Actors turn out for Breaking Dawn

Wolfpack and Other Native Actors Again in Spotlight With Release of New Twilight FilmThe Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1, the latest installment of the Twilight series, had its Hollywood premiere Monday night, and members of the Wolfpack—shape-shifting Quileute Indians played by Chaske Spencer, Kiowa Gordon, Bronson Pelletier and Alex Meraz—joined co-stars Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner on the black carpet. Native actors Gil Birmingham, Booboo Stewart, and Julia Jones, who also play Quileute tribe members, were also on hand.More photos from the premiere:

Gil Birmingham
Chaske Spencer
Alex Rice
Alex Meraz
Bronson Pelletier and Kiowa Gordon

Comment:  The first link includes lots of photos and videos of the actors.

Note: Some of us don't consider Booboo Stewart or Julia Jones Native actors.

For more on Twilight, see No Indians in Breaking Dawn Posters and Twilight Video Game?

Below:  "Gil Birmingham and Chaske Spencer at the 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1' premiere."

Last Man Stands seeks funding

Film could be shot locally, if funding is secured

By Susan OlpAn independent feature film focused on a fictional Crow youth and his family will be made in Montana this fall, if funding can be secured.

The producer of "Last Man Stands" is Petra Ahmann of Silverline Cinema in New York City. Ahmann is a 2004 graduate of Laurel High School.And:Most of the cast is already in place, Portugal said, with Alex Meraz, one of the wolves from the "Twilight" movies in the lead role of Taylor Brewer. Irene Bedard, who plays the part of his mother, is best known as the voice of Pocahontas in the Disney movie of the same name.

Raoul Trujillo, who has a part in the upcoming "Cowboys and Aliens," has been cast in the role of Taylor's father, and Chaske Spencer, another "Twilight" wolf, has the role as Taylor's older brother.And:The plot centers on Taylor Brewer, an 18-year-old football player at Laurel High, whose family moved off the Crow Reservation. Taylor plans to follow in his brother Charlie's footsteps and join the Marines.

When Charlie is killed in action in Iraq, Taylor's father opposes his younger son's desire to enlist in the military. Taylor turns to tribal elders for wisdom and direction.Comment:  For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.

Meraz among People's sexiest men

Apparently People magazine has chosen Alex Meraz as one of its sexiest men of 2010. Meraz tweeted this pic of him and thousands of breathless Twihards reposted it on their Twilight blogs.



There you go. Meraz is still getting only a fraction of the attention given to non-Native Taylor Lautner. But even a minor role in a major movie is enough to put Meraz on the map.

People magazine is about as mainstream as it gets. This proves audiences will embrace Indians if they're given a chance. "Tall, dark, and handsome" has always been appealing, so why would Indians be any different?

For more on the subject, see Twilight Screwed Native Actors?, How New Moon Robbed Natives, and Twilight's Missed Opportunity.

Doors open for New Moon's Indians

In Kiowa Gordon's Upcoming Horror Movies, we saw how Twilight has opened doors for one Wolf Pack member. Here's an update on two more of the "wolf boys."

Twilight actor speaks

By Eliza BrookeSpencer, himself a member of the Lakota Sioux tribe, said Hollywood tends to place Native Americans actors in stereotypical roles. As an actor, he said he has turned down roles and lost jobs because he did not want to play to this stereotype. Though the role of Sam Uley is specifically Native American, Spencer said his success following the blockbuster will in fact enable him to step outside this denomination and into roles that are not made for Native American actors.

In this regard, Spencer said he looks up to fellow actor Denzel Washington.

“I’m not comparing myself to Denzel,” he said. “But he’s taken roles not specifically designed for African Americans.”

Spencer is using his newfound fame to take on roles that he describes as “intelligent.” Next up is a film called “The Block,” in which he will play a struggling author who finds that the only way to escape his writer’s block is through murder. Spencer said he was attracted to the film’s intelligence and dark humor.

Spencer is also working on a full-length documentary with his production company, Urban Dream, that will address water rights on Indian reservations. Spencer said he hopes that the project will bring attention to an issue that is close to his heart. The actor works with the aid organization United Global Shift on this issue. He said that he wants to bring bottling plants to reservations, providing people with both jobs and clean water.

“It’s your god-given right to have water,” he said.Confirming the obvious that New Moon is opening doors:

See 'Twilight: New Moon' stars:  Alex Meraz in Grand Rapids, Taylor Lautner on 'Saturday Night Live'

By Lorilee CrakerAlex Meraz has sprung into action.

The actor, who plays belligerent werewolf Paul in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," has leaped from tiny indie films to the top of the box office as part of the worldwide sensation that is everything "Twilight."

"(Being in 'New Moon') has changed my life tremendously," the 24-year-old actor and married father of one said in a phone interview. "Before, I had to fight for auditions. I was never 'Native' enough, 'Latin' enough, 'white' enough.

"Now I'm the perfect look," he added wryly.

Meraz will appear Saturday at the Grand Rapids Griffins' "Twilight Night." He'll sign autographs for ticketed fans before the Griffs' 8 p.m. game with the Milwaukee Admirals.Comment:  It continues to make me laugh that Hollywood didn't think these actors were "right" for roles until they appeared in a hit movie. Suddenly, they're right for a bunch of roles.

In other words, filmmakers, studios, and investors are too racist to think straight. They don't recognize the talent of brown-skinned actors or the wishes of brown-skinned audiences. They'll continue casting people like Johnny Depp as Indians because they're too blind to see the evidence in front of their faces.

For more on the subject, see Movie "Star Vehicles" Flop and Fallacy of the Big-Name Actor.

Below:  "'New Moon' actor Chaske Spencer spoke about his acting experiences and hopes at an Ezra Stiles Master’s Tea." (Erica Cooper/Photography Editor)

Wolf Pack on Jay Leno

'New Moon' wolfpack parodies 'Twilight' fandom on Leno (video)

By Amanda BellThe Twilight Saga: New Moon's wolfpack members (Chaske Spencer, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon, and Bronson Pelletier) were none-too-shy about parodying a fandom that they've suddenly come to know very well.

Recently aired was their appearance for The Jay Leno Show where they worked with Mikey Day at TMZ to create an awful fan encounter (that hopefully doesn't mimic reality too largely).

In the video, all the stops are pulled to literally stop the mock fan, and even a taser is put into use (albeit unsuccessfully).

New Moon star Alex Meraz tweeted about the appearance, saying "Jay Leno was funny haha...Damn we really looked scared!!" Hmm . . . one would certainly hope so since these are professional actors at play (and he's right, they do).

Comment:  Clever skit!

Like Conan O'Brien, Leno didn't mention that the actors were Indians. Still, this exposure is great for their careers.

For more on the subject, see Sterlin Harjo Auditions Werewolves and Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Wolf Pack on Quileute tribe

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Wolf Pack Interview with Spencer, Meraz, Pelletier and Gordon

By Christina RadishQ: What is it that you wanted to convey in the movie, as far as Native American culture?

Alex: During the process of casting, when I was waiting to hear word if I got a role or not, there was a through-line where I prayed, every night. I was asking for permission, even to represent the Quileute tribe. I was putting out a lot of good thoughts. In essence, even though we're taking some of their mythology and their creation story, it's mixed in a fantasy, but we're still taking from the culture. Being Native, we needed to be conscious of that and ask permission to the people of the past, present and future for it. It's a very conscious thing. Native Americans have a right to be protective of their stories.And:Q: Since Taylor is not Native American, did you talk to him or teach him about what being Native American means?

Chaske: He was very open about that. He understands. We did the best we could with him, and he's the right guy for the part. I'm very protective of him.

Kiowa: He's like our brother.

Chaske: We have nothing but mad love for him. He asked a lot of stuff about the tribes, and we would talk to him and tell him about stuff. There are certain things that I do in my culture that I told him about, and he was really open to it.

Alex: The thing is that we're not even Quileute. So, for us to represent that tribe, it was as if we weren't even Native. It wouldn't really matter because they have different customs than all of us do. It wasn't like we had to teach Taylor how to be a Quileute Native because we don't know how to be that either. All we had was our culture to bring into the filmmaking. We just knew how to respect the mythology of the tribe, and Taylor was definitely receptive to it.

Chaske: He has his own culture, and he could draw from that.

Q: How did you learn about the Quileutes? What do you now know about them?

Alex: During the process of auditioning, I did as much research as I could about the Quileutes, knowing that they're whalers and they inspired the shape of their canoes to be pretty much clipper ships. They were really fast, and they were able to go from the Washington area, all the way down to San Diego, hunting whales. I learned about the mythology and their creation story. The Quileute came from wolves and transformed into people, but they don't go back. That's the thing. That's the aspect that Stephenie changed, when she took some things and put it in this fantasy realm.

Chaske: I was amazed by the storytelling. I was really attracted to that.Comment:  Alex Meraz seems to be the most thoughtful member of the Wolf Pack. Which may not be surprising since I believe he's older than the others.

I think Meraz gave about as good an answer as he could. But the most interesting things are what he didn't say. He asked permission to represent the Quileute tribe and tell their stories--if only in his prayers. Stephenie Meyer didn't. He researched the Quileutes in depth when he auditioned for his role. Stephenie Meyer didn't when she undertook the much more arduous task of writing four books about the tribe.

There's the difference between someone who respects Native people and culture and someone who doesn't. Meraz does; Meyer doesn't.

For more on Meyer's lack of respect, see Meyer Violated Quileute Etiquette and Twilight vs. Quileute Legends. For more on the Wolf Pack, see Wolf Pack on Stereotypes and Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Pix of Twilight's Indians

Blackpack@LiveJournal.com's Photos--Wall Photos

Lots of pix of Twilight's Indians and pseudo-Indians, including Gil Birmingham, Taylor Lautner, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon, Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Rice, Julia Jones, Tinsel Korey, and Boo Boo Stewart.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Pix of Billy Black and the Wolf Pack

Photos of Gil Birmingham (Billy Black) with Alex Meraz, Chaske Spencer, and Kiowa Gordon (three of the four Wolf Pack Indians):

Gil Birmingham's Photos--New Jersey Official Twilight Convention

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Below:  Alex Meraz, Gil Birmingham, Chaske Spencer, Kiowa Gordon.

Wolf Pack shows savage side

First Look at Wolf Pack in ‘New Moon’

Shirtless and fierceThe first official promo shot for “New Moon” has just been released, in what is certainly a cornerstone moment for the “Twilight Saga.” Although it has nothing to do with the much-loved vampire Edward or his human girlfriend who can see past the differences, Bella, the photo is already causing massive waves for a very simple reason, as USA Today can confirm: it shows the wolf pack members shirtless.

As Alex Meraz also revealed a couple of days ago, the members of the wolf pack would spend most of “New Moon” without their shirts on account of the fact that werewolves have a higher body temperature, as fans who have read the Stephanie Meyer novels must already know. Given this, it’s only understandable that the first promo shot for the film with the wolf pack members also showed them without their shirt on.

“Unlike cold-blooded neck biters, these poster guys for animal magnetism are hot. So hot that their temperature runs a steady 108 degrees.” USA Today says in the piece accompanying the photo. “Four actors–-Chaske Spencer, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Bronson Pelletier, all with Native American heritage-–join Taylor Lautner, 17, who returns as a hairier, scarier Jacob Black.Comment:  The first question is what happened to Tyson Houseman (Cree)? He's still listed as playing Quil Ateara on IMDB.com, so what gives? Did they decide not to call him a member of the Wolf Pack because he isn't cute and buff enough? Did they fire him but fail to notify IMDB.com? Or...?

The next question is..."shirtless and fierce"? That's how they're promoting the Native actors? Why not add some feathers and warpaint to complete the picture?

I'm of two minds about about this development. On the one hand, it's good to promote Native actors as sex symbols. On the other hand, it's bad to promote them as half-naked beast-men--i.e., savages. Ideally, movies would feature half-naked Indians in more modern roles--e.g., as construction workers, lifeguards, or masseurs like John Redcorn.

Anyway, I look forward to the part where the Wolf Pack members prove they're not just mindless pretty boys. That is, when they solve problems with brains rather than brawn. When their fangs and claws are incidental to, not central to, their characters.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Below:  "Look out, Twilight fans! We're coming to ravish you! Grrr!"

Twilight Wolf Pack announced

Summit Entertainment Runs with the Wolf Pack in The Twilight Saga: New MoonSummit Entertainment announced today that Native American/First Nation actors Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman have signed on to star as the members of the wolf pack in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. In the film, the wolf pack defends humans against vampires although they have a tribal history intricately entwined with Edward Cullen and his family. The wolf pack members will join Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and fellow wolf pack member Taylor Lautner in the film directed by Chris Weitz which will be released domestically November 20, 2009.

Each member of the wolf pack is of Native decent. Spencer is Lakota (Sioux), Pelletier is Cree-Metis, Meraz is Purepecha (Tarasco), Gordon is Hualapai, and Houseman, who was discovered at an open casting call, is Cree. Casting of the wolf pack was overseen by award-winning casting director Rene Haynes who is well-known for her work on Native projects ranging from DANCES WITH WOLVES to BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE.Comment:  The Hollywood Reporter adds, "All five announced Monday will make their big-screen debuts in the film."

Let's note that Summit was basically shamed into hiring Native actors. In my opinion, of course, since I'm not privy to the inner workings of the Twilight movies.

Making up for its previous mistakes, look how proudly it's touting the Native heritage of the "Wolf Pack." And how it doesn't mention Lautner's minuscule Native heritage.

Also note that referring to these Indians as the Wolf Pack will reinforce the notion that they're beast-like.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Below:  "Where's my wig so I can look like a real Indian?"