Rob to attend the LA Breaking Dawn Convention – did we hear that right?

Yesterday, Cullyn and I were having a fantastic day at the Baltimore Twilight Convention when it was time to gather for the much-anticipated auction session. During the auction, Creation Entertainment offers Twilight Saga items ranging from action figures to the coveted convention banners for fans to bid on and take home. At the last LA TwiCon in March we scored a great deal on a Volturi banner ($70!) , so we were primed for bidding battle!

After about 15 minutes, the host/auctioneer decided it was time for a Robert Pattinson banner to go up for auction. For the prior banners, he threw in an autograph ticket so the celebrity guests at the Baltimore event could sign them…making the items even more valuable! When talking about the RPatz banner, the auctioneer casually said, “Unfortunately, Rob is not here to sign it, but he will be at our Century City event.” The Breaking Dawn Convention on 11/4 – 11/6 is being held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in the Century City area of Los Angeles!

Surprisingly, there wasn’t a huge reaction from the crowd, which made Cullyn and I look at each other and ask, “Did we just hear that?” Then someone from the back of the room yelled, “Would he sign it there?” At that point, we knew we heard him right. (BTW – the auctioneer did not respond to that person’s question, and no autograph ticket was provided.)

Earlier in the day, the host/auctioneer asked if anyone was attending the LA event, and we were only part of a handful of people to raise ours hands (and cheer). Plus, there weren’t a ton of people in the auction session. So, we attributed the lack of reaction to the Rob news to those two things.

Also, there was no mention of Kristen Stewart or Taylor Lautner attending the Breaking Dawn Convention, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t gong to be there…just that the auctioneer didn’t say anything about them.

So, we are super psyched! Of course, this comes with the caveat that Summit has not confirmed this news!

@TwilightBond

The Road to Forks (Highway 101)

If you’ve never been to Forks, here’s 30 seconds of Highway 101 – one of the only ways into the town.

Cullyn is narrating. She really IS excited, but we’d been traveling for 10 hours at this point…

@TwilightBond

Update on Stephenie Meyer Day in Forks, September 9 – 11, 2011

The following press release provides exciting details about the upcoming Stephenie Meyer Day in Forks, WA.

THE HILLYWOOD SHOW® JOINS STEPHENIE MEYER DAY LINEUP
Creators of the TWILIGHT parody to connect with fans for a weekend of celebrations

FORKS, WA – Hannah and Hilly Hindi, creators of The Hillywood Show®, are joining with TWILIGHT fans and the citizens of Forks to celebrate Stephenie Meyer Day. Although the Hindi sisters have visited Forks three times, this will be their first appearance at the annual celebration of Stephenie Meyer and her literary world. Now in its fifth year, Stephenie Meyer Day 2011 encompasses an entire weekend of TWILIGHT-themed events from September 9-11.

“Stephenie Meyer Day has grown as an event every year, and with the addition of The Hillywood Show®, this year will be the best yet,” said Staci Chastain, organizer of Stephenie Meyer Day 2011. “The weekend isn’t just a celebration of Stephenie Meyer – it’s a celebration of all TWILIGHT fans.”

The Hillywood Show® will talk with TWILIGHT fans about parody, scriptwriting and filming during a literary symposium. They will also join designer John Henson, owner of The Twilight Costume Collection, for photo opportunities and discussions about costuming. In addition to their other work, the Hindi sisters will screen their immensely popular TWILIGHT, NEW MOON and ECLIPSE parodies.

“We are honored to be included in Stephenie Meyer Day. Without Stephenie Meyer and Twilight, The Hillywood Show® wouldn’t be where it is today,” said Hilly Hindi, co-creator of The Hillywood Show®. “Forks is truly a magical place, and The Hillywood Show® will never pass on an opportunity to visit it over and over again!”

Other guests for the weekend include York Baur, director of TWILIGHT IN FORKS; Dr. Natalie Wilson, author of SEDUCED BY TWILIGHT; Veronica Blake, author of historical romance novels; and Natalia Cherjovsky, PhD, who wrote her doctoral dissertation from Oxford on TWILIGHT.

Additional events include scene recreation photo opportunities with the official Stephenie Meyer Day cast of TWILIGHT lookalikes; a bridal shower for Bella Swan; a St. Marcus Day Festival party; and a TWILIGHT scavenger hunt. Vendors of TWILIGHT-themed goods will be selling creative and one-of-a-kind merchandise, and those who wish to sell their goods during the weekend are encouraged to contact the Stephenie Meyer Day organizational committee. For more information surrounding events schedules, vending opportunities and updates, please visit www.stepheniemeyerday.com.

@TwilightBond

Mark Boardman tweets Breaking Dawn – Part 1 premiere is 11/14/11 in Los Angeles

On August 19 Mark Boardman Tweeted that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 premiere is scheduled for Monday, November 14 in Los Angeles. The location is still under wraps. There is no confirmation by Summit Entertainment about the LA date yet, so put this information in the rumor column for now.

Stay tuned for more updates! Read Mark’s official statement here.

@TwilightBond

Important announcement from Creation Entertainment about The Twilight Saga!

At the March 2011 Twilight Convention in Los Angeles, we were “teased” that the Burbank 2012 event MAY be rescheduled to the first week of November so that it could be a Breaking Dawn Convention in LA as part of the movie’s press junket. Those attending the March 2011 convention were able to re-up and buy tickets for Burbank (we did!) with the understanding that the dates/location could change to November in Los Angeles…

So, after almost six months of waiting, Creation Entertainment posted this on its website:

4-Nov-11 – HOLD THIS DATE FOR AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT RE: THE TWILIGHT SAGA!

Stay tuned for updates!

@TwilightBond

Twilight’s Kellan Lutz launches Abbot + Main at Nordstrom

These days, there’s nothing like a vampire to draw a crowd to a shopping event.

“Twilight” fans flocked to Nordstrom at the Grove on Thursday to see the inaugural 25-piece men’s ready-to-wear collection from new line Abbot + Main — and for a chance to see co-founder Kellan Lutz,  a.k.a. Emmett Cullen, brother of “Twilight’s” Edward (played by Robert Pattinson).

Kellan Lutz at Nordstrom.

Lutz is partnering in the endeavor with  Danny Guez, founder of premium denim line Dylan George.  Abbot + Main consists largely of T-shirts and hoodies and is based on re-creating the relaxed beachy feel of Venice. “I used to live on the corner of Abbot Kinney and Main,” Lutz said. “And I just love the feeling in Venice. That’s what I was trying to capture with Abbot + Main.”

In case you were wondering, Lutz is not just the face promoting Abbot + Main. “I am a part of every decision,” he said.  “Nothing gets decided on unless it comes through me.  I put in a lot of input now like I did in the beginning.  We raided my closet to find out what type of shirts I usually wear and what kind of fabrics I like. Because I didn’t just want to be the face of the campaign, but have it be my brand.”

When it comes to the Abbot + Main line, the devil is in the details. “We have delicate red stitching on the seams and some of  the graphic art we used comes from real photographs I took in Venice,” Lutz explained.  As for the feel, the T-shirts are soft as butter. “The material we use is amazing,” Lutz said. “That’s how I used to shop. I didn’t care who the designer was, I would just walk by racks” – he motioned as if his hand were running over racks of clothing — “and think, ‘ooh that’s soft,’ and then turn and look at it.”

“The input he has had has been phenomenal,” said Guez, who formerly worked with William Rast and People’s Liberation.  “And as for our design team, besides the fact that they love looking at him, they love working with him and getting his input.”

The design team members are not the only ones keen on looking at Lutz.  Fans had lined up for hours to meet with the star.  One trio said they had been there since 8 a.m., two hours before Nordstrom even opened.

“It’s just really endearing to have ‘Twilight’ fans come support something outside of ‘Twilight’ that I am involved in so I have to thank them for that,” Lutz said.

Though the fall line is for men only, Guez and Lutz said that the spring 2012 collection for Abbot + Main will feature its first women’s line.

Priced between $44 and $178, Abbot + Main is available at Nordstrom stores or online at nordstrom.com.

Read more at LA Times.

@TwilightBond

My Name is Not Edward: Meet Robert Pattinson Lookalike Ian Barnes

Meet Ian Barnes – a welder, musician…and Edward Cullen lookalike. Ian is such a dead-ringer for Robert Pattinson that even the actor’s father did a double-take at a Twilight movie premiere that his son and his double attended!

What do you think?

Photo from TrueBloodTwilight.

So, how did Ian sink his teeth into this unusual opportunity? After the Twilight movie came out, a good friend (who was born and raised in Forks, oddly enough) told Ian that he resembled one of the actors, which he initially dismissed. However, once New Moon hit theaters, Ian knew he had to capitalize on his uncanny resemblance to RPatz. So, what did he do? Ian published the term “twi-dentified” in UrbanDictionary.com and headed to Forks, of course!

Ian recalls thinking, “I’ve got to go to Forks. That’s where it’s at!” And he was right.

Anointing himself “the world’s most Twi-dentified man,” Ian definitely turns heads while strolling down the town’s Main Street, prompting photo-ops with visiting TwiHards. He’s also partnered with Team Forks Twilight Tours to surprise passengers because, as Ian puts it, “That’s actually the best part, making someone’s day.”

Last summer the Robert Pattinson doppelganger opened a photo op business in Forks. Not surprisingly, women happily paid Ian ten dollars to vamp it up in a picture with them.

Despite his “twi-dentified” success, once the sun sets on The Twilight Saga, Ian ultimately wants to pursue other interests as himself; specifically, published author. “It doesn’t interest me to be a lookalike in an agency or some impersonator or tribute artist.”

Find out more about Ian at www.sirbuzzsaw.com and My Name is Not Edward.

A Twilight Fan’s Survival Guide to Camping Out at Comic-Con

We survived the night!

The week of July 17, 2011 Twilight Bond (Cullyn and I) headed off to San Diego for a two-week vacation and our first experience at Comic-Con (7/21 – 7/24). Our plan was to camp out at the San Diego Convention Center for Thursday’s Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Panel; however, we weren’t sure exactly when to arrive. After following the updates of several Twilight Twitterers (thanks @TwiFans, @TwilightLexicon and @TwilightMoms!), we landed on the grass outside Hall H at 9:00am on Wednesday, July 20.

Here are our tips to a successful overnight experience:

1. Book a hotel near the Convention Center EARLY - preferably the Hilton San Diego Bayfront (it’s the closest to the grassy campout area – this will become more important later on – See #5), but the Marriott Marquis and Hyatt work, too.  
   

   The Hilton San Diego Bayfront

2. Pack the right gear – this year, Security made people remove their tents and blow-up beds (“This is a line not a campsite.”), so we brought a tarp for the grass, sleeping bags and bug spray (OFF for the bugs and Raid for the ants in the grass). Others had chairs and blankets. We also brought Wisp toothbrush/paste in one, refreshing face towelettes, deodorant, etc. Dress in layers in case it gets cool (I had to buy a fleece jacket and yoga pants since I didn’t plan well enough). Remember pens, cards to pass the time, magazines, books, etc. Also, a power strip comes in handy for charging several electronic gadgets at once…when you can find an outlet.
3. Get to know Security- first and fast. They have to stand there all day and night, so engaging them in conversation helps both of you pass the time. Plus they’ll give you a head’s up about what’s going on.
   

   Cullyn at our campsite.

4. Make friends with those in front and back of you - the fans in line pretty much regulate themselves, and are fierce about keeping line-jumpers at bay. They’ll watch your spot and vice-versa when you have to leave line (and you will). IMPORTANT: if you have someone holding your place in line until you can arrive etc. have him/her advise those around them that you’re coming later. It’s courtesy to let others know what’s up.
5. Scope out the bathrooms- there’s a bathroom under the garage at the Hilton, as well as one in the Convention Center’s Hall G (if it’s unlocked). Hence, the convenience of having a hotel room close to your place in line for bathroom breaks (and showers). See #1.
   

   San Diego Convention Center - TwiHards are camping under the white tents.

6. Park close - if you aren’t booking a hotel, be sure to go to the Comic-Con website when the reserved parking lots are announced and book a spot close to the Convention Center. Unfortunately, most of the lots aren’t 24-hour. See #1 and #7.
7. Have a disinterested runner - if you can get someone who isn’t interested in the event go get food, pick up your gear, keep your place in line, drive you to pick up your badges and wait, etc. I highly recommend it. This year my son served as our runner so I set him up in a nice hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter and let him order room service. Whatever it took.
8. Get ready to move fast on the morning of the event- be prepared to wake up at the crack of dawn to the sounds of Security yelling that they’ll “be condensing the line at 6:00am.” This is where having a hotel room or car close by comes in handy – you’ll need to pack up your gear  and stow it. Then you’ll all shift closer to each other and stand in a semblance of a line…for hours. This is the time where you may be able to sneak in a shower. See #1.
   

   Compressing the line at dawn.

9. Pack your own food- eating out is expensive around the Convention Center. Living on PB&J, soda, Skittles and chips for a day or two won’t cause any lasting damage. Summit did give us Breaking Dawn-branded muffins and bottled water. There were also a few Convention Center guys walking around offering apples and bagels.
   

   The popular Breaking Dawn blueberry muffin.

10. Who are you? – Don’t forget your business cards to exchange or a notebook to record the names and contact info of your new Twilight friends.

Just know that even if you’re not camping out for Twilight-related fun, Comic-Con involves a lot of hurry up and wait time. Be patient and most of all, have fun! You never know, stars from The Twilight Saga could surprise you at dawn!

Taylor Lauter Describes His Cullen Alliance in Breaking Dawn

During the Comic Con 2011 Breaking Dawn Panel on July 21, 2011, Taylor Lautner talks about how he has to align himself with the vampires.

In Line at Comic Con!

We are officially in line for the San Diego Comic Con’s Breaking Dawn Panel! Stay tuned for updates!