Entertainment

Chase scene

We wondered if Adrian Grenier, who plays movie star Vincent Chase on “Entourage,” had an ax to grind with the paparazzi. After all, in his documentary, “Teenage Paparazzo,” out later this month, he turns the lens on that pride of shutterbugs who chase celebs in pursuit of a candid shot they can sell for thousands. But, as it turns out, he doesn’t so much besiege the paparazzi as he does befriend them, buddying up to a precocious 13-year old paparazzo named Austin Visschedyk in order to learn about the subculture. The 34-year old first-time director also shared his thoughts about Charlie Sheen, teaching Paris Hilton Greek mythology and life after “Entourage,” which starts filming its eighth and final season next month.

You spent a lot of time with Paris Hilton for the documentary. Why was it important to get her to participate?

I’m only relatively famous, not nearly as much as my character [Vince]. In order to truly understand what that celebrity bubble is like, I had to find somebody like Paris. She’s very powerful. She’s a huge celebrity. She can wave her hand and shut things down.

What did the cameras capture?

We see a side of Paris I don’t think anybody has ever seen before. There’s a very thoughtful and mature side of her. There’s a lot of self-awareness, which was refreshing.

How do you see her role in what you call the tabloid media story?

I see Paris as an artist. Her canvas is the tabloid media. I think Andy Warhol would have been head over heels for her. She’s so fluid and artful in her craft, which is creating sensation in the tabloid media.

Is there any benefit to having the
paparazzi follow you around?

Somebody once said to me, “You’re so lucky. You have all these photographers documenting your life for you and you don’t have to do anything. They create your photo album.” That’s one thing I am grateful for. Every once in awhile a picture will come up on the Internet and I’ll think, “Oh yeah, I remember that. That was fun.” Or sometimes it’s “Oh my God, what was I wearing? I’ve got to hit the gym.”

You tipped off the paparazzi that you were hanging out with Paris to expose the way tabloids will make up things. But, in the end, it backfired on you.

Oh, yeah. The myth machine is very powerful. It’s best not to try to take on that battle because chances are you are going to lose. It’s like the ocean. At the very best, you can ride it. The only way to win is not to participate at all. But I can’t help it sometimes. My curiosity and desire to explore that world and to create as an artist is more powerful than the repercussions.

Charlie Sheen seems to be trying to leverage the media but do you think he’s aware that . . .

He’s going to lose?

He’s not winning.

Somebody should probably tell him, right? I don’t usually like talking about other people, but in this context it’s interesting. I get the sense that on some level he’s attempting to ride that wave, attempting to take the publicity and define it himself, divert it. I’m cheering for him in that respect. Because, you know what? None of us know him. All we know is what some blogger wrote. I wish him well. Of course, I wish him well. I wish everyone well.

You just caught yourself in your own media BS.

[Laughs] No, what I mean to say is that I want to see him succeed at battling all the tabloids who are against him.

For a second, I thought that he was Hamlet, pretending to be crazy, and
realizing the only way to turn this around is to own it. And he’d get the last laugh. Am I crazy for thinking this?

No. I think you’re right, I mean, if he’s that savvy. Even if he’s instinctually that savvy. Maybe you and I are just hoping that’s the case. Look at my character, Vince Chase. He’s praised for being a pimp daddy. A crazy, maniacal pimp daddy. We sit at the edge of our seat hoping he succeeds. Charlie Sheen says, “If I’m going to be a character in this tabloid media story, screw it, let’s make it interesting.”

Were you hoping that the documentary would allow people to see you differently than as just Vince?

You got me! People have seen me for years playing this character. In order to prove I’m other things, I need to demonstrate it. So, yeah, on some level, this is me demonstrating the other levels of my personality. But I’m not pretending it. It’s authentic.

What does the future hold for Vince this season?

Vinnie got busted with some drugs and we don’t know what’s going to happen. I think Vince is going to have to dig himself out of this hole and get back on top. I think we all suspect he might be able to. But, of course, you don’t know how.

Any updates on the talk of an “Entourage” movie?

I haven’t spoken to Mark [Wahlberg] yet but I think we’re all expecting it.

Have you spoken to the other guys in the cast about the possibility?

Yeah. We’ve all talked about it and we all want to do it.

So with the show ending, is there some nervousness that you’ll still be seen as Vince, but with no show?

Oh, for sure. The end of a dream job and the instability that lies ahead. But, you know, I can always move back to Queens.