Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/635847
romantic relationships, self-flag- ellation and other subjects. Tom and Betsy, who live nearby, are classroom v olunt eers, so it 's truly a family affair. During a recent class, stu- dents show their test shots on a l arge scre en , w hi l e Franc o w a t c h e s c o m f o r t a b l y f r o m a beanbag chair. After viewing scenes written, directed, filmed and edited by students, Franco praises their efforts and offers constructive criticism on plot, dialogu e, cam era angles and authenticity. In a scene depict- ing pot smoking, for example, he urges them to use rolled-up p ap er rath er th an v eget abl e chips as props. For th e stu d ent s, w h o are d r a w n f r o m h i g h s c h o o l s throughout the Palo Alto Uni- f i e d S c h o o l D i str i c t , it 's th e experience of a lifetime to have someone with so much exper- tise and extreme coolness offer advice about filmmaking. "I was dying to get in," con- fides Gabe Cohen, a sophomore. "I am really happy to be a part of this. James Franco is a very nice teacher. He's very cool. He insisted that we call him James and not Mr. Franco. It doesn't feel as though he's a celebrity." Having a superstar as a teacher took some getting used to, admits Cohen, a fan of Franco's films, which include e Interview, 127 Hours, Milk, Pineapple Express, Oz the Great and Powerful, Spring Breakers, is Is the End, and Palo Alto. e latter depicts the stress of young people living in the affluent community, which has suffered a high teen suicide rate attributed to extreme parental pressure to succeed. The storyline of the student film is topical for teens, depicting struggles with drugs, family expectations, sexual orientation, romantic relationships and other subjects. Media Teachers in the Headlines 26 cta.org