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Were Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart feeling that weight, do you think, as they were doing this?

Catherine Hardwicke: "Well instantly, as soon as they're cast the internet people started getting nasty against Rob. You remember people were just, 'He's disgusting. He's repulsive,' you know? I'd be like, 'Hey Rob, I really wouldn't read that stuff if I were you.' He goes, 'Yes, but my mother sent it to me.' It'd be like, 'Oh could you please not read it?' Because I had talked to like Thomas Haden Church and he told me when he got cast as the Sandman in Spidey 3, he was like, 'Oh man, people just flailed me.

They were so mean. Why's that fat dude going to be…' You know what I mean? And then he said, 'You know, we just had to not pay attention to it and do our best.' And as soon as we put photos out, people flipped. Now it's fine."

And that's the thing… Because of the internet everything you do and everything these guys do is so analyzed during the process and after the process. Are you used to having your life examined like this?

Catherine Hardwicke: "No, and I'm not used to having imitators imitating me on the internet with a blonde wig and doing my gestures. But I think that's kind of fun. That's kind of cool. And also like if there's something great out there that somebody has a great idea or a great comment, that's cool."

What do you think about so many of the opening weekend screenings already being sold out?

Catherine Hardwicke: "That's pretty neat. I heard like a hundred or so that are, yes. That's pretty good. I was sitting there going, 'Wait, I want to go and see it that night with the crowd.'"

You probably can't get a ticket.

Catherine Hardwicke: "I want to go with real people and just like hear how it sounds with real people. And you're right - I've got to buy my tickets. It's very exciting. You know, usually you're an indie filmmaker and you are just praying, 'Would anybody please go see my movie? Please, five people? And now we've got people that want to see it…that's awesome."

Did you ever think making Thirteen you'd be directing a vampire movie, a teen romance that everybody's in love with?

Catherine Hardwicke: "No, I didn't because that one was made for like pennies. Also I love that experience. I love doing an indie film. I love going to film festivals. I love not having any boss telling me what to do…no studio or anything. That's how it was so wrong. I mean if I had a studio, 'Well Tracy's not very likeable…' It wouldn't have even been the same movie. It would have been so watered-down because every comment when I sent the script around was like that. So, I thought - I hoped - I could keep making really raw movies like that and stuff. But then you try so hard. I mean that's one thing that weird. Like even when this one was, you know, we were trying to get the script together and get the budget together, I had projects at four other studios that some of them had major stars attached that I was trying to get any of these five projects made. And you never know. You're watching the horse race. 'Okay, that one at Fox Searchlight looks like it's about to go and Twilight's maybe not doing so good. Oh wait, this one.' So I didn't know if this one was even going to go. And magic has to happen to get a movie green-lit anyway."

And now it's going to be easier for you?

Catherine Hardwicke: "Truthfully, it's weird. I, for the first time, have actually been feeling the sexism thing. I've got to tell you that it's…"

We're not over that yet?

Catherine Hardwicke: "No, because it's weird. I've looked at some movies that are very imaginative. You know, with my background in animation, architecture and everything so I've wanted to do some like cool worlds. My first job was working with Tim Burton, so I love that. And I've looked at some projects and then I've gone to the studios or my agent's gone, 'Oh Catherine’s really interested in that,' or gone to a meeting. They're like, 'Well, you've never done this big a budget or this many effects,' or 'We don't think you can do it.' And I said, 'Wait a minute. Look at a lot of amazing people that have made that leap from Christopher Nolan going all the way to there. He did indie movies first. You know, Sam Raimi did… Bryan Singer… Why do you believe that a guy can do that, take that leap, and I can't? I'm as prepared if not more in visual effects. I'm an architect. I did not fall behind at all. Look what I did for 44 days and for $37 million.' 'Oh, well we just don't think you can make that leap.' Now I feel it more than I ever felt. Isn't that weird?"

That's so weird.

Catherine Hardwicke: "I feel like it's the main reason because they've sought out more indie directors for these movies. Oh, Jon Favreau for Iron Man, I mean all kinds of people have been given this leap. Those people are all guys. What woman has done that? The one woman that they gave a shot was Karyn Kusama doing… What was the one with Charlize Theron? The superhero?"

Aeon Flux.

Catherine Hardwicke: "And that didn't work so…"

But look at how many men make sucky movies.

Catherine Hardwicke: "Oh no, I mean to me that's nothing but that's one out of a zillion, you know? And there could be a million reasons for it. But I don't know. I feel that a little bit and I feel like that just gives me and I've got to take it like Rob did. 'Okay, that's just another challenge. I've got to prove myself again.' But I think you never stop proving yourself, don't you think?"

Exactly. They have to consider you did this movie with such a small budget.

Catherine Hardwicke: "And trust me a little bit."

Page 4:On the Budget for New Moon