Editing James Cameron (section)

== Filmmaking style ==
=== Themes ===
Cameron's films are often based on themes which explore the conflicts between [[Artificial intelligence|intelligent machines]] and humanity or [[nature]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://etatsdulieu.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/de-star-wars-a-avatar-prouesse-technologique-et-science-fiction-politique/|title=De Star Wars à Avatar : prouesse technologique et science-fiction politique|last=P Vlad|date=December 27, 2009|language=fr|access-date=January 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718093009/http://etatsdulieu.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/de-star-wars-a-avatar-prouesse-technologique-et-science-fiction-politique/|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cinelinx.com/movie-news/movie-stuff/directors-trademarks-james-cameron/|title=Directors' Trademarks: James Cameron|last=Perno|first=G. S.|date=June 5, 2017|website=Cinelinx|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020102631/http://www.cinelinx.com/movie-news/movie-stuff/directors-trademarks-james-cameron/|archive-date=October 20, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019}}</ref> dangers of corporate greed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celluloidfun.com/avatar-in-3d-scifi-fantasy-action-drama-film-review/|title=Avatar in 3D; sci-fi fantasy action drama film review|last=Linh|date=December 17, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218030826/http://www.celluloidfun.com/avatar-in-3d-scifi-fantasy-action-drama-film-review/|archive-date=December 18, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2010}}</ref> strong female characters, and a romance subplot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popculturezoo.com/archives/5016|title=Review: James Cameron's 'Avatar'|last=Joseph Dilworth Jr.|date=December 18, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221072023/http://popculturezoo.com/archives/5016|archive-date=December 21, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2010}}</ref> Cameron has further stated in an interview with The Talks, "All my movies are love stories".<ref>{{cite web |title=James Cameron: "All my movies are love stories" |url=https://the-talks.com/interview/james-cameron/ |website=The Talks |date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=July 9, 2021}}</ref> Both ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' and ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'' are noted for featuring [[star-crossed lovers]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz |title=James Cameron Compares His 'Avatar' And 'Titanic' Couples. The director notes the similarities between Sully and Neytiri, and Jack and Rose. |publisher=[[MTV]] |date=January 7, 2010 |access-date=January 9, 2010 |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1629226/story.jhtml |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206013516/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1629226/story.jhtml |archive-date=February 6, 2010 }}</ref> Characters suffering from emotionally intense and dramatic environments in the sea wilderness are explored in ''[[The Abyss]]'' and ''Titanic''. The ''[[Terminator (franchise)|Terminator]]'' series amplifies technology as an enemy which could lead to devastation of mankind. Similarly, ''Avatar'' views tribal people as an honest group, whereas a "technologically advanced imperial culture is fundamentally evil".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://brightlightsfilm.com/some-cameroning-part-2-cameron-as-auteur/|title=Some Cameroning, Part 2 - Cameron as Auteur|date=January 28, 2010|website=Bright Lights Film Journal|language=en-US|access-date=October 20, 2019|last1=Kutner |first1=C. Jerry }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-mar-16-me-29454-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] | title='Titanic' Refuses to Sink, Passes 'Star Wars' as Top Moneymaker | first=John M. | last=Glionna | date=March 16, 1998 | access-date=May 24, 2010}}</ref> The danger of nuclear war, as featured in ''[[The Terminator]]'', ''[[Terminator 2: Judgement Day]]'' and in his forthcoming ''Last Train From Hiroshima'' film, has been one of Cameron's fears since he watched the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] unfold when he was eight years old.<ref name="CameronsNextNonAvatarFilm!" />

[[File:James_Cameron_in_Moscow,_April_2012.jpg|thumb|Cameron in 2012]]

=== Method ===
Cameron is regarded as an innovative filmmaker in the industry, with a [[Classical Hollywood cinema|classical filmmaking]] style, as well as not easy to work for.<ref>{{cite news|last=Slater-Williams|first=Josh|title=Where to begin with James Cameron|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/where-begin-with-james-cameron|access-date=November 17, 2023|work=[[British Film Institute|BFI]]|date=December 12, 2022|quote=He has a considerable flair for spectacle, his editing and framing of set-pieces favouring clean, classical modes...}}</ref><ref name="Keegan-2010">{{Cite news|url=https://hbr.org/2010/03/how-james-cameron-leads|title=Firing Is Too Merciful: How James Cameron Leads|last=Keegan|first=Rebecca|date=March 5, 2010|work=Harvard Business Review|access-date=October 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018102635/https://hbr.org/2010/03/how-james-cameron-leads|archive-date=October 18, 2019|issn=0017-8012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=James Cameron|last=MacKay|first= Jenny|date=2014|publisher=Lucent Books, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning|isbn=9781420511741|location=Detroit|pages=81|oclc=862151367}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2009/oct/25/observer-profile-james-cameron|title=James Cameron: Hard man with a soft centre {{!}} Vanessa Thorpe|last=Thorpe|first=Vanessa|date=October 24, 2009|work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=October 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018113840/https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2009/oct/25/observer-profile-james-cameron|archive-date=October 18, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ''[[Radio Times]]'' critic John Ferguson described Cameron as "the king of hi-tech thrillers".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/film/zwtn/the-abyss/|title=The Abyss|work=Radio Times|first=John|last=Ferguson|access-date=October 17, 2021|archive-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017205737/https://www.radiotimes.com/film/zwtn/the-abyss/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dalin Rowell of ''[[/Film]]'' stated: "Known for his larger-than-life creations and unique filmmaking style, director James Cameron is in a league all of his own. With his genre-spanning work, lofty ambitions, and unrestrained energy, Cameron has carved out a name for himself in Hollywood as an artist willing to do anything to see his vision come true."<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.slashfilm.com/617886/every-james-cameron-film-ranked-from-worst-to-best/ | title= Every James Cameron Film Ranked From Worst To Best | work=[[/Film]] | first=Dalin | last=Rowell | date=September 28, 2021 | access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> Rebecca Keegan, author of ''The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron,'' describes Cameron as "comically hands-on", and as someone who would try to do every job on the set.<ref name="Keegan-2010" /> Andrew Gumbel of ''[[The Independent]]'' says Cameron "is a nightmare to work with. Studios fear his habit of straying way over schedule and over budget. He is notorious on set for his uncompromising and dictatorial manner, as well as his flaming temper".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2144052.ece|title=The Return of James Cameron|last=Gumbel|first=Andrew|date=January 11, 2007|work=[[The Independent]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214191737/http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2144052.ece|archive-date=December 14, 2007|location=London}}</ref> Author Alexandra Keller writes that Cameron is an egomaniac, obsessed with vision, but praises his "technological ingenuity" at creating a "visceral viewing experience".<ref name="Keller-2014">{{Cite book|title=James Cameron|last=Keller |first=Alexandra |publisher=Routledge|year=2014|isbn=9781134700141|location=Abingdon, Oxon|pages=3, 32|oclc=879383254}}</ref>

According to Ed Harris, who starred in Cameron's film ''The Abyss'', Cameron behaved in an [[Autocracy|autocratic]] manner.<ref name="Harmetz-1989">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/06/movies/film-the-abyss-a-foray-into-deep-waters.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|title=A Foray into Deep Waters|last=Harmetz|first=Aljean|date=August 6, 1989|work=[[The New York Times]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027195842/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/06/movies/film-the-abyss-a-foray-into-deep-waters.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|archive-date=October 27, 2010|access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> [[Orson Scott Card]], who novelized ''The Abyss'', stated that Cameron "made everyone around him miserable, and his unkindness did nothing to improve the film in any way. Nor did it motivate people to work faster or better".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timp.net/osclistgallery/transcript990831.htm|title=Barnes and Noble Chat 8/31/99|date=August 31, 1999|website=Barnes and Noble|publisher=[[Barnes & Noble]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991128201359/http://timp.net/osclistgallery/transcript990831.htm|archive-date=November 28, 1999|access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> Harris later said: "I like Jim. He's an incredibly talented, intelligent guy", adding that "it was always good to see him" in later years.<ref>{{cite magazine | url= https://ew.com/article/2016/11/29/ed-harris-movies/ | title= Ed Harris discusses his 9 best movie roles | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | first=James | last=Hibberd | date=November 29, 2016 | access-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref> Speaking of her experience on ''Titanic'', Kate Winslet said that she admired Cameron, but "there were times I was genuinely frightened of him".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-11-ca-57559-story.html|title=Back From the Abyss|date=May 11, 1997|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204164303/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-05-11/entertainment/ca-57559_1_winslet-characterized-cameron|archive-date=February 4, 2017|access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> Describing him as having "a temper like you wouldn't believe", she had said she would not work with him again unless it was "for a lot of money".<ref name="tim walker"/> Despite this, Winslet and Cameron still looked for future projects and Winslet was eventually cast in ''Avatar 2''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mike Fleming Jr |url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/kate-winslet-avatar-2-titanic-reunion-titanic-helmer-james-cameron-1202181471/ |title=Kate Winslet Joins 'Avatar' Universe For 'Titanic' Reunion With James Cameron |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=October 3, 2017 |access-date=December 11, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004015402/http://deadline.com/2017/10/kate-winslet-avatar-2-titanic-reunion-titanic-helmer-james-cameron-1202181471/ |archive-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref> Her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio told [[Esquire (magazine)|''Esquire'']]: "When somebody felt a different way on the set, there was a confrontation. He lets you know exactly how he feels", but complimented Cameron, "he's of the lineage of [[John Ford]]. He knows what he wants his film to be."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/the-side/qa/dicaprio-interview-0310|title=10 Essential Lessons from Leo DiCaprio|date=February 11, 2010|website=Esquire|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002071351/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/g456/dicaprio-interview-0310/?slide=2|archive-date=October 2, 2015|access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> Sam Worthington, who starred in ''Avatar'', said that if a mobile phone rang during filming, Cameron would "nail it to the wall with a nail gun".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/james-cameron-dont-get-high-on-your-own-supply-8650777.html|title=James Cameron: 'Don't get high on your own supply'|date=June 9, 2013|website=The Independent|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928142313/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/james-cameron-dont-get-high-on-your-own-supply-8650777.html|archive-date=September 28, 2018|access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> Composer James Horner was also not immune to Cameron's demands; he recalls having to write music in a short time frame for ''Aliens.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jameshorner-filmmusic.com/the-reconciliation-between-james-horner-and-james-cameron-for-titanic/|title=The Reconciliation Between James Horner and James Cameron for Titanic|last=Martin|first=Jean-Baptiste|date=June 21, 2019|website=James Horner Film Music|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018222207/http://jameshorner-filmmusic.com/the-reconciliation-between-james-horner-and-james-cameron-for-titanic/|archive-date=October 18, 2019|access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> After the experience, Horner did not work with Cameron for a decade.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33252508|title=James Horner: James Cameron pays tribute to composer – BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=June 6, 2016|work=[[BBC News]] |date=June 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825184539/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-33252508|archive-date=August 25, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, they reconciled their friendship and Horner produced the soundtracks for ''Titanic'' and ''Avatar''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.awardsdaily.com/2015/06/22/in-memoriam-a-tribute-to-james-horner-1953-2015/|title=In Memoriam: a Tribute to James Horner (1953–2015)|last=Flores|first=Marshall|date=June 23, 2015|website=Awards Daily|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312230531/http://www.awardsdaily.com/2015/06/22/in-memoriam-a-tribute-to-james-horner-1953-2015/|archive-date=March 12, 2018|access-date=June 6, 2016}}</ref>

Despite this reputation, Sigourney Weaver has praised Cameron's perfectionism and attention to detail, saying: "He really does want us to risk our lives and limbs for the shot, but he doesn't mind risking his own".<ref name="tim walker">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/james-cameron-another-planet-1838793.html|title=James Cameron: Another Planet|last=Walker|first=Tim|date=December 12, 2009|work=[[The Independent]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405054551/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/james-cameron-another-planet-1838793.html|archive-date=April 5, 2019|location=London}}</ref> In 2015, Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis both applauded Cameron in an interview. Curtis remarked: "He can do every other job [than acting]. I'm talking about every single department, from art direction to props to wardrobe to cameras, he knows more than everyone doing the job". Curtis also said Cameron "loves actors", while Weaver referred to Cameron as "so generous to actors" and a "genius".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/sigourney-weaver/#page2|title=Jamie Lee Curtis and Kids Arrive for Avatar|date=February 18, 2015|work=interviewmagazine.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528231658/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/sigourney-weaver|archive-date=May 28, 2019|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> Michael Biehn, a frequent collaborator, also praised Cameron, saying he "is a really passionate person. He cares more about his movies than other directors care about their movies", adding, "I've never seen him yell at anybody". Biehn acknowledged that Cameron is "not real sensitive when it comes to actors and their trailers, and waiting for actors to come to the set".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://denofgeek.com/movies/17985/the-ultimate-michael-biehn-interview-the-abyss-tombstone-and-his-directorial-debut-the-victim|title=The ultimate Michael Biehn interview: The Abyss, Tombstone, and his directorial debut, The Victim|last=Bowles|first=Duncan|date=August 31, 2011|work=Den of Geek|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405072056/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/17985/the-ultimate-michael-biehn-interview-the-abyss-tombstone-and-his-directorial-debut-the-victim|archive-date=April 5, 2019|access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref> Worthington commented: "He demands excellence. If you don't give it to him, you're going to get chewed out. And that's a good thing".<ref name="tim walker"/> When asked in 2012 about his reputation, Cameron dryly responded: "I don't have to shout any more, because the word is out there already".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9577594/James-Cameron-I-once-nail-gunned-20-mobiles-to-a-wall.html|title=James Cameron: 'I once nail-gunned 20 mobiles to a wall'|journal=Daily Telegraph|last=Woods|first=Judith|date=October 1, 2012|access-date=October 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616210654/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9577594/James-Cameron-I-once-nail-gunned-20-mobiles-to-a-wall.html|archive-date=June 16, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In 2021, while giving a [[MasterClass]] during a break from his work on the ''Avatar'' sequels, Cameron acknowledged his past demanding behaviour, opining that if he could go back in time, he would improve the working relationship with his cast and crew members by being less autocratic, thinking of himself as a "tinpot dictator"; Cameron stated that when he visited one of [[Ron Howard]]'s sets, he was "dumbfounded" at how much time Howard took to compliment his crew, aspiring to become "his inner Ron Howard".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/james-cameron-masterclass-review/|title=7 Things We Learned From the James Cameron MasterClass|work=[[/Film]]|last=Evangelista|first=Chris|date=June 23, 2021|access-date=June 25, 2021}}</ref>

=== Influence ===
Cameron's work has had an impact in the Hollywood film industry. ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]'' (2012), directed by [[Joss Whedon]], was inspired by Cameron's approach to action sequences.<ref name="Slash Film-2012" /> Whedon also admires Cameron's ability for writing heroic female characters such as [[Ellen Ripley]] of ''Aliens'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/jun/02/joss-whedon-reading-comics-pay-off|title=Joss Whedon: 'I kept telling my mum reading comics would pay off'|last=John|first=Emma|date=June 2, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806024605/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/jun/02/joss-whedon-reading-comics-pay-off|archive-date=August 6, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2017}}</ref> adding that he is "the leader and the teacher and the [[Yoda]]".<ref name="Slash Film-2012">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/film-interview-joss-whedon-writer-director-the-avengers/|title=/Film Interview: Joss Whedon, Writer and Director of 'The Avengers'|date=April 23, 2012|website=Slash Film|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427152432/https://www.slashfilm.com/film-interview-joss-whedon-writer-director-the-avengers/|archive-date=April 27, 2019|access-date=July 16, 2012}}</ref> Director [[Michael Bay]] idolizes Cameron and was convinced by him to use 3D cameras for filming ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774|title=Michael Bay Reveals James Cameron's Secret Role in the Making of 'Transformers'|last=Fernandez|first=Jay A.|date=May 25, 2011|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=July 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807172945/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774|archive-date=August 7, 2019}}</ref> Cameron's approach to 3D inspired [[Baz Luhrmann]] during the production of ''[[The Great Gatsby (2013 film)|The Great Gatsby]]'' (2013).<ref>{{cite news|last=Hogan|first=Mike|title=Baz Luhrmann, 'Great Gatsby' Director, Explains The 3D, The Hip Hop, The Sanitarium And More|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/baz-luhrmann-great-gatsby_n_3265327.html|work=Huffington Post|date=May 13, 2013|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916064208/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/baz-luhrmann-great-gatsby_n_3265327.html|archive-date=September 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Other directors that have been inspired by Cameron include [[Peter Jackson]], [[Neill Blomkamp]], and [[Xavier Dolan]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://tbhl.theonering.net/peter/faq.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225035055/http://tbhl.theonering.net/peter/faq.html | archive-date=December 25, 2007 | title=PJ FAQ | access-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2015/03/chappie_review_director_neill.html|title='Chappie' review: Director Neill Blomkamp stumbles with grating sci-fi comedy|date=March 9, 2015|website=mlive.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025121753/https://www.mlive.com/movies/2015/03/chappie_review_director_neill.html|archive-date=October 25, 2019|access-date=July 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/11/director-xavier-dolan-on-titanic|title=How Titanic Changed Director Xavier Dolan's Life|last=Blasberg|first=Derek|date=November 20, 2015|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=November 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122004955/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/11/director-xavier-dolan-on-titanic|archive-date=November 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>