Twilight Convention heats Nashville up with Peter Facinelli and Gil Birmingham (with slideshow)

Photo of Peter Facinelli © Kathryn E. Darden

Several inches of snow did not seem to slow down the attendance at the Official Twilight Convention in Nashville today. The Tennessee Ballroom at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel was packed with Twilight fans eager to see Dr. Cullen (Peter Facinelli) and Billy Black (Gil Birmingham). Birmingham, who plays the father of Jacob Black, was a surprise last-minute guest.

Guests registered in the same are where the vender table were set up, so before entering the ballroom theater area, visitors perused the 7 or 8 tables lining the walls with t-shirts, keychains, photographs, posters, jewelry, temporary tattoos, and other Twilight memorabilia. (See slideshow below.)

The theater area featured a stage flanked by large Twilight banners and media screens which made an appealing presentation. High points of the day were the Q & A sessions with Gil Birmingham (Billy Black) and Peter Facinelli (Dr. Cullen.) Both men were definite crowd pleasers and made the Twilight Q & A sessions entertaining and informative. The two actors both shared some details of the backstories they created to flesh out their characters which added an extra dimension to the Twilight tales.

Photo of Gil Birmingham © Kathryn E. Darden

Birmingham discussed how his audition was improv and the "Puppy Pack," as well as some of his charity work with various Native American charities, including one called Project Lighthouse. For more of Birmingham's Q&A read What Secrets Did Gil Birmingham (Billy Black) Reveal?

Facinelli entertained guests with his most embarrassing moments and his perspective on vampires. He also said his favorite scene was cut from New Moon, and he has suggested it be included in the extended DVDs because he thinks his quote is one of the important moments in the book and the movie. "Like everything in life, I just had to decide what to do with what I was given," is what Dr. Cullen says when Bella comments on how difficult it must be for him to stitch her up.

This is one of several conversations in Twilight and New Moon that lead to a religious discussion on vampires and their souls. In this particular conversation, Dr. Cullen goes on to say, "God and heaven exist... and so does hell. But he (Edward) doesn't believe here is an afterlife for our kind... You see, he thinks we've lost our souls." Fore more of Facinelli's comments, see What Secrets Did Peter Facinelli (Dr. Cullen) Reveal?

Photo of Hillywood players © Kathryn E. Darden

One of the unexpected delights of the Twilight Convention was the Hillywood Show. What I was expecting was something hokey and contrived. However, the Hillywood Show combined rocking music with a funny parody of Twilight that was not so much mocking as it was good-natured fun.

The crowd was extremely well-behaved, heavily female, boasted young and older women, and the Twilight Moms were out in force. However, the absence of Kellan Lutz was felt, and a few loud cheers went up every time his name was mentioned.
 

Kellan Lutz photo from Wikipedia