February 1st, 2011
10:22 AM ET
James Franco to teach course about himselfJames Franco really has that school spirit. After recently announcing that he's producing a musical at Yale University, he's now decided to teach a college course — about himself. According to Movieline, the Oscar nominee/host has joined forces with Columbia College Hollywood for "Master Class: Editing James Franco… with James Franco." The course, taught by Franco's frequent collaborator/editor Tyler Danna, will have 12 of the film school's students creating a 30-minute documentary using footage from Franco's career.
Besides the Columbia course, the busy actor/director/author is adding another project to his already-packed lineup: Broadway. Playbill confirms earlier reports that he'll appear alongside Nicole Kidman in the Broadway revival of "Sweet Bird of Youth." The production, in which he'll play a gigolo wooing a faded movie star, is set to open sometime after the summer.
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So he is gonna teach a class on how to be a flamin FA GG OT? Wonderful.
Someone is full of himself...
Freaks and Geeks Rocked! Pineapple Express was Hilarious! Can't wait to see 127 Hours. We shouldn't begrudge him the experiences that this life has allowed him.
Even though I like the guy, I can't help but feel his ego needs to be taken down a few pegs.
Jealous much?
Yeah!!!
I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT FRANCO IS A BIG JERK FOR BEING GOOD LOOKING AND MAKING LOTS OF MONEY. I THINK WE SHOULD HOLD THAT AGAINST HIM WHEN HE TRIES TO DO THINGS LIKE GO TO COLLEGE OR TEACH OTHERS.
Right On!
So True!
I know!
If somebody like Franco tried to teach my film class, I would walk out. No way I want someone from Hollywood teaching me about film!
You're an idiot if you would walk out of the class because someone from Hollywood was teaching it. Ignorant people are so dumb.
I've been loosely following Franco's career since Freeks and Geeks and I think that he is a good role model for many of the young actors in Hollywood. I can only guess that all of the hate filled messages on this board are from people who are just bored and having nothing to spread except for negativity, because is there really any harm in this? The guy is just having some fun and is giving a unique educational experience to a handful of people interested in his field. He's hardly the best actor to have been filmed, but you have to admire his diversity.
I LOVE JAMES FRANCO!!! (trying to retain the bitterness of not being able to attend this class X-( ) He is one of the few people in entertainment that I will go on a screaming crazy fan type frenzy over. Others, not so much......
Franco does Franco? How hot is that?
Brilliant.
Did Charlie Sheen wanted to commit suicide ? See here moviesfan.eu/news/item/303-did-charlie-sheen-wanted-to-commit-suicide-?
I really like James Franco, and he was awesome in "James Dean". However, I do agree with WLM that some Oscars are not deserved. Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie (sorry)...
A real schhol teacher sounds like a bittter ooold haaag that gives everyone an F. Probably a closet lezzbo.
@avreal teacher. I bet when you are not teaching you are in the musical called The Gallloping Gooob Sukkerz. You are the reason children haaate school.
i am glad he took pills and died. he should not be playing or acting roles with men sleeping together. that is not family friendly or godly for that matter!
Really?
You know what Trisha, wishing people death is in no way godly or christian, but what can we expect from retarded people, opps, i mean Kristian KUNTS like yourself.
And people wonder how China can provide a better educational system.
Agreed. This makes me wish teacher's unions didn't exist, because they protect people like "school teachr" who lack basic writing skills. It is people like that whose very presence demeans the entire profession. I was happiest when I taught at Georgia Tech, but would I ever teach at a public school? Nope. Not when the talent pool of teachers (not to mention the salary structure) is that low. It's the Private Sector Life for me!!
I think he should stick to teaching. He is the worst actor in horrywood. Almost as bad as the girl in the twilight series.
Herro. Relcome to Horrywood.
As bad as an actor as he may be, he's still finding work. You must need more if you have time to comment in such a manner.
WHERE DO I ENROLL!!
I'd love to be in that class. James is a great actor, and I'd be begging him to stay after class, so I could pick his brain. Even my mother likes him, and she's finicky when it comes to actors. Good luck with your class James.
I thoght he did a good job as the young darth vader in those star wars movies.
Before you start judging, get ur info straight.He's a really diverse actor. Watch 127 hours and James Dean and you'll see it.
Franco got his MFA at Columbia. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA, and has also studied film at NYU.
I would love to take this class. I love him. Do talented and handsome
Even in "Tristan & Isolde" – what an astounding performance!
He's so precious.
DOOOOOOOONNNNNUUUUUTTTTTSSSSSS!
I think I can hear Carly Simon singing "you're so vain" in the background.
Ridiculous. Just like everything else about this "artist." Whatever–as long as he's not teaching a writing course. I bought his book and it was–hands down–the worst drivel I have ever paid good money to read. It almost made me hate words. It certainly made me realize that this guy is a joke. There is good news here, however. His nauseating assault on the public consciousness can not sustain itself much longer; people are already tiring of him. Thank god!
School teachr clearly teaches special ed.
He hasn't been great in everything, but he has had more successes than failures. Also, he is one of the most diverse actors there is. at least he is making the efforts to learn different crafts at different levels. He is young and will only het better, unlike some other actors and actresses,
James Franco is just a pretty boy..... they are a dime a dozen in Hollywood.
I thought this was an Onion article at first.
Love it! I totally agree. This couldn't be more ridiculous if the Onion DID write it. Go away, James.
Wow talk about an ego!!!
Another misleading CNN headline. According to the article, it sounds like an experienced editor is going to be teaching a course on editing. The footage they're editing just happens to be of James Franco, and he's going to be available for critiques. The headline makes it sound like he's going to be giving lectures about his life and work.
I feel like if I were to read only the headlines and none of the articles on CNN for a week, I would be more uninformed than someone who didn't attempt to follow the news at all. Anyone who just read this headline surely thinks Franco is an arrogant chump, but anyone who took the time to read the article will see that he's just going out of his way to enhance the experience and value of a course that his friend is teaching.
Hmmm...I question this guys credentials.
EGOMANIAC, GET OVER YOURSELF
more fishsticks now ! dangiit ! hurry lunchroom lady ! get to work. my students is hungry !
THEY ONLY THING HE CAN TEACH ME IS WHERE HIS G SPOT IS. I WILL TEACH HIM THE BUNGHOLE BACKSTROKE
I'm SO over this guy. Can't wait until he's found in some publlic bathroom twink scandal
LOL your funny!!
City by the Sea wasn't that good. Just because he was nominated for award by an industry that sustains itself on self promotion means what? Maybe he can help the students learn something but I don't think he'll be nominated for a Kennedy Center Award for the arts. As for him looking like James Dean – give me a break.
I'm 60, and I love this guy. He's talented, has a great sense of humor, and doesn't seem to take himself so seriously as so many young actors do these days. I've loved him since Freaks and Geeks.
How could you POSSIBLY think that someone who is teaching a class ABOUT HIMSELF doesn't take himself very seriously? This guy is an egomaniac. Total self-aggrandizing sociopath. Wake up people!
@a real teacher. i bet you are some football coach. that or the lunchroom lady. remember my double order of fishsticks this time. danggit.
ya know making fun of someone else's job like your better then them is extremely offensive. there is nothing wrong with being a lunch lady or being a janitor or any other job that you teachers think are lower than yours. teachers aren't better than the rest of the world so get over yourselves.
By the way, he should stay clear of writing. His book truly sucked. His experiences and stories pale in comparison to what I experienced growing up in the 60s in a large Midwestern city. We're not talking Dostoevsky here.
i teach civics and current events. plus today we are having fish sticks and tater tots in the lunchroom. im gonna get a double order. YES !
You must encounter a lot of students who write better than you. Thank goodness for teacher's editions and answer keys, right?
I would have thought that he would have been modest enough to encourage someone else to organize and teach the class. Oh well, the cult of personality has definitely emerged victorious in this case. But why should this be any surprise. We elevate people that have done nothing to cult status...the Kardashian's and Paris Hilton, to name a few. A sign of a sick society in which people have lost a sense of what's really important. I do agree that he's a fine actor, but can anyone tell me whether DeNiro has taught a class about himself?
if you read the story you'd know his friend, an editor teaches that course and he's just helping out. The footage they're editing will be of his work, and he's going to be available for critiques. Franco completed his undergrad at UCLA and studied film at NYU. He got his MFA at Columbia and currently working on his PhD from Yale.
I think he's a phenomenal artist that actively seeks out new challenges in acting, writing, directing, and just a bit of everything. He clearly doesn't take himself too seriously and enjoys working in a variety of formats from the "lowly" soap opera to Oscar-nominated film roles. Oprah taught an MBA class at Northwestern while I was a student there; a teaching certificate or PhD is not required to teach at the collegiate level.
School teacher you are stupid.
he recievec his masters this past year, concluding his acting degree for the 4 years he did prior.
this is more than enough to go to any school and pass the written test to recieve a silly piece of paper that says you can teach...
lmoa, do you think the university would of really let him in if he wasnt legit...? i understand its hard to catch grips with the fact that you are a no one. but Jamie darling franco is! and pineapple express was the best movie ever! it expanded his character, hes the bst. is i was him, i woulda done this years ago
the rise of this individual just amazes me. I have never seen such a talentless zero that has somehow turned heads in Hollyweird. Reminds me of the strange di crapprio days when inexplicably another wooden no talent actor seemed to capture the hearts and minds of Lala land. This is what happens when 23 year old MBA with no experience in the film industry choose the picture.
In the immortal words of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard: It's the pictures that got small and no where is this more evident than the rise of someone like this.
of the 22 eighth graders in my class all but 2 of them didnt know who he was. the other 2 said he used to work in the packing dept at the local fudge factory.
I hope you aren't an English teacher.
Obviously, you don't teach 8th grade. If you did, you'd know that most 13 year olds don't know anything that doesn't directly affect them. That means they don't know who their governor is or how to find North Carolina on a map. I know this because I raised children, and I actually did teach 8th grade for 15 years.
hmm, this guy teaching in a University! Go James! this will be a licence for Punanni!!!
Loved him on General Hospital, can't wait to see him back on the show
wow, does this guy look like james dean. look up a picture of James when he was younger! could be brothers!
You are so right. And if you think he looks like James Dean – you should see him in the movie about the life of James Dean. He was amazing!
Loved him on General Hospital
reasons. first he doesnt have a teaching certificate from an accredited college or university. second he isnt my favorite acting person. why dont they at least get an A lister to teach.
a teaching certificate is not required to teach at the university level
for a school "teachr" you aren't very smart.
A real teacher would know that a person doesn't need a teaching certificate to teach a university course. Teaching certificates are designed to make sure that public school teachers have at least mediocre skills. If a person is being offered a teaching position at a university, chances are that his or her skills/talents are vastly superior to that of the average public school teacher.
school teachr makes a good point. If you are going to teach a film class you should be an accredited teacher instead of an accomplished Hollywood Actor.
And if you are going to slum it with an accomplished Hollywood Actor, than the least you could do is go with an A-Lister because I am sure there is a waiting list of A-List Actors that really want to teach a film class!!!
Teaching certificates are only required for K-12 public schools. They are NOT required to teach at the university level. Furthermore, he's currently a PhD student at Yale. At many universities, courses are sometimes taught by PhD students. I'd say he's more than qualified to teach.
In a masters or phd program you get academic credit for teaching a class. No wonder you cant get a job teaching ... Too dull to realize a simple fact.
he is taking jobs away from us real teachers. i am going to ask the teachers union to investigate this. thanks for the info.
you can take your teacher's union and shove it you dirty commie
you are underlooking the fact that he is an international Yale-educated celebrity. If there are better qualifications to being a teacher I'd like to hear them.
How is this going to prepare people to market themselves as a brand out of college? (individuality, kind of necessary in film) Rehashing someone else's old success? Oh god I want to buy! Idiots...
Go for it james!!! But just a quick heads up – you may very well soon run out of things to do : )
He is a Phd student at Yale. I'm sure he'll get credit for this toward that degree.
I am TOO in Love with this Man!!
@ WLM,
You are just a jealous moron, aren't you?
It doesnt mean just cause he was nominated for an award that his is a great actor. There are lots of people that are nominated for awards and win that dont deserve it......Just to name a few, lets start with Halle Berry.. I need not go on.. In Milk he wasnt that great, nor was he in Spiderman I have not seen the James Dean Movie or 127 Hours... but I will watch is since it seems that alot of people say he was good in it.. Otherwise, I still dont think he should teach a class, i just dont think he is qualified (not saying that you need a teaching degree) enough.. just cause he was nominated for an academy award and is hosting the Ocsars is not a reason to teach a class.. Columbia wants to be in the media and this is a way to get them there.....
@WLM
James Franco is currently working on a Phd from Harvard or Yale (not sure which one). I think that qualifies him to teach a film class.
You can also add Annapolis, Tristan & Isolde, and Fly Boys to his already impressive list in such a short amount of time
take note, young america. THIS is how to act responsibly and contribute positively.
No. Helping earthquake victims in Haiti, volunteering in poor neighborhoods, or building houses for impoverished communities is an example of how to "contribute positively" in the world. Teaching a film class about yourself for fun is not in the same league, and Franco would be the first to admit this fact.
alec....you have a valid point. my point is this guy is applying his craft to which he is soundly devoted, unlike many young actors who would rather indulge in the superficial side of celebrity.
He's done plenty of charity stuff as well, man.
WLM, he's nominated for an academy award retard.
Doesnt mean he is qualified to teach a class.......
WLM makes a point. Plus he's still so young for an actor. It's not like tom hanks is teaching. I like Franco and i think he is a good actor but this class will be a waste. and Nathan you sound like an idiot. what does his nomination have anything to do with teaching.
Although, if you want to argue that he has a masters degree and I believe a phD then that would be a better argument.
this guy is so full of himself... What great movies has he been in?? Pineapple Express?? Please... Columbia Student, save your money!!!
and i suppose you consider the likes of jersey shore, lindsay lohan, paris hilton and charlie sheen to be masters of their craft?????
What about ...127 HOURS??
Milk and 127 Hours. Not that they're on the same level, but your argument is like saying, "Dustin Hoffman? What great movies has he been in?? Dick Tracy?? Please..."
He is a very talented actor. Guess you never saw the movie about James Dean. Franco played the lead role, he was fantastic – he won a Golden Globe award and an Emmy nomination. He was also very good in a movie called City by The Sea – with Robert Deniro.
He was in recently critically acclaimed 127 hours, Milk, Date Night and did you never see spider man?
Pinapple Express was a cinematic masterpiece
He got a Golden Globe nomination for Pineapple Express....
All I know is in Pineapple Express, he did not use marijuana during his role. In my opinion, he was the worst pot head actor i've seen outside of reefer madness. The thing is, you can see him gargling and dirnking wine in the movie. So he's a no-go on marijuanana, but gargles wine? No wonder he did such a terrible protrail of a marijuana user,
Apparently you've never seen the "Acting With James Franco" comedy sketches on Funnyordie.com. Franco loves to make fun of himself... and this probably is no exception. It's so absurd it's funny, and he knows it. The guy has no compunction about ridiculing himself, and the whole thing must have started with the comedy sketches he was doing on FOD. Not too long ago, his pal Seth Rogen made some comment which the gossip media (read: NOT JOURNALISM) also took a little too seriously. Are you kidding me? This is James Franco and Seth Rogen we're talking about.
Actually, the guy has done a pretty impressive list of great films, and hey, some groundbreaking tv too! Look him up on IMDB before you make yrself look any more foolish. Meanwhile, he seems to have a really solid handle on the whole celebrity thing. I appreciate the way he graciously accepts it while at the same time poking fun at it, and refusing to take himself too seriously. This course is a perfect example.
Pineapple Express is the Up in Smoke of this generation– not everybody's cup of tea, but definitely verged on potential cult classic. I still don't think James Franco should be teaching a class about HIMSELF– teach all you want, obviously you have the education and background, but spare us the ego. I was equally shocked when I learned that he's trying to direct adaptations of Blood Meridian and As I Lay Dying. A few solid short films don't make you worthy of McCarthy and Faulkner– yet. Also, whoever compared him to Dustin Hoffman is using a hyperbolic analogy. By the time Hoffman was 32, he had been in The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy. 127 Hours is the only of Franco's films that comes close to that level of cinema– he had a tiny part in Milk, and anyone who considers Spider Man or City by the Sea (who likes that movie??) in a class with The Graduate... well, to each his/her own.
Nerd.
Oh how I wish I was in this class! I love his acting, and I think he is such a talented, young actor.
I love this guy. Great actor, great personality.