Actor, pot smoker, wannabe BJ-giver and all-around intellectual James Franco bought a great little house in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake a while back (from one of the costume designers on Mad Men, oddly), and while the people who lived next door were initially psyched about the star moving in, they’ve now written an “anonymous” (we see you!) letter to Curbed LA about how he’s not only never there, but he’s also letting his staff turn the place into a full-blown production studio.
From Curbed LA:
At first, my partner and I were pleased to have Mr. Franco living next door. His work in ‘Milk’ and his academic pursuits made us happy he was on our street. That is no longer the case.If, in fact, Mr. Franco has purchased the house next door, it does not appear to be inhabited by the actor; it does appear to be inhabited by several people who are working for him. In addition, over the course of the last weeks the individuals living on the property appear to be running a MAJOR production company out of the house and have also used it for shoots. To be fair, they did provide us with notice for one shoot. Unfortunately, the occasional film shoot comes with living in Los Angeles.
But this appears to be way more than just a film shoot: The property has become a production house. In fact, Iris, who works for the actor informed me that they are running production from the house. Iris is the same individual who, when we complained to her a few weeks ago about constantly blocking our driveway said, “Have you guys met James?” Yeah, that’s not going to make it better.Large white production trucks and various other vehicles block our driveway and use it as a loading zone and block our street with such regularity that we have begun calling parking enforcement to have them ticketed; racks of costumes come and go; crowds of people constantly stream in and out of the house and have business meetings in front of OUR house and treat us as if we are eavesdropping sycophants when we walk out our gate to our car; and as I write this, they’ve set up hair and make-up in their driveway. When I asked Iris about this, Iris basically informed me they could do whatever they want on their property. Really? Running a production of such impact and magnitude in a residential area doesn’t violate any zoning restrictions? Are there no limits to the kinds of businesses one can run?
We like James Franco and we like some of his movies, but we’re not so enamored of his presence that we are willing to give up our sanity in our own home.
Note to the neighbor – it’s a little passive aggressive to write a note to a website instead of going over to the house and attempting to talk to the people there about it and contacting the proper authorities if they’re not willing to compromise and/or show common courtesy moving forward.
Second of all, the house is kind of a dump (at least on the outside) so I’m not sure what kind of productions are happening there (please let it be gay porn, please let it be gay porn), but whatever. You can’t be running shoots late into the night if it means the whole neighborhood is lit up but if they’re doing this in their own house and aren’t bothering anyone, what’s the harm?
It sounds to me like “neighbor” has contacted someone other than a website. Am I reading this wrong ? Having Franco as a non neighbor sounds very annoying . When I was a kid, growing up in Laurel Canyon, Ike and Tina Turner were our neighbors. They were annoying also. Celebrity’s think that the neighbors think its cool having them in the hood so they don’t have to play by the rules…no thanks.
I think your last sentence says it all. They ARE bothering people. Let’s face it, a residential area just isn’t a considerate place to set up a production studio.
The neighbour clearly talked to them about it otherwise she wouldnt know Iris’ name and half the details in the letter.
They are TOTALLY bothering people!! That’s their point! I somehow get the sense that they’ve attempted to contact people and do this nicely–they’ve spoken with Iris, who thinks name-dropping is the way to get around it, and I suspect they’ve been kept away from James. I don’t blame them a bit. I’m sure it gets old.
Woah, kind of a dump? I’m sorry, are you used to living in castles? Way to sound uppity and bitchy.
Haha, word.
Also, it didn’t sound like they aren’t bothering anyone, and that they did talk to James’ people first to no avail. I don’t find this passive aggressive at all. It’s very open, well put and direct , and I love the part where he says he likes “some” of Franco’s movies, but not enough to put up with this shit :)
I’m a bit confused – didn’t you guys used to slam Franco all the time for being an insufferable snob? Because this particular point of view comes across as if you are somewhat defending him.
I’m also confused. Is Jennifer siding with Franco’s people ? Also, the house is lovely.. Spanish style in Silver Lake, very desirable.
Who’s “you guys”, exactly? Considering I started here in the beginning of February – which you of all people know – my viewpoints on mostly everything are clearly different than anyone who’s written here before. I don’t particularly care either way about James Franco – he’s a bit of a non-entity to me, I just report the stories.
Rookie mistake, Jenny. Own your fuck ups, of which this burbling is a clear example. Don’t get whiny and defensive.
Xkcd – I definitely own my mistakes… when I actually make them.
Ugh. The statement to the website is very clear as to the actions the neighbors have taken with James’ “people”. There are strict ordinances as to what you can and cannot do, and when, in Los Angeles. Silverlake is a sleepy little suburb with a TON of prestigue; rather like Hancock Park. The homes there are all older, very classic to this desirable area. I bet there’s arched doorways, cove ceilings and crown mouldings to die for in that house! So, yeah. Uppity works.
I’ll move next door to the guy. Bring it on!
james is very cute. he is not pot smoker. he has sleepy eyes it look like he always stoned.
Running a production company out of a private home can be dangerest with all those hot lamps…
Hint: Do I smell smoke:)