Tag Archive: Charlie Bewley
This weekend, visitors to the Parsippany Hilton can expect to hear discussions – if not outright arguments – about “Team Edward,” “Team Jacob” or “Team Switzerland.”
No, the occasion isn’t a sporting event. The hotel is hosting theOfficial Twilight Convention, a gathering for fans of “The Twilight Saga,” a series of vampire-themed novels which in turn have become the basis for successful movie adaptations.
The convention will include appearances by several actors from the films (including Chaske Spencer and Julia Jones, who play the werewolves Sam and Leah, and Charlie Bewley, who portrays the vampire Demetri). Question-and-answer sessions and panel discussions are held throughout the weekend, along with trivia games and auctions.
Attendees in costume can take part in a competition on Saturday. That evening, a “Volturi Vampire Ball” (named after the European family of vampires) will be held.
“It’s going to be a great place for fans of the books and the movies,” says Gary Berman, co-CEO of Creation Entertainment, which sponsors the event.
The Twilight Convention has been held twice before at the Parsippany Hilton, and each time has been well-attended, he said.
“The Twilight Saga” consists of the books “Twilight,” “New Moon,” “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn,” plus the novella “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner,” all written by Stephanie Meyer. The focus is on a teenage girl named Bella Swan who falls in love with Edward Cullen, a vampire. Bella’s affections are confused by her friendship with Jacob Black, a werewolf whose pack are sworn enemies of Cullen’s family of vampires.
As a publishing phenomenon, “Twilight” and its sequels have been compared to the Harry Potter books. Though Meyer’s books are intended for the young adult audience, they are enjoyed by older readers, particularly women. They debate the respective merits of Bella’s two suitors, and typically refer to themselves as “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” (Fence-straddlers who can’t decide between the two sometimes are called by the natural name of “Team Switzerland.”)
“The fun thing about the ‘Twilight’ conventions is that you have a great audience,” says Berman. “You’ve got young girls, their moms, and even their grandmothers. But for the most part, it’s a younger crowd, and they’re really enthusiastic.”
Berman feels that the stories’ mixture of romance and the supernatural make it appealing to readers.
“At its heart, it’s a love story,” he says. “When you add the interest in vampires and werewolves, you have a pretty powerful combination. Plus, all the characters have their followings.”
Though the books alone are popular, the film adaptations have given the “Twilight” convention its major boost, according to Berman. He points out that the next movie, “Breaking Dawn Part 1,”opens this November, and that has caused intense interest among fans.
“It’s been a lot of fun. The girls who love these books are uninhibited. They’ll scream when the see the actors in person.”
Will the appeal of “The Twilight Saga” continue even after the last movie (“Breaking Dawn Part 2”) opens in November 2012? Berman thinks it possible. His company also sponsors a “Star Trek” convention, and that franchise just celebrated its 45th anniversary.
“ ‘Star Trek’ may be a one-of-a-kind property,” he says. “I don’t know if ‘Twilight’ falls into that category, but it’s got the kind of devoted fan base to sustain conventions like this.”
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Protector Of Innocents 