You knew it was coming. My discussion of New Moon. Yes, I went at midnight (12:01 AM actually) on opening day/night/whatever. No, it wasn't my favorite movie.
And no, I'm not going to discuss why. No, today I want to talk about the actors. Well, really just one: Kristen Stewart.
I'll just be upfront: she drives me a little batty. Here's why. Occasionally, I watch the late shows. And by "occasionally" I mean I watch them when my husband has already watched them, decided something is worthy for me to see, DVR's it and then nags me to watch it for a few days.
Thus, how I saw Rob P., Kristen S. and Taylor L. on The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
One word: Hilarious. I hope you saw it. Really funny. Well, Jimmy was. Even Rob gave me a laugh (when he said he thought having a pre-pubescent girl's body would be sufficient, I snarfed and then rewound so I could snarf again). Taylor is by far the most normal of that trio.
And that brings me to Kristen. So she's on the show, promoting the movie. Promoting herself. And what does she say? "I'm a loser and very boring."
I was like, "Really? That's what you're going to say about yourself? On a promotional show? For realz?"
I mean, seriously. I know we've talked about self-confidence and over-confidence on this blog before, but come on. I don't want to hear her call herself a loser. Cuz you know what? Now my suspicions of her loserdom have been confirmed--from her own mouth.
So again, dear writer friends, where's the line? That one between "I am the greatest person on the planet and I'm just a normal person, but hey I'm pretty great at this writing thing." Or acting. Or drawing. Or whatever.
Help a sister out. I don't think Kristen has it right, and I'm wondering where "it" is. Thoughts? About Kristen, Rob (and how he's not really supporting the Edward team), Taylor, or New Moon in general? Be nice now...
That makes me feel really sad for her! What is she going through that would make her say that about herself? Sad! No, she doesn't bother me.
ReplyDeleteI liked the books, but Bella the character did bother me because she was so whiny (for good reason I know. It just went overboard for me.) and the New Moon depression just dragged on and on! It was hard for me to read. I thought Bella was less annoying in the movie and they certainly didn't have time to drag out the depression. How they portrayed it worked for me. I liked it much better.
I love it when you bring up this issue Elana! I am NOT a "toot my own horn" person and sometimes I find it uncomfortable to promote myself. A friend recently suggested that because of the submissions I have out, I really ought to have a website.
ReplyDeleteShe explained that the agents reading my MS will check it out, and they'll be pleased to see that I'm promoting myself. But everytime I talk about the website, I laugh. Out loud. Web sites are for famous people, agented authors, etc... I feel silly treating myself like I'm already "there". But my friend explained that she had an offer for representation that was greatly swayed by her website and subsequent self-promotion. "Do it." She commanded, and so I shall obey ;)
Why do I write? Because I want to tell a great story and I want others to read it. Why do actors act? It's basically the same. If we want people interested in our work, we have to toot our own horns. We have to say, "Yeah, that's right, I'm good at what I do and I'm serious about it and you should pay attention to me!"
I hate to say it, but I'm not really a big fan of K Stew...I saw her on the MTV movie awards this year and was like... OMG...she's not acting...she really is that angsty in real life. Glad she gets paid the big bucks to NOT act on the big screen.
ReplyDeleteSorry K Stew...I'm sure you're not really a loser, but well...you kinda act like one!
(Ok my rant is done. TEAM JACO....I mean Edward cuz I'm too old to look at young boys...sigh...)
Here, here Mandy! And yeah - self-promotion is important...as for the New Moon stuff, I have issues with some of the actors - not when they are acting, only when they are promoting. But whatever, the movie is enjoyable enough and it is always cool to see a movie drive up book sales and vica versa...so win-win in many respects.
ReplyDeleteIf you think you're good at what you do, then you shouldn't feel bad about speaking about yourself confidently.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't think you're good at what you do, it's probably time to step out of the limelight and get better at it.
How you speak about yourself and your work reflects what you think of it. If I think my suspense stories are gripping and full of intrique, then I'd better be welling to say so. Because if I don't, other people won't think they are. And if they don't think that, they won't read them.
It's not cocky to tell people why they should read your writing or watch your performance or be interested in you as a person if that's how you're making your living and/or your mark on the world.
Sadly, I think that K Stew and Rob have almost ruined the image of the whole enterprise. I loved the books. I do not like the movies, I don't like watching her huff and puff, I can't stand that Rob is all, "I hate how famous I am." They are both immature. Have some respect for the hours someone spent creating your characters and the money you made because of someone's imagination. Taylor Lautner is by far my favorite of the bunch. K and Rob are acting like spoiled brats.
ReplyDeleteYou can be confident without being arrogant and when you're good at what you do, there's no reason you shouldn't be confident about it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has those "I suck" moments, but I think that there is always a level of self-promotion required, no matter what you're doing, and if that is the image you convey, everyone will think you suck too. And that can ruin the things for everyone else involved in a project/team/movie, whatever. You have to think beyond yourself when you're part of something bigger than you.
I agree with Jen C. Speaking specifically of this trio, they are all actors. They are doing this because the want/love to. And they knew what comes of getting success. Taylor Lautner seems the most grounded - which is funny since he's the youngest. I think there's something to be said there about not taking yourself too seriously and remember who you are.
Imo, it seems like some actors get to the point where they think they "made" the movie what it is, where really, the movie is what "made" them.
I dunno. I can't help but think their behavior is manufactured to make them even more appealing to teens who are just as confused. The whole enterprise kind of sickens me, but I am glad that it makes some kids want to read other YA books. When I meet a rabid Twi-fan I suggest other books they'd like. One of my (college)students who's been very obsessed mentioned on FB that she likes Maggie's Stiefvater's Shiver better than Twilight. Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteI am all about the "I'm Terrific at Everything!" Thanks to Carol King (really rosy)
ReplyDeleteBut... there is that fine line. Embracing our flaws and finding the humor in them is the key. She could have said..."I'm a boring loser.. Isn't everyone?"
and that would have been super funny.
I don't usually post my comments, but I had to comment on this because of the New Moon Craze is infecting my life. My wife is a total Twilight-atic. She's seen the movie twice already and keeps trying to tell me that she's going to make me watch it. I will just, to keep the peace in the house, but don't expect to like it.
ReplyDeleteI think that she is saying that is sort of promoting her character, not her as an actress, granted I haven't read the books, but isn't what she said pretty much her character? Maybe she's just doing the promoting better than we realize it. She doesn't need to sell herself as the success from this movie will carry her for a least her next two - three roles. That's what I think is going on here.
I really wish they'd gotten different actors. Taylor can stay, but the other two make the movies almost unbearable to watch.
ReplyDeleteI get SO ANNOYED by her constant lip-biting and licking, and her head twitches.
And Rob/ Edward! Every time they have a big emotional scene he just looks like he's in pain. And not like, in a way that speaks to his character. Just a bad acting kind of way.
Okay... so having dealt with the Press in my "day" job, you always coach the person who is going to be interviewed ahead of time - extensively! Until they are perfect! Where is Summit's publicity team with this girl? She is their bread-and-butter right now and if she comes off looking like a joke so will the rest of the $1Billion (with a "b") franchise.
ReplyDeleteOk, being the devil . . . I mean the devil's advocate here . . . would you rather her say "I am the most amazing person in the world, I am so talented, and you're just lucky I even bother with these promotional things because I am the next Meryl Streep!" Of course not, because that would be over confident and more than a bit arrogant.
ReplyDeleteNow, on the other hand - loser and boring were a bit extreme, but perhaps she's just confident enough in herself to admit the truth. I mean, for the most part I'm a fairly laid back person who doesn't get out much. Is it wrong to admit such facts? I love staying at home, writing, or reading, or curled up on the couch with the dogs and cat watching HGTV! Hmmmm, sounds pretty boring, but I like my life . . . so why not promote the boring in my life???
Then again (bet you knew that was coming) she is promoting a movie, and is an actress, so she could have faked a little enthusiasm, don't ya think???
S
I'm not a huge fan of her acting. Sounds to me like fishing for compliments. I'm sure someone said something to her right after the loser comment. You know, something like, Oh no, your wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI hate when people do that.
LOL, I've got a pretty strong opinion about her, and I think she's got it right on. She always looks so unkempt and vapid.
ReplyDeleteAnd I mean, come on, she doesn't even have the chutzpah to lie on Jimmy Kimmel and say she's interesting? Someone might have believed it. ;)
She says that in all of her interviews, and it drives me up a wall. No, really? If you're so boring then stop going to interviews so we have to read about your oh-so-boring life. It's ridiculous. I guess "emo" is the new cool now.
ReplyDeleteShe's just so awkward; it's like one of those people you can't even be around or listen to because their awkwardness makes you feel awkward on their behalf and also makes you feel awkward for yourself for having to witness their awkwardness.
I think I just set a record for how many times you can use some variation of "awkward" in a sentence.
"If you think you're good at what you do, then you shouldn't feel bad about speaking about yourself confidently.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't think you're good at what you do, it's probably time to step out of the limelight and get better at it."
C.N. totally summed it up above :).
It's a good thing to be confident and assertive as long as you don't cross the line into *aggressive.* Be proud of your accomplishments, and if you can't be proud--go improve! It's win/win :).
That's so sad. :-( How old is she? I hope girls don't think it's cool now to degrade themselves like that.
ReplyDeleteShe boggles my mind, really. She's so weird and neurotic and angsty in her interviews that I'm actually really impressed that she can turn that off and act as well as she does. Not that she's a great actress, but... great for the way she acts in RL.
ReplyDeleteI think she really does think that about herself because I don't think she ever wanted this amount of fame. She doesn't handle it well, and it's probably her way of trying to brush some of it off.
She's definitely not my favorite actress- I like the way Bella was written in the books much more than how she's portrayed on screen. And it's sad that she's calling herself a loser on public TV. That's not a great platform, especially considering how popular she's become.
ReplyDeleteSo what you are saying is Kristen Stewart is just like Bella Swan in real life? Hilarious!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that both of the main actors in the Twilight movies are actually very strange, almost anti-social in real life.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I actually think Kristin does a pretty good job as Bella. *shrug* I think they definitely could have picked worse.
*thinks about how they cast Miley Cyrus as Laurel in Wings*
Yeah, could be worse.
I'm terrible about the self-deprecation thing. I'm working on it but it's a hard habit to break.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of relieved to know Edward's not on Team Edward. :D
Poor Kristen. I am a bit surprised she would say that.
ReplyDeleteAs for Twillight, the second movie was much better than the first. =)
Actually, I think a lot of actors (and probably writers) have such insecurities. That's why we go and live in different worlds, either by acting as different people, or creating them on paper. Why should an actor also have to be a celebrity? Why can't the work just stand alone?
ReplyDeleteBecause the public demands promotion, that's why.....
I am not sure how I feel about all of this, really.
Hmm...
Shelley
Yikes! Is no one coaching the poor girl? That's a major faux pas to make on national tv!
ReplyDeletei think she's just kidding! she's one of those sarcastic gals.
ReplyDeleteShelley,
ReplyDeleteI've worked with enough theater and film people to know what you mean, and I do sympathize, but at the same time I would suggest that just about no one's work (of any sort) stands on its own without some kind of promotion. It's just that when you're a performer or an artist, you are your own promotion.
In most other jobs there are other avenues of promotion, but that's because ultimately you're pushing a product. In acting, writing, and painting, you sort of have a product but what you're really trying to sell is your ability to do it again and for people to care about it. It's different than getting people to be donuts, hand-crafted furniture, or your web design services. We don't have stats that directly reflect our work returns. We have ourselves and very rarely anything else (though there are exceptions).
All that said, the great thing about these endeavors is that if you decide your aim is not to make a living at it, per se, than you are definitely free to just let your performance stand on its own and put artistic integrity first.
I'm also not sure anyone's suggesting you have to swagger. Just that, if you're trying to move your career, speaking confidently and being self-assured about your skills is part of that. And everyone has insecurities in every profession. You can be confident and still have insecurities.
left you an award today :)
ReplyDeleteI read on some blog or article somewhere recently that self-bashing was in. And with Kristen, apparently it is. At least on that day. Sad.
ReplyDeleteAlthough her eyes are a little off at times, she's a sweet girl. A perfect Bella.
She's still pretty young. I'm sure she will learn with age that she's not a loser. I think sometimes she says this stuff, so people will leave her alone.
ReplyDeleteShe probably loves acting, but the photos and constant hounding... comes with the territory, but she doesn't like it.
I'm sure there is a happy medium. She'll find it with time :o)
Team Edward with a dash of Team Jacob- and yes I was at the midnight showing too!