TwilightMOMS
Interview with Sarah Clarke
TM: I read that you began your acting career in the theatre, while also working as an architectural photographer. Do you still enjoy any kind of photography as a hobby? Do you have any other hobbies?
Sarah: Yes I still do photography and I recently took up knitting, though I'm not very good at it.
TM: What is one of your favorite stage productions you have been involved in? Is there a dream role you would LOVE to portray on the stage? What about for film?
Sarah: I did an adaptation of Djuna Barnes's "Nightwood" that I loved. It could be an amazing film.
TM: Who are your heroes? Why?
Sarah: Anyone who is crusading to help the environment. Because even though it is getting more politically correct to care about the earth.there are still only a handful of people who are actually making a difference and changing the way we think about ourselves and our relationship to the planet.
TM: When you are not filming what are your favorite things to do?
Sarah: Hang with my husband and my daughter and my dog.
TM: What things do you look for when you are reading a script?
Sarah: I look for a good story with interesting characters.
TM: What about Renee attracted you to this part?
Sarah: Her courage to raise her daughter on her own.
TM: Were you aware of the Twilight series before auditioning for the part of Renee? Have you read any of the books, and if so did you have a favorite?
Sarah: No. I read the first book in one weekend. I loved it.
TM: After reading the books, which character do you relate to the
most?
Sarah: I was fascinated by the Cullen’s.
TM: What do you see as Renee's primary trait, do you see any of this in yourself?
Sarah: I guess her optimism. It doesn't really come across in the
book, but it does in the script.
TM: What are your favorite, and least favorite qualities about Renee?
Sarah: I love her creative spirit but she seems a little lost in her life at the time when Bella goes to Forks. I think that it impairs her judgment as a mother.
TM: Were you at all surprised with how huge the fan base for Twilight is?
Sarah: Yes.
TM: Nina from 24 and Renee from Twilight could not be at more opposite ends of the spectrum. They'd be a good Jekyll and Hyde story. Which of these characters has been more challenging, which is more fun?
Sarah: They have both been fun, though I would say Nina has been more challenging so far. There wasn't so much to do with Rene in the movie.
TM: What do you think Catherine Hardwicke is bringing to this movie that makes her different from another director? What kind of direction and advice (if any) has she given you?
Sarah: I think Catherine's creative vision is singular and unique and her energy infectious. And she seems to understand the teenage mentality better than anyone.
TM: Is it hard working on a film with a young daughter? Her name is beautiful! How did you come up with the name Olwyn?
Sarah: I come to work with a different set of priorities now. So I guess
it's just more complicated now. Olwyn is a welsh name.
TM: Speaking from your characters point of view, if Renee knew that Edward was a vampire do you think she would support Bella's relationship with him? What about being changed?
Sarah: Ahhh no I don't think Renee, as a mother, could support her daughter's choice to be with a Vampire.
TM: I read that you began your acting career in the theatre, while also working as an architectural photographer. Do you still enjoy any kind of photography as a hobby? Do you have any other hobbies?
Sarah: Yes I still do photography and I recently took up knitting, though I'm not very good at it.
TM: What is one of your favorite stage productions you have been involved in? Is there a dream role you would LOVE to portray on the stage? What about for film?
Sarah: I did an adaptation of Djuna Barnes's "Nightwood" that I loved. It could be an amazing film.
TM: Who are your heroes? Why?
Sarah: Anyone who is crusading to help the environment. Because even though it is getting more politically correct to care about the earth.there are still only a handful of people who are actually making a difference and changing the way we think about ourselves and our relationship to the planet.
TM: When you are not filming what are your favorite things to do?
Sarah: Hang with my husband and my daughter and my dog.
TM: What things do you look for when you are reading a script?
Sarah: I look for a good story with interesting characters.
TM: What about Renee attracted you to this part?
Sarah: Her courage to raise her daughter on her own.
TM: Were you aware of the Twilight series before auditioning for the part of Renee? Have you read any of the books, and if so did you have a favorite?
Sarah: No. I read the first book in one weekend. I loved it.
TM: After reading the books, which character do you relate to the
most?
Sarah: I was fascinated by the Cullen’s.
TM: What do you see as Renee's primary trait, do you see any of this in yourself?
Sarah: I guess her optimism. It doesn't really come across in the
book, but it does in the script.
TM: What are your favorite, and least favorite qualities about Renee?
Sarah: I love her creative spirit but she seems a little lost in her life at the time when Bella goes to Forks. I think that it impairs her judgment as a mother.
TM: Were you at all surprised with how huge the fan base for Twilight is?
Sarah: Yes.
TM: Nina from 24 and Renee from Twilight could not be at more opposite ends of the spectrum. They'd be a good Jekyll and Hyde story. Which of these characters has been more challenging, which is more fun?
Sarah: They have both been fun, though I would say Nina has been more challenging so far. There wasn't so much to do with Rene in the movie.
TM: What do you think Catherine Hardwicke is bringing to this movie that makes her different from another director? What kind of direction and advice (if any) has she given you?
Sarah: I think Catherine's creative vision is singular and unique and her energy infectious. And she seems to understand the teenage mentality better than anyone.
TM: Is it hard working on a film with a young daughter? Her name is beautiful! How did you come up with the name Olwyn?
Sarah: I come to work with a different set of priorities now. So I guess
it's just more complicated now. Olwyn is a welsh name.
TM: Speaking from your characters point of view, if Renee knew that Edward was a vampire do you think she would support Bella's relationship with him? What about being changed?
Sarah: Ahhh no I don't think Renee, as a mother, could support her daughter's choice to be with a Vampire.
