Actors Anonymous (film)

Last updated
Actors Anonymous
Directed by
  • 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
Written by
  • Elizabeth Eccher
  • Nathan Ellis
  • Matthew Halla
  • Kaela Rae Jensen
  • Josh Litman
  • Theodore Martland
  • Alex Parslow
  • Osahon Tongo
Based on Actors Anonymous
by James Franco
Produced by
  • Chris Abernathy
  • Tim Astor
Starring
Cinematography
  • Jon Speyers
Edited by
  • Saira Haider
  • Takashi Uchida
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byFront Row Filmed Entertainment
Release dates
  • 5 March 2017 (2017-03-05)
(Cinequest Film Festival)
  • 26 April 2017 (2017-04-26)
(Newport Beach Film Festival)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Actors Anonymous is a 2017 feature film adaptation of James Franco's novel of the same name ( Actors Anonymous ). The film explores the complex lives of two young actors pursuing stardom in Hollywood while struggling to escape their past. [1] [2] The ensemble cast includes James Franco, Eric Roberts, Emma Rigby, Scott Haze, Jake Robbins, Carmen Argenziano, and Horatio Sanz. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Produced by Rabbi Bandini Productions and Elysium Bandini Studios in collaboration with grad students at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, [6] [7] the film premiered at Cinequest [8] and subsequently screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival. [9]

Cast

Production

Actors Anonymous had an unconventional development process, crafted by a collective of eight writers and twelve directors, all graduate students at USC's School of Cinematic Arts. [10] [11] [12] 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. [13] [14] [15]

Writers

Directors

Reception

Si Si Penaloza of Jetset Magazine attributed the film's conceptual coherence to "razor sharp film editing and a savvy checks and balances system between multiple directors." [16]

Crossfader Magazine's Sergio Zaciu described the film as reminiscent of "La La Land, sans the glamor, and an absolutely gut-wrenching portrayal of loss, heartbreak, and defeat." He added that while "it isn't the most polished outing" and "the production value can seesaw between potent indie and flat lo-fi," as a launching pad for hopeful directors, "it succeeds with flying colors." [17]

Novel

Published by Little A/New Harvest in 2013, Actors Anonymous is a novel by American author and actor James Franco that serves as the basis for the 2017 film adaptation. [18] [19] Comprising a series of interconnected short stories, the novel delves into the lives of actors in Los Angeles, structuring its chapters around the 12 Steps and the 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. [20] [21] [22]

Some actors that appeared in the book trailer also had roles in the 2017 film, such as Jim Parrack and Scott Haze. [23] [24]

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References

  1. ↑ Aitkenhead, Melanie; Corbin, Abi Damaris; Duffy, Shaun (2017-03-05), Actors Anonymous (Drama), Scott Haze, Jake Robbins, James Franco, Elysium Bandini Studios, RabbitBandini Productions, retrieved 2024-03-05
  2. ↑ Actors Anonymous (2017) . Retrieved 2024-03-28– via letterboxd.com.
  3. ↑ Raup, Jordan (2015-03-23). "Exclusive: First Images From Adaptation of James Franco's 'Actors Anonymous'" . Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  4. ↑ Actors Anonymous (2017) . Retrieved 2024-03-28– via www.blu-ray.com.
  5. ↑ "Actors Anonymous (2017) – Movie". Moviefone. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  6. ↑ Penaloza, Si Si (2017-04-29). "The Newport Beach Film Festival Goes Deeper". JetsetMag.com. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  7. ↑ copland, ruth (2017-04-15). "Arts Interview: Chris Abernathy, Jake Robbins and Tim Astor from 'Actors Anonymous' Cinequest World Premiere Film". It's A Question of Balance with Ruth Copland. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  8. ↑ Myers, Randy (2017-02-27). "Cinequest 2017: Don't miss these films at San Jose's huge fest". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  9. ↑ Staff, Crossfader (2017-04-30). "Newport Beach Film Festival 2017 Coverage". Crossfader. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  10. ↑ "James Franco set to produce unexpected TV movie". CTVNews. 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  11. ↑ Insights, Stories & (2023-08-03). "Meet Josh Litman". CanvasRebel Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  12. ↑ Bawiec, Peter (2016-07-16). "Actors Anonymous". peterbawiec. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  13. ↑ Penaloza, Si Si (2017-04-29). "The Newport Beach Film Festival Goes Deeper". JetsetMag.com. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  14. ↑ "Post". frontlineviews. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  15. ↑ Radio, Southern California Public (2015-03-10). "James Franco's USC filmmaking class breaks ground by, you know, making a movie". Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  16. ↑ Penaloza, Si Si (2017-04-29). "The Newport Beach Film Festival Goes Deeper". JetsetMag.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  17. ↑ Staff, Crossfader (2017-04-30). "Newport Beach Film Festival 2017 Coverage". Crossfader. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  18. ↑ "'Actors Anonymous' book review: James Franco's debut favours self-indulgence over story : Hypable" . Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  19. ↑ Longworth, Karina (2013-10-11). "Why Do People Get So Angry When James Franco Writes Books?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  20. ↑ "Book review: James Franco's 'Actors Anonymous'". Washington Post. 2023-05-17. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  21. ↑ "James Franco Wrote A Book, "Actor Anonymous," And Made A Pretentious Book Trailer To Go With It: WATCH". www.logotv.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  22. ↑ Hoby, Hermione (2013-12-13). "Actors Anonymous by James Franco – review". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  23. ↑ "See James Franco's book trailer for his novel 'Actors Anonymous'". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  24. ↑ ▶️ Actors Anonymous . Retrieved 2024-03-28– via www.imdb.com.
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