LOS ANGELES, California—“I can’t wait for you guys to see it,” Drew Barrymore enthused about her feature directorial debut, “Whip It!” Drew, still blonde at the time of our press conference, added, “I’m doing editing now.”

She showed up at the Stardust, The Beverly Hilton’s top floor lounge which has great views of Beverly Hills and beyond, to talk about the new movie which she produced, “He’s Just Not That Into You.” But she was understandably eager to share the latest on “Whip It!” which stars “Juno” sensation Ellen Page.

“He’s Just Not That Into You,” a phrase first heard on the TV series “Sex and the City,” inspired Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo to write a self-help book with the same title. The movie, which is based on the bestseller, has quite a stellar cast–Drew, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly, Justin Long (Drew’s ex-boyfriend), Kevin Connolly (“Entourage”), Ginnifer Goodwin (“Big Love”) and Bradley Cooper.

Drew was also excited about “Grey Gardens,” an HBO movie in which she and Jessica Lange play the eccentric relatives of Jackie Kennedy who became recluses and lost their grasp of reality. Below are excerpts from our interview with the girl the world fell in love with since she broke into that memorable scream in “E.T.”

How did you get involved as a producer of this film?

Nancy Juvonen and I produce together, side by side. We’re executive producers of this movie. And I just directed my first film called “Whip It!” starring Ellen Page, which Nan produced. This film was really Nan’s baby. She said, “I want to make this film. I want to use the line ‘He’s just not that into you’ as a discussion and as a springboard for real life relationships and all the things we’ve been through and seen with all our friends.”

How important is producing for you?

Movie producing is very important to me, as is directing. I love every aspect of filmmaking—cinematography, production design, casting, writing and every little detail that goes into making a film. I am someone who has virtually lived her entire life— 33 years—working in film. You start out acting, then you get into producing, and eventually you end up writing and directing. Because if you love something, you want to grow into it.

What do you think of the impact that digital technology has made on courtship, which is shown in this film?

While working on “Never Been Kissed,” the first film Nan and I produced together, I kept saying, “I really want to hit these aspects of courtship— like I miss my answering machine and I don’t understand how to be cute via texting.” I was obsessively writing down things that were bothering me in real life. Much of that is in the movie.

We are in a totally new era. I remember when you could check your answering machine by telephone. That was crazy (laughter). I miss those days. When I started dating, there was barely an answering machine. MySpace is already archaic and now, it’s Facebook. But I’m much better in person. If you want to text, I’ll say, “I’d rather talk about the time and place where we’re going to meet so we can hang out.”

What are you looking for in a relationship?

I would like someone who inspires me, who’s creative. I can’t sit around and talk about nothing. I’m interested in photography and I like to go to museums and travel. I also love literature and filmmaking. And as always, I love a guy with a sense of humor.

This movie leads to conversations about dating and relationships. Who was the relationship expert on the set?

Nancy. Also, Scarlett—she’s very smart and savvy, very confident and knows herself. Talking to her on the set was really fun.

If you can cast anyone as your co-star in a dream project, who would that be?

I love Christian Bale. He’s so cute. And I’d love to do another film with Adam Sandler. I got to work with extraordinary people on the film (“Whip It!”) that I directed. Ellen Page is one of the brightest, most intelligent, intuitive and important actresses. She reminds me of Jodie Foster. The elegance, class and energy she exudes is very unusual. I also have Kristen Wiig in the film. She is super funny in the film but she also shows a dramatic side.

Now that you’ve tried directing, what are your thoughts about it?

Thirty seconds can seem like a lifetime when 250 people are waiting and looking at you to make a decision on the spot. And there is absolutely no room for weakness. You’ve got to bu ck up, go and be the leader and be strong.

I showed the film to Steven Spielberg (her godfather and “E.T.” director). It was so exciting because he taught me so many of those values and lessons that are in the film. When I went to the set of “E.T.,” it just clicked. I thought that these people in these film sets—this is my tribe, this is where I want to be. This is the family I don’t have. (In 1990, Drew filed papers to become legally emancipated from her parents.)

You’ve had such a full life, acting as early as when you were a baby. Having grown in the limelight, have you thought about who you really are?

I know who I am in my own small life. I’m scared to have a sense of what other people think of me. So I just know who I am. It’s dangerous to think bigger than that.

So can you talk about that side of you?

I’m more philanthropic than I used to be. I’m the Ambassador Against Hunger for the UN World Food Programme. In my small way, I want to help and give children a chance by getting them food and education. You learn in your journeys that it’s not about just doing your work. It’s going out there and seeing firsthand who they are and what they need.

What has been the most satisfying experience in your life so far?

“Whip It!” and “Grey Gardens” have been the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had in my life. They were both challenges I hadn’t faced before.

E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.