To make Bella look thin in Twilight, the filmmakers utilized a combination of physical appliances worn by actress Kristen Stewart and extensive post-production effects. The intention was to portray Bella with a significantly thinner, almost "bulimic" appearance.
Techniques Used to Achieve Bella's Thin Appearance
The transformation of Bella Swan's physique in the first Twilight film was achieved through a multi-faceted approach, blending practical effects with advanced digital enhancements.
- Prosthetic Appliances: Kristen Stewart wore specialized appliances designed to exaggerate certain facial and skeletal features. These included:
- Exaggerated Cheekbones: Appliances helped to hollow out her cheeks and make her cheekbones appear more prominent, giving a gaunt look.
- Sharpened Chin: Her chin was made to look more defined and pointed.
- Visible Collarbones: Devices were used to make her collarbones appear more pronounced, suggesting a very low body fat percentage.
- Post-Production Digital Effects: After filming with the physical appliances, significant digital work was done to further enhance the thinness. This "rest was done in post-production" likely involved:
- Digital Slimming: Software was used to digitally reduce Stewart's body size, particularly around the torso and limbs, to create an even more emaciated appearance.
- Shading and Contouring: Digital artists could add shadows and highlights to further define bone structure and create the illusion of extreme thinness, complementing the physical appliances.
This combination of on-set practical effects and sophisticated visual effects in post-production was crucial in achieving the desired drastic physical transformation for Bella in the film.
