James Cameron

Oscar-winning director, producer, and writer, James Cameron’s use of innovative and cutting-edge technologies pushes the boundaries of science fiction filmmaking.  

After seeing 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and Star Wars (1977), Cameron became interested in special effects and how they could be used to combine science and art. He began his career in film as a miniature-model maker, and soon progressed to become art director for Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) and production designer for Galaxy of Terror (1981).  

His big break came when he sold the script to The Terminator (1984) for one dollar, with the stipulation that he would direct the film. The film, shot on a minimal budget of $6.5 million, was an international success. Cameron’s second film, Aliens (1986), received critical acclaim and Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Effects.  

Cameron’s innovations include designing new equipment and utilizing cutting-edge technologies to realize his films, from the underwater shooting gear for The Abyss (1989) to the virtual camera system for Avatar (2009). Cameron had originally wanted to film Avatar in the late 1990s but had to wait a decade for technology to catch up with his vision.