called 100 Monkeys? [cheers]. I have a production company and record company. I’m really getting involved in creating projects. I’m going to get behind the camera and do my first little job directing [ a short film I wrote].
A: Early next year I signed on to do a film that is a dark twist on Oliver Twist.
E: I have a movie coming out next month called Young Adult. I have another movie written and directed by Josh Radner from HIMYM.
P: I’m going to be dressing like a girl and doing birthday parties, weddings, bat mitzvahs.
J: My birthday is coming up…
P: You’re going to get me for free. No, I’m doing some work with Nurse Jackie.
Most memorable fan encounter
P: This one.
J: It always makes me really happy to see fan inspired artwork or fan fiction. To me the most beautiful aspect of being apart of this series is how much you all love it. And not just the movies, but with each other. You have an amazing community you’ve created around the entire world. That’s amazing. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be here!
Are you close off screen?
A: We’ve become like a family. In this industry it’s really hard to find.
E: These are the types of relationships [you can’t create.] It bonded us in a way that’s so unique and will probably be live long.
P: You really feel like that how family is…you might not see them for awhile but then when you do, you pick up right where you left off.
And here are some fan pictures 🙂