Since the inception of the Twilight craze, artistic fan members have used their creativity to merge favorite head shots of Twilight actors with sexy poses they find around the net. Others, thirsty for new Twilight Saga news, have created their own posters, some of which fans find more appealing than the official images. Still other fans morph pictures of Rob and Kristen together, perpetuating the image of a relationship between the two.
These manipulations, or “manips,” have become quite the trend. Unfortunately, some of the manipulations are so real that the lines blur between what is real and what is a manip, confusing even the savviest of Twilighters.
A half-naked picture of Kellan Lutz recently made a buzz around the internet. Because Kellan Lutz often poses shirtless and seductive in photo shoots, very few questioned the validity of the picture. At this weekend’s Atlanta Twi-Tour, however, members of the Twilight Lexicon and TwiFans uncovered the truth: The picture is actually a manip.
The Lexicon says, “At the Twilight Tour Atlanta convention Kellan said, ‘It’s not me, that guy has what like a 28 inch waist!’”
Twifans members gleaned these statements from Kellan, “I wouldn't wear that necklace, I wish my waist was that small, It looks more like Taylor's body, the body is more defined than mine, and I wouldn't pose like that, demonstrating the super low jeans and the way the hand is positioned.”
If the distinction between what is real and what is fake is blurred with adults, you can bet that kids are getting all sorts of muddied messages.
Pattinson Anonymous is a site with a great mission. Dedicated to taking rumors and sifting out the truth, P.A. has debunked myths of many Twilight manipulations.
From the website:
The information on this site is investigative in nature and, at times, admittedly speculative. Pattinson Anonymous thoroughly researches every rumor and provides evidence for opinions made as we make every attempt to provide the most accurate, up-to-date, and verifiable information.
After careful investigation, research, and fact finding, an opinion is posted by the Pattinson Anonymous team and a rumor is labeled as Believed, Busted or Unresolved. Occasionally, a statement may be confirmed by Robert Pattinson or his management team and is noted as such.
Perhaps the most well-known New Moon poster manip is the one of Edward Cullen in a trench coat, shirtless, fists clenched. The manip is so well done that even mainstream sites featured it as a legitimate poster. When the official poster was released, many a Twilighter was disappointed after having been entranced by the intense pose of Edward in the manipulated poster.
PA was able to trace back the originations of the images and piece together the poster, debunking the myth that it was legitimate.
Should you avoid looking at manipulations? Ideally, yes. Realistically, no. The best way to deal with manipulations is to enjoy them for what they’re worth, appreciate the ability of the artist to create a realistic fantasy, and move on. But take the time to point out to your kids the difference between fact and fiction.
What is your feeling on manipulations? Do you enjoy them or avoid them?
Comments
I actually enjoy well done manips very much. But I think they should be labeled as such, in any case. I'm pretty much of a manip monster myself, though mine are always so much artistically alienated that there's no need to emphasize they're aren't the "real thing". With that almost-"Free-Willy"-pic of Kellan, I think it would be MOST CERTAINLY a questions of decency to not spread it without saying that it is a manip.
I enjoy well done manips also and would really like it if it were labeled so. I get paid to make manips for other people and have a web site were some of my art is posted but I always make it well know if it is a manip or not.
Agree with Becca and Betti! :)
i think that wat ever them 2 have is there olny. its not the worlds. its there lives. and i think that wat ever happens it will not cause problems to the twilight saga.
Well this particular manip was very good. In fact it is so could that it should be sold to the twilight making franchise as the real thing. Or those selling the real merchandise should look into getting Rob Pattinson really posing like that. The idea is absolutely fantastic.
I don't mind Manips when they are clearly fan art like the Twilight poster. The problem with the other manips is they are trying to trick people into thinking it's really them in the picture. So as long as it's used in a poster, banner, wallpaper or an obvious work of art, I don't mind. But if the photo has no writing on it or doesn't contain a collage of pictures and scenes, I don't like it.
I do Manipulation Monday on our Twitube site and some people out there are extremely talented and I have to agree that there are many times I have to do a double take wondering if its real but I always say manipulation b/c in the end you can just tell if its fan made but some of them are really close
I WROTE THE BLOG ON TWIFANS.COM AND I AM SUPER PROUD OF IT SOMETIMES YOU JUST GET A LIL TIRED OF THE BS. LOL
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!