Through the University of Florida’s student government, Accent Speakers Bureau successfully managed to bring the one and only James Franco to speak to the student body on Feb. 25. The actor, director, screenwriter, producer, teacher and author graced us with a full interview followed by a question and answer session by students. Franco spoke and joked about several different topics and managed to teach me funny and important lessons along the way.
You did not need to wait in line for more than an hour. Since the event was on a first come first serve basis, it was understandable that students would be lining up fairly early before the doors opened at 7 p.m. However, arriving anytime before 6 p.m. only assured you a better seat than a few others. Seriously, what was the point of waiting in line since 3 p.m.? I doubt Franco was even close to Gainesville at that time. Anyone could have walked in right at 8 p.m. and been able to witness the event without the hassle of waiting in the line that wrapped around campus.
The microphone situation was seriously uncomfortable. With a rocky start to the show, Franco’s mic worked perfectly, but Foley’s just would just not cooperate. It was funny at first, as James cracked some jokes, but as it progressed it became slightly embarrassing. Franco was a good sport about the situation, but it was pretty obvious this went on for too long.
Seth Rogen smokes a ton of weed. In the first question Foley asked, he praised Franco’s accomplishments and proceeded to ask about Franco’s relationship with Seth Rogen. Franco responded with a long, expressive account of their friendship and career together. After Foley seemed unnecessarily dissatisfied with his answer, James shrugged his shoulders and yelled, “Seth smokes a ton of weed!” and it was awesome.
He is not just known for comedy. If you truly are a Franco fanatic, you already know his artistic nature does not lie within the Pineapple Express realm of comedy. With that being said, he is known for much more than the hilarious characters he plays. He made this idea obvious by giving long, intense and articulate answers to any questions asked. It was fascinating to watch him struggle for the appropriate words to fully relay his message to the audience, because his mind is constantly moving and thinking.
Facial hair is the move. Franco’s beard. Enough said.
He is not afraid to be offensive. Whether he was responding to Foley’s initial questions, or the inquiries of students during the Q&A, Franco proved he is not afraid to speak his mind and shut someone down. He did not hold back, he did not want to take a selfie with that one girl and he definitely did not learn sign language for Rise of the Planet Apes.
He accepted past mistakes pretty readily. Fly Boys was the worst. And he knows it. But he does not regret it. In fact, Franco does not regret any films he has done that he has not approved of because there was a certain period in his life when he believes this sort of failure needed to happen. It allowed him to take a step back and reevaluate what needed to be changed in his approach to film. He grew from his mistakes, and used that energy to refocus and create better movies.
He is interested in midtown. One brave soul approached the mic and mentioned that the UF population thanked him for coming to the event and would love it if he came out later in the evening as well. With roars of laughter and hoopla from the crowd, Franco laughed along. As the quiet settled back in, he asked, “Where’s everyone goin’ tonight?” Balls, James. We’re goin’ to Balls.
Selfies and Snap videos in public are cool when he takes them. This could be a lesson in social media. When someone with so much influence uses that power, it could really move people. Everyone in the crowd wanted a part of this experience, and oohed and ahhed when James chanted, “Go Gators!”
Which media he likes best. An aspiring artist from the crowd asked Franco what media he felt was most liberating or satisfying. Franco answered that there is not one specific medium for him, and that it is amazing because in this day and age you can easily create in all types of media. You are not limited to one thing. You are not limited to being a painter or writer or actor; you can do it all. You deserve to dream big.
