THE ART OF SEQUELS

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (Part 1)

The story
Forever is only the beginning…
The highly anticipated fourth installment of The Twilight Saga, directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN - PART 1 illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.
In The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by their ornate nuptials, a romantic honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of their child… which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).
With more of the romance, passion, intrigue, courage, and action that made Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse international blockbusters, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 begins the conclusion of the universally adored tale of love, boundless friendship, sacrifice, acceptance, and finding your true self. 
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 is in theatres and IMAX on Friday, November 16, 2012.

The final chapter in the phenomenon begins
The Twilight Saga film series stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner and tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away.  But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together…even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires.  To complicate matters, Bella's best friend Jacob Black is a werewolf, designed solely to kill vampires.
The action-packed, modern day vampire love story Twilight, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception. The second installment, The Twilight Saga: New Moon was released November 20, 2009, and the third film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, followed quickly on June 30, 2010.  The three movies have grossed over $1.8 billion in worldwide ticket sales.

Novelist Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer is a worldwide publishing phenomenon.  The translation rights for her five Twilight titles have been sold in nearly 50 countries and 116 million copies have been sold worldwide.  Her books have spent over 302 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List.
She was a stay-at-home mother of three young sons in 2003 when she had a vivid dream about two characters she could not get out of her head. Putting everything she could on the back burner, Meyer invented the plot during the day and wrote it on her computer late at night when the house was quiet.  Three months later she finished her first novel, Twilight.   
Picked out of a slush pile at Writers House, the manuscript quickly made the rounds among publishers.  Megan Tingley at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers made a major six-figure preemptive bid for three books. Within weeks of its release in 2005, the book debuted at No. 5 on The New York Times bestseller list.  The rights to Twilight have been sold in 45 countries around the world.  
The highly anticipated sequel, New Moon, was released in September 2006 and spent 31 weeks at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list. The book was so highly anticipated by Meyer's eager fans that Advance Readers Copies were being sold on eBay for as high as $380. 
The third book in Meyer's Twilight Saga, Eclipse was released on August 7, 2007 and sold 150,000 copies its first day on sale. The book debuted at No. 1 on bestseller lists across the country, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.  It was also a No. 1 bestseller in Bulgaria, Germany, Spain and Argentina.
The fourth and final book in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn, was published on August 2, 2008, with a first printing of 3.2 million copies--the largest first printing in the publisher's history.   Breaking Dawn sold 1.3 million copies its first day on sale in the US, rocketing the title to No. 1 on bestseller lists nationwide.
2008 was a landmark year for Meyer. On May 6, Little, Brown and Company released The Host, Meyer's first novel for adults, which debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.  Additionally, USA Today declared Meyer "Author of the Year," citing that she had done something that no one else had in the 15 years of the USA Today bestselling book list when she swept the top four slots in 2008.  Meyer also accomplished this unprecedented feat in 2009, when The Twilight Saga once again dominated the top of the bestseller list.
Meyer's The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella was released in the spring of 2010, and expanded on the back story of the Bree and Riley characters, much of which was included in the film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.
Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature.  She lives in Arizona with her husband and sons.

Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg
She is one of Hollywood's most versatile, sought-after writers, and one of the most successful female screenwriters of all time.  Inspired by both character-driven and genre projects, Rosenberg transitions seamlessly between television and the silver screen.
She is currently working on an adaptation of Marvel Comics' dark graphic novel series Alias for an ABC television series entitled AKA Jones.  The series follows a deeply flawed female ex-superhero.  She is also writing Earthseed for Paramount, from the novel by Pamela Sargent. Rosenberg will executive produce both projects through her Tall Girls Productions.
Rosenberg has written the screenplays for the vampire romance phenomenon Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, as well as most recently the upcoming The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2. 
She also recently completed the fourth season as both head writer and executive producer of the Showtime original series "Dexter."  Her work on the show helped earn it the prestigious Peabody Award, three Emmy nominations, three Writers Guild of America Award nominations, and two Golden Globe nominations, all for Best Drama Series.  Rosenberg scripted several of the most memorable episodes, including "Born Free," "Finding Freebo," "Dex Takes a Holiday," and "The Getaway."
Rosenberg launched her screenwriting career with the box-office smash Step Up, which grossed over $114m worldwide.  A trained dancer, Rosenberg was perfect to the write the film, an urban romance between a naturally gifted troublemaker and an upper-class ballerina.
Inspired by both character-driven and genre projects, Rosenberg's television credits include "Ally McBeal," "The O.C.," "Party of Five," "Boston Public," "The Agency," "Birds of Prey," and "The Outer Limits."
With a goal toward becoming a choreographer, Rosenberg earned her B.A. in dance and theatre from Bennington College in Vermont.  When Rosenberg moved to Los Angeles, she pursued a different avenue: writing.  Rosenberg went on to earn an MFA at the University of Southern California, through the Peter Stark Producing Program at the School of Cinematic Arts. 

Director Bill Condon
Celebrated film director and Oscar winning screenwriter known for directing actors to critically-acclaimed and award winning performances.  His adaptation of the Broadway smash Dreamgirls won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes, including Best Picture - Musical or Comedy.  Condon directed from his own screenplay.
Condon also wrote and directed Kinsey, for which he won the 2005 Best Director Award from the British Directors Guild.  He also wrote and directed Gods and Monsters, which earned Condon an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.  The film also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature and was named Best Picture of 1998 by the National Board of Review. Condon wrote the screenplay for the big-screen version of the musical Chicago, for which he received a second Oscar nomination.
Born in New York City, Condon attended Columbia University, where he graduated with a degree in Philosophy.  An analytical piece he wrote for Millimeter magazine brought him to the attention of producer Michael Laughlin.  Condon subsequently co-wrote the feature film Strange Behavior with Laughlin, who also directed the film.  The movie became a cult hit, leading to the unofficial sequel, Strange Invaders.  Condon made his directorial debut with Sister, Sister, which starred Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judith Ivey and Eric Stoltz.
Condon serves as President of Film Independent, as well as the Independent Writers Steering Committee of the WGA.
He is currently in post-production on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, which Condon shot concurrently with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1.

Shooting the film >Principal photography on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 began on November 7, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and shooting continued on the film, concurrently with production of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, for six months in three countries. Read more
One Story, Two Movies > The added challenge of making two epic motion pictures, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 and the even more ambitious The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, at the same time and in two major production centers, forced filmmakers to often concurrently prep sets many thousands of miles apart.  Read more

All for The Fans >"When we wrap production on Breaking Dawn, we will have completed - from start to finish - five movies in three years and three months," reveals Godfrey.  "From the first day of shooting on Twilight, to the last day of shooting on Breaking Dawn, it's only been basically three years!  That's a pretty amazing achievement.  I don't know that any other franchise has been able to pack them in together as closely." Read more

An ever-expanding cast of characters > The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 brings back the major cast from all the previous films and introduces five new vampire characters making up the Denali Coven.

Bella, Edward, and Jacob: The Triangle Changes Shape > Reprising their iconic starring roles of Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, and Jacob Black are Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. Read more

The Cullens: A Vampire Coven in Crisis > Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme, Nikki Reed as Rosalie, Kellan Lutz as Emmett, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, and Ashley Greene as Alice, all return playing the Cullen Coven, Edward's vampire family.  Read more

The Wolves: The Pack Splits > Reprising their wolf pack characters from The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse are Native American/First Nation actors: Chaske Spencer as pack alpha Sam Uley, Alex Meraz as Paul Lahote, Kiowa Gordon as Embry Call, Bronson Pelletier as Jared Cameron, and Tyson Houseman as Quil Ateara.  Tinsel Korey also appears once again as Sam's fiancée Emily. Read more

The Humans > Billy Burke reprises his iconic role as Bella's father and Forks Chief of Police Charlie Swan.  Sarah Clarke, from Twilight and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, returns as Renée Dwyer to share the joy of her daughter Bella's wedding; Ty Olsson (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) plays her husband Phil Dwyer. Read more

The Denali Vampire Coven: The Vegetarian Cousins > At the beginning of the movie, the Cullen's vampire cousins from Alaska are introduced into the saga as guests at the wedding, where Bella meets them for the first time.  MyAnna Buring, Casey LaBow and Maggie Grace portray the three blonde sisters of Russian descent Tanya, Kate, and Irina; while Christian Camargo and Mia Maestro play the siblings of Spanish origin, Eleazar and Carmen.Read more

The films continue to set subsequent home entertainment records as well: The Twilight Saga: New Moon sold over 4 million DVD units in its first weekend of release in March of 2010 - a tally surpassing Twilight, which sold 3.8 million DVD units in its first weekend in 2009, and went on to be the top selling DVD title of the year with 9.2 million units sold.  With each release, thousands of retail locations nationwide take part in midnight release events for insatiable Twilight fans, who are eager for more of the continuing story.  With the home entertainment release of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the franchise has now sold more than 25 million DVD/Blu-ray units in the U.S. alone.
As in the book, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 sees the three main characters continue on their journey into adulthood, beginning during the busy final days of preparations for the wedding of Bella and Edward.  "At the end of Eclipse, we leave them in the meadow talking about the impending wedding.  We begin Breaking Dawn with everyone that we've come to know receiving invitations.  Bella and Edward are in different stages of night-before-the-wedding jitters, and then we embark right into the wedding of the century," explains producer Wyck Godfrey, who has worked on all the films in the series.  "Then we go off to Brazil, where they spend their honeymoon on Isle Esme, which everybody is looking forward to.  Of course, then problems occur, as they do in marriage…  an unexpected pregnancy.  By the end of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, Bella will no longer be single, will no longer be childless, and will no longer be human."
With this installment, the saga explores more adult themes like marriage and family, and what you would do to protect those you love unconditionally.  "I've always liked stories where the characters get to grow up.  I didn't like them when they were frozen in one period, where you have this person who's always the same age and doing the same things," explains series author Stephenie Meyer.  "I loved Anne of Green Gables - that she grew up, got married, and had six kids.  Then her kids grew up and got married… it feels like life.  There's progression.  So I always intended to take the Twilight story through the generations.  When I first got started, I loved what I was doing so much, it was such a beautiful creative release that I saw myself just going on through the generations and writing about them forever.  I didn't ever want to quit."
Meyer adds, "Eclipse also ends with Jacob's heartbreak and running off into the woods.  Bella commits herself to Edward… he was always the answer for her.  During all of the fun getting ready for the wedding in Breaking Dawn, Jacob doesn't know exactly where he is.  He runs north to Canada and just lives like a wolf for a couple of months.  Jacob's not gone for very long, because Bella and Edward are officially engaged in June, they get married August 13^th and Jacob reappears at the wedding."
Author Stephenie Meyer also takes on the role of producer for the final two installments of the film series, which were shot concurrently, and was on set on a daily basis throughout production. "It's really been a constant natural progression in terms of Stephenie's involvement, and our relationship has grown throughout the years.  It's gone from spot visits on Twilight, to steady visits on New Moon and Eclipse, and now she's here full-time.  I spend more time with Stephenie than I spend with my wife," laughs Godfrey.  "Our friendship is one that I cherish.  The best thing about making movies is that it's summer camp for adults.  You make these fast, strong friendships with people that will be there for the rest of your life."
"Actually the producing I've done on these two films, hasn't been very different from what I've done on the past movies," adds Meyer.  "Really the producer title hasn't changed my role much.  All along, I've been very much a part of the decision making process, while also having to compromise.  But, it is different having to worry so much about the weather and are we going to be able to shoot tomorrow.  That's a new experience."
Godfrey agrees, "It's not been dissimilar to the role she played on the other films.  Whenever we have questions about mythology, whether she was physically there or not, we were calling and emailing her.  She's also looking at all the footage.   Now she's just here in the moment when ideas come up.  Stephenie's a good element for the actors who sometimes have questions about their characters.  Also, her knowledge of filmmaking has really expanded over these few years.  The last three movies have really been her film school."
Meyer again served as a resource for screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, a veteran of the entire film series. 

"Melissa has done an amazing job synthesizing these books into movies.  From the very first book, she's carried us all the way through, and had the discipline while we're making one movie to really be buckling down on the next one, and forcing us to pay attention," explains Godfrey.  "I think that comes out of her experience in television keeping a show on track.  Melissa really understands Stephenie's world and has a great relationship with Stephenie.  She knows how to articulate what she's trying to do, and gets from Stephenie what is okay to lose and what to add. It's a strong unified partnership."
Since the novel Breaking Dawn, with sections told from both Bella and Jacob's point-of-view, weighs in at a lengthy 754 pages, discussion began early in the process about splitting the dense story into two films.  "When I read the book, that moment when Bella's eyes pop open and they're red, that just struck me," states Rosenberg.  "It was not so much an 'ah ha moment' as it was 'well that's obvious' moment.  I just felt it was a natural breaking point at the transition from Bella's life as a human, to her life as a vampire and a parent.  It's just two different worlds for her."
"Initially, I sat down and broke both stories into an outline.  We had to know that it would work in an outline form, before we even moved forward.  The book was very big, but not quite two movies.  There needed to be some expansion.  So, it was really incumbent upon me to make sure that there were two movies in there.  The pressure was quite something," laughs Rosenberg.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 focuses on Bella creating her own family, and Part 2 is about protecting it.  Rosenberg adds, "Part 1 is about leaving home.   It's about growing up and really becoming an adult, becoming a wife, becoming a mother and becoming powerful… really owning your own power.   It is coming of age really, being on your own for the first time.  It's a very adult story, happening to an 18 year old.  Part 1 ends with the moment Bella wakes up as a vampire, and Part 2 begins at exactly that same moment."
"Initially, things seem ideal.  It is the perfect romance finally coming together.  But, as with all marriages, there are complications.  There is no such thing as happy ever after," warns Rosenberg.  "Marriage is hard work, anyone who's married will tell you that.  So, of course, Bella and Edward have issues to work on, and they are life and death issues.  They are really very, very high stakes, as high as they'll ever be."
Joining the ranks of previous Twilight Saga directors Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, and David Slade; Academy Award^® winning filmmaker Bill Condon was selected to helm the last two installments.
"On Breaking Dawn, we were really blessed.  A lot of great directors came forward who were interested in the material and that challenge of making two movies at once," says Godfrey.  "We had approached Bill Condon on both New Moon and Eclipse.  So when we started looking for Breaking Dawn and he was both available and interested - that was a really exciting for all of us.  I'll always remembered what he said in an early meeting talking about the books and the movies, 'I guess I've imprinted on the world of Twilight.'  It was perfect that he'd used that metaphor for his own affection for the series."
Condon had numerous reasons for wanting to be involved.  "What was interesting to me is that each of those previous films is very different, one to the other," comments Condon.  "Each director has had a completely different approach to those movies, even though the story is continuous from one book to the next.  There's a unity in the writing, both of the books and the scripts.  But within those constraints, each director has done something very different.  I was excited by that fact that the fourth movie especially, seemed really different from the others.  And then, the fifth is very different from the fourth.  So, it is a chance to put your mark on it."
"The timing was never right before," adds Condon. "But Breaking Dawn happened right on the heels of a movie that I was about to start making, falling apart.  I got a call, read a rough outline, and then the novel.  I was really turned on by it, partly because so much of the other movies have been the setup for what happens here.  In the course of one movie, Bella gets married, she has sex for the first time, she gets pregnant, she gives birth, she dies, and she is reborn as a vampire. That's just the first movie!"
"With all of the anticipation, the whole movie is a third act," he adds.  "It felt very satisfying, partly like an old Minnelli movie, like a great Hollywood romantic melodrama combined with a really cool intense horror movie.  Both of those ideas clashing with each other, actually turning it into something that, I think, is unique.  Also, I love vampire movies."
At the end of the last film, Bella and Edward have a sword hanging over their heads in the expectation that, according to Volturi laws, she must be turned into a vampire.  "The Volturi will be on screen en force in Part 2, but this ticking clock is there through all of Part 1.  The Volturi are waiting,'" explains Godfrey. 
"In this film, the main threat is not only the internal threat of the unknown child to Bella, but also the wolves' pending attack on the Cullen house.  We've stepped away from the threat of the Volturi, and really dealt with the internal threats of Forks, Washington, and what the birth of this child is going to do to this uneasy truce between the Cullen vampires and the wolves," adds Godfrey.  "Bill's perfect because he's a genre junky and he loves fantasy.  Early in his career he also wrote genre films, plus he's a visual director…. look at Dreamgirls."
"There are classic Hollywood genres that go out of fashion, musicals are an example.   I am interested in how do you make those genres work," Condon says.  "As I said, this really is a classic romantic melodrama.  Those really don't get made much anymore.  But across movie history, especially during the Golden Age of Hollywood, melodrama was really a staple genre, that's now fallen by the wayside.  So being able to work in that arena, and express a story through color, music, design, camera, and get inside this woman's emotions, was exciting.  You don't get those opportunities very often."
"I remember going in to talk to all the folks for the first time.  Wow, there are big things to figure out here: sex for the first time, talking wolves, imprinting.  There are big challenges in Part 1 alone, because it's about taking something that's written as a fantasy, and actually bringing the moviegoer along to the degree that they believe in it, and some of these ideas are pretty out there.  How do we figure out how to create a universe where you would go along for that ride?"    Continued

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The art of sequels

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