Celebrity sightings suddenly became commonplace last year when Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Jimmy Fallon and others arrived to work on Barrymore's directorial debut, "Whip It," in Ypsilanti and the Detroit area. And because the film is slated to open October 2, Barrymore returned to Southeast Michigan this week as part of a promotional tour.

The film tells the story of a small town Texas teen (played by Page) who wants to escape her mother's pageant ambitions for her and instead join an Austin-based roller derby team. (Several Detroit Derby Girls appear in the film.)

Barrymore addressed fans on Friday afternoon at Bonaventure Skate Park in Farmington Hills, but first, she "walked the red carpet" - which, in truth, was a section of the parking lot blocked off with a red velvet rope - and answered questions from the press. Here are a few things she had to say.

On venturing into directing: It’s a natural progression if you love film. ... Working so closely with so many directors was really vital for me in watching what styles I like, and I’ve learned so much along the way. My whole journey was something that I tried to collect and keep so that one day, I would be able to use all of that knowledge to the best of my ability, but also figure out who I am as a filmmaker and follow my own gut instincts.

On whether she'll focus on acting or directing in futre: I still love both. I think I just like all aspects of filming.

On her drive to make films: I’ve always thought (filmmaking) was a forum where you could educate and entertain, as well as escape. ... If I can take someone out of their own life for two hours and transport them to somewhere else, if I can make them laugh, or feel emotional, or feel like they want to go out and rock afterwards, and make all different kinds of films at Flower Films, whether it’s Charlie’s Angels or Donnie Darko - I can only hope that the job I do could just make someone feel ... joy or wonder or abandonment of life for a moment.

On working with a small budget: I think that’s the tone of the times. And I think derby is a great, emblematic symbol of that, because it’s a very DIY world. These women don’t make money doing this. They have day jobs. They’re librarians, they’re NPR correspondents, they’re nurses. ... And so, for me, it’s great that you can have this one life, and have a living and be a mother or have a job, and then you come and you find this awesome group of women, where you get to be the hero that you envision yourself being, athletic and capable. And it’s not about money, and it’s not about your ethnic background, or what body shape you are. It’s about just going out there and making it happen for yourself amongst a cool group of chicks. And to me, that is an environment that I feel personally drawn to.

Snippets of what she told the crowd at Bonaventure: First of all, I love this state. It was a miracle that I got to make my film here. … The people who participated in the movie … were amazing. Everyone is so cool here. ... In a world that’s getting very technological and fast and advanced, there’s that old school side of me that’s like, there’s nothing like coming and personally saying thank you.

To see a slideshow of images from this event, click below.