(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Vera Farmiga has learned many "life lessons" from "loving" colleague George Clooney.

The 38-year-old actress has just released her directorial debut film Higher Ground. Co-starring with George in the 2009 film Up in the Air, Vera admits that George imparted a great deal of professional wisdom to her on set. Just by being himself, George helped to create an ideal working environment.

"The things I learned from George are life lessons," Vera told E! Online. "He knows how to operate on a set. He's so unselfish. He's a goofball and he's so affectionate with the crew and loving and nurturing."

George's intercommunication skills impress Vera the most. His charm is infectious.

"He doesn't hang out in his trailer and escape between shots," Vera said. "He's present and he's engaging. He makes you feel like you're the most important person in the room. He's truly invested and curious about who you are. That's rare for a movie star."

Vera worked really hard on her new film. She was handling post-production obligations less than a week after giving birth to daughter Gytta Lubov Hawkey last November.

"About four or five days after giving birth, we were back in post-production because Sundance had already seen an early cut and wanted it for the festival," Vera explained. "I brought my daughter to the final sound edits."

Higher Ground is now playing in US theatres. (C) Cover Media