A Chat with AnnaSophia Robb

Who's News

February 6, 2005

A Chat with AnnaSophia Robb

Kid Reporter Annie spoke with the star of the new movie Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie, based on the best-selling book by Kate DiCamillo, tells the story of Opal, a lonely girl who adopts a homeless dog she names Winn-Dixie (after the supermarket where she finds him). The two friends help each other in often surprising ways and bring together the people of their small Florida town. Read on as the star, AnnaSophia Robb, talks about the movie and her life. The movie opens February 18.

TFK: What's the main message of Because of Winn-Dixie?

AnnaSophia: The movie is about friendship and how important friends are in life.

A scruffy pooch named Winn-Dixie helps heal the troubled relationship between Opal (Robb) and her father, the Preacher (Jeff Daniels).

TFK: Tell me about your character, Opal. Are you at all like her?

AnnaSophia: Opal is a neat kid who likes being around people and making new friends. She carries a lot of sadness in her heart, though, because her mother left her when she was very young. Opal and I are alike in that we both love our dogs and we both enjoy meeting new people.

TFK: What qualities of yours do you think won you the part?

AnnaSophia: I have sadness inside because my last dog died. So in the script, when I had to act sad and scared because Winn-Dixie was missing, I was able to pull from my experience.

TFK: What was it like to work with all those famous actors?

AnnaSophia: It was great! At first I was a little nervous. I didn't know what to do or how to act. But when I met the actors, they were all really kind.

TFK: How about working with a dog?

AnnaSophia: There were two dogs, actually-and it was a blast! The two Picardy Shepherds that played Winn-Dixie were really friendly. You could pet them, cuddle with them, and play with them. I think the funniest thing that happened during filming was when one of the dogs was eating peanut butter at the character Gloria Dump's house. The dog smacked his lips really loudly. It was hilarious.

TFK: Do you have a dog now?

AnnaSophia: I have a puppy named Bella. She's a maltese-poodle mix and weighs about eight pounds. She's sweet and adorable, and also pretty hyper. I love her so much.

Opal gives Winn-Dixie a much-needed bath.

TFK: As Opal in Because of Winn-Dixie and as Samantha in the 2004 TV movie Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, you played good girls. This summer, we'll see you as naughty Violet in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. What was it like playing a naughty character for a change?

AnnaSophia: I like trying different parts, including the bad girl role. Violet is very competitive and rude, and she always chews gum loudly with her mouth open. It was a lot of fun playing her.

TFK: What do you like and dislike about acting?

AnnaSophia: I like the constant change in acting; it's never the same. And I'm always meeting new people, which I love. But I can't always bring my family with me, and sometimes I miss them.

TFK: How do you keep up with your schoolwork when you're so busy acting?

AnnaSophia: My parents and I make school a priority. I have a tutor, and I have to get all my schoolwork done if I want to act.

TFK: What do you do in your free time?

AnnaSophia: I swim, dance, play with my dog, and hang out with my cousin and friends.

TFK: What do you want to do long-term?

AnnaSophia: I love acting! I'd like to do a lot more movies, and if it turns out to be something I can do for the rest of my life, then that's the way I'll go. If things change, then I'll go in a different direction. But for now, anyway, I'm going to stay with acting.

TFK: What advice would you give to aspiring actors?

AnnaSophia: First, don't give up. Second, make the part your own. And third, don't let criticism get you down. Criticism is actually helpful in acting. If you say a line and someone tells you you're over the top, then you know to bring it down, and you can get better.

By Annie Vernick

AnnaSophia Robb's Magical Adventure

AnnaSophia Robb's Magical Adventure

The actress chats about her new movie, Bridge to Terabithia

We last saw AnnaSophia Robb on the big screen as gum-smacking Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Now the 13-year-old is bringing another classic children's book character to life. She plays tomboy Leslie Burke in the film version of Katherine Paterson's novel, Bridge to Terabithia, in theaters February 16.

Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of Jess Aarons (played by Josh Hutcherson, a boy who is an outcast at school and at home. But when he meets Leslie, the new girl in school and a fellow outsider, his life changes forever. The two become fast friends and create Terabithia, an imaginary kingdom in the woods where they go to escape reality. TFK spoke to AnnaSophia about Terabithia, what her own imaginary world would be like, and about Leslie's wild wardrobe.

TFK:

What's Leslie like?

AnnaSophia:

Leslie is really creative and not afraid to be herself. She encourages Jess to be comfortable with himself. They develop this wonderful friendship and create Terabithia, where they deal with problems that they have in the real world, like bullies and Jess's father not paying attention to him. In Terabithia, they turn one of the school bullies into a giant and the others into ogres and hairy vultures.

TFK:

Had you read the book before starting the film?

AnnaSophia:

I read it as soon as I heard that they were making it into a film. I love it! It's such a good story. I remember when I was finishing the last couple pages of the book. I was crying and crying. My dad walked in and was like, ''AnnaSophia, what's wrong?'' And I said (sniffling), ''Oh, I'm just finishing up the book. I'll be down to breakfast in a couple of minutes.'' And he had read the book as well so he knew exactly what I was talking about.

TFK:

How did you prepare for the role?

AnnaSophia:

I took all of my discussions with the director and the producer and my own thoughts and tried to create Leslie. The book and the script helped a lot because they give a pretty good description of her. And Leslie's wardrobe also helped. As soon as I got to the set, I wanted to put on Leslie's clothes. Her wardrobe says everything about her. She's a free thinker, she's lovable, she's outgoing, and she's funny. Leslie was really fun to play because she was always happy and always having a good time.

TFK:

Is your imagination as wild as Leslie's?

AnnaSophia:

I think so, but in a different sense. I'm 13 now, so I don't really play pretend anymore, which is sad. But in a way, I do through acting. You have to really believe in (your character), or else it doesn't work.

TFK:

If you made up an imaginary world, what would it be like?

AnnaSophia:

Oh boy. That's hard to say. I'd probably want it to be like New Zealand, where the North Island is warm and tropical, and the South Island is all rugged and snow-capped mountains. I'd be able to fly. And I would want the distribution of food to be equal and for people to respect each other and treat each other better.

TFK:

What did you learn from this role?

AnnaSophia:

I learned how important it is to not judge people and to love them for who they are, and to try to have a positive outlook on life.

TFK:

What kind of messages will kids take away from the film?

AnnaSophia:

I hope that it brings up the issue of boy-girl relationships. A lot of boys and girls don't think they can be friends without knowing each other since they were tiny babies. I just hope that they can be friends without thinking, ''Oh, we have to be boyfriend and girlfriend.''

TFK:

How different is the film from the book?

AnnaSophia:

Books let your imagination go wild. But films have the obligation of showing what something looks like. So there was a lot of pressure for the special effects people to try to create Terabithia, because everyone imagines Terabithia differently. I had imagined it differently from the movie. But when I watched it, I was still really happy. I thought, ''Wow, that is incredible. That looks like Terabithia.'' That's probably the main difference. And the film still keeps the relationship between Jess and Leslie the same, which I'm really happy about because it's a special relationship.

TFK:

What will kids like about the movie?

AnnaSophia:

Probably the fantasy part. I think a lot of kids my age want to pretend, but there is this invisible boundary line that says, ''You can't pretend when you turn 12.'' So I think it'll be fun for kids, especially if they've read the book. And the tree fort is really cool. I loved shooting in those woods because they were so magical, and all the trees were incredible. I felt like I was in Terabithia.

By Vickie An

The Golden Ticket To Annasophia Robb

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

July 11, 2005

The Golden Ticket To Annasophia Robb

TFK spoke with the actress about her role in the remake of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Annasophia Robb plays the gum-chewing,lip-smacking Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which opened July 15. But although bratty Violet is a highly competitive character, she'd probably lose any competition against Annasophia herself.

At age 11, Annasophia has proven that she is extremely multitalented. She has already starred in Because of Winn-Dixie, played Samantha in American Girl Holiday and is a trained dancer of the Irish jig. Annasophia took some time out of her busy schedule to chat with TFK about acting, reading and her favorite candy.

Freddie Highmore (left), AnnaSophia Robb and Johnny Depp (second from right) are among the movie's stars.

TFK: Did you read the Roald Dahl book Charlie and the Charlie Factory before you decided to act in this movie?

Annasophia: I did. It's one of my favorite books.

TFK: What do you think about making a movie that is based on a book?

Annasophia: I think it's a great idea. When you are reading a book, you have it envisioned in your mind. And then all of the sudden it pops up on screen where you can watch it and it will just become bigger than life and really amazing.

TFK: Have you seen the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie? Did you like it?

Annasophia: Yes I did. But this one is going to be really close to the book.

TFK: Do you think that is a good thing?

Annasophia: I think it is a good thing. I think it should fun to see how Tim Burton does it. He really has a feel for Roald Dahl. He has his specific sense and how he made it seems good.

Willy Wonka and friends stroll through the chocolate room.

TFK: What was the set like on this movie?

Annasophia: They had this lime green glass that was everywhere. It was a lot of fun to walk on. And then they had all of these candy trees that had lollipops and one that looked like a willow tree but it was growing candy apples. And then there were big pumpkins filled with jellybeans and marshmallow treats and all sorts of different incredible stuff. And it really looked like actual real candy. Like some odd yummy stuff.

TFK: What is the hardest thing about your job as an actor?

Annasophia: I think the hardest part about being an actor is getting into the character or the role. You have to find that place in yourself and just go to it. It wasn't that hard to portray Violet. Not that I'm like her, but I know what it would be like to be a mean girl. And I like to chew gum.

TFK: What is it like working with Johnny Depp?

Annasophia: It felt like being around someone who you really enjoy. Johnny is a very, very, cool, kind man. And he has this wonderful energy around him that makes everyone calm.

TFK: What do you think kids will like best about this movie?

Annasophia: Even if a kid didn't like candy, the sets were pretty amazing. I've never seen anything like it. And the story too. It's such a great story.

TFK: What is your favorite book?

Annasophia: My favorite books are the Harry Potter books. They are probably my favorite. I love them. I love the adventures. And the Roald Dahl books. Those are good too.

TFK: Is there any other actor that you'd really like to work with?

Annasophia: Probably Hilary Swank, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep. Those are the big ones.

TFK: What is your favorite sweet treat or chocolate?

Annasophia: I love chocolate. I love gum. I love licorice. I love gumdrops. I love just about any kind of candy there is.

By Allison Berliner