A brief encounter with 2 vampires, 2 werewolves

BEVERLY HILLS — Besides Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (featured in Conversations with Ricky Lo last Sunday) and Taylor Lautner (in Conversations on Sunday, Nov. 20), the three main stars of Breaking Dawn 1 (fourth in the Twilight Saga series), Funfare also did exclusive interviews with four of the supporting cast — Ashley Green and Jackson Rathbone (who play vampires Alice Cullen and Jasper Hale), and Julia Jones and Booboo Stewart (as werewolves Leah Clearwater and Seth Clearwater).

Released in the Philippines by Pioneer Films (like New Moon and Eclipse), Breaking Dawn 1 is opening in theaters nationwide today simultaneously with those in the US and other parts of the world. It is directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Gods and Monsters) like Part 2 (showing next year yet; the novel by Stephenie Meyer is too long to fit in just a two-hour movie so it has to be split into two).

Here are sound bites from the interviews also done at a function room of Four Seasons (the usual venue of Hollywood junkets):

The Twilight Saga is ending. What will you miss about it?

Ashley (ex-girlfriend of Joe Jonas): We have become like an extended family and I will miss the company and the comfort zone.

Jackson (born in Singapore to American parents): The family reunions. Good thing we have another year before Part 2 comes out. Still loving it.

What have you learned from the Twilight Saga?

Jackson Rathbone (top, left) and Booboo Stewart (top, right; also shown with Julia Jones, left) said that their characters, vampire Jasper Hale and werewolf Seth Clearwater, respectively, have become their alter egos. Above: Ashley (as Alice Cullen) said, ‘Same with me.’

Ashley: A great deal! The Twilight Saga helped me become a better person and a better artist. I hope to pursue the same passion in my future projects as the passion I gave to the Twilight Saga. (According to the production notes, Ashley will star in Butter, an ensemble comedy that also stars Jennifer Garner and Hugh Jackman; L.O.L. with Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore; and The Apparition, a thriller.)

Jackson: As a young actor, I learn a lot from those around me whether they are the same age, younger or older. In the Twilight Saga, I’ve worked with great directors and they have inspired me to follow in their footsteps. I hope to start directing next year. I want to explore the lightness of life.

You know the mechanics and how the scenes are done. Do you get excited when you watch the movie on the big screen just like the audience does?

Ashley: There are so many different elements involved in making a film great. As actors, we do our job and, like the audience, we are just curious how everything will come out on the screen. We look forward to seeing the finished product. That’s how I feel every time I watch the Twilight Saga.

Jackson: We do know what’s going on but we’re also excited just like everybody else to see the result of what we’ve worked on for six or seven months. As Ashley said, there are several elements involved in shooting a movie and I’m eager to see how all these elements are put together.

* * *

You look very Asian. Is there anything Asian in you?

Booboo (17, also a singer, gymnast, stunt performer, model and musician; formerly of the Disney musical group T-Squad; an avid animal lover and activist): Well, in everything. But I’d rather keep a mystery whatever is Asian in me. (Laughs)

Julia (a native of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; began working in commercials and community theater at age 8): Do I look Asian? Maybe it’s because of my complexion.

Now that the Twilight Saga is ending, anything about it that you will miss?

Julia: I will miss going to work with people that I have come to consider as a second family. I will miss playing Leah Clearwater who has become my alter ego.

Booboo: I will definitely miss the travelling and meeting the fans at the premieres, among other things.

You were five years younger when the Twilight Saga started. How have you grown or changed since then?

Julia: I’ve grown a lot, definitely. I’ve learned how to just let things go.

Booboo: I’ve learned how to cope with the loss of privacy. In the beginning, I would be affected by things that were not true being written about me. (First and foremost an athlete, Booboo has been competing in martial arts and training in that sport since he was three years old. He has won two World Championships in all divisions and has been inducted into the Black Belt Junior Hall of Fame.)

Were Breaking Dawn 1 and 2 easier to do than the first three since you have already mastered your characters?

Julia: I’m confident in who Leah Clearwater is so she’s easier to portray now.

Booboo: I feel like I’ve come to know Seth Clearwater personally and I find it a breeze playing him.

How has it been working with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart? How are they off camera?

Julia: They are actually incredibly grounded and down-to-earth.

Booboo: People might find Robert very serious but actually he’s fun. When he notices that people are taking pictures of him, he’d make faces.

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