James Franco Kicks Off Oscar Weekend With Indie Spirit Award

A day before co-hosting the 83rd annual Academy Awards, James Franco got some practice on stage when he collected the best male lead acting award at the Independent Spirit Awards Saturday for his portrayal of Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle's 127 Hours.

"This is a very unusually structured movie," Franco said on stage, thanking Boyle and others, including Ralston who was at the show as well.    He called shooting "a crazy, crazy experience," one that "I don't think I'll ever repeat."    He thanked his agent, manager and publicist who told him to take a break from school to do the movie. He recalled them telling him, "James, you're an effing idiot if you don't do this movie!"   Later, he told reporters he is more than ready to host the 83rd annual Academy Awards Sunday.   "I am feeling pretty good!" he said. "The Oscars are a thing - they've been going on 83 years. I am joining a bigger apparatus. It's going to be pretty familiar. It will be fun. They are allowing us to be relaxed. Not stretching us into a mold we don't fit into."   Franco, who recently dished all Oscar details to THR, also said he gave his seat to a family member. "The whole family is coming out," he said. "I will be watching from backstage hanging with the crew."   After scooping up his award, he told THR he had to leave early "to go do a run through."   His good luck rituals? "I'm going to try to relax."   As for Deadline.com revealing details about the upcoming show, Franco said, "Oh well! It's just a monologue."   He said he didn't even know it had leaked. "I guess I'll hear the fallout when I get over there!" he said.