It was appropriate that the after-party for Thursday night’s world premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” took place in a cavernous tent that had been outfitted to look like a campground.
The design served as a sly nod to the plot of the third installment in the mega-grossing vampire franchise. But it also could have referred to the tent city that sprung up in the days leading up to the festivities, as fans flocked from around the world, to catch a glimpse of the film’s stars — Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart.
(See slideshow: "Eclipse" … on the Black Carpet)
The fans outside downtown L.A.'s Nokia Theater were as much of a show as the fest on the, yes, black carpet.
They shrieked at the mere mention of one of the two male stars' names, outfitted with shirts and signs that advertised their allegiance to either “Team Jacob” or “Team Edward.”
And in a symbol of shifting loyalties, there even were posters with “Team Kellan,” a reference to the former face of Calvin Klein underwear, model-turned-actor Kellan Lutz, who plays a minor vampire in the film.
“Roll down the window,” screamed the sign-waving teen girls, hoping that Lautner or Pattinson were behind one of the tinted windows.
When Pattinson, outfitted in a maroon Gucci suit that can best be described as bold, finally did emerge, the crowd grew manic. No one even seemed to mind that his wind-swept mane had been cut short, presumably for his upcoming role in the Depression era drama “Water for Elephants.”
His co-star/girlfriend Stewart was clad in a stunning one-sleeve embroidered white dress from Elie Saab. But while the couple signed autographs and posed for photos, it must be said neither one appeared entirely comfortable with the adoration. As usual, Pattinson seemed sheepish at being the cause of his fans' bewitchment.
Not so Lautner. The beefed-up teen star was a natural on the carpet, flashing a thousand-watt smile at the girls screaming for him to doff his shirt.
Also showing up were a slew of big names not associated with the film franchise. Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, “Karate Kid” star Jaden Smith, Kim Kardashian, Lakers championship savior Ron Artest, and Jennifer Love Hewitt all walked the black carpet.
Inside the screening, the intensity barely lessened. The well-heeled audience, which was augmented with tickets given away to a few lucky fans, erupted in shrieks of appreciation over each tender embrace, every protestation of love.
Then there was the after-party.
The party floor was outfitted to reflect scenes from the movie. Faux rock outcroppings dominated the center of the room, flanked by a mystical-looking pond, pine trees and fake snowdrifts.
The artificial snowscapes were a reference to one of the film’s dramatic centerpieces, a romantically fraught snowbound encounter in a mountain-top tent between the film’s three leads.
Sno-cone carts were set up throughout. Other food offerings were squarely in the comfort-food variety — guests feasted on meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, French fries, spring rolls, fried chicken and ravioli. For dessert there were candy apples, sundaes and cupcakes from Crumbs festooned with ruby red lips.
Perhaps the evenings crowning glory, however, could be found not on the party floor but in the sky above. Overlooking the spectacle was a brilliant full moon. The same image from the movie’s poster.
