Catherine Hardwicke, director of the highly anticipated romantic fantasy film “Twilight” and UCLA alumna, was in Westwood Sunday night signing everything from laptop computers and pillowcases to posters, tattoos and even dollar bills.
Hundreds of fans pitched tents outside the Mann Village Theatre, clad in “Twilight” paraphernalia, waving posters that read, “Bite me,” “Scream if ur a “˜Twilight’ lover” and “Our houses were almost burned down but we still made it to the “˜Twilight’ premiere.” One fan car was painted in baby pink and bold white letters that read “”˜Twilight’ Premiere or BUST!” Fans hailed from Arizona and Humboldt County to show their devotion.
Among the many fan-created catch phrases, Hardwicke’s favorite was “Obsessive Cullen Disorder” ““ a pun on the name of the main character of “Twilight,” Edward Cullen.
At noon on Monday, wristbands were given out to the first 700 people in line for bleacher seats to the red carpet premiere last night. The film is based on Stephenie Meyer’s New York Times bestseller and first book in the “Twilight” series. Meyer visited Royce Hall in August.
Hardwicke paid an unprecedented visit to all “Twilight” enthusiasts just before midnight on Sunday, spending over an hour walking down Broxton and Le Conte Avenues greeting each of her fans with hugs, photographs and autographs. Upon seeing some groups bundled up in sleeping bags, she said, “I want to join the slumber party” and crawled into the makeshift beds and cuddled with the group for a photo.
Hardwicke spontaneously showed up with behind-the-scenes videographer Jeff Feller, who is putting together pre- and post-production footage for the “Twilight” DVD. Feller had just landed in Los Angeles from Oregon when Hardwicke called him.
“I said, “˜This is too cool, this is awesome.’ … When I saw everybody I’m like, “˜Jeff, we got to go film it,'” she said.
Fans were impressed by Hardwicke’s humbleness and approachability.
“I have never seen such gracious actions from celebrities. … It makes me respect Hollywood more,” said Iris Gonzalez, a junior at Eureka High School in Humboldt, Calif.
After almost a year of filming, Hardwicke is excited to present the final product. “We want everybody to be happy,” she said.
“You take the 400 pages and you squish it down and you try to get the yummiest stuff. … We tried to make it as visual and cinematic as we could. (We took) all the talking scenes and inner monologue to make it visual and dynamic,” she said.
The filming process was challenging as the movie was shot in Portland, Ore., where cast and crew were bombarded with severe rain.
“In Oregon and Washington, through the pouring rain and insane weather, everybody worked together and captured incredible images for amazing story,” Feller said.
Fans impressed Hardwicke with “Twilight” raps and choreographed dances. “Twilight” aficionado Shannon Coffey rented a 21-and-over movie theater in Anaheim to watch the film with 80 other people. She has prepared goodie bags and plans to serve drinks and lounge around cardboard cutouts of Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward Cullen.
“It’s like falling in love all over again. … It feels like you can call (the characters) up for coffee, but they’re not even real,” Coffey said.
Devoted fan Kim Clarkson and her friends began a Web site ““ cullenboysanonymous.com ““ to provide a live forum and chat to discuss the book and the upcoming movie.
Among the campers was Brittany Straede, a third-year English student, who had been in line since 4:30 p.m. after returning from the “”˜Twilight’ Live” event at Borders earlier that day.
“I love how I live three blocks away and I am still sleeping on the streets of Westwood in my own town,” she said.
“I gained a lot of respect for (Hardwicke), especially in L.A. where a lot of people fit a certain stereotype. … It seems like it is just as exciting for her as it is for us,” she added.
First-year undeclared student Araceli Bravo got hooked on the series in April and has been anticipating the movie ever since.
Cuddled between friends, Giovanna Secas, a first-year sociology student and Tanya Conchas, a first-year undeclared student, Bravo said she would not have camped out alone, but was motivated to with the support of her friends.
Having graduated from UCLA’s film program, Hardwicke feels a personal connection to having the “Twilight” premiere in Westwood.
“It’s super cool because I went to film school here,” she said.
To current UCLA students, she requested, smiling, “Come support (your) fellow Bruin.”