James Cameron is commitment. Developed Avatar from a dream he had when young; and what - five decades later - got the whole world to share in it. An inspiration to us all.
Avatar turn my life around 10 years ago, when I lost everything and hopelessly went to see this movie with my young son to enjoy for last time, that couple hours of amazing, gorgeous, and beyond imaginable scene , I completely relieve myself into the movie and when end of the movie I was not able get out of the seat, I was quietly sobbing. Ten years after, that Avatar moment 10 years ago resonated throughout the years and made all things positive and I'm living a stable, and amazing life. Thank you for creating Avatar! you save my life.
The only director to make two 1 billion dollar Hollywood movies back to back with original scripts and not some adaptation of previous IP. Both of those movies have garnered multiple Academy Awards nominations and wins including best picture and director. Forever grateful for your originality in movies. Thank you, James Cameron!!
@@zenituragaming5043 original as in not an adaptation of a preexisting IP. Nothing is truly original as nothing exists in a vacuum. Everything.... literally EVERYTHING is inspired by, influenced by, and takes from various sources. There is nothing you could name that you couldn't identify what influenced it and what it isn't cribbing various elements from. And that goes for movies and music. The only original part is how you can take all those various influences and elements and combine them together to make something that is at least fresh or not what has been seen before. As in that combination of elements has not been seen before. Thus so long as something isn't directly adapting a preexisting IP then it is "original" regardless of how obvious it's influences may be.
@@Sabundy yep so not originality hell titanic was adapted before his movie and avatar is literally pocahontas in space I am gonna give him praise for the technical feats not for the scripts
@@zenituragaming5043 I think what he meant is that both movies were not sequels. If you look at the top 40 highest box offices, the movies that were not sequels or without book adaption (or with original idea unlike Marvel) are Joker and the Lion King (1994). So to have two original movies in top 3 box office is nothing but a legendary achievement. The Lion King made about a billion in 1994, and Titanic made 2.2 billions in 1997, that's like 3.6 billions in 2021, and Avatar was about 3.4 billions today. Endgame was nowhere close to these movies at box office.
@Willmatecycling Blows my mind honestly, my thinking is its people who are offended by his creative intuition , or his inner confidence and who mistaken it for pure arrogance.
You might want to google some youtube channels. James reputation on set is more like a screaming director with lots of takes on the Titanic for example. He makes great movies just like Stanley Kubrick but if you read the bios or watch the docs, he is far from humble, he is ruthless on set with tons of takes unlike say Clint Eastwood few takes or Quentin Tarantino who have a great reputation of fun on the sets which is why you see actors and loyal crew loving to work for them. Tough guys like Arnold and x-wives who can put up with Hollywood BS (like Harvey Weinstein) can deal the abusive hard work with Alford Hitchcock. Read some books - Oliver Stone is not an easy director either tormenting his actors for better performance... google how he got Michael Douglas 's Wall Street famous Greed speech by getting into his head saying it sucked until he nailed it and got an Academy Award. My point is Directors have done nasty things to get a performance out of a lazy or dumb actor, myself included. You do what it takes to get the shot... humble on set - no way. Humble on camera promoting his movie - yes. Don't confuse the two - just like the Johnny Depp vs Amber Turd trial.
@@MrDoom885 it's true. He's a control freak. He'd need to be to create something like Avatar. But humble is not the word for the man who yelled 'I'm the king of the world' when he won an Oscar.
I agree but it's also hella ironic given how the first Avatar movie played out lol I'd say another filmmaker who's also very concerned about humanity is George Lucas, who always incorporated a lot of historical elements into his movies.
@@montanamike7948 There's this scene in which two kids play with toy guns and start bickering when John states: "We're not gonna make it. I mean us humans." The T-800 responds:"It's in your nature to destroy yourselves." A very simple observation with a stern warning. Only substantiates my initial comment.
James Cameron is probably my favourite of the big blockbuster directors. He’s just such a genuine no nonsense guy and isn’t pretentious in anyway. I feel like you could have a talk with him at a bar like any other dude
0:18 : When did you first conceive the idea of Avatar? What was your inspiration? 2:32 : After first writing Avatar, why did you wait 10 years to start making the movie? 5:21 : As this was such an uncharted territory, what was it like pitching this idea to the studio? 7:57 : How did you convince the cast to do the characters that were done using performance capture? 11:40 : When you wrote Grace Augustine, did you already have Sigourney Weaver in mind for the part? 13:18 : What was the most difficult part in Avatar to cast? 15:54 : What was the easiest piece of casting? 17:05 : You are making all your movies in 3D, why is 3D important to you? 18:40 : What is your favorite part of Pandora and why? 19:54 : What is one thing about Pandora that you wish got more screen time, but couldn't make it because of time constraints? 21:35 : What is your best advice to the new generations of filmmakers to get noticed in the film industry? 24:00 : Ten years later, why do you think Avatar continues to have lasting resonance around the world?
:46.. that part of the video, I'll bet he's talking about The Abyss. Fantastic film. Also took place in the water, many parallels with avatar, and the aliens in the water were bioluminescent.
I'm so happy that Sam was used for Jake sully! He fit so well in Avatar 1, hes not so famous, so every time you see him hes fresh face and in Avatar 2 where hes only a navi, hes truly amazing
Awww... cool stuff, brother. I first saw T2 on the big screen right before I turned 11, and it was an experience I'll never forget. James Cameron has given us some amazing experiences, hasn't he?
I seen the question, why does it still resonate? I watched Avatar in IMAX at the age of nine, and at the time I was such a geek for fantasy, other wordly things and this movie taught me of bioluminesence. This movie sparked my wonder for art and writing, and when the movie was re-released [deleted scenes edition] I counted down the years till the second movie when rumors told of a second. If it wasn't for this movie I wouldn't be as empathetic as I was, it wouldn't have sparked my love for both art and writing but most of all, it made me love my culture more as a Native American. Yes, at the age of 8 and up I had already been taught the genocide of both my people and culture and this movie had made me feel recognized and seen, thats another thing that made me love it more was feeling recognized inside a movie that subtly showed the unjust of many cultures in one. So, I salute you, James Cameron for this amazing film and the many more to come! Thank you for making a wonderful piece which sparked my dreams and passions.
Yeah. You could learn an awful lot about the industry by paying extra, extra, close, close, close attention to what James Cameron says and communicates.
Avatar 2 is gonna be epic. James Cameron is a wonderful storyteller and so dedicated to his filmmaking art. Respect to all his hard work, dedication and patience.
Got a lot of respect for Cameron regarding his first answer and motivations around connection to nature, injustice at colonialism and what indigenous peoples have suffered, and what we are doing to the natural world. Incredibly needed imo. I also remain convinced that part of the reason why there was blowback against the film by some was that, subconsciously or consciously, they didn't like these points and criticisms that Cameron was making. And for that reason I think it's all the more important that films like this are being made. I can't wait for the sequel this year.
Truly. I remember seeing comments saying "The humans were in the right the whole time, the Na'vi should've been killed off, etc etc" and all I could of was "You missed the entire point of this film, didn't you?"
@@chubbybunny6975 Exactly. Although for the most part I think those types generally know exactly what they're doing, and are just hardcore colonialists, species supremacists etc.
Indigenous people in real life are nothing like the movies. In real life, indigenous people cared nothing about the environment, and today are some of the most petty, bitter small-minded people you'll ever meet. Environmentalism is a white creation. Haven't you ever noticed that every story, every movie, you've ever seen with an environmental message was created by white people like James Cameron? Meanwhile, indigenous people's most notable accomplishment was wiping out Ice Age megafauna, including the horse.
It was too heavy handed. Literally copies native cultures and put blue skins of them. Needed to show bad side of Navi as well, if they have ritual sacrifice etc
So his soul and past life might be from Pandora then. He channels these places and beings. Every imagination exist. Thank you James for taking us into your inspirations or imagination. Beautiful mind indeed.
Correct. OR perhaps Aliens created us and influence our thoughts. Maybe they placed these thoughts in his head. We do not understand the world nearly as much as we think we do. Look how congress is starting to admit the existence of Aliens.
I just rewatched Avatar in theaters and i cannot get enough of this world. From a dream....wow. Thank you James Cameron and everyone who worked/is working on this beautiful story/world. I really wish I could be a part of it. So amazing.
First time I watched avatar, I said to my friends when We got out of the theater: there is no way this is someone’s imagination, it must be a dream. And now Cameron himself confirmed that I was right.
@@redpillmatrix3046 part of me really wonders if he didn't go somewhere in that dream. We can't dream what we haven't seen, but we can SEE things we haven't seen. Not saying Pandora specifically is real, but there could well be a world out there that's somewhat similar insofar as bioluminescence.
Hate him or love him, but the man is a genius, talented director. Visionary, pioneer and compromised to his ideas and how to portray then in beautiful imagery! A true artist behind the lense. Doesn't matter the medium, it is always impecable! 💙💚
I love how much he intently puts the actors first in this entire process. Creating a space and sandbox as he calls it that works for them and by catering to them in such a way where they can take over and deliver such incredible performances
1- 0:19 When did you first conceive the idea of Avatar? What was your inspiration? 2- 5:23 As this was such uncharted territory, what was it like pitching this idea to the studio? 3- 7:58 How did you convince the cast to do characters that were done using performance capture? 4- 11:42 When you wrote Dr. Grace Augustine, did you already have Sigourney in mind for the part?
Thank you for posting this! May you be blessed with wealth, long life, happiness, good sex, and many fruitful offspring. Timestamp posters are the salt of the earth.
5- 13:17 What was the most difficult part to cast? 6- 15:53 What was the easiest part to cast? 7- 17:05 Why 3D? 8- 18:42 What is your favourite part of Pandora? 9- 19:55 10- 21:36 11- 24:01 10 years later, why do you think Avatar continues to have lasting resonance around the world?
Avatar was the first ever 3D movie I watched in theatre when I was 13 years old! Mahn that experience was really awesome And that was the best 3D movie I experienced still
I was about 11 or 12 at the time and I remember seeing it and I was in awe for cgi. Now cgi is done horribly in other films because it’s cheaper but when it comes to avatar and avatar 2, cgi is done in the right way
Human civilization or alien....it's quite hard to do with out becoming another star wars, I'm writing my ideas for a game and also doing concepts for it too. Hope your book is coming along nicely 🙂
@@rocky821 what I'm working on now is the flow of it from start to finish I.e picking your character then tutorial gameplay and so on, not a script but small paragraphs covering the main plot points in each chapter or hub level...if that makes any sense
I’m very envious of this man. To be able to walk into an office with any creative idea I have, pitch it, and be given bucketloads of cash in return to bring it to realization would be my dream come true.
Totally agree what he said about 3D. Avatar did it right. Avatar did 3D in a way where while watching it you forgot you were watching a 3D movie. Heck you forgot you were watching a movie. It just felt like you were there. I was 18 when the first film came out, now 32 I can't wait to go back to world with the improved technology and feel that immersion and magic again.
My daughter and I have juat finished watching Avatar. Shes 4 and half but I can tell she loved it, this movie tears me up everytime I watch it. Its just a brilliant movie, I can't say much more. Its just a really moving movie that has so many little messages and the beautiful side of humanity. We will definitely be going to see the second one. Well worth the wait
From a dream and a heart bearing so much love, James Cameron has created what I would argue to be some of the best films ever made; the Avatar films are truly some of the most breathtaking, remarkable, and inspirational films through the history of time. Some of the most touching and truly resonant moments in cinematic history lie in these films. If you have not seen Avatar: The Way of Water, trust me when I say it is the kind of film that only comes out no more often than once a decade.
What he's good at is intertwining human stories and love stories into the film. That's what connects with different demographics in the audience. So essentially there's something for everyone. That's why his movies are successful.
Really looking forward to these movies and enjoying them in IMAX at the movie theater. I hope Cameron doesn’t make the mistake of streaming these on television. Don’t dilute your work for a made for tv experience, Cameron!
This type of Experience film really really needs a Group collective audience as as there non verbal internal reactions are a part of this type of Art expression experience , you just cant do that through a streaming experience ,, Coved is the deep challenge that has every filmmaker chewing nails , spend years making sequel a deeply immersive collective audience experience film that takes the collective audience on a journey with them.. then pray Coved will run its course so people wont fear going into a cinema to view it the way its meant to be seen ..
I remember that day when I saw this movie, and at the end, I said to my friend, was this the most incredible movie I've ever seen!!! I was blown away!!! thank you for being a great story teller!!! mike
I was in Maui recently, went for a walk at night on the beach with a friend and little blue glowing specs were appearing in the sand. The more we looked around the more we saw. Reminded me of Avatar! It was some kind of microorganism that caused the glow.
I love how James endured the grueling production of 'The Abyss' and then goes "yes' let's do that x10 when the actors involved in the former are still traumatized lol! James is an utter *machine* .
The one thing I would have loved to see more of was pandora during the night the movie is amazing but for me the night time and all the bioluminescence was my favorite part of the movie I’ve always wondered what the world would be like if everything has a glow to it at night
I’m astounded by his answer to the last question and what he had to say about connectedness, belonging, and the movie working on people’s subconscious. Dude knew exactly what he was doing. I also like that he adds “spirit guide” in reference to Neytiri this is her archetype for sure. She really does represent something spiritual and her archetype is a very profound one that’s been around for a loooooong time - and for good reason.
i hope we can see new tech again that can mindblown us like before, not just story. back when i was a kid, i imagine avatar 2 will be really holographic on theatres
It's odd to say that Avatar is a childhood movie of mine. Anyway, I absolutely love Avatar. It has stuck with me for a very long time. Can't wait for the sequels. Pandora is such a beautiful world to visit. Thank you James Cameron and the crew of Avatar.
To think a guy that was a truck driver and never went to film school turns out Abyss, Terminator(s), Titanic, Avatar(s). This guy is so impressive: smart, talented, real.
The most curious thing about a genius is that he/she talks as if it were simple, like some random person explaining how to turn on a computer. Humbleness and passion in his/her speaking also very easy to spot.
This right here is a true talent and a master of his craft. Id say he is a national treasure who will go down in history as one of the best directors, visionaries, story tellers and film creators.
Avatar is one of the best movies of all time & my personal favorite . It’s not overhyped at all and hopefully takes back the highest grossing movie title after the September re-release 🤘🏽
T2 was my favorite movie as a kid. Titanic completely and totally blew me away and is one of my all time favs. Aliens is so damn cool, and stylish and just badass. Avatar was my first real IMAX 3D experience and I was never the same afterward! Avatar 2 is the most gorgeous visual technical blockbuster movie I have ever seen. This man is responsible for giving me the greatest entertainment experiences with film. I thank you James Cameron. You are a genius and a legend, and the world is a better place with you in it. Thank you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I just listened to all of blockbuster, great podcast. feel like Jim and I are old friends now. Gives you a whole new perspective when listening to these interviews, this man is a true industry Vet and a true artist. He's always raising the bar lmao
I have been waiting 10 long years to see this :) ~ James you are a genius! Thank you for creating such an amazing world: the story, the characters, the language, the 3D experience.. everything is truly revolutionary. I hope you won’t wait another 10 years to make Avatar 3 though :)
Thank you James for bringing your art to reality for all of us to experience. I loved both films and a lot of your other greats. Wishing you health and prosperity and a happy new year!
This was a good video. James Cameron seems like a smart bloke. and he actually answers questions well and in depth. I have seen other Q&A's and you certainly don't feel satisfied with the answers.
As much as I loathed waiting,I’m glad I got to watch the first movie,I’m so in love with it.I hope I live long enough to see the others and am not disappointed .James Cameron do your best and take my breath away!!!!
A genius director with the right people around him makes incredible films that touch in an emotional way I love the first Avatar film I saw the second one yesterday it blew me away the sounds and music and the characters in his films and there story he’s telling you 🙏