On the DL

Based upon the success of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, Twilight saw its spotlight November 21, 2008. Twilight was not supposed to debut until later on, but Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince pulled out at the last second. This juggernaut failing to see day-break, Twilight took its place on the 21st with rave reviews across the board. Fans waited days outside ticket booths and theatres to see the opening of the long-awaited adapted novel. Countless numbers showed and Twilight garnered 70 million dollars on 3,500 screens across America its first weekend (the film budget was estimated at 37 million). On its last recorded day, Twilight made 200 million overall in the United States alone (April 2nd, 2009) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099212/business).

Twilight became an instant smash-hit.

The following year, The Twilight Saga: New Moon broke the film-debut record of The Dark Knight, surpassing all expectations.

The marketing crew of Twilight had an easier time because of the fanbase already set ins tone from the books. The marketing played on the demographic: young adults, mostly women, as the genre contains psychological aspects young women attract towards. The concept of Love, quotes from the series like, "So the Lion fell in love with the Lamb," were played up to cue. The majority of the merchandising came strictly to the young female audience with various sets of apparel, the soundtrack, and several appearances by the star Robert Pattinson were made to advertise the film. Because the fanbase was strong and linear to these roots, the marketing did its job well to appease the larger audience.

Twilight is one of my favorite films, having screened the beautiful piece more than twenty times. From what I have researched, Twilight may have been briefly shown at Sundance and at venues such as Comic Con 2008 where the entire cast, director, and author had a meet-and-greet with an audience.

Roger Ebert makes a tongue-and-cheek review here: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081119/REVIEWS/811199997/1023

The Pitch

A perfectly average girl living an everyday life, Bella Swan, is new to the rainy town of Forks, Washington. Within the first moments of her first day of class, she soon becomes inescapably raveled by her intriguing biology partner, who just so happens to be a vampire.

Twilight

Twilight (2008)
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Written by: Stephenie Meyer
Adapted Screenplay by: Melissa Rosenberg
Producer: Marty Bowen
Genre: Romance/ Angst/ Drama

Starring:
Kristen Stewart ~ Isabella Swan
Robert Pattinson ~ Edward Cullen

The Official Twilight Extended Release Trailer: