Actors Anonymous Explained

Actors Anonymous is a novel by American author and actor James Franco.^{[1] [2] [3]} Published in 2013 by Little A/New Harvest, the novel is a series of connected short stories about actors in Los Angeles.^[4] The chapters follow the 12 Steps and the 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.^[5]

On 11 October 2013, James Franco appeared in a book trailer along with actors Jim Parrack, Scott Haze, Stacey Miller and Mia Serafino to promote the release of the book.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Reception to Actors Anonymous was mixed. Critics complained that the otherwise interesting and well-written stories were marred by name dropping and references to the author's own career and personal philosophy.^{[9] [10]}

Film adaptation

In 2017, Franco's book was adapted into a feature film, Actors Anonymous, starring James Franco, Eric Roberts, Emma Rigby, Scott Haze, Jake Robbins, Carmen Argenziano, and Horatio Sanz.^[11] The film was produced by Rabbit Bandini Productions in collaboration with USC's School of Cinematic Arts and screened at the Cinequest^[12] and Newport Beach Film Festival.^{[13] [14]}

The film had an unconventional development process, crafted by a collective of eight writers (Elizabeth Eccher, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Halla, Kaela Rae Jensen, Josh Litman, Theodore Martland, Alex Parslow, Osahon Tongo) and twelve directors (Melanie Aitkenhead, Abi Damaris Corbin, Shaun Duffy, Justin S. Lee, Kelly Luu, Kevin Luu, Jess Maldaner, Leandro Tadashi, Juel Taylor, Jay Wolff, Kerry Yang, Julio Vincent Gambuto), all graduate students at USC's School of Cinematic Arts.^[15]

The project was supervised by John Watson, with James Franco playing a pivotal role not only as a cast member but also in a mentorship capacity.^[16]

Notes and References

1. http://www.hypable.com/2013/11/22/book-review-actors-anonymous-james-franco/ Book review: 'Actors Anonymous' by James Franco
2. News: Connelly. Sherryl. Real life and real hype blend in James Franco's first novel, 'Actors Anonymous'. 14 October 2013. New York Daily News. 14 October 2013.
3. News: Longworth. Karina. Like a King That Orders One Thing Then Orders the Opposite Thing. 14 October 2013. Slate. 11 October 2013.
4. http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-james-franco-20131013,0,1303839.story#axzz3035anBYY James Franco's 'Actors Anonymous' says a lot about James Franco - latimes.com
5. News: Donoghue. Steve. Book review: James Franco's 'Actors Anonymous'. 14 October 2013. The Washington Post. 11 October 2013.
6. News: Lee. Stephan. See James Franco star in the book trailer for 'Actors Anonymous': 'I Am The Actor' -- EXCLUSIVE. 14 October 2013. Entertainment Weekly. 10 October 2013.
7. Web site: Spargo. Chris. James Franco Wrote A Book, "Actor Anonymous," And Made A Pretentious Book Trailer To Go With It: WATCH. New Now Next. Logo Digital. 14 October 2013.
8. http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/444472/Actors-Anonymous-by-James-Franco-review Actors Anonymous by James Franco - review | Books | Entertainment | Daily Express
9. https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2013/10/17/book-review-actors-anonymous-james-franco/ZFWhDzYr7Y48FVYMQL2MrJ/story.html Book review: ‘Actors Anonymous’ by James Franco - Books - The Boston Globe
10. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/dec/13/actors-anonymous-james-franco-review Actors Anonymous by James Franco – review | Books | The Guardian
11. Web site: Raup . Jordan . 2015-03-23 . Exclusive: First Images From Adaptation of James Franco’s ‘Actors Anonymous’ . 2024-03-28 . en-US.
12. Web site: Correspondent . Randy Myers . 2017-02-27 . Cinequest 2017: Don’t miss these films at San Jose’s huge fest . 2024-03-28 . The Mercury News . en-US.
13. Web site: Penaloza . Si Si . 2017-04-29 . The Newport Beach Film Festival Goes Deeper . 2024-03-28 . JetsetMag.com . en-US.
14. Web site: copland . ruth . 2017-04-15 . Arts Interview: Chris Abernathy, Jake Robbins and Tim Astor from 'Actors Anonymous' Cinequest World Premiere Film . 2024-03-28 . It's A Question of Balance with Ruth Copland . en-US.
15. Web site: Staff . Crossfader . 2017-04-30 . Newport Beach Film Festival 2017 Coverage . 2024-03-28 . Crossfader . en-US.
16. Web site: Radio . Southern California Public . 2015-03-10 . James Franco's USC filmmaking class breaks ground by, you know, making a movie . 2024-03-28 . Southern California Public Radio.