Alex Meraz: "It's like jumping into a hot pan. You just know you're going to get cooked, and hopefully it's cooked well. It's definitely exciting. I felt a great deal of responsibility. Going back on what we were talking about with being representatives and being role models for Natives, I used to go around to reservations and teach health and wellness conferences and teach art and dance, so I knew that I was going to be looked at as a role model, and that was scary to know that. But I just made sure first that I could represent myself in a good way. I tried to prepare for it as best as I could. And just made sure I read the books, did my homework, and luckily enough made some really great friends along the way which helped just to make me really comfortable with all the fame or whatever that came with it."
Julia Jones: "I was terrified, I still sometimes am. But in the beginning it's just almost like you're a certain size in your life and then all of a sudden you get much, much smaller. Like the rest of your life, every other aspect it's much bigger than you actually are. You have to just accept that and enjoy it because you're a part of something that means something to so many people. And I think that the thing that made it, I don't know, easier the fastest I found that the cast, we all are so committed to our characters and to telling these stories. I was so surprised instantly at Taylor and Kristen's sort of grounded-ness. They were the first two people I met. I just feel like over all really, really grounded and I think it's because we just show up to work and we really care, and we want to do the best we can. I feel like that bonds us and makes work fun, and there's a lot of work. That also took away the fear."
Chaske Spencer: "It's easy to work with this cast. Some of them have been working for a while, and some of them it's their big break, and they all know that. What I like about it is everyone's humble. Everyone really knows this is a gift we got. This is something that doesn’t come around too often. And when I joined this franchise, I knew it was going to be big but I didn't expect this. No one really gives you a book on how to do this, how to operate in this level. So I definitely, before I went in, put up boundaries and know what I want to talk about and what I don't want to talk about. And there are ways to keep your life private. There are ways to do it and to conduct yourself, and to do good work. Because in the end, we're just actors – we're very lucky actors. This is a great franchise and it's going to be an amazing pop culture phenomenon as it is, but eventually the next thing's going to come along. We're trying to have good opportunities to get a hold of those opportunities. It's a fun ride. It's a fun ride to be on. I mean I have some amazing opportunities and amazing experiences. I get to share it with these two, so I'm pretty good."
Alex Meraz: I, on the other hand, I got the book How to Make it in Hollywood 101. You can get it at the library."
Chaske Spencer: "It was written by me, wasn't it?"
Julia, you and BooBoo Stewart were the new additions to this seemingly tight-knit group of actors. Does the wolf pack have any hazing rituals either on or off the screen?
Julia Jones: "I would say every five minutes someone was being hazed in the wolf pack, and it was me half the time. Hazing rituals? Alex, that is definitely your department."
Alex Meraz: "No, no. What it really is is you know when someone gets cast in these select few roles, you know they've gone through a lot. Because there's so many people who want to be in this franchise that instantly you're excited for them really. I mean when BooBoo and she got cast, even Xavier [Samuel], you just know that it was like American Idol. Thousands of people were going out for it. The first reaction is you take your hat off: 'Good job, congratulations.' And then you just kind of get to know them more, but I don't think it's really hazing. Me personally, I just tease people a lot. That's the Paul thing."
Chaske Spencer: "In New Moon it was just boys. It was just us, and we tease each other a lot to keep us humble as well. The ego gets too big, we'd cut each other down."
Julia Jones: "I kind of always have this feeling that there's something in my hair. "
Chaske Spencer: "Or something on your back."
Julia Jones: "I was always feeling like things were touching me."
For Breaking Dawn is there anything that you hope your character gets storyline-wise that doesn't get cut out?
Chaske Spencer: "Like, more wolf pack. I think they've been really good about keeping storylines. And the fans, too, and Stephenie's on set so they're really good at keeping… And the fans obviously really like the movies because they're keeping a pretty straight line on it. But I think Breaking Dawn's going to be really the same thing. They're going to do justice by the fans."
What Native American legend you read about or heard about as a kid would you love to just play the part or see made into a movie someday?
Chaske Spencer: "The character I would say for me personally, I've always had a fascination with Crazy Horse. He's from my tribe, Sioux, and I've read so many books about him. That's something I would really like to bring to screen. I don't want to be Crazy Horse, I think I'd like to direct it. It's just one of those movies that a lot of people don't know about. He's such a mythical figure and a warrior and a leader that he just fascinates me as a character, fascinates me."
Julia Jones: "Sacajawea? Has there been a movie made on Sacajawea? She's been in a couple movies but…"
Alex Meraz: "Night at the Museum."
Julia Jones: "That doesn't count. There aren't very many notable Native American female figures historically. That's the way that it's been. Pocahontas and Sacajawea. I've heard of stories of family members of mine that are interesting, but it's not quite the same for the girls."
