Paramount recently hosted a unique event tied to their new release Up in the Air by inviting journalists to fly on a chartered American Airlines flight from JFK to LAX. While on the flight, they treated everyone to a special screening of the movie and then there was a special performance by one of the artists on the soundtrack, Sad Brad, as well as a chance to interview co-star Anna Kendrick who joined us on the flight.
Having attended many press junkets and media events, I must admit this was one of the more memorable. It fit in perfectly with a film about a corporate downsizer, played by George Clooney, who travels 322 days of the year – although I don't think he gets a mini-concert and a sneak peak of a major movie each time he flies.
After watching the flick, we (briefly) sat down and asked the lovely Ms. Kendrick a few questions about the movie and her role in it. Here's what she had to say.
Q: Congratulations, you're a People's Choice Award Nominee, you've been Tony Award nominated, and Independent Spirit Award nominated in the past …were there any thoughts going in about possible nominations for you in this role?
Kendrick: No, no. Honestly no. I mean, obviously that's come up and people actually mention it to me, and Juno got a lot of nominations for stuff, but it hadn't occurred to me when I signed up to do it. That was all kind of from the outside.
Q: I read that you hate airports and flying. We're currently on a plane right now, high in the air. What are your thoughts about that?
Kendrick: I think I'm getting a little bit better at flying. [Laughter] I might be speaking too soon but I think it's getting better. Yeah, airports, I do not enjoy the taking off the shoes and you know, it's… I feel very exposed, very vulnerable.
Q: Did you like playing this character of Natalie who's very uptight?
Kendrick: People come up to me and they say how rigid she is and how much they didn't like her, especially at the beginning of the film, and I'm like, 'What are you talking about? I love her!' I love Natalie so much, I mean she's kind of crazy but I love her. She's like a sister.
Q: Working with George Clooney, was there any intimidation factor?
Kendrick: I was a little intimidated, but he is so charming and such a gentleman. He's Cary Grant. He makes you feel like you're allowed to work with Cary Grant.
Want more on Up in the Air? Check out the following:
