(Cover) - EN Showbiz - James Franco says trying to be the perfect actor is insanity, as the job is really about realising a directors vision.

The Hollywood star has been lauded for his role in Danny Boyles new movie 127 Hours, based on a real-life story about a climbing accident suffered by American mountaineer Aron Ralston. He has already been nominated for the best drama actor Golden Globe Award for the role, and is expected to feature in the similar Oscar category.

When he started his career, such acclaim would have meant a lot to James. He used to measure his success by how well his films went down with audiences and critics, something he now realises was futile.

"When all I had was acting, despite telling myself that it's the wrong kind of thinking, I would define myself by the movies I did," he explained. "If the movie did well, I would feel happy and if it didn't, I would get upset. It was really driving me crazy, trying to somehow control the final product as an actor. It's just insanity. So I had to come to an understanding that my job as an actor was to help a director achieve his or her vision, and that's it."

James tries hard to connect with the characters he plays, and researches them fully. He spent time living on the fringes of society when he played a drug addict, but found his new movie particularly hard. Much of the film features his character on his own, something which was tough.

James didnt realise how much it had affected him until he watched a documentary made at the time back.

A friend of mine came out and made a documentary and we just recently watched what she put together. There's a part in it where Danny is asking me how I'm doing. And I'm like, 'I think I lost it yesterday,' he told British newspaper The Independent. When I look back, it was an amazing experience. But that documentary showed me it was taking a toll, going into this space, day after day, the set not changing. And the nature of the material was so intense." (C) Cover Media