INTERVIEW WITH CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY:

The cool guy is often one-dimensional. How did you infuse him with character?
Because I hate one-dimensional, cool characters. I guess I just wanted to bring my own idiosyncrasies to the character. I wanted to just live the life through what I perceived to be the character. When we got the script, I felt that there wasn’t enough storyline for Austin. I felt like we really should dive into the depths of him not being happy in his so-called perfect world with the father forcing him to go to USC. That wasn’t originally there. I sat down and I talked to the producer and director and said, “Guys, we should really grow on this storyline. I think having two storylines meet in the middle with two people who aren’t happy that find each other and become happy, I think that that’s interesting.” And they all agreed. When we sat down, we talked about it and we kind of tried to develop the storyline as much as we could without getting away from “A Cinderella Story.”

Where do you get the confidence to say that to a director?
I’m an idiot. So I don't know.

Did it develop from TV?
I think that I just see things the way I do. And occasionally sometimes I’m too blunt to be honest. I’m never giving anyone criticism that’s not constructive. I just really want what’s best for the film. I want to make good movies. I want people to enjoy what I do. If I do something that people really won’t enjoy, then what’s the point? We’re there to tell a story and entertain and have a piece of life so I don't know. I don’t want to be involved in something that’s not going to do it. Those are the facts for me.

With so many teen movies featuring girls as the stars, do you ever feel like you’re asked to play just “the boyfriend”?
I think if you do that, you screw yourself. I think that you’re there to play a character and tell a story. I mean, those are the facts, you know? You can’t really think about who you’re doing it with or what the purpose of the film is and what length to explain the story. If I went in there and I was insecure, it would show. I was excited. I thought Hilary Duff’s on such a great ride right now, people are going to obviously really want to attach themselves to this film. She’s doing a great job and she’s such a sweet girl. So I just took her out to coffee prior to the movie, just to get to know her and work with her, so we could create some sort of relationship between each other. So it would be easier on set. And I don't know, I never actually thought about that but thanks for making me feel bad (laughing).

Are you poetic in real life?
No, I’m not a poet. But I think that I’m definitely connected to my sensitive side. I pretty much wear my emotions on my sleeves for the people in my life. But very much like Austin, he doesn’t show everybody what he’s feeling. He keeps to himself except when he’s in a comfortable situation. He’s got his boys and stuff like that, but other than that, I don't think he’s happy. I don't think he’s perfect. High school quarterback, he’s got good grades, he can go to USC, he’s got the best girl. Everybody thinks he’s perfect, but he goes on the Internet and obviously explains to this secret admirer or secret Internet Explorer chick that he’s not happy. He gets his feelings out there and I feel like that’s more real…