Director Chris Weitz and others involved in the production of New Moon gave a press conference in Montepulciano, Italy yesterday. Also present were producers Bill Bannerman and Wyck Godffrey as well as the Mayor of Montepulciano. TwilightItalia was there and has this to report as to what they said–

“We love both of Volterra and Montepulciano, as well as throughout Tuscany. Of course the book by Stephenie Meyer talks about Volterra, but as always in the cinema, we had to take into account some logistical needs that we did try different location also ended up deciding to run in Montepulciano. We hope to be able to really do justice to both Volterra that in Montepulciano “

As to why Chris Weitz chose Montepulciano over Volterra,

Chris Weitz said that he opted for a need for symmetry and photography. It also took the occasion to say that both cities are beautiful. He added that if there is someone to “blame” for this decision then that’s him because he was a very strong wish of the square instead of Montepulciano to Volterra. And I tell you my impression when he spoke you could see clearly that he has done a very professional choice based on that of which in his view, the film needed to make up.

TwilightItalia says they’ll have the full video later this week. You can view more of their report at the machine translated version of the original page.

[thanks, Mary!]

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Check out these exciting pictures from fans on location during Day One of the New Moon shoot in Montepulciano, Italy. We see lots of red extras in the Piazza Grande, cranes setup for elaborate crowd shots, and a rear snapshot of Robert Pattinson himself.

[Images from @Lara82 and @VampireFreak101 via @Robpattznews]

UPDATE: Here’s some additional video from the 1st day as well, showing swarms of extras in red attire, and the carrying of the large statue as well.

[via TwiCrack]

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Here’s a fantastic if brief video from the New Moon shoot in Italy. It shows some of the many red-clad extras parading the street for the St. Marcus festival that will be in the movie, and through the crowd comes the Yellow Porsche that Alice Cullen will be driving.

[thanks, Lauriepr!]

UPDATE: Here are some more videos of the Yellow Porsche as well as Kristen Stewart and director Chris Weitz on the set of New Moon:

[thanks, denix and as_1901!]

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Lainey Gossip has the details on all the scenes that will be filmed this week in Italy, along with some pictures of the New Moon cast leaving Vancouver. Here are the details–

First two days will focus on Bella trying to make her way through the throngs of festival revelers to reach Edward. She jumps in the fountain, wades through it, towards him. Of course she makes it in time at which point he pulls her into a building.

By the way – if you’re wondering, yes, they’ll be trying to include the “slamming” into his body.

When they reunite, Bella and Edward do kiss followed by the arrival of Jane and the others.

They’ll also film something from Alice’s perspective on these two days. She “sees” Edward sparkling in the sunlight.

Some the driving sequences will also go ahead on Tuesday and Wednesday, schedule permitting. .

On Thursday they’ll be jumping into a hole in the ground. This will likely be Robert Pattinson’s final day barring any major delays – heads up to you twi-hards who’ve made the journey.

Friday is more driving and Porsche work.

Just Jared has pictures of the cast hanging out in Italy, including some of Ashley Greene looking gorgeous in a bikini by the pool.

[thanks, everyone that sent these in]

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New Moon stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were spotted yesterday eating lunch with New Moon crew. They were eating at a restaurant near Montepulciano, where New Moon is set to start filming immediately. There are also pics of Kristen Stewart on the set in Montepulciano.

Check out the rest of the pics at Gossip-Girls.

[thanks, everyone that sent this in!]

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Check out this amazing account from an extra on the set of New Moon on their experience so far on the set–

The crew was very quick and organized, and divided all the extras into groups: “the drivers”, “the reds”, and “the blacks”. We felt like the prey of the production company. They then offered us breakfast, which I was grateful for since my stomach was complaining more than Rosalie. Me and all the other drivers (there were about a hundred of us), were then told to park in the front of the main entrance of the town, where a yellow Porsche was also parked! My God, what a beautiful car! The rest of the extras were taken inside the city wall, where they would be shooting the reunion between Edward and Bella later in the week.

The wait was unnerving. And extremely long. In the meantime, we learned the shooting schedule: Monday is rehearsals, Tuesday inside the city again, Wednesday and Thursday in the city square (Where there is expected to be 1000 extras), and Friday was for any needed reshoots. While I was waiting, I saw a really pretty girl with brown hair in jeans and t-shirt. For a second I thought it was Kristen Stewart, but then I realized it was her stunt double. The similarities between the two was striking, especially from behind.

At around 10pm, it’s our turn. When arrived in front of the door, Chris Weitz’s assistant, Bill, arranged the order of all the cars. Every time he looked at me and my car, he smiled. They then began tests with the Porsche, with Bella’s and Alice’s stunt doubles. And here’s the funny part: Alice had a stunt MAN, instead of a woman. He was wearing a headscarf, sunglasses, a red leather glove and a long grey coat with big silver buttons. Bella’s stunt double, instead, was dressed very simply, wearing only a green sweater and jeans.

The tests of the Porsche were seemingly never-ending, they really wanted it to be perfect. They did not overlook even the smallest detail: everything -from the placement of the car to all the car sounds- had to be just right. They even were overly careful with all the red flags placed around Montepulciano. The crew was sweaty and shouting us to get in our places, to which we obliged. Bill (Weitz’s assistant) was always calm and smiling, every once in a while stopping to talk to us on set.

You can read the rest at the RobPattzNews blog!

[Picture from vampirefreak101 and RobPattzNews]

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New Moon director Chris Weitz was spotted in Montepulciano, Italy planning out how to shoot some scenes with production crews. Check out the pic and video from Yunfa. She says–

The director of New Moon, Chris Weitz in the little Montepulciano, having a pre-production meeting with the crew. They were discussing about shots and frames, where to film and how to do it.
When he got out of the car I said “Hi Chris”, he answered and to my “It’s pretty hot in here, huh?!” added a “Yes it is!”

[thanks, Monica!]

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A visitor to Montepulciano Italy captured these shots of the fabled twin set of yellow Porsches for Alice’s fateful drive in New Moon. They are parked near a production area which seems to be busy with a tent of crew members working behind the scenes.

[thanks, Ann for the pics!]

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Check out these new discoveries in Montepulciano that are likely for New Moon! Ale from TwilightersItalia says–

There is the clock tower at midday, a newly installed gutter, and a pictures of a statue taken today in the city hall.

It seems that it could be of a saint or something of that kind.

I’m going to go ahead and deem that “newly installed gutter” the “pie-hole cover”. Check out the rest of the pics at TwilightersItalia.

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