This is my final for film class. Enjoy!

1. James
Franco

2. Basic Profile
Birth Name: James Edward Franco
Nickname: Ted, Teddy
Age: 36
Date of Birth: April 19, 1978
Place of Birth: Palo Alto, California, USA
Height: 5′ 11
Parents: Douglas Franco & Betsy Levine Verne
Siblings: Tom and David (younger)
Education: Palo Alto High School in Palo Alto, CA; University of California in Los
Angeles, California (majored in English); Robert Carnegie’s Playhouse West (studied
acting for 15 months).
Cars: Previously owned a Cadillac before giving it to his brother; owner of an Aston
Martin
Nationality: American
Main Profession: Actor
Claim to Fame: Played nihilistic freak Daniel on the NBC series Freaks and Geeks
(1999-2000)
Hobbies: Painting, drawing, music, acting, writing/directing films

3. Early Life
“When I was 13 or 14, my dad got me a job working the counter at a coffee shop. It
sucked. I read books when the place was empty and got let go when the assistant
manager told the boss he'd found $2 in one of the aprons and said I was trying to
steal. It turns out he had taken, like, $10,000. Later, when I wanted a car and my
parents said they'd match whatever I could pay, I got a job driving carts at the Palo
Alto Golf Course. I would read stuff like Naked Lunch in the cart, and they let me
go when they caught me reading the sequel to A Separate Peace. Another summer
I got a job with a friend on his father's construction crew, but we just got high
every day...I was (also) given an internship at Lockheed Martin. But that
experience showed me I never wanted to work in that environment.”

4. Education/Training
Attended UCLA where he pursued an English major and minored in creative arts.
He was approved to take 62 credits instead of the normal limit of 19.
Moved to New York City and attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for
filmmaking and the Brooklyn College for fiction writing. He also attended the
Warren Wilson College for poetry, and the Rhode Island School of Design.
Has his MFA from Columbia and his PHD in English fromYale.
Taught modifying poetry to third-year students at NYU.
Has said this about education, “I go to school because I love being around people
who are interested in what I am interested in and I’m having a great experience.
I’m studying things that I love so it’s not a chore.:

5. Family
Franco is of Russian-Jewish-Portuguese and
Swedish descent.
His mother, Betsey Franco, is an actress and
played his TV mother on the soap opera,
General Hospital.
His older brother, Tom, is an artist and his
younger brother, Davy, is an actor.
His grandmother, (pictured with him) Mitzie
Verne owns theVerne Art Gallery.
Although encouraged to get good grades and
do well academically by their father, Douglas,
all three of the Franco boys have excelled in the
liberal and creative arts.

6. Signature Styles
Franco seems to be drawn to the darker, seedier,
and psychological elements of characters, whether
he is directing them or portraying them, or both, as
in this clip from “Spring Breakers.”
Because of his trademark good looks and that goofy
smile, Franco’s characters often are a reflection of
himself. In “Eat, Pray, Love” his character wins over
a lost and confused Julia Roberts just with that
emotion filled grin of his.
Franco has an impressive body of work including his
version of William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying” which
he directed and acted in. This film uses split screen
filming as seen in this clip.
Press play on each video

7. 127 Hours
(2010) Biographical Drama
Cast as Aron Ralston Directed by Danny Boyle
This film is based on the true story of mountain climber, Aron Ralston, played by
Franco. We follow Ralston as he struggles to survive after a boulder crushes and pins
his arm , trapping him inside a deep canyon in Utah. Franco’s portrayal of Ralston is
filled with deep seeded emotion as he recalls his friends and loved ones while
succumbing to the fact that he might never get out of the canyon. His poignant
acting skills and intense camera angles make this film one that is not to be missed.

8. Milk
(2008) Biographical Drama
Cast as Scott Smith Directed by GusVan Sant
“Milk” follows the life of openly gay public official, Harvey Milk from his 40th birthday
to his assassination. Franco plays Milk’s lover and campaign manager, Scott Smith.
We watch as Milk and Smith struggle not only with gay rights and relationships but
with the negative consequences that come with being in the public eye. With Milk
portrayed by Sean Penn and with Franco’s inspirational performance, we are left
with a memorable and emotional connection to the characters.

9. Oz the Great and Powerful
(2013) Adventure/Family
Cast as Oz Directed by Sam Raimi
Everyone is familiar with the story of The Wizard of Oz but little is known about the
origin of the great Oz himself. With this film, we are taken back to the very beginning
in Kansas where we meet Oscar Diggs (Franco), a cunning circus magician as he is
swept away to a mysterious land. Upon his arrival, he meets the three witches and
the rest of the inhabitants of this strange land and must find out who is good and
who is wicked and even who he truly is inside to become the man that he should be.

10. Pineapple Express
(2008) Comedy
Saul Silver Directed by David Gordon Green
Franco plays Saul Silver, dealer to Dale Denton (Seth Rogan), in this hilarious film
about a rare strain of pot called Pineapple Express and the trouble that it brings into
their lives. After witnessing a murder and leaving the Pineapple Express at the scene,
the two find themselves on the run while being hunted by a crooked cop and a nasty
drug lord. The comedic rapport that Rogan and Franco have makes this film a must
see. As does the fact that Franco is the best looking and buffest pothead you will
probably ever meet!

11. Selected Filmography
2013 – Homefront
2013 – Child of God
2013 – Palo Alto
2013 –This is the End
2013 – As I Lay Dying
2013 – Oz the Great and Powerful
2013 – Interior Leather Bar
2012 – Maladies
2012 – Spring Breakers
2009-2012 – General Hospital
2011 – Sal
2011 – Rise of the Planet of the Apes
2011 –The BrokenTower
2010 – 127 Hours
2010 – Eat, Pray, Love
2010 – Howl
2008 – Milk
2008 – Pineapple Express
2007 – Spiderman 3
2006 – Flyboys
2006 –Tristan & Isolde
2004 – Spiderman 2
2003 –The Company
2002 – City by the Sea
2002 – Sonny
2002 – Spiderman
2001 – James Dean (TV Movie)
1999-2000 – Freaks and Geeks (TV Series)

12. Nominations
2000:
- Best Performance in aTV Series –Young Ensemble; “Freaks and Geeks”; Young Artist Award
2002:
- Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in aTelevision Movie or Miniseries; “James Dean”; Screen
Actors Guild
- Outstanding LeadActor in a Miniseries or a Movie; “James Dean”; Emmy
2003:
- Best Supporting Actor; “City ByThe Sea”; Chlotrudis Award
2007:
- Choice Movie Rumble; “Spider-Man 3”; Teen Choice Award
2008:
- Best Supporting Actor; “Spider-Man 3”; Saturn Award
- Best Fight; “Spider-Man 3”; MTV Movie Award
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role; “Milk”; Satellite Award
2009:
- Best Supporting Actor; “Milk”; Critics Choice Award
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical; “Pineapple Express”; Golden Globe
- Best Comedic Performance; “Pineapple Express”; MTV Movie Award
- Best Fight; “Pineapple Express”; MTV Movie Award
- Best Kiss; “Milk”; MTV Movie Award
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture; “Milk”; Screen Actors Guild Awards

13. Freaks and Geeks Freaks and Geeks
was a television
series produced by
JuddApatow that
follow the lives of
high school students
in the 1980s.This
was my introduction
to James Franco and
it would prove the
capability of his
enormous talent. His
character, Daniel
Desario, a rebellious
and troubled teen,
constantly fights
with his girlfriend,
Kim Kelly, as shown
in this clip.

14. My Thoughts
This presentation is only a tiny tribute to a multi-talented human that I
admire greatly. He has numerous projects due in the next couple years
that will showcase his passion towards his love of the arts. I am inspired
by his determination and his willingness to be vulnerable as well as martyr
in an unforgiving industry. He has yet to produce his magnum opus but
when he does, the world will surely be watching.

15. Pace Gallery
“Psycho Nacirema” Exhibit – Collaboration with Douglas Gordon

16. Sources
• http://james-franco.com/
• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290556/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Franco
• http://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/filming-faulkners-modernism-
on-james-francos-as-i-lay-dying#
• http://www.npr.org/2010/10/05/130325310/james-franco-modern-
day-renaissance-man