David Slade is tweeting away again. He sounds in better spirits than he did the last time. He’s again paying homage to the unsung heroes behind the scenes. This time it is J.W. who David refers to as the “King of grips”.
In case you were wondering what exactly it is that a grip does, Wikipedia has a good description. You can easily see why this position is key in any movie, especially a stunt heavy one.
“Grips also satisfy rigging needs on set…More advanced rigs can include working with pulleys, steel cable or trusses. Grips are also called on to rig picture cars on process trailers and placing camera and lights all around the vehicle to achieve driving shots…When shooting interiors day-for-night on location, grips need to cut all the daylight entering onto set. If the scene is “blocked” or staged away from windows or other openings to the outside, the light may be simply blacked out with cloth or plastic sheeting…Grips are also responsible for safety on the set as it relates to the force of gravity. Insofar as stands, ladders, scaffolds, and overhead rigs are properly installed, grips are charged with making them safe because the other crew members will invariably have to climb on, walk around, or otherwise negotiate the different grip set-ups. As regards legal statute, the key grip may even be held liable for injuries that happen on set, especially if the injury is the cause of something falling down onto somebody…”
Other David tweets include:
“Forrest again today, tomorrow we do wolf shots, saw some great wolf tests today, early stages developed from New Moon wolves.”
and
“Worked w/entire Cullen family today. @peterfacinelli borrowed my camera, took my picture being strangled by Jackson, will upload later…”
As someone who loves every aspect of filming, hats of to David Spade for the recognition and kudos to all the hardworking crew of Twilight.
…shoot, I meant hats “off” to David
I really want to see the strangling picture
I remember how David Slade got so much hate earlier this year for his Twilight talks but now it seems that pretty much everyone thinks he’s doing great job. I can’t wait to see first clips from Eclipse. Haha, I’m so rhymy(sp?): clips, Eclipse 
Okay, enough babbling for now..
I have to admit, I’m scared of what DS has in store for Eclipse. (And I’m a fan, I loved 30 Days as sort of a B movie gore flick…so not what I want to see Eclipse turn into) And kind of in awe…what were they thinking even putting his name on the list?? Because he’s done a vampire flick…and some Muse videos?? His Twilight comment doesn’t bug me…because honestly, I sort of thought the same thing when all I knew it as was a screaming teenage fangirl franchise. But, once I read the books, I was hopelessly lost to it. I don’t believe DS had the same epiphany, as he claimed, but saw this as an opportunity to do a high profile film.
I thought I saw Guillermo del Toro as one of the possibilities…he would have been perfection. What happened there? Maybe with a little sideline effort from Slade for the fight scenes, but I’m still baffled as to how he got this.
I think people are largely so distracted with NM that the heat is off of who’s directing Eclipse.
I really have to see the picture where David Slade is being strangled by Jackson. I can’t tell yet if I’m going to like Eclipse, I’ll have to watch it first.
I’ve really enjoyed David Slades’ tweets. I love that he cares enough to keep us in the loop of what’s going on. Twilight Lexicon, thanks for bringing these to us as I don’t have Twitter.
I know New Moon is in the spotlight as it is first to release (can’t wait)- and its good to hear
from Spade but I’m still unsure. Eclipse is my
favorite book and I hope all the heat and passion
doesn’t get buried under a rock for the “battle” scene. Have to wait and see.
I hope he’s better directing than he is at spelling…forrest? FOREST!
Or you can check my website, I made it for those people behind the camera who barely get recognition of their work and for the audience to realize that there is way more than what meets the eys
I am trying to have more crew to talk about their jobs but my website, I guess, is not notorious enough so don’t hesitate to spread the word to help.