I find this very interesting about James Franco, which was reported in Variety.  He will star in In Praise of Shadows, an independent drama written and directed by Jay Anania. The film goes into production June 15 in New York City.

Franco met Anania at NYU graduate film school where Anania is head of the directing program.  Franco just completed his first year at NYU while at the same time completed his master’s degree in English at Columbia University — unbelievable.

In Praise of Shadows is about William Vincent (Franco), and follows his eccentric and curious journey bringing him back to New York City after four years in exile to rescue the woman he loves from a crime syndicate.

It just goes to show you that networking in film school pays off.