James Franco Studio 4 Film School enrollment, tuition fraud $2.24M class action settlement

The James Franco Studio 4 Film School agreed to pay around $2.24 million as part of a settlement to resolve claims it committed fraud related to enrollment and tuition.

The settlement benefits individuals who took any courses at Studio 4 Film School in Los Angeles or New York between Feb. 1, 2014, and Sept. 20, 2022.

Studio 4 Film School was a school owned by actor James Franco. The school had locations in Los Angeles and New York.

According to former students, Franco and Studio 4 committed fraud when enrolling students, charging tuition and operating the film school. These actions allegedly caused financial injury to plaintiffs and other students.

The class action lawsuit also accused the school of sexual misconduct, claims that have been repeated in the media for years. 

Plaintiffs in the case claim Studio 4 offered a “Sex Scenes” course that bred sexual exploitation of training actresses. According to the class action lawsuit Studio 4 and Franco “sought to create a pipeline of young women who were subjected to his personal and professional sexual exploitation in the name of education.”

Studio 4 hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $2.235 million to resolve some of these allegations. 

This settlement does not resolve allegations of sexual harassment, only those of fraud. Franco has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the press and through court proceedings.

Under the terms of the tuition and enrollment fraud settlement, class members can receive a cash payment based on their enrollment in the Master Class or General Class. 

Master Class students can receive payments from 75% of the net settlement fund. These students can receive compensation of up to 100% of the total tuition they paid for each Master Class. 

General Class students can receive payments from 25% of the net settlement fund. These students can receive up to four months of full monthly tuition, capped at $1,200. 

Class members who were enrolled in both Master Classes and General Classes can receive both types of benefits from the settlement.

No unused funds from the enrollment and tuition fraud settlement will revert back to Studio 4.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Dec. 4, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the James Franco Studio 4 Film School tuition fraud and enrollment settlement is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2023. 

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Dec 4, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who took any courses at Studio 4 Film School in Los Angeles or New York between Feb. 1, 2014, and Sept. 20, 2022.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

12/04/2022

Case Name

Tither-Kaplan & Gaal et al. v. Studio 4 et al., Case No. 19STCV35156, in the Los Angeles Superior Court

Final Hearing

02/15/2023

Settlement Website

Studio4Settlement.com

Claims Administrator

Tither-Kaplan & Gaal v. Studio 4 Class Action Claims Administration
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91398
Seattle, WA 98111
info@studio4settlement.com
877-917-0090

Class Counsel

Dan Stormer
Tanya Sukhija-Cohen
HADSELL STORMER RENICK & DAI LLP

James A. Vagnini
Sara Wyn Kane
Monica Hincken
VALLI KANE & VAGNINI LLP

Defense Counsel

GORDON REES SCULLY MANSUKHANI, LLP