14 Jan, 2011

What attracted you to the character of Melanie in Hereafter?
 It was quite an intense role. Obviously for the readers I don't want to give too much away. I just remember when I was reading the script, it went in such a different direction than I thought it was going to go in. I could sense that there was something kept underneath the surface with her character, so I was curious as to what was going to happen.
 
What was it like working next to Matt Damon?
He's just really nice and friendly, and he's an incredibly intelligent individual. He puts everybody at ease. He has one of those, like, inclusive senses of humour — like if somebody makes a joke, he'll laugh louder than everybody else. [Laughs] The movie is very emotional.

What was your reaction when you watched it?
For me it was pretty brutal, specifically that the storyline that I found to be most intense was the storyline with a young person who ends up going through some pretty devastating things. And yet everything ended up incredibly hopeful. I think it's an important story to tell, but it's also a very emotional story to tell — hence me sobbing in the theatre! [Laughs]
 
As the daughter of actor and director Ron Howard did you grow up on film sets?
I definitely spent a lot of time on film sets when I was a kid, for sure. But never around the actors; I was always around the crew members. The crew really embraced us in sort of that of familial environment that you get on set. So that was great, and I have so many incredible memories. It was really lucky that I got to be on set because I think that's a huge sort of scary initial experience for an actress to be on set for the first time, because it's such a new process. So I feel really fortunate that I got to be privy to that at such a young age.

How would you describe your style?
In terms of a gown, something that is playful and fun, whilst also being elegant and feeling special. I love it when I see a dress on a rack and I'm like, "Oh, that's a really special dress." It stands out from all the others. I guess that's like the things I gravitate towards — but that's not a particular style necessarily!
 
The red carpet looks like it can get pretty stressful. Have you learnt anything about posing for photographs having done it so much?
 No and I need to — I need a class! Basically I just immediately step onto the red carpet and I'm just petrified that whatever I'm wearing is see-through. Even if I've gone to lengths to ensure that it's not, I'm just petrified. So you'll notice sometimes that my hands are in certain kinds of placements. [Laughs] Any pose I make on the red carpet is just me trying to avoid tremendous embarrassment!
 
You're a natural redhead. Did you ever get teased growing up?
Both my parents are redheads. My mum said she was teased. When I was younger I remember her saying like, "Oh, you girls are so lucky. I used to be teased but people love red hair now." I never felt the wrath of any caustic redhead haters!

Hereafter is out in cinemas from February 10, 2011.