Together with Lionsgate, Women in Film, Facebook and Volvo Cars, these female writers and directors were given the opportunity to bring their original stories to life in the form of short films, set in the ‘Twilight’ universe, based on some of the lesser known characters from ‘The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide’. 

‘Consumed’ is the emotional story of the character Jane and explores her dark past. Like her brother Alec, Jane was always “special,” but in their superstitious hamlet, their specialness provokes scorn and has terrifying consequences until a mysterious stranger comes along and takes an unusual interest in them. 

It was important to stay true to the look and feel of the original movie series while also creating a new story that could standalone. Jane’s character is loved by millions of Twilight fans around the world so everyone on the team wanted ensure everything it would fit and simply become part of Jane's story before she became a vampire. 

The butterflies play an important role in the film, as they hint early on that something is a bit different with Jane. Initially there was going to be just one establishing shot of the butterflies through the fresh laundry but, together with Maja the Director, the team felt it was key to the feeling of the opening to add the butterflies into more of this sequence. The camera followed the butterfly’s movement through the laundry, until it landed on the cage in front of Jane where it dies. 

Since real butterflies can be rather unpredictable, shots of the butterfly flying through the laundry and lens flares were created in CG. Footage of real butterflies were shot on green screen as reference for the animation and lighting of the CG butterfly. Some of these shots were also used in the close up of the cage.

The shots of the butterfly landing on the cage and fluttering in the cage with Jane were shot using live butterflies. The production team supplied 10 butterflies, which were delivered cryogenically frozen causing the butterflies to go into hibernation. 

When it was time to shoot, the butterfly handler woke them up using the warmth of the sunshine and then placed them in the scene. As they slowly awoke, one was placed on Jane’s finger and another in the cage. They would slowly flutter before finally flying away. By shooting at very high speeds, the team was able to capture some great moments and movement from the butterflies waking up. In the final shot with the butterfly, Jane is looking at it through the cage. At this point, the team dilated and darkened Jane’s pupils as she becomes a vampire.

Aro, the leader of the Volturi, as in ’Twilight’ series, plays a key role in ‘Consumed.'  He needed to look otherworldly and vampire like, so The Mill's 2D team enhanced his eyes to make them appear a burnish red, conveying his darkness and hunger, and then glints, sparkles and light effects were added in the scenes where Aro's skin comes into contact with sunlight as it does in the original ‘Twilight' series.

For the climatic burn scene at the end, flame bars were used to emit fire on set, while The Mill's 2D team added smoke and flame to give the look of a really powerful burning fire. Plates were shot on location and composited together. The last scene of the fire reflecting in Jane’s eye was created in 2D using fire elements and shots of Aro to show Jane's transition into a vampire.

The 2D team enhanced many of the shots to give them a dreamlike state. The film was shot over the course of a sunny day, but the look needed to be dark and moody. Colourist Aline Sinquin gave it an atmospheric and filmic look.

For more information about The Storytellers: New Voices of the Twilight Saga, click here.