Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: James Franco Handpainted This Mural For His New Movie, Of Course
You might have spotted a graffiti-style mural on Melrose Avenue: Sure enough, it's actually an ad for the upcoming James Franco comedy This Is The End.
Earlier this month, the actor-writer-director-host-poet-metapersonality helped paint the mural to advertise his new apocalyptic comedy. The event took place without any fanfare in advance of the film's June 12 release, but now the studio is releasing a behind-the-scenes video showing Franco and friends at work. (The MPAA's "R" at the bottom of the mural kind of gives it away as an ad. That and the spot across from Fairfax High is often used for promotional purposes.)
The actors in the film—Franco, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Seth Rogen, Craig Robinson and Jonah Hill—are rendered in cartoonish ways that hint at their possible demise in the film. (It is about the end of the world.) The mural, near Melrose and Fairfax, is signed by Franco and photographer Anna Kooris (identified on Tumblr as his assistant).
Henry, 18, a student at Fairfax High, told LAist today he'd never noticed the mural amidst all the others on the street, even though he walks past it every day. "Is that the funny one with the aliens?" he asked of the movie. "I saw the trailer. Yeah, looks good."
Support for LAist comes from
"That's not my type of movie," said 62-year-old Alan. He walks his dog, Bo, past the spot on a daily basis. "Just about every week, it's an advertisement for running shoes or a movie [here]. It's for young people. Slapstick type comedy. I kind of outgrew that."
Mark, 37, who works nearby, said he noticed the mural right away, and that the big "Written by Seth Rogen" tipped it off that it was an ad. Since he's a fan of Superbad and Pineapple Express, he's planning on seeing the movie.
Ryan, 32, who produces stand-up comedy records, says he "doesn't really go see comedies." Although he's "got nothing against James Franco," he told LAist he's not a fan of the mural for two reasons: "It's corny there's an ad here. Usually it's an art piece, but they've done ads before. And it looks like a sketch of a painting before you actually paint. I kept waiting for them to finish it. It looks unfinished, right?"
None of the passersby, even those who recognized it as an ad, had noticed Franco's signature on his handiwork.
Franco painted the same mural on a street in Brooklyn with Kooris and Nina Ljeti.
Related: Art or Advertising? Proposed Mural Ordinance Tries to Sort It Out
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist