On the page, “Palo Alto” seems like the most James Franco of James Franco projects. It’s a coming-of-age tale based on a book of short stories by Franco, adapted for the big screen by Gia Coppola (of course), with Franco taking a role in the movie too (obviously). But put those assumptions aside, because the final product is a “strong and soulful” one, and a worthy entry into the teen movie genre. So what was that process like bringing the page to life in front of the camera?
Well, you can go ahead and hear what James Franco has to say about it in a 30-minute interview with Film Society of Lincoln Center. The Q&A followed a recent screening of the film and it delves hard into the process of adaptation, how Franco met Coppola and their process, his approach to the role in the film, writing and much more. You can watch the full chat below, or selected highlights following that. Either way, it’s a generous helping of time with Franco and should prove insightful to those wondering how he gets it all done.
