LA TIMES Countdown to Twilight w/ Rob

'Twilight' Countdown: Robert Pattinson answers your questions
15 days left…

PART 1 Rob answers some fan questions.

As you can see, he had a serious case of the giggles Tuesday morning:

What goes through your mind when you’re greeted by crowds of screaming fans?
It’s kind of like being in some medieval battle (laughs). I mean I guess that’s the closest analogy, especially after yesterday. A ton of people ran down the street outside the Apple store. I felt like I was literally being charged by Celts (laughs).

How many bodyguards are around you when you do these events?
It depends. I don’t know how many there were yesterday, but there were like NYPD cops everywhere! It was completely crazy. There were four guys just literally carrying me out of the place (laughs). It was quite funny.
Have you seen yourself as “dazzling” Edward in the meadow yet?
No, I haven’t. I don’t watch my stuff. Ever.

Why?
Because it makes me feel like I’ll never want to do a job again (laughs).
Why did you audition for “Twilight”? What did you know about it going in?
I knew a bit about it. I didn’t know much about the book. I went into it thinking it was a vampire film directed by Catherine Hardwicke, who does like gritty sort of realistic indie films. If you’re doing a vampire fantasy shot like “Thirteen,” then that would be interesting. That’s why I went into it really, and it ended up being something totally and utterly different.

How so?
It’s very intimate. In “Harry Potter,” there are entire worlds encompassed in it. “Twilight” is so claustrophobic in some ways. The little town of Forks is so small, and the way it’s written is so obsessive. But because it’s so lingering, it takes on this different power, and the whole story becomes this sort of opera, which I didn’t have any idea about when I went in to do it.

Did you and Kristen become friends, and if you did, was it awkward filming the love scenes together?
Yeah, definitely we’re friends. Those things are really, really awkward. Especially because [in the movie] it’s supposed to be so intensely sexual and everything (laughs). You’re like really putting yourself on the line. It’s very embarrassing.

How did you prepare to do it?
The big scene where they try and kiss and he goes crazy, it’s like the climax moment of their relationship. Well, not the climax, but it’s like a pivotal scene in the whole movie. And, actually, a lot of my preparation for the whole character was kind of leading up to that scene.
Kristen was really into Bella being a sadomasochist. ...

Really?!?!
Wait, not a sadomasochist! I mean a masochist (laughs). She was into that whole thing. She’d say, “Yeah, Bella just likes being hurt” (laughs). “Be really rough!”

Some of the “TwilightMOMS” have told me they’re trying to get you a gig as host of “Saturday Night Live.” They want to know if that’s something you’d be game to do.
It would be quite nerve-racking! No, that would be fun! But, um, I’m not very funny, I don’t know if that would work out. No, that would be cool, that would be really cool.

What do you use in your hair that makes it stand no matter what you do to it?
This kind of residue product from my youth (laughs). I don’t know, I guess just stressing out all the time, I’m just always grabbing my hair and stuff. It’s so funny how that’s become a thing, my stupid hair. I just need a haircut! I need a haircut and I don’t like hair being in my face. Now it’s like, 'It’s his signature style!' (laughs). I’m definitely going to cut it pretty soon though.

Is there an actor or musician whose career you’d like to emulate?
Well, there are always periods in musicians’ careers. I would like Van Morrison’s between 1965 and 1988 (laughs). Before he did that thing with Cliff Richard.

Will you be recording any of your own music soon, beyond what you did for the “Twilight” soundtrack?
I haven’t got any plans to. I mean, I might. But I have no plans to release anything.

What do you do to relax?
I don’t really have to do anything specifically. I like looking out the window (laughs). I’m pretty relaxed most of the time.

Do you prefer playing the piano or guitar?
It depends what mood I’m in. It’s an even balance. I haven’t played the piano in such a long time so whenever I play it now it’s like really therapeutic. I love playing the piano. I don’t have a piano anymore, annoyingly. I don’t have my apartment in London anymore. I don’t have anything.

What have you learned, if anything, about what girls want from having played Edward?
Well…

How have you upped your game?
(Laughs) Well, I always knew that girls liked six-packs (laughs), but that didn’t really make me change. Oh! Girls really like guys who drive Volvos. I would never have thought that!
What is your favorite kind of car?
I’d like to have a vintage Porsche or the '70s Ferraris are beautiful as well.

-- Denise Martin

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Source-LAtimes.com