Twilight Tours Vancouver offers Twilighters a behind- the scenes peek without set-stalking

June 23, 11:15 PMTwilight Parents ExaminerKimberly Sherman

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A section of Vancouver provides the perfect backdrop for Twilight parents considering vacation hot spots this summer. Twilight Tours Vancouver is the original movie location tour company dedicated to giving Twilighters a peek into the world of New Moon, complete with a visit to every location featured in the official trailer.

As a journalist, Christine had the good fortune to gather cast information and behind the scene details. Her professionalism and attention to detail surfaced after New Moon filming was complete. Having started her own touring company, Christine now showcases set locations to fans so that they don’t have to flounder trying to set-stalk on their own. Learn more about Christine’s background and why she can give you the biggest New Moon bang for your buck:

What was your role during the Vancouver filming and how did you originally get involved?
My role during the Vancouver filming was to gather information on the cast and what was happening behind the scenes. It was always a huge challenge to find the sets because Summit Entertainment did not use the conventional system of markers or even register their production office under the film name. Everything was top secret and the production made it very difficult for anyone to find out any information about anything. I have been involved in the Twilight Saga Filming since they announced the production would be filming in Vancouver for the New Moon installment.

Was the filming done in your hometown?
I live in Surrey, BC which is about 60 km east of The City of Vancouver. The Cities blend together seamlessly and collectively the area is called Metro Vancouver and The Fraser Valley. Bella’s House is located in Cloverdale which is a section of south east Surrey. It is rural locating and was very hard to find.

What details can you give us about what enthusiasts will see on your tour?
Details such as where the cast off New Moon liked to hang out on weekends, play pool, listen to live music, celebrate special occasions like Rob’s birthday and Kristen’s birthday, and where the couple shared their backstage PDA when they thought no one was looking. Downtown restaurants, clubs are on the tour and film locations like the bar, One Eyed Pete’s, the movie theatre, their high school and homes that stood in for Jacobs house and the Cullen’s house. I am able to answer any question they may have about the filming or about the cast while they spent their time in Vancouver.

Is Charlie's house still up? I thought it was a prop built strictly built for the movie.
Charlie & Bella’s house is still up. A private security guard is there 24/7. He is part of the tour and has a lot of very good information about the house. The house was made at one location and moved to another location. There is more than meets the eye with that house and I am able to point out all the movie magic that is used to make the house look like a real house.

They have security there to protect it from vandals and people trying to get into the house. They have a 12 high fence with barb wire to keep people out. They will be using the house for the next production and maybe the third. I will add new locations to the tour as they become known and with new locations, come new behind the scenes stories.

Can tourists take photographs?
Fans can take photos of everything but only from public property. There are people living in two of the locations and we have to respect their private property. The other locations are very public and everyone is free to take photos or have lunch at Rob’s favorite restaurant. We walk for some of the tour and drive from location to location. We use a private driver with a comfortable, air conditioned van.

What spurred you to start the tours?
I discovered while attending the many set locations around Vancouver that fans would stalk sets and get a glimpse of their favorite actors of the Twilight Saga. Several fans traveled to Vancouver and stayed at the same hotel as some of the cast. Many Twilight Fan website owners and blog site owners traveled to Vancouver to get first hand information for their sites. Many groups came up from LA and two sisters came up from Mississippi, just to meet the cast. All of them wanted so desperately to find the locations but many went home without ever finding out where they were filming.

Over the course of several weeks I discovered where of all the locations were and had seen firsthand the filming and the cast. I wanted to share those locations and then tell the stories of what was going on at those locations during the filming of New Moon. My interest was to observe the filming of New Moon and to glean bits and pieces of interesting facts about the film.

Ok. Random question. Team Robert or Team Taylor and why?
I love them both. Both guys are very handsome, sweet, charming up and coming actors. They appreciate their fans and will do everything they can to say hello, pose for photos or sign autographs. Both seem very down to earth and very normal, typical young men who work as actors and love their work.

Who have you seen/met during filming?
I have seen Robert, Kristen, Taylor, Nikki, Ashley, Rachelle, Dakota, Peter, Jackson, Kellan, Bronson, Anna, Michael, Justin, almost everyone.

Do you think seeing filming spoilers before the movie airs is a benefit or a hindrance and why?
I think seeing the filming really gives fans something to look forward to in the future. The fans get to see some movie magic and all the hard work the crew puts into making the film. The cast works very long hours and sometimes in horrible weather conditions. Seeing a location does not give much away in the film but the fans certainly feel a huge connection with the film. It is really cool to see the fans having their photos taken outside of Bella’s house or outside of restaurants in Yaletown, knowing their screen idols were at that same spot a few months ago. It is a great way to connect and a lot of good fun.

How do you balance an air of professional reporting/ set tours with the stigma of paparazzi and rabid fan girls?
I have never met any rabid fan girls. They must not live around here but I did see the YouTube video from the set of Remember Me in New York so I know what you mean. Paparazzi are usually defined as a photographers hunting down celebrities to take photos of them when they are unaware and sell them to news agencies. I don’t take the photos and there are only three known guys in Vancouver that take photos professionally for news agencies.

In my role as a reporter, I try to be very anonymous, discreet and only observe. I may ask some fans some questions now and then and I work with a host of PR people that represent restaurants in Vancouver. They often send me tips on who was in the restaurant then I follow up on the leads and tips. I like to keep my Journalism role separate from my Tour Guide role but they do overlap at times.

Anything I haven't mentioned that you'd like readers to know?
Vancouver is the perfect location for the Twilight Saga movies because we have so many awesome locations and the best film crews in the world. The fans will love New Moon and can expect more great work from Vancouver productions.

For pricing and more information, visit- Twilight Tours Vancouver

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