As the star of HBO's series "Entourage," Adrian Grenier is used to having his picture taken by paparazzi.

But when he saw 13-year-old paparrazzo Austin Visschedyk snap his photo, the actor was taken aback by a youth's presence in a profession that can seem predatory.

Grenier began a relationship with Austin and explored topics of celebrity obsession, exploitation and privacy in his directorial debut, the 101-minute documentary "Teenage Paparazzo," screening in the documentary spotlight section of the Sundance Film Festival.

Grenier, who spent more than two years making the film, explained what he learned from Austin, as well as America's seemingly insatiable appetite for stories about the rise and fall of celebrities.

After making this film, are you more sympathetic or empathetic with paparazzi?

I am definitely more empathetic, especially after I was a paparazzo for a day. One reason why there can be so much tension between "paps" and celebs, as well as so much disrespect, is because there is so much distance between the two. I really wanted to understand the paps, and bridge the gap.

As you progressed through the filmmaking process, what knowledge did you gain about why people snap photos of stars? And why average Americans are so interested in seeing intimate pictures of celebrities?

I knew something was awry after seeing a kid pursuing becoming a paparazzi. Celebrity obsession seemed to have reached a peak, but what I discovered was that it's not that simple. There is no way to judge any one paparazzo, or even the paparazzi in general, because we all contribute on many levels. In the film, I try to dissect the complex web of reasons why, from our biological and primal needs, to the economy and survival and profit, all the way to technology and how we use it, and how it shapes us. All of these things create a unique cocktail, which is the celebrity media phenomenon.

Why did you develop a relationship with Austin? And what does he hope to gain from the mentorship?

A kid being a paparazzo was an indication of a tabloid culture gone too far. I'd been exploring celebrity through my character on "Entourage," but Austin's innocence being tainted by a calloused venture was a catalyst for my exploration into this topic on a level of sociology. I couldn't have done it without him. His youth allowed me to infiltrate this world where older, more defensive and jaded paps, may not have let me in. This film is also very much about parenting and the influence of media as a parental force in all of our lives.

What were problems that a young filmmaker like you were forced to deal with?

This film was a lesson in line-blurring. In a world where everything is a blog, about a blog, or a remix of a remix, it was a pleasure to indulge in this very post-modern, self-reflective film-making experience. I became a celebrity by playing a celebrity, and then made this film to dissect celebrity by turning the cameras on the paparazzi and making them the celebrities.

What was your reaction to the film being accepted at Sundance, and what do you hope audiences gain from experiencing the film?

I'm really excited to share "Teenage Paparazzo" with people who love film. I've been to Sundance countless times and it's always better to go when you have something to share. I most look forward to the conversations with the audience. "Teenage Paparazzo" is just the start to a conversation that is as vast and diverse as the many people who use cameras to communicate their ideas.

dburger@sltrib.com