Emma's Pet Project

At a huge historic hotel in downtown Los Angeles, dogs are everywhere, outside in the courtyard and inside the hotel lobby -- canine craziness for cinema's sake. The movie centers on 16-year-old Andi (Emma) and her brother Bruce (Jake T. Austin), both way into animal rescue. They live in a foster home -- with a no-pets policy. So they turn an abandoned hotel into doggie digs for furry family member Friday (and then some). We catch up with Emma for a little question-and-answer sesh.…

Q: Have there been any on-set bloopers?
A: Well, I had to run out of a building with about 20 dogs following me and the ground was wet. One dog hit my knee, and I fell down and skinned both knees. All the dogs trampled me! I was really upset, but then I was happy because I didn't have any bloopers before that.

Q: In the movie, you and your BFF have a crush on the same guy. Has that ever happened to you in real life?
A: Yes! Since me and my friends have really good taste, we always like the same boy. But usually we work it out. No one has ever been in a fight over a boy.

Q: Have you ever liked a guy who didn't like you the same way?
A: I think everyone has!

Q: What kind of dates have you been on lately?
A: When I was in England, I went to dinner and a movie. It was fun. I love England! There are really cute boys. I got to meet Rupert and Daniel [Grint and Radcliffe of Harry Potter] when I was there. Two of the nicest people I've ever met.

Q: What's your favorite thing to do in L.A.?
A: My friends and I go out for sushi every weekend.

Q: What are your essentials for having a good party?
A: The worst thing is when you're in a big space and there's not a lot of people. That makes it awkward. It's nice to let people bring other friends because then you can meet new people.

Hotel for Dogs opens in the United States on Jan. 16, 2009.